Convert marine tank to planted tank

[eddyq]

Hi,
I am helping a friend to set up a 6'x2'x2' marine tank to planted tank.
It bought 2nd hand never used before,beside CO2 losses mentioned here in this forum what are other disadvantages?

What about going CO2 less, a low maintainance set with base fert top up with lapis sand mainly java fern,narrow fern,mosses on DW, some crypt etc.

With neccesary lightings, cooling fans to complete the set up.

Can I approach this huge tank like a 3ft set up or will this be a disaster?

Thanks in advance.
eddyq

[Johnc]

If you are keeping the marine equipment, CO2 loss may result from the turbulence. But otherwise there should be no problem.

Going CO2-less is OK, though again turbulence may not work well for many plants. You need to try it out.

The size of the tanks does not really matter if you get your calculations correct.

/John

[solonavi]

Hi eddyq,

I'm converting from Marine to Planted also for my new home. Going to have a 5x2x2.5ft tank with 3ft sump.

My plan is to keep the overflow to a min to prevent too much CO2 losses. Will not have a dry & wet fiter. Going to implement pressurized CO2 system with a external CO2 reactor (modified from existing FR).

Just to share my plans. Hope my plan will goes well.

Cheers
JC

[eddyq]

Thanks John & JC,

For imparting your valuables replies, I guess it all trials and errors to make our tank successful.

JC, I am sure your plan will go well.

Cheers
eddyq

[|squee|]

What about going CO2 less, a low maintainance set with base fert top up with lapis sand mainly java fern,narrow fern,mosses on DW, some crypt etc.

Well go non-CO2 then! There's Tom Barr's article as a sticky here. I'm using it for my 2ft 16 gallon. My plants in there are almost the same as what you mentioned.

I've not seen any algae except minor hair/dust algae on the walls a couple of times when I feed my fish too much. The turbulance shouldn't cause any problems, but try to minimise it anyway.

[eddyq]

Hi Terence,

Thanks for yr reply, Tom Barr's article on going non CO2 very informative indeed but most of the low maintance, non CO2 tank here are below 3ft.

Cheers
eddyq

[|squee|]

Really? I thought there were a number of 3 to 4ft tanks around. Ask budak and FeiMiao