Equipments for 4ft tank

**ZacNg** · 30th Nov 2015, 22:37

Hi all,

I will be getting a 120cmx45cmx45cm and was wondering what type of lights would be suitable to grow demanding plants. I have used both T5 and LEDs but is only for 1.5ft tanks. Have successfully grown HC with both types of lights but never in such a big scape. I would be able to transfer my plants which I hope to use in the new scape which includes my current HC, alternanthera reineckii mini, sp bonsai, mini hairgrass, nana petite, weeping moss and moss ball.

Also, for filtration, I am currently using a Eheim 2026 but I am intending to connect a chiller and a inline atomiser for the CO2. Would the flow rate be sufficient or should I separate into 2 filter for each equipment. I have a spare 2211 but I doubt it would help much.

For the chiller, as the tank would be in the living room, would the chiller be able to keep the temperature below 25degrees? My chiller is the Hailea HS-28A. But recently, it has been kicking in much more often.

For this tank, I was hoping to keep a pair of discus and would transfer all my CRS from my existing 1.5ft tank. Stocking wise, will be getting some schooling fish cause I have never had them before.

**BFG** · 1st Dec 2015, 13:39

If you have a limited budget, get the chiller 1st and do the external modification. Use the 2211 with the floating surface skimmer to assist cleaning the oily surface of the water, the 2026 should be plumbed into the inline atomiser and then through the chiller. When you have extra funds in the future you can add another large canister filter.

**ZacNg** · 1st Dec 2015, 22:24

Originally Posted by BFG

If you have a limited budget, get the chiller 1st and do the external modification. Use the 2211 with the floating surface skimmer to assist cleaning the oily surface of the water, the 2026 should be plumbed into the inline atomiser and then through the chiller. When you have extra funds in the future you can add another large canister filter.

Thanks for your suggestion. Was thinking to get another canister to help out with the filtration. So it will be tank->canister->chiller, tank->canister->inline atomiser.

As for lighting, what type would you recommend? If is LED, I would most probably get a custom LED. But for T5, I have no idea which brand/model/bulb is suitable.

**aza** · 1st Dec 2015, 22:55

Originally Posted by ZacNg

For the chiller, as the tank would be in the living room, would the chiller be able to keep the temperature below 25degrees? My chiller is the Hailea HS-28A. But recently, it has been kicking in much more often.

For this tank, I was hoping to keep a pair of discus and would transfer all my CRS from my existing 1.5ft tank. Stocking wise, will be getting some schooling fish cause I have never had them before.

I'm not an expert but discus + chiller doesn't have a good feeling about it. I was told that discus require high temperature 29-30 degrees Celsius. Their immune system may be compromise at lower temperatures.

**Urban Aquaria** · 2nd Dec 2015, 18:20

Discus and shrimps also don't really match... those CRS shrimps will quickly become expensive snacks for the discus too.

**ZacNg** · 3rd Dec 2015, 09:14

If they don't snack on everyone I would be fine with it as my CRS are breeding like rabbits. But the issue now would be that I read up that discus would need 28-29degrees water but my CRS are currently living in 24degrees water. Not sure if they are able to live comfortably together. The last time my water went up to 26degrees my CRS started dying.

**Urban Aquaria** · 3rd Dec 2015, 13:05

Yeah, you have to consider which fauna you are more focused on, as both have different environments.

I have seen friends with discus try introducing shrimps as clean-up crew and usually all of the shrimps get eaten up within a short time, so chances of survival are slim for your CRS if put into the same situation. I guess if you don't mind most of the shrimps getting eaten, can try.

**ZacNg** · 3rd Dec 2015, 22:40

Hmmm....looks like my CRS tank with the chiller would be in my office then...Was planning to have the 4ft tank as a display in the living room.

As for lighting, am leaning towards T5 as the initial set up would be much lower and was recommended it over the LEDs as I was told the light coverage of T5 is much better than the LEDs. In that case, would 4 tubes of T5 be sufficient to grow my above mentioned plants? Any particular brand/model of tubes I have to look out for?

**Mameshrimps** · 9th Dec 2015, 14:14

While if you have the monies you can get a Zetlight. Work as good as a T5. Programmable too

**ZacNg** · 9th Dec 2015, 22:36

If I'm going for LEDs, I would most probably get a forumer to custom make it, he did one for my 45cm tank so far the results are much better than the up aqua pro z model.