Just bought tank and equipment...

[Hanako]

Hi! I am a newbie to planted aquarium and so excited that I am going to start a planted tank soon. I just got some of the equipments for my 2 feet tank:

4x 24w T5HO lightings
Eihem 2222 filter

Am planning to grow riccia and glosso. I was recommended by the LFS to get the above since i'm growing glosso. Do you guys think the lightings and filter is sufficient for 2 feet tank?

Also, I'm still deciding on what substrate to buy. If I want something standard and cheap, then LFS suggest buy JBL fertiliser and the regular large grain sand for top layer. If looking for brand, there's ADA powersand as fert and Aquasoil. Is it necessary to use ADA powersand and Aquasoil to grow nice glosso? Is it also possible just to use ADA powersand, but then a regular top layer substrate?

[|squee|]

Lights definately enough. You'd better have a ton of Riccia and glosso in that tank in order to utilise all that light.

You need CO2 as well if you have that amount of light. Otherwise all you'll get is algae. And good usage of CO2, mind. Read up the stickies at this forum section to know how to keep your CO2 in good shape. DIY CO2 is too unstable for you... get cylinder setup.

Well... imho ADA substrates provide a good boost for plants at the beginning, and helps get your tank matured faster this way. Powersoil is not necessary imho. Do not put a layer of sand over Aquasoil. One bag will be enough for your 2ft.

Lapis sand with JBL base fert will do well too for budget. One bag will be enough.

The main thing is your CO2... It's very very important!

[eddyq]

AS mentioned CO2 is neccessary and ADA Aquasoil would be better choice.

Have you plan to scape your tank with other plants,driftwoods,rocks ?

[|squee|]

ng2651, I moved your question to a new thread.

[Hanako]

ya, i got a 3.5L Co2 tank - the works

am planning to scape my tank something like the picture below. not too many plant varieties (coz i don't want to spend too much time maintaining the plants) and yet it looks very green. i think in that kind of setting, i will use some rocks rather than driftwood etc.

squee, you mentioned that i should not put a layer of sand over aquasoil. i meant that if i got the ADA powersand as the base fert, and then as top substrate i just buy normal sand gravel or something instead of the ADA aquasoil, is that going to be ok? or does the powersand need to be used together with the aquasoil?

[|squee|]

Hanako, Powersand is meant to work together with Aquasoil. So far, I've only heard of people using pure Aquasoil, or Powersand with Aquasoil. Never Powersand with another gravel.

Aquasoil is enough imho. Powersand supposedly offers a much better boost, and helps you maintain the substrate long term. Depends on your budget... if money is not a problem, Powersand and Aquasoil on top will be a good substrate.

[Hanako]

thanks! that's very helpful.

[Hanako]

i used to have a tank with arowana, but first time i'm trying out planted tank.This may be a dumb question, but please forgive me since i'm a newbie

When i fill up my planted tank and cycle, do i still add anti-chlorine to the water and bb? or do i add the anti-chlorine and bb only when i start introducing shrimps and fish?

[coolbucks]

Hi Hanako,

Don't like that mentioned, everyone here is to share the knowledges. Same theory like mature the tank for your initial set up for your arowana...

you should add in anti-chorine first as in the inital set up, tank are being filling up with direct tap water.

To cycle the tank, add "mulm" aka dirt from an established tank would seed the tank with live bacteria..add in a few hardy fishes to start the cycle...
This link will assist u and let u understand more...

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=16813

[Ssur]

Hi,

When ever non-treated water from the tap is added to any tank, be it fish only or planted tank. Anti-chlorine must be added, chlorine is there to kill bacterial, beneficial or not. So for any water change or new tank, the water from the tap needs to be treated.

Im not familar with bottled BB, but i would guess it would come later, after the anti-chlorine treatment.

Cycle your tank until the water turns clear, plant as much as your can, as lush and thick as possible. Then the bioload of fishes can come in.