newbie questions.

[CHINABOY1021]

ive decided to start my aquarium hobby back up. it's been 2 years and i've almost forgotten just about everything. my past experience was with a 25 gallon tank. i maintain it pretty well but this time i want to try something new. i just got some questions if you guys can help me out it will be great.

1) tank size 20 - 45 gallon or so. i know it seems like a large range, but hopefully at the end of this post, i will decide wat to do.
2) my main concern is about the planting in the tank. by the end, i am hoping to have 80%+ tank filled with plants and less than 10 fish. i will have a custom canopy to supply the lightning need. the question is: do i really need to buy those 30 dollar fluorescent BULBs found at the fish store, or can i grab something at hardware store. considering i will have 4 strips of tubes? and can someone remind me of the rule of thumb with the #of watts per gallon formula. (if it still exists lol)

3)the tank will be filled with quite a few amazon plants.most likely they will be over lapping each other at some point which will require me more light

4) what filter should i use considering my setup with little waste from the fish. my past experience with aqua filter was fine, but im always open for changes.

5) does ph level and water hardness and water temperature effect the plants greatly? or can they adjust to the fish requirements.

6) at wat point do i need to inject co2?

7) can u suggest some good plant supplements that i will be needing. tabs worked great for me before, but with the many plants im planning for, will i have to go to flourite, or other supplements?

8) 2mm gravel size good?

9) wat other important things am i missing?

10) thanks a lot for your suggestions, anything is welcome.

note: i have past experience about carbon cycle, an aquarium with 75% fish/25% plant, etc..

thanks a bunch

[Booswalia]

I'm just getting back into it myself after a few years worth of "other things". I'm no expert, but your aqua filter should be fine. You don't want any surface agitation to drive away C02.

Watts per gallon? That's about 1.5 for low light plants, 2 - 3 for medium and 4 or more for plants that require high amounts of light. Plants will grow under the regular "hardware store" lights, but the colour is.... eh.

The substrate is the first thing you want to consider.

I think the best thing you can do at this point is to.....

1 Not be in a hurry
2 Research and read as much as your brain can absorb. There are many sites on the net that will advise you how to set up a new tank.
3 Consider any errors you make to be learning opportunities.
5 Appreciate the brilliant minds here on this board. They can be very helpful.
4 ENJOY!!!

Shirley

[djlen]

Exactly what size tank are you going to have? 20 - 45 gals. is a little vague.
Since you're starting from scratch, if you ask around you'll find that Flourite and/or Onyx are the choice of many plant keepers. They are more expensive but plants love them because of the properties they bring to the aquarium. Regular gravel is also an option if money is an issue, but if you can afford it, it'll give you a better start with either of the above.
You mention Amazon Swords. These are not particularly 'high light' plants, so if you like them and other easy plants such as anubias, crypts, or many of the stem plants(Ludwegia, Rotala etc.)
you can get away with 1.5 - 2.0 watts/gal. easily and be very successful.
If you're the patient type, with these plants and light levels you won't "need" CO2. However CO2 will enhance the growth and development of any planted tank.
Yes, you and generally pick up florescent lighting much cheaper at Home Depot/Lowe's than at you LFS.
Len

[CHINABOY1021]

thanks a lot guys.

wat temperature should my water be, if im g iong to only plant. im going to get my plants up and growing for about a month, then im giong to add tiny amount of fish. i am patient with adding tiny amount of fish, but since this is a tank mainly plants, should i still cycle first? ive read some threads about no cycling and my plan setup seems to be okay.

plus a question about flourite and onyx. why do plants like it? and i COULD go some flourite/onyx and gravel over the top right? because am looking to have fine gravel and onyx is anywhere between 2mm-10mm i read on bigalsonline.

thanks again