What do I need for a 3ft tank?

[rainboy]

Hi,

I'm a novice and would like to set up a 3ft planted tank. What equipment would I need and what are your recommendations and what do I need to look out for? So far, I know I'll need:

1. Tank (of course), and I would like one with cabinet. Anything I need to look out for?
2. Filter
3. CO2

Of course the plants, fish comes later.

[newtank]

let me chip in

Lights
Fan or chiller
Extension cord (you should build in if your cabinet is customized)
Timer
Solenoid (for your co2)
Substrate
And a bunch of nutrients

[ranmasatome]

You forgot water...hahahahahah..

on a serious note, make sure your cabinet is well built.. it would be better if the main support beams can be made out of solid wood.
2 places of utmost importance to any tank...

1) Support it is on...
2) Filtration/water movement...

[geezer333]

Any idea what theam you are setting up? Maybe you will need some rocks

[torque6]

I usually consider equipment last. What plants and fish do you plan to keep? How long do you also intent to be in this hobby?

[rainboy]

I am a complete novice, that's why my questions are a bit vague. Read the forum and still need your help.

1. Tank (of course), and I would like one with cabinet. Anything I need to look out for?
- what is braceless tank?
- how thick should the glass be?
2. Filter
- what brand and model is recommended?
- what media should i use?
3. CO2
- what capacity and brand?
- any other things i should get?
4. Lights
- what brand and wattage?
5. Fan or chiller
- prefer to use a fan, any brand?
6. Solenoid (for your co2)
7. Substrate
- what should i get?
8. And a bunch of nutrients
- what to get?
9. Test kits? - again, what to get?

Will be great if can tell me the estimated cost for each.

Sorry for all the questions.

[torque6]

Rather than start on equipment and deciding what to splurg on. Take a couple of weeks to read about keeping plants/ fishes and the cycling process. Look up tropica and decide what plants you intend to keep.

Aquascaping usually requires a fair bit of planning.

[rainboy]

How do I plan for the aquascaping? Any pointers? When I research on plants, what should I look our for?

Thanks.

[newtank]

For tank, 90% is about asthetics and how you want it to blend into your house, I suggest you just walk around lfs and see the kind of tanks they have and see which type catches your eyes. two places I like to window shop for tanks are Qian Hu and Rainbow. All other equipment you can change later if you don;t like, but to change a tank will be too troublesome and expensive (for 3 ft and above)

[torque6]

If you are going planted.
1- decide what plants you want to keep. from easy-difficult
2- Look for ADA 2002-2004 tanks for a rough idea what scapes + plants you like to have.
3- Sketch out how you will plant your tank, indicating the area to plant them in.
4- Once you have done this, review soil + base ferts + lights + tank size people are using for similar setups.
5- then comes to your equipment/filteration/co2, from 2) you will be able to know if your high/low tech.
6- review all your equipment list, recommended by some of us or research on your own.
7- Getting stuff/ tank->hardscape ->plants.

from here, you will setup your tank and perform the nitrogen cycling process for about 6-8 weeks, afterwhich you will be able to add small amount of fishes on a weekly basis.