Hi all, newbie here. Glad to find this active forum

[akp1982]

Hi all, glad to be here and I'm a total newbie.
My friend give me 60Lx37Wx41H (cm) fish tank and I would like to set up tropical fish tank eg: guppies, swordtail and tetra as beginner.
Went to LFS, was recommended undergravel filter and recognized that planted tank will make fish happier.
Did some google and found actually UGF is not suitable for rooted plants in tank.
In this case, what type of substrate/live plants are suitable for UGF?
Would like to seek some advice from experienced bro first before doing purchase...

[Urban Aquaria]

Welcome to AQ.

Well, there are many other types of good filter systems like hang-on filters or canister filters, its not really necessary to stick to under gravel filters just because the LFS recommend it... especially if you want to have a planted tank, there are just too much limitations with UGF and plants.

But if you really still want to use UGF then it's best to use gravel or soil substrate that doesn't breakdown so quickly (those processed solid types), and preferably with lower nutrient content (or else it'll tend to spew excessive nutrients into the water column).

As for plants, choose those that don't need to be planted into substrate and don't grow long roots into it (which is one of the problems with UGF due to plant roots clogging it up). Can look at easy low-demand plants like anubias, java ferns, mosses etc, which are grown tied to wood or rocks.

[akp1982]

Welcome to AQ.

Well, there are many other types of good filter systems like hang-on filters or canister filters, its not really necessary to stick to under gravel filters just because the LFS recommend it... especially if you want to have a planted tank, there are just too much limitations with UGF and plants.

But if you really still want to use UGF then it's best to use gravel or soil substrate that doesn't breakdown so quickly (those processed solid types), and preferably with lower nutrient content (or else it'll tend to spew excessive nutrients into the water column).

As for plants, choose those that don't need to be planted into substrate and don't grow long roots into it (which is one of the problems with UGF due to plant roots clogging it up). Can look at easy low-demand plants like anubias, java ferns, mosses etc, which are grown tied to wood or rocks.

Thank you Bro for your advice. I think I'll study more about the HOF..

[wongce]

welcome to AQ..........

[akp1982]

I'm thinking of setting up a low tech planted tank like below:
Water volume: 80-90Liter with 2ft long.
Filter: Fluval C2 hang on back, would like to get pre-filter sponge as well
Substrate: normal gravel and add some big rock
Plants: lowlight plants eg: amazon swords, anubias, java ferns, moss.
Lighting: 2ft 15W-20W light?? (LED or fluorescent or T5???)

Would like to have some more advice
Is my plan for the setup above is OK?
I was not too sure about the lighting setting on low tech tank.
And how should I cycle my new tank with the setup above?

[Urban Aquaria]

I'm thinking of setting up a low tech planted tank like below:
Water volume: 80-90Liter with 2ft long.
Filter: Fluval C2 hang on back, would like to get pre-filter sponge as well
Substrate: normal gravel and add some big rock
Plants: lowlight plants eg: amazon swords, anubias, java ferns, moss.
Lighting: 2ft 15W-20W light?? (LED or fluorescent or T5???)

Would like to have some more advice
Is my plan for the setup above is OK?
I was not too sure about the lighting setting on low tech tank.
And how should I cycle my new tank with the setup above?

Looks okay for a low-tech tank setup... the anubias, java ferns and mosses will do fine in that environment (they will utilize nutrients from the water column).

The Amazon swords may need additional fertilizers in the substrate as they are root feeders, the gravel substrate that you plan to use is usually inert, so you could add fertilizer tablets or sticks into the substrate around the rooted plants to provide them with added nutrients for growth.

For lights, you can go for 24-32W of T5... or 10-20W of LED, both would work well. The main difference is T5 is cheaper to buy initially but you have to change the tubes regularly, the power consumption is higher, casing more bulky and it generates alot more heat too. LED lights are abit more expensive initially, but you don't need to change them for many years, they are more power efficient, casing is slimmer and they run much cooler.

Just make sure to buy lights which are designed for growing plants (not the marine or decorative/tanning types).

As for cycling the tank, if you are using inert gravel substrate, you'll need a source of ammonia to kickstart and grow the beneficial bacteria population. You could put a dish of fish food into the tank and let it rot to produce ammonia and run a fishless cycle (also do a search online to find out other compatible methods)... or do like what most traditional fish keepers do, introduce a few hardy fishes (ie. guppies) at the start which produce waste and ammonia to gradually cycle the tank, its not the most humane way nowadays, but seems its still a popular method.

[akp1982]

Looks okay for a low-tech tank setup... the anubias, java ferns and mosses will do fine in that environment (they will utilize nutrients from the water column).

The Amazon swords may need additional fertilizers in the substrate as they are root feeders, the gravel substrate that you plan to use is usually inert, so you could add fertilizer tablets or sticks into the substrate around the rooted plants to provide them with added nutrients for growth.

For lights, you can go for 24-32W of T5... or 10-20W of LED, both would work well. The main difference is T5 is cheaper to buy initially but you have to change the tubes regularly, the power consumption is higher, casing more bulky and it generates alot more heat too. LED lights are abit more expensive initially, but you don't need to change them for many years, they are more power efficient, casing is slimmer and they run much cooler.

Just make sure to buy lights which are designed for growing plants (not the marine or decorative/tanning types).

As for cycling the tank, if you are using inert gravel substrate, you'll need a source of ammonia to kickstart and grow the beneficial bacteria population. You could put a dish of fish food into the tank and let it rot to produce ammonia and run a fishless cycle (also do a search online to find out other compatible methods)... or do like what most traditional fish keepers do, introduce a few hardy fishes (ie. guppies) at the start which produce waste and ammonia to gradually cycle the tank, its not the most humane way nowadays, but seems its still a popular method.

Thanks Bro! You are being so helpful.
By the way, with gravel substrate, is those liquid fertilizer eg: Seachem Flourish Excel works?
I came across with some nice plants mentioned by you on other thread, eg: E Tenellus, Limnophila Sessiliflora, Rotala Nanjenshan, Cabomba Caroliniana. Are they able to grow on gravel?

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks Bro! You are being so helpful.
By the way, with gravel substrate, is those liquid fertilizer eg: Seachem Flourish Excel works?
I came across with some nice plants mentioned by you on other thread, eg: E Tenellus, Limnophila Sessiliflora, Rotala Nanjenshan, Cabomba Caroliniana. Are they able to grow on gravel?

Yeah, you can use liquid fertilizers designed for planted tanks... the Seachem Flourish range of fertilizers is good, Seachem Excel is a carbon supplement which helps plant growth too.

Those plants you listed can be planted in gravel, they are fast growing and can adapt to taking up nutrients from the water column, so are relatively easy plants to keep.