please advise...

[ryan]

i'm planning to start a new tank...
so could you guys help me with the pricing?

ITEM-------------------------------PRICE

2feet curved glass nisso-----------$70
jbl base fert----------------------$10
black gravel-----------------------$10
root monster loose form------------?
2x36 watts pl set(s) from nature---?
black styrofoam backing for moss---?
small pieces of drift wood---------?
AC fanS----------------------------?
bacteria(reccommend brand?)--------?
co2 tank solenoid set(mraqua?)-----$100?

thank you all so much once again...
btw please feel free to tell me what i have missed out...
i already have a co2 tank and diffuser and external filter...
also please reccommend if you think i can get something cheaper?
[]

[ryan]

i'm planning to start a new tank...
so could you guys help me with the pricing?

ITEM-------------------------------PRICE

2feet curved glass nisso-----------$70
jbl base fert----------------------$10
black gravel-----------------------$10
root monster loose form------------?
2x36 watts pl set(s) from nature---?
black styrofoam backing for moss---?
small pieces of drift wood---------?
AC fanS----------------------------?
bacteria(reccommend brand?)--------?
co2 tank solenoid set(mraqua?)-----$100?

thank you all so much once again...
btw please feel free to tell me what i have missed out...
i already have a co2 tank and diffuser and external filter...
also please reccommend if you think i can get something cheaper?
[]

[ryan]

i'm planning to start a new tank...
so could you guys help me with the pricing?

ITEM-------------------------------PRICE

2feet curved glass nisso-----------$70
jbl base fert----------------------$10
black gravel-----------------------$10
root monster loose form------------?
2x36 watts pl set(s) from nature---?
black styrofoam backing for moss---?
small pieces of drift wood---------?
AC fanS----------------------------?
bacteria(reccommend brand?)--------?
co2 tank solenoid set(mraqua?)-----$100?

thank you all so much once again...
btw please feel free to tell me what i have missed out...
i already have a co2 tank and diffuser and external filter...
also please reccommend if you think i can get something cheaper?
[]

[ryan]

i'm planning to start a new tank...
so could you guys help me with the pricing?

ITEM-------------------------------PRICE

2feet curved glass nisso-----------$70
jbl base fert----------------------$10
black gravel-----------------------$10
root monster loose form------------?
2x36 watts pl set(s) from nature---?
black styrofoam backing for moss---?
small pieces of drift wood---------?
AC fanS----------------------------?
bacteria(reccommend brand?)--------?
co2 tank solenoid set(mraqua?)-----$100?

thank you all so much once again...
btw please feel free to tell me what i have missed out...
i already have a co2 tank and diffuser and external filter...
also please reccommend if you think i can get something cheaper?
[]

[timebomb]

bacteria(reccommend brand?)--------?
co2 tank solenoid set(mraqua?)-----$100?
----------------
I'm not so sure about the other items but as for bacteria and solenoid valve, I would say you should save yourself some money and forget about buying them.

I suppose when you wrote bacteria, you meant those used to seed the filter. You don't need it. The bacteria will be in your filters eventually, as long as you keep them running.

When the idea of CO2 injection was first discovered, it was thought that you must cut off the CO2 when the lights are off as plants take in oxygen at night and give out carbon dioxide. Injecting CO2 continuously 24 hours a day was supposedly very bad for plants. But these days, it has been proven in many hobbyists' tanks that it makes no difference. I let my CO2 run non-stop after my last solenoid valve went kaput and so far, I don't see any difference.

CO2 is relatively cheap when compared to a solenoid valve. It's the hassle of refilling the tank that is bothersome. If I have an extra hundred bucks to spend, I would rather buy another gas tank as reserve. That's what I have actually. I keep one tank as a reserve so that I don't have to get my CO2 refilled in a hurry when it's all used up.

In any case, if you are really set on getting a solenoid valve, try those hardware shops around Kelantan Lane. When I bought mine a few years ago, it was only for about $60.

Loh K L

[timebomb]

Oh another thing. You don't need root monster too. And don't use black gravel. They look real good when new, all shiny and black. But after a while, the dust gathers and it looks awful. Buy the lonestar brand of gravel. $10 won't be enough for your tank. Get one bag at least. I think it costs around $20 for a 20 kg bag.

Loh K L

[M0rph3us]

the lights 2X36 costs $100 at nature

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/7/2002 10:07:01 PM

Oh another thing. You don't need root monster too. And don't use black gravel. They look real good when new, all shiny and black. But after a while, the dust gathers and it looks awful. Buy the lonestar brand of gravel. $10 won't be enough for your tank. Get one bag at least. I think it costs around $20 for a 20 kg bag.

Loh K L
----------------

hey thanks man...
its my 4th planted tank already if i get it done...
i think 10 kg for a 2 feet tank should be alright...
the black gravel will get dusty but i will clean it with gravel cleaner like i've done with one of my other tanks... its fine like that...
i might not get the solenoid then... so should i use diffuser or reactor?

[timebomb]

i might not get the solenoid then... so should i use diffuser or reactor?
----------------
In the old days, we pay $51 for a CO2 diffuser that works by sieving the CO2 bubble through a piece of ceramic. I paid $82 for my first reactor that works by delaying the ascent of the CO2 bubble by spirals. Nowadays, diffusers are really cheap by comparison. There are many Taiwanese brands that are selling for about $10 a piece. Should be good enough for a 4 feet tank.

Loh K L

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/7/2002 10:15:44 PM

the lights 2X36 costs $100 at nature
----------------

this lights are they raised like the ocean free ones or are they the ones that rest directly on the surface of the tank?

[apollo]

Hi Ryan

The 1 i bought from Nature can be rested or raised on the tank. However the legs are sold seperately and can only gives you a height abt 1 - 1.5 inches.

If not wrong, the legs are sold $3 per pair.

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/7/2002 11:03:10 PM

Hi Ryan

The 1 i bought from Nature can be rested or raised on the tank. However the legs are sold seperately and can only gives you a height abt 1 - 1.5 inches.

If not wrong, the legs are sold $3 per pair.
----------------

oh cool so it can be raised!
are the lights in seperate 2 sets of 36watts pl or in one set with 2x36watts pl?

[benetay]

JBL base fert i suggest you getting more don't be stingy on base fert. I suggest getting 2 5kg bags.
black styrofoam 2 peice i think $20.
driftwood you have to find yourself.
AC fan 2 will be good each around $30
Co2 tank with solenoid = 240-260 depending on cylinder.

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/8/2002 12:20:25 AM

JBL base fert i suggest you getting more don't be stingy on base fert. I suggest getting 2 5kg bags.
black styrofoam 2 peice i think $20.
driftwood you have to find yourself.
AC fan 2 will be good each around $30
Co2 tank with solenoid = 240-260 depending on cylinder.
----------------

do u mean i get 2 small bags for my 2 feet tank?
how big is the ac fan? comes with mount? from where?
no need co2 tank... just solenoid...
black styrofoam from?
thanks!

[anakin]

Hi Ryan! I've got my styro backing from Rainbow - $20 for a 50x60 piece. I've looked around but few LFS sells the type that I want - usu they sell the "blocky" Oceanfree backing - so spent a bit more on Rainbow.

[mok]

ryan,
for base fert, you may want to consider Aquatic Compost from Far East Florist. It's a lot cheaper and works just as well. is your new tank gonna be near your existing CO2 cylinder? have you considered splitting the supply?

[chrissia]

You can get AC fan at sil lim tower basement at about $12 (but must buy extra wire and plug). Add up to about $15 only.

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/8/2002 9:41:14 AM

Hi Ryan! I've got my styro backing from Rainbow - $20 for a 50x60 piece. I've looked around but few LFS sells the type that I want - usu they sell the "blocky" Oceanfree backing - so spent a bit more on Rainbow.
----------------

yeah i was there today...
they only have the blue ones...
i want the black one...
anyway the tank i want is also not in stock...
want to share how you managed to mount the backing? and how u planted the moss?[]

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/8/2002 10:02:55 AM

ryan,
for base fert, you may want to consider Aquatic Compost from Far East Florist. It's a lot cheaper and works just as well. is your new tank gonna be near your existing CO2 cylinder? have you considered splitting the supply?
----------------

can u tell me more about this Aquatic Compost? i hear horti is also good setiardi uses it... but why isn't jbl better?
yeah i'll be splitting the supply...
has anyone tried splitting 3 way?[]

[ryan]

----------------
On 11/8/2002 12:53:16 PM

You can get AC fan at sil lim tower basement at about $12 (but must buy extra wire and plug). Add up to about $15 only.
----------------

how big is the fan?
err wire and plug?
no need for step down transformer?
i did one myself using a small 12v computer fan and an old panasonic adapter which converts voltage from 240v to 12v... it works perfectly fine but i find it is not cost effective... what do u mean by plug? normal 2pin plug?