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as you are new to planted tank, i would kindly suggest you start by ready some of the guides,posted as stickies, in the forum. that would be very helpful.
cheers,christophe
Hi , I am going to setup a planted tank and here's the spec: 4x2.5(H)x2. I intend to grow only 'ground' plants like grass.
Q1. Given 2.5 height, how much height of substrate(with all the layers) should be put to the tank.
Q2. What is the type of lighting suitable? brand and watt? I have a T5 4 tube white 54w each.Is it enough? How long to on it a day?
Q3 Any recommendation on supplement to buy to reduce algae boom?
Q4. What is the ideal temperature like?
Q5.Intend to put co2 cylinder but how much to put in?
Q6. What could cause the water in time to turn slightly yellowish? wood? soil under sand? anyway to avoid this problem?
Q7 What is the water changing frequency like?
Thanks.
as you are new to planted tank, i would kindly suggest you start by ready some of the guides,posted as stickies, in the forum. that would be very helpful.
cheers,christophe
1) if it just to grow fore ground plant, 1-2 inches should be enough but you might want to slope it. Higher at the back
2) SInce 2.5 ft high, go for MH
3) None, fovus on your plant grow and algae will stay away. just change water often during initial stage.
4) around 26, at least for me,
5) 5 liters because the top up cost is the same as long as <= 5 liters
6) wood and some soil, just change water will do. Activated carbon might help but will take out nutrient as well.
7) initial stage before filter mature maybe 50% 2-3 times a week after that 50% once a week will do.
1) if it just to grow fore ground plant, 1-2 inches should be enough but you might want to slope it. Higher at the back
Any problem if i make it so high that it looks like 2 feet height instead of 2.5 so that i can dont use MH? will it cause any problems for too high level of sand?
2) SInce 2.5 ft high, go for MH
MH...hmmm i thought its more for reef tank growing sps?
3) None, fovus on your plant grow and algae will stay away. just change water often during initial stage.
4) around 26, at least for me,
wow again it sounds like reef tank where chiller is needed
5) 5 liters because the top up cost is the same as long as <= 5 liters
how to see 5 litre? regulator?
6) wood and some soil, just change water will do. Activated carbon might help but will take out nutrient as well.
can i choose not to use soil? i have seen some brownish pellet its like all in one.
hm.. if to hight I'm afraid the sand/soil become compress and bad think start to happen, those unaerobic bacteria.
Chiller is good to have but not necessary, you can use fan. Most plants still ok until 30 degree. Moss a bit tricky, normally they prefered coller water.
ask LFS they should be able to show you the 5liters CO2 tank
Substarte is the most important part, you might want to invest on that.
thanks for the information. The reason i switch from reef to planted tank is because of all those maintenance stuff...
I have in mind to set up something like this :
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cwbt2D65i9...oto01a_108.jpg
Bascially all grounded plants and only 1 wooded plants cause i learn that wood will cause the water to get yellowish. Any experience planted tank owners may wan to share the tips and what to look after in order to keep such tanks.
Thanks.
one of the challenging task is u plant in the ground plants. what is the best practices to root the plants for those tiny ones on the pic?
How about shaking that brains of yours a bit? (Cheekyly)
http://www.cau-aqua.net/index.php?op...zoom&Itemid=29
You just might change a bit on what you want actually. Warning: Extremely Addictive
nice pictures..but i dont think i am capable of doing such complexity. My focus is on the maintenance and looking for plants that would bring striking green instead of dull colors
HC not an easy plan for begineer, you might want to replace it with hair grass.
^^" sadly agree with Shadow, I did that and got a lot of BGA but the riccia was recommended by my friend, not via AQ. Apparently I was Zero chemical warefare then. Only learn chemical warfare after joining AQ few years back.
Re: Setting up planted tanks
Originally Posted by Blue Whale
sorry whats HC,AQ and BGA ....................................................................................................
HC = Hemianthus callitrichoides
AQ = Aquatic Quotient aka this forum
BGA = Blue green algae
i think i tried hair grass some years ago but algae bloomsomemore pushing the roots into the sand is a nightmare haha
which plant is more demanding in terms of lighting,temp, co2? which is greener? cause i am tempted by it color nature.
hc confirmed demanding.
Planted tanks are IMHO more involved maintenance wise than a reef tank, foot for foot. I've maintained both, decomming my nano reef atm.
Note on the use of fine sand:
Do not use a thick layer. Restrict yourself to just 1 cm depth or a little more. Rake the sand regularly with a satay stick or something, because if it compacts and traps organic matter, there will be problems later on.
You can probably grow E. tenellus and hairgrass in fine sand, but your result may vary.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
which is greener and brighter by nature given the same opportunity to grow well HC or Gloss.?
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