QUESTIONS ON 2FT TANK SET UP(substrates/filters/plants)

[KITTY]

Hi Bros,

I just bought my 2dt crystal tank with CO2 tank and now my questions if any could answer it?

Firstly,

1) which foreground plants are the best to grow without a chiller ? riccia?hairgrass?glosso? or any other recommnedations
2) where can i get nice and affordable forground plants like Hairgrass/glosso/riccia?
3) which canister filters run best? Ehiem? or any other better brands? and where is the cheapest to get it?
4)substrates? amanzonia? advanced soil for plants? H.E.L.P brands? any one use it before? i saw it from seaview selling.
5) suitable lightings? and kind of lightings? and best price to get it from?

Need kind bros to help? coz previously used dolphin brand canister filters for my 3ft tank and bought many plants before, somehow some are successful but some are not...just beacuse i do ot have chillers?
and will chiller eat in to alot of electrical bills?

welcome all kind bros to help cheers.

[David Moses Heng]

foreground plants i will suggest e.tenellus and they are pretty affordable at all reputable LFS. NO need to hunt for the cheapest bargain.

Canister would depend on your budget. If you can afford it, go for ehiem as they are known to be lasting and the spares are readily available. If not, I would recommend Tetra filters. I have been using them personally for a few years now and so far no complaint.

Substrate wise, the safest and wisest choice would be ADA line of substrate. I believe I do not have to elaborate more given the many good testimonies from very happy users.

Lights: Aquazonic T5HO sets is good enough and it won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Chillers: NOT necessary unless you are growing plants that needs low temperature water. Otherwise, fans are capable of doing the job and it is also very easy on the pocket.

Just my 2 cents worth

[KITTY]

thks bros so for ADA substrates? where to get? i went to seaview and it wasn't solf tyhere. any place for good bragains of ADA? Btw, there is AMazonia 1 and 2? need to add how much of it for 2ft tank? and is powersand needed? saw many types of power sand but which works best? btw, ehiem 2215 is enough, which model works best? heard many reviews on certain models not very good.ur tetra cf is which model? i need to find the correct one or else sudden elgae growth would be a headachace if flow rate is too powerful haha..
i saw ramaastone posted a landscape , but wasn't sure whatare the plants he is using.do u have any idea?

[David Moses Heng]

for the availability of ADA substrate, it depends on your location. It will be helpful to know also that ADA prices are very strictly controlled and I firmly believe that there is no cheap ADA product in the market. ADA Amazonia 1 and 2 is already discontinued. In replacement of the AMA1 and AMA 2, they have launched a new product but I am not sure of the name and for a 2 feet tank, one 9 litre pack with one pack of power sand special S is sufficient. You need to also be aware that you will need to have liquid ferts also.

However, if you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider other brands as ADA product can be pricey for some.

For filters, I am currently using a Tetra 90 for my 2 feet without any issue of algae after the cycling of the tank which is about 2 months. Also, if you were to use the ADA line of products and follow faithfully the instructions, you should not have any major problems with algae.

Anyway, algae in a planted tank is good as it will help you understand the entire science of planted tank better.


For Rama's scape, I would suggest that you PM him and ask him personally.

[David Moses Heng]

Just to share my 2 feet scape which I use complete ADA substrate of Amazonia 2 with one pack of Power sand special, ADA BIO RIO 2 litre as media inside my Tetra 90 and ADA line of fert: Brightly K, Step 1 and Step 2
.
FTS 3.jpg

[KITTY]

woah, nice bro, so wat other substrates u suggest? coz i went to one of te lfs at tampines area, they recommended me H.E.L.P brand sybstarest which apprently told me just with this will be doing fine without having based fertilizers. actually i do not have tight budgets , just wanna know which works best for plants coz i dun mind spending but just wanna make sure it works best for my plants and livestocks, i gg to transfer half of my current mature water over to my 2ft tank coz mature water is better than fresh from taps coz my fish might not be able to take it with brand new waters.

aside to other bros, what are the new version of ADA ammoniz 1&2 replacement as above bros mentioned has discontinued. cheers

[KITTY]

what are the foreground plants u having? hairgrass? dun look like to me

[David Moses Heng]

Japanese hair grass. If budget is not of concern to you, then stick to ADA. I gathered that you are residing around tampines? If so, I recommend that you pay Yun Feng at St 82 a visit. He is one of ADA authorised reseller in the eastern end of Singapore. And please mind your SMS lingo.

[KITTY]

why lingo cant be use here? i'm quite puzzled as most in internet world lingos are very common. i went yun feng last week, however, i wonder if the one he recommended me is ADA, he told me in chinese is 'hei ni' and he sell loose by per kg basis. he ask me to buy aquabase as well, so wonder if there is a need coz by having power sand, should be fine isn't it? Besides, for powersand can only be use in conjuction with Amazonia aqua soil?
Japanese hairgrass needs low temperature? as i had hairgrass before, its abit chellenging as yellowing will starts sometimes and sudden shoot up spiky will take place.
i believe the powersand they have special version as i saw 2 types. aqua base soil , should buy powder form or original? there is so much versions of ADA soils and sand, really is a challenge to hobbistys who are new to this product.

[KITTY]

by the way, i saw online rogere from fishy business had is live business webiste and he sell wide ranges of ADA.

[David Moses Heng]

why lingo cant be use here? i'm quite puzzled as most in internet world lingos are very common.

Kitty, if you had read up on the rules concerning AQ, you would have took notice that we strongly advocate our members to use non sms lingo for reasons like in times of conflict resolution, it is easier for us moderators. Also, while we are here to enjoy the hobby collectively, we also want to advocate and promote the use of standard proper english so that anyone who joins us finds it a pleasure to read the postings by other like minded hobbyists. I sincerely hope that you will help all of us in AQ to make this community a place where hobbyist enjoys coming in to not only learn about the hobby but also at the same time enjoy reading the posting as they are easy to read and understand.

Adan of Yun Feng does sell his Amazonia in loose form and powersand can help to promote the lifespan of the ada aqua soil.

For my 2 feet ADA scape, i did not have chiller and my tank temperature hovers around 28 degrees and my tank is by my balcony window receiving full blast of the sun everyday. Not only do i have minimum algae issue, I have tremendous growth from some of the plants and folks whom have came by my place can attest to the lush growth. Not that it is an award winning tank but if you were to allow me to walk through with you my journey, i would be more than glad to share whatever i know.

To get the most out of the ADA line of products, I suggest the following:

First Step: Read up and rehearse your scape design on paper or lego bricks. Once you have more or less pictured it, confirm it.
Second step: pour in ADA powersand special into your tank. Get the special type cos they are added with the necessary bacteria and stuffs which made it very potent.
Third Step: Pour in your ADA aqua soil and do not forget to slope it back wards. Use a try square set to level the soil and ensure that the you will present the substrate fronting the tank in a clean straight line by using your try square. At this stage, arrange in your hardscape also
4th Step: Before planting, gently and lightly wet the aquasoil to ease planting and also to prevent the water from getting clouded when you filled it with water eventually.
5th step: prepare the plants for planting( I believe you know how to do it right? ) Plant as densely as you can. During planting, do not forget to mist the soil and plants regularly.
6th Step: Add water and do remember to moderate the flow of the water so as not to stir up the sloil.

For more, you may want to PM me and maybe we can meet over coffee so I may share with you more?

Just my 2 cents worth and i hope it helps.

[KITTY]

Thanks alot altum,

Its really nice having you to share with us the scapping of your ADA stuff. I intend to buy ADA, just that i need to know whate are the recommended and now you have share, it gaves me greatere understanding of the products. I saw new amazonia soil have powder and non powder, corredt me if i'm wrong, is poweder foam use more for foreground plants? yun feng owner recommend me to add aqaubase, is there an additional perks to the plant growth or it acts just like powersand.
I have my scape ready and since its a 2ft tabnk, i intend to keep int simple.
My current 3ft tank temp is quite warm, the temp always hover ard 30degree. and its near the doorside area. Now my 2ft tank is in the living room where beside is a window, will test out thr temp once everything kicks in Cheers and thanks will pm u once again if i need help
i need to invest o my filters as well, is tetra parts easy to get? as usual concerns is the parts are ready avaiable everywhere as current dolphin brand canister i have , the parts are not widely available, lucky thing is i change once o-ring before and now its has been 5th year running. and working fine

[David Moses Heng]

if you need, I can meet you at Yun Feng and help. Just give me a pm or call 91865452 early so I may plan But note that fridays to monday nights are out cos I have to spent time with my 5 children and wife.

Thanks.

[chumzhujun]

Where to get the tetra filter? Is it cheap?




P.s--wow you got.five children:-D

[David Moses Heng]

Where to get the tetra filter? Is it cheap?

P.s--wow you got.five children:-D

JZX should have them. They are reasonably priced.

[KITTY]

JZX? Hi altum,
pls ignore my recent post under new in aquascapping, forgotten i asked you the same thing again.
How about nanas, HC/Mosses? Are they hardy plants as well? i planning to get tennulus. How about rotala? I really love this plants but wonder if it easy to care for. What are the suggested rocks as well? I plan to do iwagumi scape but wonder if its good to start with

[David Moses Heng]

JZX? Hi altum,
pls ignore my recent post under new in aquascapping, forgotten i asked you the same thing again.
How about nanas, HC/Mosses? Are they hardy plants as well? i planning to get tennulus. How about rotala? I really love this plants but wonder if it easy to care for. What are the suggested rocks as well? I plan to do iwagumi scape but wonder if its good to start with

Iwagumi would be challenging IMHO...

Tenellus is fun and they grow real fast under the ideal condition with a tinge of red. for rotala, so far my experiences are that they are not fussy and given enough and proper care, they will grow nicely. I have rolala red in my tank as well. Trimmed every week until i stopped the CO2... Now doing well with reduced growth.