Return of hobby

**emmanuelwoon** · 4th Nov 2013, 00:48

Hi people,
I had left planting tank about 4 years ago and had just recently bought a new tank from EOA . I need advices from you guys as I had totally lost touch.

Tank dimension 60x30x36
Filter Eheim 2217
Dupla 2litre CO2 tank
Lightest will be using solite T5

1. I would like to know how many tubes of T5s do I need to grow HC properly .

2. I also need to know which LFS is good for me to shop for planted tank equipments. I used to go to balestier area to shop but I heard they are no longer around .
The only place I know now is c328 which I go frequently.
Please recommend me which LFS and what kind of products they carry like equipment or livestocks/plants.

3. Probably what brand of fertilizers you guys are using ?

I'm planning my set up and hope I will be successful with HC this time.

Appreciate much !!!! Thanks !

**blue33** · 4th Nov 2013, 01:15

Hi. I thot you left for marine? No more marine?

**emmanuelwoon** · 4th Nov 2013, 08:13

Originally Posted by blue33

Hi. I thot you left for marine? No more marine?

Is it Adrian ? Yeah man , decomm marine about 1 or 2 years ago as commitment is too much for marine tank after I started to work . Still couldn't resist the need of having a tank at home so decided to go for a planted tank. Hehe.

**blue33** · 4th Nov 2013, 09:29

Yes, I'm Adrian.

NA is still at Balestier, where as for plant the rest is still the same except Colourful is no longer operating, you can order plant at C328 since its nearer to your house. There are few online shop you can visit also, you can see the ads on top, Mizuworld is still around, can check with Ben.

In the beginning of planting HC, you can choose between DSM or plant straight away and flood the tank, either way will work. I prefer straight away, in the beginning don't add any fauna and inject more co2, add 1.5-2 times the recommended dosage of Seachem Excel, lighting you can use high lighting such as 4 tube, can cut down later on to suit the plant, change water frequently such as every 2 day in the beginning. You will get away with all the new tank syndrome issues.

Fertiliser you can use Seachem, Easylife or those available in the market, they are not much difference, just the name only.

I find Y618 nowadays stock better than last time, in terms of fauna and plant (can place order from the counter also).

Hope this info helps. You can PM me if you need more info.

Originally Posted by emmanuelwoon

Is it Adrian ? Yeah man , decomm marine about 1 or 2 years ago as commitment is too much for marine tank after I started to work . Still couldn't resist the need of having a tank at home so decided to go for a planted tank. Hehe.

**emmanuelwoon** · 4th Nov 2013, 10:25

Thanks for the tips adrian. Seems like the shops are still around. I still thought 3 tubes of 24w should be enough .

Next on my shopping lists will be bulbs and fertilizers . How about lushgro ?

I used to use lushgro and had great results .

Would macro and micro be enough or I need other supplements ?

Here is a pic of my old tank , although it is not show quality but I kinda like it

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1383531922.671800.jpg

**blue33** · 4th Nov 2013, 11:01

Yes, 3 tubes is enough also, 4 tubes gets them kicking and fast but more problem if not control well. Lushgro is a good product, i still use it occasionally. As long as you've "NPK" and add once every week of Macro/Micro supplement is good enough. Your tank looks good.

**emmanuelwoon** · 4th Nov 2013, 21:19

I'm intending to get lushgro aqua , micro , kh2po4 . Would it be sufficient already ? Or do I also need k2so4 ?

**blue33** · 5th Nov 2013, 01:31

You can still use K2SO4 as potassium supplements if you require additional potassium, only overly(7-10x the dosage) dose would kill shrimps and some fauna. It can also act as anti-chlorine also.

**emmanuelwoon** · 12th Nov 2013, 23:14

Will it have any stress on the tank if the mat is slightly smaller than the tank ??

Should I change it ?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384269229.417554.jpg

**emmanuelwoon** · 12th Nov 2013, 23:32

Slowly acquiring equipments

Tank: 60x30x36
Lighting : Solite 4 x 24w T5HO
Filtration: Eheim 2217
CO2: Dupla 1.5litre Tank
Lily pipe: made in China ;p

**emmanuelwoon** · 12th Nov 2013, 23:40

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384271078.595495.jpg

Picture

**Ingen** · 13th Nov 2013, 11:21

Since you bought the T5, I would have recommended led since they are more sleek looking. I have the same dimension tank as yours and HC growing very well with Green Element 2ft LED.

**thebaldingaquarist** · 13th Nov 2013, 15:07

The weight of the glass panel and half the weight of the lights is going to be on the panel that has no base support. I am not sure of the quality of the silicon work nor the silicon used, so I would say that it's a risk not to have support there.

**David** · 13th Nov 2013, 17:22

Most of the water weight will rest on the bottom glass rather than the side glass. As long as the weight of the lights is not heavy, it should be okay. The fact that you are asking means it bothers you and if that is so, just get a bigger rubber mat and put the mind at ease.

**emmanuelwoon** · 14th Nov 2013, 01:13

Originally Posted by Ingen

Since you bought the T5, I would have recommended led since they are more sleek looking. I have the same dimension tank as yours and HC growing very well with Green Element 2ft LED.

May I know the price of the light set ? If it is reasonable I might even consider trying even though I am a believer of t5s .

Originally Posted by Erctheanda

The weight of the glass panel and half the weight of the lights is going to be on the panel that has no base support. I am not sure of the quality of the silicon work nor the silicon used, so I would say that it's a risk not to have support there.

Originally Posted by David

Most of the water weight will rest on the bottom glass rather than the side glass. As long as the weight of the lights is not heavy, it should be okay. The fact that you are asking means it bothers you and if that is so, just get a bigger rubber mat and put the mind at ease.

I don't really know if there is any stress on it , but I guess i will get it replace so I can sleep better . The silicon on the tank seems minimal . I really am not sure of the quality of the tank . It is a opticube bought from our friendly LFS. Anyone heard of or personally had any good/bad experience with this tank ?

Thanks for the advice !!

**Urban Aquaria** · 14th Nov 2013, 02:32

Originally Posted by emmanuelwoon

I don't really know if there is any stress on it , but I guess i will get it replace so I can sleep better . The silicon on the tank seems minimal . I really am not sure of the quality of the tank . It is a opticube bought from our friendly LFS. Anyone heard of or personally had any good/bad experience with this tank ?

I've been running 3 of those types of 2ft tanks for the past year, all okay so far and no leaks. Just make sure to check that the silicone work is completely sealed in all the joins (no gaps or bubbles), and there are no chipped/cracked areas.

As for your tank mat, try filling up the tank full with water and let it sit for a while (its a good opportunity to test for leaks too), the weight of the filled tank might compress the mat enough that it expands and supports the edges too... alternatively, you could just exchange or buy another tank mat that is slightly larger to ensure full base coverage.

**emmanuelwoon** · 16th Nov 2013, 15:12

Originally Posted by Ingen

Since you bought the T5, I would have recommended led since they are more sleek looking. I have the same dimension tank as yours and HC growing very well with Green Element 2ft LED.

ingen, may I know how many watts is your light set ? There seems to be a few variants . Mind sharing with me the price as we'll ? Thanks ingen

**emmanuelwoon** · 23rd Dec 2013, 00:30

Almost ready for scaping , took me quite awhile to get all my equipments .

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1387729708.836421.jpg

Would 12 x 3W led be enough for HC ? Or it will be safer if I switch the other 12 leds on ?