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Thread: First time planting, need suggestions

  1. #1
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    Talking First time planting, need suggestions

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    Hi, guys and gals. I am new to the forum so here is my introduction.

    I have a bow front 28 gal aquarium. (L:24 x W: 12 H: 1

    Residents: 2 african dwarf frogs
    2 dwarf guaramis
    2 dalmation mollies
    2 platys
    6 neon tetras

    Filter: 30 topfin
    penguin 350 bio-wheel power filter

    Lighting: 17 watts

    I wanted to start switching to real plants. I don't have the best substrate right now so I decided to start off with some moss on some rocks.

    1. How should I go about switching the substrate when I have fish in the tank?

    - I don't plan on doing this right away but I was curious.
    - I do have a unused 10gallon aquarium if that helps in the transition.
    - I plan on using some flourite

    2. How much lighting do you recommend if I wanted any type of plant?

    2. What type of lights?

    3. Would a DIY CO2 system work fine I this size aquarium?

    4. Is there any additional supplements I should need besides?

    - Upgrade lighting
    - Flourite substrate
    - DIY CO2 system


    Sorry for soo many questions guys. I just want to get things right without killing my fish.


    Thanks so much for the help,
    Grizzly

  2. #2
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    I would suggest that you transfer the water, fish and filtration to the 10G tank while you scape your tank.

    You would need

    Substrate :-
    Common would be ADA or GeX, you could add power sand as the base but not necessary.

    Lighting :-
    Depending on your plant needs (depends on what you chose)
    You can go PL
    OR T5 HO (for a 2ft can go up to 48W (2 tubes) can be 6.5K or 10K

    CO2 :-
    More expensive but no fuss is
    CO2 tank, a solenoid & a bubble counter combo and a reactor/diffuser

    I am not good with my hands so no DIY for me

    You would also need filtration :-
    Usually people use canister filters (can be just as good, I am using them), there is a whole range to chose
    Cheaper ones can be China made brands and more expensives ones are eheim, hydra and so on

    If you are into more stuff,
    Chillers are necessary for some mosses and plants but not essential (again, see what you want to chose.

    This is my opinion of things to consider in your setup. Go and do a search for the individual items and see what suits your budget and of course your plants and fauna that you have in mind.

    Have fun.
    Alex

  3. #3
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    IMO, for the substrate, Fluorite would do, there isn't really a need for GeX or ADA.

    Perhaps, specifying what type of plants you have in mind will help the members to advise you better. You may also need to consider dosing fertilizers for the more demanding plants.

  4. #4
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    depending in which part of US, you might want to get heater.
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  5. #5
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    I have a heater set at 79 F.

    I was thinking about the following plants...

    Maybe have 1, two at the most from each section.

    Foreground

    1. Glossostigma elatinoides – high light/moderate care
    - 2-3cm
    3. Hemianthus callitrichoides – Medium light and care
    - 3-5cm

    Middle Ground

    1. Bacopa austrlis- moderate light/ low care
    - 7-30cm
    2. Echinodorus tenellus
    - 5-10cm
    - compact growth when placed by rock or driftwood
    3. eleocharis parvula
    - 3-7cm
    - plant in small bunches

    Background/sides:

    1. Microsorum pteropus on some driftwood or rocks
    - 15-30cm

    2. Limnophila sessiflora

    3. Ludwigia Glandulosa
    .

  6. #6
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    You will need to upgrade your lighting to have a healthy spread of Glosso/HM lawn. Here is a previous thread with a link on growing Glosso and its requirements, which would probably set you on the correct path.
    http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ghlight=glosso

  7. #7
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    thanks for the great thread Quixotic. The article states that a regulated Co2 system is a must to grow glosso efficiently.

    Could you recommend a Co2 system for a 10 gallon and a 28 gallon?
    (something thats fairly cheap and works well)

    Thanks

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