Help me set up my new planted tank!

enrique4jc

enrique4jc

AC Members
Oct 17, 2006
615
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Russell Springs, KY
Real Name
Eric
Okay, so the tank isnt actually "new." I'm completely reworking a 29-gallon aquarium that I have had for the last few years. Here is what's happening...

I have set up a 10-gallon aquarium to hold the few fish I have for now. I put the filter media in my other filter to let the bacteria build up. It has been there for several days, and should have a good colony now. I will move the filter media over to the new filter, and will also place my old filter media, including biowheels, in the other aquarium somehow secure so that they will provide a solid bacteria colony for the fishies, and also be ready to move back in to the other aquarium when it is finished. I will also move over some of the gravel and fake plants for cover and bacteria. That way, I can avoid cycling in both of the tanks. Will this work okay?

Now, for the new 29-gallon set up:

1) I am removing gravel and going to sand. I was going to use the black tahitan moon sand, but I have learned that it really isnt very good for cories. I am going to go with some other kind of sand. It was recommended that I get aquaquartz pool filter sand. I am currently trying to find someone who carries it. If someone has another sand suggestion that will look natural and be okay with plants, please let me know.

2) This will be my first attempt at live plants. I need plants that are relatively easy to care for. I would like to stick with the standard lighting that came with the aquarium, but if that won't work, could someone please recommend a good hood and light? A weblink to where I could purchase it would be great. Also, some suggestions on what plants I should use would be great.

3) I would like to add either driftwood or some rocks to my setup. Which is better and why? Also, what are some good sources?

4) I plan on keeping my current fish (1 Dwarf Gourami, 2 Mixed Fruit Tetras, 3 Otto Cats, 1 Panda Cory), and would like to round out a good mix of community fish. I know I want a good school of neons. What else should I add?

If you can think of other things besides this, please feel free to add your thoughts. And thanks in advance for your help!
 
As far as easy plants go I could recommend a few. Many forms of anubias are easy to grow and they look really cool when you tie them to drift wood and let them grow over it. You could easily grow water onions, dwarf saggitaria, anacharis, dwarf lillies, java moss. You have quite a few options. You may want to look into better lighting, however i'm not sure what your current lighting setup is. Keep in mind that even though the lights are working they may have lost some of their intensity so if the bulbs are more than 9 months old then i would recommend replacing them.

Driftwood would be fine for your setup, however, make sure that you soak it first or buy it presoaked otherwise the tannins in the wood will turn your water a amber color. The wood is good for most of the fish in your tank too since it adds as a bit of a buffer. Since you mentioned you have some tetras and are planning to get more then they will benefit from the wood in that it helps to keep your water slightly acidic but nothing too extreme.
 
Another plant that does well in low light is Java Ferns and there are several varieties available. The plants mentioned above will be great too.

If you are looking to add more fish I would add a couple more cories and I think the neons would work well.
 
If you can't get pool filter sand, get some play sand, very natural and corys love it. I get my Quikrete play sand from Home Depot for about $2 for 50lbs.

I get my driftwood (Malaysian and Mopani) from Petsmart and Petco, they have a great selection (usually) and a good price. You can always order driftwood online to get the piece you want, I just haven't had the need to, yet.

You need to get more corys, they do better in a group of 6+, and they are more entertaining for you.

As for lighting, without knowing what you have, you most likely need to upgrade. Check out the link in my sig for one option.
 
Thanks for your help thus far. The pool supply store has something called Mystic White. Does anybody know anything about this? Otherwise, if I can't find the Aquaquartz, I'll just pick up some play sand next time I'm at Lowe's. I'll look for my driftwood at PetSmart some time. Also, I will definitely be adding more cories. I had 6 at one time, but through a massive ich outbreak while I was away, I only have the one left. As for the lighting, the DIY in your signature might be a bit complicated for me. I might play with it and see.

Any other thoughts?
 
1. AquaQuartz is at Ace Hardware (thats where i got mine)

2. my red ludiwga has done surprisingly well in my tank, a 37 gallon with the same light as your 29 gallon. you may want to give it a try.

3. try to find a balance between some slate caves, driftwood, and plants. the result will be awesome

4. get some more white skirt tetras (same as fruit tetras, but not dyed) to give them a nice big school.
 
A nicely planted tank with the fish you have will look awesome. Easy low light plants are java moss ans java fern. Both do well attached to driftwood. There are several different kinds of anubias that will do well in low light aquariums. Keep in mind that the standard lights that come with aquariums usually are not sufficient to grow live plants even the low light ones so you may have to look into a lighting upgrade. I would for sure get more cories in your tank if you are sure that the ich parasite that killed your other corie has been erradicated.

Just take your time and have fun planting it up and arranging the decor and stocking it with fish and you will have one awesome tank to look at in no time.

Marinemom
 
I'd add more corys of similar kind and size to your present one...they are schooling fish and do best in groups and are fun to watch! I use standard pool filter sand over a peat base in all of my tanks now, and it works very well for my plants. I use a DIY CO2 system for one of my home 10g tanks, but you might be better investing in a CO2 bottled gas system - you can get systems that run off paintball canisters and can get canisters refilled at fire extinguisher places, maybe even at sports stores if they stock canisters. They should last quite a long time. I use standard hoods for incandescent lights, but have added CF's instead to givce my plants enough light for a low price. For a 29g you will need at least 58-60 watts, which will probably mean 4 or 5 CF units. They generate some heat, but not as much as incandescents.

The pool filter sand is small grained, but heavy, so vacs easily without much loss of substrate. If adding peat under the filter sand, soak the peat and squeeze it out to thoroughly wet it before putting it into the tank, or it will float to the top as soon as you add water! You will be able to waterlog the peat (sphagnum peat) in just a few minutes...I actually do it by pouring water into the peat bag and 'scrunching' it through my hands until the whole mass is soggy! Messy, but quick. Good luck with the planting. If going low light, choose the right plants. Lots of advice is available in the planted tank section of this site.
 
Thanks again for all of your advice. I'm moving the fish over to the empty 10-gallon on Saturday, and will thoroughly clean my other aquarium and dispose of the old gravel. It will probably take me several weeks to get them back in there, but it will be well worth it to get away from the blue gravel and fake plants to a much more natural environment. For my next steps:

-I will look at Ace this afternoon for some Aquaquartz sand
-I will also try to find a place that sells slate and see what I can create
-I will further investigate my options for lighthing. Standard 29-gallon tank. Any suggestions for purchasing a hood and light?
-I am working on my planting scheme. I will post my plans when I make up my mind.
-When I restock, I will definitely be buying more cories, and maybe white skirts as well.
 
Here's my recommendation:
Don't get a hood. Instead get glass tops and a Coralife T5 light strip (just over 1watt/gallon for low light plants). Glass tops allow you to throw another light strip on if you want to upgrade to a higher-light set up.
 
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