Help needed in setting up a new tank

[davescube]

I am setting up a 2 feet tank with both plant and shrimp.
I might inject CO2 in times to come.
There some question that I would like to ask here.

1. Which kind of filtration should I avoid?
2. How many watt of light should I get? I would like a medium light.
3. Is ADA soil a good choice for low pH tank?
4. Is pin thermometer accurate? from your experience..
5. Which plant nutrition would you recommend?
6. Do you dose anything during cycling?

^^

[jason6142004]

i can only answer a few questions. i am still a noob. even if i can answer the question, it may not be right. so please understand.

1) avoid internal filters eg. sponge filter, corner filter. avoid overhead filters, they cause CO2 out gassing. better if you use external filters.

2) i started of with a 20+ watt light and now using 36 watt for my 2 feet moss tank.

4) its better to use digital one.more accurate.

5) i use seachem excel very seldom. flourish like once a month.

6) i didnt cycle. so i cant comment.

[WaterH2O]

I will help to answer but I am not into shrimps
1) All fliters works differently so it depends on what works for you. My opinion is that canistor/extenal filters works the best and the most value for money. Sponge, internal, overhead, UGF I don't like cause it take up space in the tank. The more important thing is the correct size filter for your tank. A filter of around 600-800 l/min should be good enough and the size of the inlet hole should be small enough to prevent shrimps from being sucked in. Cover with sponge if possible.
2) Depends on what plants you put in. Around 24W-36W should be sufficent for a 2 feet tank with plants that need low to moderate lighting. Work out your Watt/gallon to about 2-3 should be fine.
3) ADA is good another alternative is GEX which also buffer PH of your water.
4) If you are talking about the bulb thermometer then I prefer this to digital cause not need to change batt and last longer. You also do not need that kind of accuracy and if you are keeping shrimps you may need a chiller. they are sensitive to temp.
5) I use Lushgrow Micro.Macro and KH3PO4 mixture. Most of the hobbyists here use ADA, Wondergrow, Lushgrow,Seachem just to name a few
6) You can add beneficial bacteria but Not necessary.

[bliss01]

This is what i do, hope it helps.

1) use external filters. Cover the inlet pipe with sponge. Becareful when you take out the sponge, don't drop or apply force on the sponge as the ammonia will leech into the water it will cause ammonia spike not good for shrimp.

2) i'm using 36 watt for my 2 feet moss tank. Lights and co2 on for 8hour every day.

3) I'm using GEX but ADA is good which also bring now the PH of your water and maintaining it.

4) pin thermometer not accurate. use a digital one.

5) I using BAXTER. Its a slow release fertilizer,dose every 10 days. its friendly user on the shrimp.

6. Do you dose anything during cycling? No only my sweat.

[beetlejuice403]

Hi Bro, will try to provide answers (in BLUE) based on my experiences & best knowledge about this hobby (Do try to 'listen' to more advices, especially those offered by the veterans in AQ...):

I am setting up a 2 feet tank with both plant and shrimp.
I might inject CO2 in times to come.
There some question that I would like to ask here.

1. Which kind of filtration should I avoid?
For a 2-feet tank, I would recommend an External Cannister Filter as it allows for mechanical, chemical & biological filtration at the same time with the right media used. It's maintenance (cleaning) is also less frequent & much easier (my own opinion) as compared to those Overhead filter... There are many brands in the market, durable & good one will be like Eheim... Cheaper alternatives (but not expense of quality) will be like the China-made ones like Atman, Boyu etc... [Take your time to read up & choose the correct filter (suitable flowrate) as this equipment is the most important equipment in the hobby!!]
2. How many watt of light should I get? I would like a medium light.
Told you previously there's this general 'Rule of Thumb': 2 Watts per Gallon [WPG]. However, it's ok if you decide to go ahead with higher/ lower WPG for your tank BUT do take note that too high WPG with little plants (or plants with little/ slow fert intake rate) or too high fert regime will be trouble for courting the unsghtly algae... For my 2-feet tank, had bought a 72W lightset but seldom on it as housing blood parrots in it hence not much plants except windelov ferns. Even if on, only on 1 tube for short duration also... "How long you on your lights?"; "What kind of plants you are getting?" are also another important things you need to consider...
3. Is ADA soil a good choice for low pH tank?
No experience in using ADA before, so no comments... Had been using GEX (Red Package & Green Package) & Nisso Custom soil so far, no complains... They also tend to clear very fast (within a few hours with filter running) & have very little wood debris in it...
4. Is pin thermometer accurate? from your experience..
Not too sure what you meant by Pin thermometer... Currently using (& also prefer) those thermometers made of glass in all my tanks & find them rather accurate... Digital ones should be able to offer you more accurate or precise (up to 1 or 2 decimal places) readings if you think it is necessary... For glass-made ones, you can get them for about $2 a piece (GEX brand) from most LFSs...
5. Which plant nutrition would you recommend?
Am using Seachem's Flourish (fert) in all my tanks coupled with doses of Seachem's Excel (Carbon components)... For my crypt tank, am supplementing it with WonderGro Roots+ tablets also... It also depends on the plants you are getting or have in your tank as different plants require varied fert regime... [You may read-up more here: http://www.tropica.com/default.asp or http://www.plantedtank.net/]
6. Do you dose anything during cycling?
Using API's Beneficial Bacteria [Stress Zyme] to kick start my cycling process...
^^

Bro, sorry if my replies are a bit 'longwinded'... but hope you do find them useful... By the way, you may like to check out (think you are already doing so...) AQ's Marketplace for good deals on equipment/floras/faunas... Some maybe preowned & used but conditions can be quite good at good bargain but the onus still lies in you to check out the conditions yourself [Some sellers are more forthcoming with slight defects, some are not so...]

Have fun in this hobby & patience is the word...