New project: 2-feet tank setup

**WolfEden** · 14th Dec 2008, 10:45

Hi guys,
I am starting a planted for 2 feet (60x30x22) tank. What would be the right setup?

i. lights - how many W?, should i go for PL or T5?
ii. filter - which type/brand?
iii. fertilizer - amount?

thanks.

**flybaits** · 14th Dec 2008, 13:43

i think it all depends on your budget, and whether you going for hi-tech or low tech, what type of plants (demanding or otherwise) and to me the most important is whether you'll be vigilant enough to maintain it (factors like ph, kh. gh, temperature etc). me? low tech as for the last factor. hehehe....

cheers!

**beetroot** · 14th Dec 2008, 13:59

what is the difference between PL and T5 light?
someone told me to get T5 light for moss to grow nicely, but shop auntie sells only PL light for a certain tank length...

.

**WolfEden** · 14th Dec 2008, 14:05

I am looking for a low maintenance planted tanks with alot of moss and some small rooted plants. Plan to keep some shrimps & tetras with it.

**Salphur** · 14th Dec 2008, 21:30

Originally Posted by beetroot

what is the difference between PL and T5 light?
someone told me to get T5 light for moss to grow nicely, but shop auntie sells only PL light for a certain tank length...

.

Hi,
if i'm not wrong.. T5 light has a better spread of light throughout the whole tank as compared to PL which does not light up the corners of the tank very well.

In the end, some stem plants might not grow up straight but instead grow bending towards the light. Might not look aesthetic though.

Moss generally do not need very strong light to grow well.. a normal T8 will suffice. However, T5HO and PL do quite a nice job as well. If you light bright tanks (like myself).. the 2 latter options will be better, as they generally provide higher wattage.

T5 lamps produce less heat as compared to PL sets. However, do run a fan to cool the tank waters as moss generally do better in cooler waters.

Cheers!

**flybaits** · 14th Dec 2008, 22:43

yup, pll have better intensity thus is suitable for deeper tanks. but disadvantage is it emits more heat.

cheers!

**beetroot** · 15th Dec 2008, 00:35

Thanks for the answers!

WolfEden, hope you don't mind, I'm also asking questions here as I'm starting a tank too, but mine's half of yours (14 inch). Also going low maintenance.

I see, looks like T5 is better? But I have bought a PL because that was what auntie has for my tank length and it's 18W. Yup, tested it just now for my little tank... it does emit a lot of heat. The light feels hot after a while, and the water becomes a bit warm. Very bright though.

**WolfEden** · 15th Dec 2008, 21:36

Feel free to join in the discussion.

I have started working with my tank
1. 2 feet Maqnum II e-balast lighting
2. mix artificial soil (recommended by shop) and artificial sand (leftover from my previous setup). Roughly 1:1.
3. $10 cheap & simple overflow filter

Now is the exciting part, which is setting it up........plan to do it over the next few days since i am clearing block leave.

Will post a photo when it is completed.