How to set up low light simple planted tank?

[coolbucks]

*** Vinz: Split from this thread. ***

Bro Vin, curious to know what type of set up is low light simple planted??? Can to share with me how u set up with equipments requirement?? want to set up planted tank that rear arowana.....

[vinz]

Coolbucks,

There a number of low/moderate light tank threads in the forum. Do a search.

But basically, use simple tough low light plants like:
- Cryptocoryne
- Java ferns
- Anubias
- Moss
- Certain Echinodorus

There are other plants that I can't remember offhand.

CO2 with solenoid will simplify things.

Fertilisation is weekly. Make sure you have a decent substrate. For larger tanks a soil base substrate is better in my opinion, especially for crypts.

Fish load must be low. The arowana is the large fish. Forget about putting in the usual large fish that are commonly used in their tanks, they will contribute too much NO3 to balance the tank. You can still maintain an algae crew of small FAST fishes like SAE, Cigar fish, Otos. No shrimps in my experience. Some loaches for snail control. No puffers - poison could kill the arowana if it gets eaten.

For a large tank like 6'x2'x2', 1.5 WPG. If you get T5s, maybe 1 WPG if you use good reflectors (M reflectors).

Make sure there is good water circulation.

No live fish as food:
1. You don't want the arowana to start thinking of the algae crew as live food too.
2. Too much plants for the live fish to hide in.

You can try live frogs, because frogs tend to stay on the surface.

If you feed non-live food, remove anything that the arowana refuses to eat within five minutes. Do no allow the food to stay in the tank to decompose... the ammonia will trigger algae growth.