Please Help and Advise on new tank

[Ryanlim1988]

Hi People,
Appreciate if you guys could advise on the equipment for new nano tank.
I'm intending to start simple with a 30 cm x 20 x 20 cm Planted tank but I'm not very sure what are the equipment I need.

I did some research and I managed to scout some of the items that I will be purchasing.
Could you guys give me some advise on whether all these are suitable for a new simple Nano planted tank ?


1) Tank - will be getting 30cmx20cmx20cm

2) Substrate- will be getting black color one ( Can advise what Gravel and Fertilizer I need ?)

3) Filter - Aquarium Air Water Pump Fall Hang Hanging Type Filter Biochemical Cotton
Power: 3W.
Pump output: 120L/H.
For max 20cm tank.
Voltage: 220-240V.


4) Lighting - Flexible Neck 40-LED 2-Mode Blue & White Light Aquarium led lamp
Power:3W
Voltage:100-240V
Power cable length:144cm
Dimensions:11.02 in x 2.17 in x 0.47 in (28.0 cm x 5.5 cm x 1.2 cm)
LED:40
Light color:8-LED blue light + 32-LED white


5) Heater - 25W Glass Aquarium Fish Tank Water Thermostat Heater
Voltage: 220 - 240 50/60Hz.
Power: 25W.
Size:17.5cm x 2.5cm.
Temperature Ranger - 18-32 degree c


6) Themometer - Digital Submersible Fish Tank Aquarium LCD Thermometer Temperature Meter
Simple operationTemperature range:-50~ +70°C
Accuracy: ±1°C
Operation Environment: 0°C - 50°C
Power supply: Button Battery( DC1.5V) (Not included)


7) CO2 System - Aquarium Disposable Co2 System Regulator Cylinder 95g
Co2 Disposable Cartridge 95g
- Non refillable cylinder
- Un. 1013 Carbon Dioxide
- Volume: 135ml
- Contents 95±5g Co2
- Bursting Pressure > 480kg/cm2


Cooling fan - GEX mini fan

9) What else do I need , please advise and where can i get them

[wongce]

Hi bro, I am camping here for your new setup.

The information you need can be found on my blog, check my signature below...hope it helps

[Shadow]

you do not need heater, Singapore is hot weather, you might want to get fan instead.

What plan you want to grow? your LED light may not be suitable

[Ryanlim1988]

you do not need heater, Singapore is hot weather, you might want to get fan instead.

What plan you want to grow? your LED light may not be suitable

Hi, I have no specific plants that I want to grow, maybe start off with something easy and simple first, probably walk into the shop and ask the uncle to recommend me .

[Phillipians]

Might as well get a 2L or if you want an aesthetically pleasing Co2 system, an aluminium one. Can at least last longer.

Also, once you get CO2, it think your lights are insufficient... Maybe the 3W per LED EVO clipon?

[wongce]

if you want something simple and less headache, go low tech...

get a simple T5 light setup
skip the co2 ( for now)
Skip the heater
grab an aquarium fan ...
soil:- you may use sand for low tech setup, if you really wanted to try out some rooted plants, go for ADA soil or Gex soil...
fert;- seachem flourish, Carbon replacement:- seachem excel

Plants:- start with java fern, moss, anubias nana,crypts.... they are hardy and do not need co2 injection...

after you get the hang of stuffs like photoperiod, algae,fertilizer regime,maintenance etc headaches...., upgrade to bigger tank... and more sophisticated setup....

[Ryanlim1988]

if you want something simple and less headache, go low tech...

get a simple T5 light setup
skip the co2 ( for now)
Skip the heater
grab an aquarium fan ...
soil:- you may use sand for low tech setup, if you really wanted to try out some rooted plants, go for ADA soil or Gex soil...
fert;- seachem flourish, Carbon replacement:- seachem excel

Plants:- start with java fern, moss, anubias nana,crypts.... they are hardy and do not need co2 injection...

after you get the hang of stuffs like photoperiod, algae,fertilizer regime,maintenance etc headaches...., upgrade to bigger tank... and more sophisticated setup....

Hi,
Thanks for the advise , for those stuff that you mentioned where can I get them? I'm staying at Ubi near Eunos, do you know of anywhere where I can purchase everything at one stop ?

[thebaldingaquarist]

Hi Ryan,
You should read Wongce's blog. its quite informative.

Do you plan to have the tank for long? if yes... you might want to invest more on better equipment. camp in the market place if you want.
If no, then you should go low tech.

Currently you have selected to take up a 1 ft tank.. be advised,
1 ft tanks (smaller sized) are
1. easy to plant
2. change water
3. lower energy consumption
4. lower maintenance

But, the water parameters are more difficult to keep consistent. So whats going to happen is that each water change is going to throw the balance off. By how much?? that depends on how much water is changed. My advice to friends who want smaller tanks is to change water often. but change very little water each time. 1 cup a day. but that increases maintanence.. so... its up to the hobbyist.

I hope i am not scaring you, throwing water balance off may not have detrimental effects as i make it sound to be. whether it has any effect depends largely on the nature of the tank..

So all in all, if i am you.. i would
1. reconsider the size of the tank i want
2. if small is the decision, do everything LOW tech. low requirement plants, low power lights (your current selection of LED is fine), no CO2, change a cup of water now and then. proper soil like ADA and small canister HOB filter like UP.
3. if change to 3ft or larger, do everything high tech...

[Ryanlim1988]

Hi Ryan,
You should read Wongce's blog. its quite informative.

Do you plan to have the tank for long? if yes... you might want to invest more on better equipment. camp in the market place if you want.
If no, then you should go low tech.

Currently you have selected to take up a 1 ft tank.. be advised,
1 ft tanks (smaller sized) are
1. easy to plant
2. change water
3. lower energy consumption
4. lower maintenance

But, the water parameters are more difficult to keep consistent. So whats going to happen is that each water change is going to throw the balance off. By how much?? that depends on how much water is changed. My advice to friends who want smaller tanks is to change water often. but change very little water each time. 1 cup a day. but that increases maintanence.. so... its up to the hobbyist.

I hope i am not scaring you, throwing water balance off may not have detrimental effects as i make it sound to be. whether it has any effect depends largely on the nature of the tank..

So all in all, if i am you.. i would
1. reconsider the size of the tank i want
2. if small is the decision, do everything LOW tech. low requirement plants, low power lights (your current selection of LED is fine), no CO2, change a cup of water now and then. proper soil like ADA and small canister HOB filter like UP.
3. if change to 3ft or larger, do everything high tech...

hi, thanks , I will still stick with small first cause i want to put it on my desk and doesn't want to spend a lot of money on it .

[AQMS]

Hi Ryan,
in short,small tanks are not easy to maintain.Ideal size for a beginner in planted tank is 2ft IMHO.
You should browse through the market place to get a good deal for the items you are looking for.
Dont rush and buy expensive and unnecessary items when starting up this hobby,get a feel of it first.
It all depend on how far you are going with this hobby.
Just to dose you with a little bit of planted tank viagra check out one of our master of aquascaping blog, bro shadow
http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

[Ryanlim1988]

Hi Ryan,
in short,small tanks are not easy to maintain.Ideal size for a beginner in planted tank is 2ft IMHO.
You should browse through the market place to get a good deal for the items you are looking for.
Dont rush and buy expensive and unnecessary items when starting up this hobby,get a feel of it first.
It all depend on how far you are going with this hobby.
Just to dose you with a little bit of planted tank viagra check out one of our master of aquascaping blog, bro shadow
http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

WOW this is beautiful ! This is exactly wat i wanted to be on my desk .

http://aquatic-art.blogspot.sg/2013/...tech-tank.html

Tank size: 30x18x20cm
5 years old ADA Amazonia (I doubth if it still have nutrient in it)
No CO2 injection nor other Carbon suplement
Eheim 2211
18W PL light
No fertilizer dosing

Is it really so simple ? No CO2 and Fertilizer ? the plant can survive ?

[Ryanlim1988]

Another Question , what's the differences between tanks ?

I saw on fishy business website they sell a 30 cm long tank for about $140 , my house the aquarium here you can get one for less than $50 bucks , why the difference so big ?

[AQMS]

Everyone has their own opinion on this. Fishy business sell ADA tanks,the ADA tanks are worth the premium because they have super clear low-iron glass that is absolutely stunning,no rim portion which make the tank look bigger than it actually is and the silicon work on the sides is nearly invisible. You have to go and see for yourself to see the different in quality and craftsmanship.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Another Question , what's the differences between tanks ?

I saw on fishy business website they sell a 30 cm long tank for about $140 , my house the aquarium here you can get one for less than $50 bucks , why the difference so big ?

Alot of differences..
1. Type of glass (high clarity vs low clarity)
2. type of silicon
3. worksmanship of the silicon-ing
4. design (braced, non braced, euro braced)
5. thickness of glass
6. Branding.

[Urban Aquaria]

Another Question , what's the differences between tanks ?

I saw on fishy business website they sell a 30 cm long tank for about $140 , my house the aquarium here you can get one for less than $50 bucks , why the difference so big ?

The 30cm cube tank that you saw that cost S$140 is made from low-iron high clarity glass... and has the ADA brand logo, its like the "Louis Vuitton" of aquarium tanks.

Low-iron high clarity glass is white and very clear, compared to normal glass which has a greenish tint (hence cheaper) and more commonly found at most LFS.

That being said, there are also high clarity tanks from other brands which are priced lower than ADA tanks too (but still more expensive than normal glass tanks), their quality varies though so its best to shop around and compare. If you are keen, can check at places like Green Chapter, East Ocean or even Fishy Business (they also have 3rd party brand high clarity tanks too).

[Ryanlim1988]

The 30cm cube tank that you saw that cost S$140 is made from low-iron high clarity glass... and has the ADA brand logo, its like the "Louis Vuitton" of aquarium tanks.

Low-iron high clarity glass is white and very clear, compared to normal glass which has a greenish tint (hence cheaper) and more commonly found at most LFS.

That being said, there are also high clarity tanks from other brands which are priced lower than ADA tanks too (but still more expensive than normal glass tanks), their quality varies though so its best to shop around and compare. If you are keen, can check at places like Green Chapter, East Ocean or even Fishy Business (they also have 3rd party brand high clarity tanks too).

Alright, understood ! Thanks

[Shadow]

WOW this is beautiful ! This is exactly wat i wanted to be on my desk .

http://aquatic-art.blogspot.sg/2013/...tech-tank.html

Tank size: 30x18x20cm
5 years old ADA Amazonia (I doubth if it still have nutrient in it)
No CO2 injection nor other Carbon suplement
Eheim 2211
18W PL light
No fertilizer dosing

Is it really so simple ? No CO2 and Fertilizer ? the plant can survive ?

That's mine

The CO2 from environment still there, I just did not inject additional CO2. Nutrient can get from fishes/shrimps poo, also from tap water during water change. Initial stage not that simple, because plant grow very-very slow and those old leaf start to rot due to change in environment. I have to manually trim it because afraid become algae magnet. Newbie probably start panic at this stage

[Ryanlim1988]

That's mine

The CO2 from environment still there, I just did not inject additional CO2. Nutrient can get from fishes/shrimps poo, also from tap water during water change. Initial stage not that simple, because plant grow very-very slow and those old leaf start to rot due to change in environment. I have to manually trim it because afraid become algae magnet. Newbie probably start panic at this stage

Haha i probably do something like urs, will post here once it's up

[Aventador]

I was at fishy business yesterday. The clarity of the ADA tanks were stunning, especially the bigger ones. Good to shop around before making the investment. I'm still thinking hard on the ADA tanks.

[David]

If you are going to be in this hobby long term, get the ADA tank.