im a newbie with a small attempt with 560 L tank

[loveraj007]

hi freinds
...i recently tried my hand setting up a big tank previously i had a smaller tank..here im posting a few pics of it help me make it better..im really new to setting up such a tank but i am learning ,,,the place where i live i cannot find any nice planst or moss or grass in any local shops ..what do i do ..suggest me ideas!!

its 3.5 ft *2 *2 ft tank
20 w hitachi tubes 2
double length submersible filter

[hirowen]

hi freinds
...i recently tried my hand setting up a big tank previously i had a smaller tank..here im posting a few pics of it help me make it better..im really new to setting up such a tank but i am learning ,,,the place where i live i cannot find any nice planst or moss or grass in any local shops ..what do i do ..suggest me ideas!!

its 3.5 ft *2 *2 ft tank
20 w hitachi tubes 2
double length submersible filter

hi loveraj007,

Welcome to AQ! First of all, the pic taken wasnt very clear, and to me it looks like a 2ft tank .. Regarding the hitachi FL tube u using..Is the Color temperature correct? To me hitachi mainly manufacture household lighting which is insufficient for plant.. hmmm...do you lived in singapore?

[loveraj007]

hi micheal
thanks for replying...i will try taking some neater pictures again today and post u ... and the tubes are hitachi f20t10/br aquarium lights preheat type. the color temp are correct only i have crosschecked it on internet..if u know more plz let me know. and regaurding the size how do i make the picture appear the correct size in photoes? im really new to this plz help
i am from india ...a city called hyderabad..im a final yr student doing medicine ..
thanks
raj

[Fei Miao]

Welcome to AQ!

for a start your substrate seems to be coral chips which is unsuitable for a planted tank. Your lights; 40watts for a 3.5ft tank is definitely not enough

here's are links to FAQ on setting up--
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ead.php?t=4036

and the help request FAQ
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=12704

fill in the information on your tank and the bros will be able to help you out.

[Allen_1971]

Just thought I would point out that your 3.5x2x2ft tank is at most 400L, not 560L as in your subject line. (Assuming you top up to the brim, and have nothing else in your tank...)

[michael lai]

Hi Loveraj,
Welcome to AQ, there might be some misconception there with your tank. First the substrate, err..is alittle off, you might wanna try lapis for planted tanks. The coral would have to go too. You might wanna consider changing some of the fishes too, they are not very friendly to plants.
Don't worry about newbie or whatever, just post the questions you need to ask. I'm sure you'll get your answer, the brethren here are quite helpful( just be polite )

[loveraj007]

Just thought I would point out that your 3.5x2x2ft tank is at most 400L, not 560L as in your subject line. (Assuming you top up to the brim, and have nothing else in your tank...)

i thought capacity of tank is calculated by 3.5 * 2 * 2 divided by 27 multiplied by 1000 L per cubic metre...and so i got the value of 500 and odd litres ....i was wrong ... please tell me who shud we calculate the capacity of the tank ...
thank you
kranthi raj

[hirowen]

i thought capacity of tank is calculated by 3.5 * 2 * 2 divided by 27 multiplied by 1000 L per cubic metre...and so i got the value of 500 and odd litres ....i was wrong ... please tell me who shud we calculate the capacity of the tank ...
thank you
kranthi raj

Hi raj,

1 feet is equal to 30.48cm

you should calculate --> 3.5(30.48 ) x 2(30.48 ) x 2(30.48 ) / 1000
you will get 396.436 litres.

Cheer

[loveraj007]

thanks a lot ...so aquarium is around 400 litres capacity

[hirowen]

yes..ur capacity is 396 litres (104.8 US gallon).. Ur 2 x 20watt is insufficient..you should aim 3 watt per gallon..currently u only got 0.4 wpg..which is farly away from 3wpg...

cheers

[loveraj007]

yes..ur capacity is 396 litres (104.8 US gallon).. Ur 2 x 20watt is insufficient..you should aim 3 watt per gallon..currently u only got 0.4 wpg..which is farly away from 3wpg...

cheers

hi micheal
how do i keep 5 tubes it will take whole lot of place and i dont think i can keep more than three tubes in my hoood of the aquarium..wat do i do ??

[|squee|]

You have adjust yourself, in terms of number of light bulbs and wattage. At least get 2wpg. 3wpg is good, but if you can't manage stuff well, algae happens very fast.

[hirowen]

hi micheal
how do i keep 5 tubes it will take whole lot of place and i dont think i can keep more than three tubes in my hoood of the aquarium..wat do i do ??

hi raj..

actually i not quite sure the fish shop in India..here is some ways to solve ur problems :

1.) DIY your own light set

2.) Buy new light set..which is suitable for planted tank..(PL/FL) Or Metal halide

3.) use back ur hood but fully utilize it..used 3 higher wattage of FL..and keep low light plant, like crypts, nanas, fern, java moss etc..u can click here for more information


As per what terrence said, when u have upgrade ur lightset, try to act in more plants so as to compete with algae..

cheers,