Very worried about my sucess in a planted tank.

K

Kevin007

AC Members
May 27, 2008
287
0
16
I am worried about my success in a planted tank. I am fully prepared to whip out the cash ($3000+) but i am very worried whether i can keep a thriving planted tank or not, I have never kept plants in the past and I have heard stories of alot of people having trouble with a planted tank, whether its an algae outbreak or other common problems.

The tank will be a 125 Gallon with pressurized co2 and highish lighting along with EI dosing. The filters will be 2 2217 eheim classics along with 1 filstar XP3.

The stocking will be 150 Cardinal Tetras, 50 Rummynose Tetras 6 Torpedo Barbs 50ish small cories of different species.

Here in Toronto, this is one fish store with decent plants for a decent price, and that is around a 1 hr drive.

The light that will be used is 2 of these http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCat...3_lunar_lights?&query=USA&queryType=0&offset=

Good?

oh and is there anytips to make sure i have a healthy planted tank? I really don't want my plants to die or an algae outbreak. I am doing all the research possible and algae outbreaks are fairly common. It took alot of convincing to let the missus let me set up this tank, I don't think failing is an option. I'm still pretty paranoid, perhaps i should stick with plastic plants?
 
Great that you are considering a jump into the planted tank world, theres nothing to fear. Start out with simple plants, if they die get more and try until you get it right (though im sure you will get it right the first time since theres nothing 2 it)

The light you showed is good BUT you will need to replace bulbs. Actinic bulbs have no place in a planted aquarium. Check out coralife fixtures (freshwater version) there they come already equipped with fw bulbs (6700K-10000K)

With the good light + the pressurized co2 + the EI method of dosing ferts you should be set to have one heck of a great planted aquarium.

Now the key to keep algae away is to balance those 3 factors out. It will take time to know how many hrs your plants like the light to be one, how much ferts you should dose..
 
Heres my set up. I have a 125 gallon high light planted aquarium. I have about 3.54 wpg, lights on 12 hrs/day, pressurized co2 at about 2 bubbles per second, 3 inches of eco-complete gravel, 2 heaters set at 82 degrees, and 2 eheim 2215s. I use fourish trace, iron, plant supplement, excel, and potassium weekly. And my tank looks like this.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159348

Its not hard, it just takes some time. Good luck with yours.
 
$3,000+ what size tank are you going to run? I run a nice planted tank for less then $1,000.
 
I'll leave the plant stuff to the real gurus... The amount of fish seems excessive to me though regardless of filtration level. There simply won't be enough room for them to swim freely. How do you plan to cycle the tank?
 
Cool,

$3,000 would make a grand display. But, I have and know lots of people with very nice tanks that paid far less.
 
Fish count does seem excessive, but the fact that you are worried about it and seeking info here says to me you will be successful.
 
Thank you for the advice, BK, I checked out the coralife ones but i think i need to get 4 36" fixtures to get decent amount of light, for that cost, the ones i linked you would be cheaper. If i am correct, it comes with 4 bulbs suitable for planted aquariums and 3 actinic moon lights? I am not sure, I will check out the light again.

I would like to mention right now that the tank is not brought yet and neither are the fish. Untill I get all the equipment and valuable advice, I will not buy anything yet.

Derekp, GREAT tank, beautiful plants, very lush growth and the best part is that it is a 125 Gallon tank with ecocomplete, which is what I will use.

To cycle the tank, I will use my HOB that is being used in my 55 Gallon currently and run it on the 125 to help speed up the process.

I agree on the stock actually, I'll stick with the 150 Cardinals, 6 Torpedo Barbs and 50ish corydoras. So only 3 types of fish, the cardinals are quite small so I don't think they will affect the bioload THAT much, torpedos are pricey, $15 for 2 inch and corydoras are my favourite fish, I will be keeping them for sure, I have kept 20ish in a 55 gallon tank, I don't think 50 in a 125 gallon with good filteration is going to be a problem, but I'm here to listen to advice.

As for the total cost, I'm guessing $2000 for the tank, fish, plants, substrate, and co2 $1000 for lighting and filters. Then theres tax, i think $3000 is reasonable.

My 55 Gallon tank was less than $500 too, but i have a feeling this 125 is going to be way more expensive. Better equipment, better substrate, better lights, better filter, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom