Please advise on my 2 new tank setup

[David Moses Heng]

To all the experts out there, please advise as i'll be setting two 2 ft planted with the following specs.

1st tank.
lighting: T5HO set with 3 tubes - 8 hours daily
Filtration: 2 sets of 2213.(1 with foams and stuffs, 1 filled with peat, volvano rocks, ceramic rings)
Substrate: Lapis plus coco peat
CO2: 2bps 8 hours daily
plants:
Pygmy chain sword
dwarf anubias
Corkscrew Vallisneria
Radicans Sword plants
Java Moss

2nd Tank:
lighting: 2 x e27 philips 18 w cool daylight - 8 hours daily
Filtration: atman 1000 ltr canister(with foams and peat, volvano rocks, ceramic rings)
Substrate: Lapis plus coco peat
CO2: 2bps 8 hours daily
plants:
Red Tiger lotus
Cockscrew Vallisernia
Java Moss
Water Pennywort
Crypt Beckettii(if it is avaiable)

There is no specific theme to these 2 tanks although i would very much wanted to do amazon. Fishes would be Cardinal(Tank A), Peruvian(Tank B), Dwarf Whiptail(both tanks), Rams(TankA) plus yamato for both tanks

[bryan]

You want Cabomba? Also from South America.I've got plenty.
Wow, 3 tubes of T5 for a 2ft? Never tried it, sounds very bright.
You can seperate your South American plants(Chain sword,sword plant, pennywort) from the asiatic plants for a 'Pure-er' 'Amazon' tank.Maybe add color with a fancy Echi.

[valice]

Instead of normal Vallisneria americana "Cockscrew", you might want to consider Vallisneria nanas. The thinner version. Also for your Echinodorus species, consider the smaller ones. So that it would look out of place in your tank.

[michael lai]

Err...there are no dwarf whiptails.

[Ssur]

3X 24watts would be too much for a normal 2x1x1 feet tank, but would be ideal for 1.5 widths or even a 2 feet cube.

Althought, you can toggle 1 tube or 2 tube lighted, via switches.

[bryan]

Instead of normal Vallisneria americana "Cockscrew", you might want to consider Vallisneria nanas. The thinner version. Also for your Echinodorus species, consider the smaller ones. So that it would look out of place in your tank.

Wow then we have U.N. tank! Anubias from africa, Val.Nana from australia, RTL,moss and crypts from asia.

[valice]

Wow then we have U.N. tank! Anubias from africa, Val.Nana from australia, RTL,moss and crypts from asia.

Isn't that the case for most of our tanks where the plants come from all over the world?

3X 24watts would be too much for a normal 2x1x1 feet tank, but would be ideal for 1.5 widths or even a 2 feet cube.

Should be alright. The only thing you must take note is green spot algae on the Anubias. And make sure that the CO2 is good. Pack the tank with plants right from the beginning to prevent algae from starting.

Err...there are no dwarf whiptails.

Just as there are no dwarf plecos. There are only juveniles...

[David Moses Heng]

thanks all for your input. So does that mean i can go ahead and start aquiring the plants. basically the substrate is already in, co2 ready, filters ready, lights on the way as i am diying them.

[LoneRider]

Hi, just want to know why you're using 2 sets of 3313 for your 2footer. Don't you think its a bit too much. Just worried the fishes will get "seasick" with all that current in a 2 footer. i'm no expert, i'm newbie myself but I've used a single 2213 on a 2feet cube and feel is adequate for the job.

Regards

[David Moses Heng]

Hi, just want to know why you're using 2 sets of 3313 for your 2footer. Don't you think its a bit too much. Just worried the fishes will get "seasick" with all that current in a 2 footer. i'm no expert, i'm newbie myself but I've used a single 2213 on a 2feet cube and feel is adequate for the job.

Regards

the reason as t why i'm running 2 sets of 2213 for my 2 ft is because i will also be having uv and external co2 reactor. since i don't want to spend on another filter, i thought why not i combine two into one. I may be wrong so any experts can advise.

[bryan]

Why would you be needing UV filters?

[LoneRider]

Good question. Either to prevent green water or disease control. IMHO, having used UVs on freshwater tanks for disease prevention, I can safely say it only works on preventing whitespot disease. You need really slow flow or a high wattage UV. For green water I think its very effective but its definily cheaper to just have more plants to soak up excess nutrients and out compete the free floating algae. With UV on, cycling might be slower I think as beneficial bacteria will be killed along with disease causing micro organisms. I might be wrong.. feel free to correct me.

[David Moses Heng]

Good question. Either to prevent green water or disease control. IMHO, having used UVs on freshwater tanks for disease prevention, I can safely say it only works on preventing whitespot disease. You need really slow flow or a high wattage UV. For green water I think its very effective but its definily cheaper to just have more plants to soak up excess nutrients and out compete the free floating algae. With UV on, cycling might be slower I think as beneficial bacteria will be killed along with disease causing micro organisms. I might be wrong.. feel free to correct me.

wow... thanks for al the solid advise given.

the reason as to why i want a uv is to prevent green water. But now i don't think i will have to.

Neighbour, when you want to drop by to help?

[LoneRider]

Good luck on your project Altum. Post some pics of the setup, I'm interested to see your layout. I'm used to running bare tanks and would appreciate to see your effort. Might just copy someone's setup as I've almost zero artistic vision. My project is almost ready too, hardware wise.. All I'm waiting for is the time to get started. Got to wait for the school holidays. Their exam period is always a tough time time for me..

[David Moses Heng]

Good luck on your project Altum. Post some pics of the setup, I'm interested to see your layout. I'm used to running bare tanks and would appreciate to see your effort. Might just copy someone's setup as I've almost zero artistic vision. My project is almost ready too, hardware wise.. All I'm waiting for is the time to get started. Got to wait for the school holidays. Their exam period is always a tough time time for me..

well if you want, we can do it together.

[David Moses Heng]

Have come up with the dry run for my scape after my exam yesterday(have to resit as i nearly passed!! ).

These are the pics. Brothers/sisters, Please advise.

Thanks




Scape A: Intended plants on branchy drift wood will be dwarf nana, moss(any type). Dark colour drift wood(wet) will be covered with needle fern. Left of tank will be covered will corkscrew, crypt wendtii(from KF) and foreground will be e-tenellus. sandy area will be red tiger lotus.



Scape B: Intended plant list for branchy driftwood will be similar to above. Except for needle fern on wet drift wood, it will be covered with normal nanas.


scape c:


Please advise on dosing regime and Co2 rate as i have either lost touch or forget everything after laying off for about 5 years.

Thanks!!