Getting started on a 2 ft planted tank

[berlinjs]

hi all, l want to start a 2 ft tank plant but don't where and how to begin. Can someone point me to the right directions or thread? thanks

[uorme99]

Hi there.

you are in the right direction. do more readings from this forum and the various links from this forum about planted aquarium set-up as it will be very useful. that was how i started into planted. the bros/sis here are kind and willing to share but it is essential for you to get the basics which have already been shared earlier on, in this forum.

Good day!

[bryan]

Hi Moderators,

Would it be good to have a step by step setup guide for a basic planted tank as a sticky thread?

[|squee|]

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

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=12744

Especially http://www.aquatic-plants.org/articl...ges/index.html

[berlinjs]

I went to a few LFS, the havelock rd aunty very friendly. she recommended me a low setup using brown subtrate no gravel needed n some ferns, water very clear. Funny thing she uses an overhead box filter
but the down flow forces all the subtrate to one side. Does this not 'dissolve' all the available oxygen away?
Read from somewhere shouldn't use box filter.

[doppelbanddwarf]

Hi brother i'm not a "planted person" but here's my experience. I once used 1 inch of coral chips and 1 inch of balck quartz gravel for a tank as substrate. The filter is those overhead box type.
I proceeded to buy lots of cheap plants(those at most $1 per pot ones).
Most were stem plants. I then planted them in a mess in the tank. The tank was left beside the window. The faunas were about 10 tetras of all types, 10 tiger bards and 3 pearl gouramies.
The plants managed to grow pretty well.

However if you are looking at a high tech tank then this is not for you .

[berlinjs]

thanks for the info, well l just have to try it out for myself. Start slow and carry on from there

[|squee|]

Funny thing she uses an overhead box filter
but the down flow forces all the subtrate to one side. Does this not 'dissolve' all the available oxygen away?
Read from somewhere shouldn't use box filter.

The overhead filter increases gaseous exchange between the air and water so the water is nicely aerated always. However, if you are injecting CO2, it renders your CO2 injection useless because CO2 escapes more easily from water compared to oxygen.