View Full Version : equipment ckeck (lights/filter...)
Hello AC
OK I have been doing some looking around for what I'll need for my first FW planted tank,so fare I'll go with...
this for my lighting (http://www.hellolights.com/242xcofraq2x.html) ,this will give me 130 watts =4.48 wpg,I can go with a 55 watt pc set up,but I'm thinking more lighting is better or is that just the reefer in me talking ??
for filtration I'm looking at Eheim Pro 2222 or the 2213
for my substrate I'll have a 3 inch bed of Flourite toped off with 2-3mm gravel.
I'll do the DIY Co2 reactor( soda bottle ) for now and to get things started I'll order something like this plant package (http://www.aquariumgarden.com/index.php?doc_base=plant_info.php&plantid=as081) ,is this a good plant vendor,could I buy from a better vendor ??
Well how does it look so fare ?????
thanks for any input
NJ Devils Fan
07-25-2003, 8:05 PM
"Aaahhhhzzzzyyy lost his mind, can he see or is he blind..."
Sorry, I just had to. I will try to answer as many questions as I can.
The more light you have, the faster the plants are going to grow and the more neutrients there will have to be. Honestly, I would go with a pressurized system with that much light. I have 160 watts on my 72g tank and I have 3 DiY bottles over it and it's barely enough. It lasts a little less than a week. You will have to *** neutrients like flourish, etc to keep everything in ballance.
Too much substrate. You want to try to keep the substrate as low as possible to prevent anaerobic spots from forming. I would go with about 2 inches of flourite with that 2-3 mm of gravel.
HTH
"Aaahhhhzzzzyyy lost his mind, can he see or is he blind..."
LOL
I would go with a pressurized system with that much light.
OK,so is this a lighting overkill,I was told in another thread that it might be...,I have a Custom Sea Life 65 watt pc tossed in a corner,it just needs a new light,I can order a 65k for about $20. rather than the $130.
Too much substrate. You want to try to keep the substrate as low as possible
This is the Reefer in me,in a reef tank ya want 4-6 inches,freshwater really is a new world....
NJ Devils Fan
07-25-2003, 9:35 PM
I knew I forgot something. The first question I was going to ask was how big of a tank are you talking about?
125gJoe
07-26-2003, 7:16 AM
6700K's will work fine...
Tempest
07-26-2003, 8:45 AM
I don't think that's too much substrate for a heavily planted tank. :) You might wish to consider Aquabotanic's algae buster package for plants to start out. You need to start out a high light tank with fast growing stem plants to break it in.
This whole thread might be better answered in the planted forum by the way.
NJ Devils Fan
07-26-2003, 9:32 AM
Why not get the light with one 65 watt bulb? Cheaper and easier to handle the plants. They won't grow as fast and you won't have to worry about adding mucu more neutrients and CO2.
If your tank is well planted and the plants are healthy, ~4" of substrate is not too much at all. I use 4-6" routinely.
I don't like layered substrates, I'd do all Flourite. The two gravels will be mixed with months anyway.
Agree on the pressurized CO2. If you go high light, you need bottled gas.
Why not get the light with one 65 watt
OK,what if I go with the 67K,toss in a 20 watt NO giving me 87 wpg just to get started,learn more apout the plants I want to keep and then make changes in my lighting if need be...
, ~4" of substrate is not too much at all. I use 4-6" routinely That is what I have in my reef tank 6 inches,so in fresh water it's not overkill ??,in salt tanks we use it as a means of filtration but from what I can tell FW is not the same,meaning ya cant seed the DSB and use it as a means of natural filtration
Tom.E
07-26-2003, 12:46 PM
You’ll be happy with 87w. I run 90-120w of NO on my 29g tanks.
4 inches of substrate is also good for this size tank. Like RTR, I don’t see a need to layer the substrate. I mix flourite with everything in my tanks, from gravel to soil.
Jared W maintains a list of online plant retailers at his site http://www.brainyday.com/jared/aquarium/info.htm
Sounds like you’re all set. Just keep an eye on the nitrate levels after the tank has been up and running a few weeks. With good lighting and CO2 injection nitrogen in the tank can become depleted fast.
Tom
I prefer deep substrates, they seem to give me more stabilty and easier growth. I have no FW or SW DSB experience, but plenums in FW operate just about as they do in SW IME, but are not necessary by any means, especially in a planted tank.
Deep substrates may be a hazard if unplanted and untended, but in planted tanks are quite common and involve no significant risk over shallower substrates.
I prefer deep substrates, they seem to give me more stabilty and easier growth.
seems to me it would be better for the root structure of the plants,really in turn...........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
plant life in a FW tank would do the same thing that the critters in a salt water DSB would do,,,
You’ll be happy with 87w. I run 90-120w of NO on my 29g tanks.
I think,in fact I'm sure that is what I'll do........
this will also give me time to study the plant life I want to have and build the tank to meet the needs of the plant life..
With good lighting and CO2 injection nitrogen
well I think we have the lighting problem solved(thank you very much-ya just saved me $100. )
How do ya feel about the DIY coke bottle Co2 reactor ??
is this Ok ??
Agree on the pressurized CO2. If you go high light, you need bottled gas. does this still apply if I go with the 87 watt lighting.
if so what is the best place to get a Co2 tank ??
I was reading that you can rent one ??? said something like $1.00 a month,about how much is the Co2 ??
thanks
DIY is not sufficiently stable output for a 3W/gallon tank IMHO, go bottled gas.
In this area, you buy a cylinder, but you do not have it refilled, you trade it for a full one. They maintain certification. If you insist on owning, you have to have and pay for periodic recertification of your cylinder every some number of years, and a bigger nuisance, you have to leave your cylinder to be refilled - a day or two delay at least. Or you have to own two cylinders to always have a filled spare. Trade out is pretty standard.
The fills are cheap. depending most on your leaks more than usage, less than a dollar a month.
DIY is not sufficiently stable output for a 3W/gallon tank IMHO, go bottled gas.
OK,lets do this right :D
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
thanks again