DTs
10-30-2003, 1:00 AM
I've been keeping a reef tank for over a decade and thought I'd try my hand at creating a truly spectacular planted tank.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice from those who have succeeded in keeping a truly beautiful plant tank long-term.
Here's my set-up so far.
1) 36 x 24 x 24" 90 gallon glass tank (Starphire glass on 3 sides, with dark glass on the back), braceless with polished edges.
2) Complete Dupla heating cable system with controller
3) CO2 system with controller
4) Lighting -- I'll probably order a 4x36w T5 set-up (*way* brighter than VHO) and suspend it over the tank
5) I assume using a canister filter is best? The tank has two bulkheads for the intake and outflow, on opposite sides, with the inflow being at the bottom 1/3 of the tank, and the outflow being a few inches below the water level
6) Substrate. I'll probably put an inch of laterite on the bottom, and a few inches of gravel on top of that, with a slope going up toward the back.
7) Plants. I have no firm selections yet, but will probably just find a picture of a tank I feel is aquascaped just right, and then try to replicate it.
8) Fish. Whatever I choose will have to like 78-80 degree water because I'm not going to crank the heat over 80. I'd love to put a few Altum angels in the tank, but I'm not sure if 80 is high enough temperature for them.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice from those who have succeeded in keeping a truly beautiful plant tank long-term.
Here's my set-up so far.
1) 36 x 24 x 24" 90 gallon glass tank (Starphire glass on 3 sides, with dark glass on the back), braceless with polished edges.
2) Complete Dupla heating cable system with controller
3) CO2 system with controller
4) Lighting -- I'll probably order a 4x36w T5 set-up (*way* brighter than VHO) and suspend it over the tank
5) I assume using a canister filter is best? The tank has two bulkheads for the intake and outflow, on opposite sides, with the inflow being at the bottom 1/3 of the tank, and the outflow being a few inches below the water level
6) Substrate. I'll probably put an inch of laterite on the bottom, and a few inches of gravel on top of that, with a slope going up toward the back.
7) Plants. I have no firm selections yet, but will probably just find a picture of a tank I feel is aquascaped just right, and then try to replicate it.
8) Fish. Whatever I choose will have to like 78-80 degree water because I'm not going to crank the heat over 80. I'd love to put a few Altum angels in the tank, but I'm not sure if 80 is high enough temperature for them.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.