planted tank setups - here's what I decided on

[Dahlia]

Okay here is what I decided on, any input would be appreciated. Especially if you know a cheaper source for something. Note that I plan to do the 90 gallon first, then one 55, then the other, then the 30 hex. It will take me a while.

90 gallon (light is 2.2 watts per gallon):

-1 48" twin tube strip light (already have)
-1 48" triple tube strip light (99.99)
-5 48" coralife trichromatic bulbs
-Semi Automatic CO2 System for 129.99 (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9935&D=semi%20auto%20co2&R=16763&Ntt=semi%20auto%20co2&Ntk=All&Dx=mode+matchallany&Ntx=mode+matchallany&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1) includes CO2 Pressure Regulator with solenoid, Grasslin Timer, CO2 Glass Diffuser, Bubble Counter, 20 ft Silicone Tubing and Hagen Check Valve
-3 inches seasoned aquarium gravel (already have)
-5 20lbs bags of eco-complete substrate (22.49 each includes shipping)
-3 15.4lbs bags of CaribSea Tahitian moon black sand (19.99 each, local)
-1 15.4lbs bag flourite (22.99 local) *using a lot of substrate to lessen the distance from gravel to lights*
-Plants (from an Arizona Aquatic Gardens package): corkscrew valisneria, jungle valisneria, sagittaria, Amazon swords, rangerii sword, red rubin swords, hornwort, anacharis, cambomba, ludwigia, chain swords
-Fish: angels initially (grow out to get a pair), later on probably clown loaches and pearl gouramis

55 Gallon #1 (2.9 watts per gallon):

-2 twin tube strip light strips (79.99 each)
-4 coralife trichromatic bulbs
-Same Semi Automatic CO2 System with same items listed above for the 90 gallon (129.99)
-4 20lbs bags eco-complete substrate (22.49 each)
-2 15.4lbs bags CaribSea Tahitian moon black sand (19.99 each)
-Plants (some from package, some not, Arizona Aquatic Gardens): corkscrew valisneria, jungle valisneria, amazon swords, red rubin sword, anacharis, cabomba, narrow-leaf ludwigia, tennelus chain swords, marimo balls, micro sword grass, java moss
-Fish: plant friendly cichlids, most likely German blue rams and keyholes.

55 Gallon #2(2.9 watts per gallon):

-2 twin tube strip light strips (79.99 each)
-4 coralife trichromatic bulbs
-Shares CO2 system with 55 #1 (I think I need a manifold to accomplish this? Anything else?)
-4 20lbs bags eco-complete substrate (22.49 each)
-2 15.4lbs bags CaribSea Tahitian moon black sand (19.99 each)
-Plants (Arizona Aquatic Gardens, no package & may change mind before then on what to order): red spot ozelot swords, green melon swords, jade hormanii sword, valisneria italian, baby tears (micranthemum), bacopa caroliniana, java moss, needle-leaf ludwigia, moneywort, water sprite
-Fish: German gold rams, albino bristlenose... unsure what else

30 Gallon Hex(2.1 watts per gallon):

-CSL PC ABS Hoods 64 watts (2 x 32) 15" light strip with daylight/actinic mix for 149.95 (http://www.reefsplendor.com/pages/customsea/customsea.light.html)
-3 inches seasoned gravel substrate (already have)
-1 20 lbs bag eco complete (22.49)
-1 15.4lbs bag CaribSea Tahitian moon black sand (19.99 each)
-Same CO2 system as listed for 90 gallon (129.99)
-Plants (AAG): dwarf water onions, java ferns, Japanese fans, lace tropica java ferns, willow moss, marble queen sword, sagittaria narrow-leaf subulata, Asian ambula, crypt walkeri
-Fish: pair koi angelfish

Sound good? Would you change anything? I plan to research my plants a bit more before I make a final decision on them but if anything with my plant choices stands out let me know.

[Cearbhaill]

Are you planning on layering all those different substrates?
Maybe putting the black sand on top?
They'll get all jumbled together in no time and spoil the look.

Personally I'd choose one substrate and go with it but then I like a nice uniform look.

[Dahlia]

If I used just the Tahitian black sand would it compact? I've read in some places sand compacts but in others that people use it by itself? Is their certain kinds of sands that compact?

And yes, I was planning to put a layer on top with some of the tanks. Although with the 55s I wasn't going to worry if it got mixed since they are both very black. Also, I was under the impression a mixed substrate is better for the plants, do the plants not care if they only have one type of substrate?

[carpguy]

No, the plants don't especially mind a mix. Just seems awkward. And there are certain risks associated with such a deep bed.

Instead of making such a big pile in the 90g, why not go with a 75g or go with stronger lights?

You don't spec the bulbs, but I'd guess the Coralife are designed for reef tanks, not for planted. The daylight/actinic combo is for sure. Plants like the warmer colors in bulbs down around 5000k- 6700k. I'd personally skip the NO lights and go with Power Compacts wherever possible.

[Dahlia]

Instead of making such a big pile in the 90g, why not go with a 75g or go with stronger lights?

I already have the 90 gallon.

How big a risk is a deep substrate? Is there any substrate material that is less of a risk? If I have MTS snails does that also reduce the risk?


You don't spec the bulbs, but I'd guess the Coralife are designed for reef tanks, not for planted. The daylight/actinic combo is for sure. Plants like the warmer colors in bulbs down around 5000k- 6700k. I'd personally skip the NO lights and go with Power Compacts wherever possible.

I chose the coralife triphosphor because my LFS uses them in planted tanks and it seems to be effective. Also, RTR suggested triton triphosphor, so I was hoping these bulbs were similar (none of my LFS carry triton). The light is also very attractive. Coralife seems to make a pretty wide range of bulbs though, there are some specifically designed for plants, too. I want something that both looks nice as well as grows plants well, so any specific bulb suggestions are appreciated.

I chose the daylight/actinic combo because I needed a 15" double tube strip light to go over my 30 gallon hex and I'm having trouble finding something. I received some advice that a saltwater fixture could also grow plants. Should I use different bulbs for the fixture? Should I use a different fixture entirely? I'm not getting that much feedback on my questions about lighting my 30 hex so I'm kind of experimenting with solutions on my own. I found a retrofit kit that uses two regular 32 watt bulbs that fits a 15" x 4" x 3" fixture, and the one I currently have is 15" x 4" x 2 1/2"... do you think the site rounded the 2 1/2" height up to 3" or that it won't fit my fixture? The link for that item (Super Nova 32) is here. (http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/ordering/lighting_CS_SuperNova.html)

For retrofit kits you do need an existing fixture to put them in, correct?

[djlen]

If you layer now, it won't stay that way for long. When moving plants, they tend to pull up the lower substrate along with the upper. If you feel the need to go with more than one, your best bet is to try to match colors as closely as possible. To me, contrasts in aquarium gravel looks unnatural.
Compacting sand depends mostly on the coarseness of the sand.
The finer it is, the more it tends to compact. I would stay away from fine sand unless you intend to mix it with something more coarse that will prevent compacting.
BTW it looks like you got a good buy on the system you're buying.

Len

[Dahlia]

I have a neutral colored pea gravel in the 90 and 30 hex currently that I would like to use along with another substrate. It has shades of brown and tan. What plant substrate would be good to layer with it that would not be a completely different color? Is "regular" flourite brown? I wish websites showed the color of the substrate. I saw "flourite red" at an LFS (they didn't have regular) and it was too bright.

Perhaps I just need to plant heavily enough that the gravel doesn't show.

The eco-complete and Tahitian sand are both black, and I chose to mix them because I thought the two grain sizes would be good for my plant roots. Being a gardener I'm very accustomed to ammending my outdoor soil to have a certain texture... should I have just gone with one or the other for an aquarium, though?

Also, what depth is safe for substrate in an aquarium? At what point does it become a possible anaerobic problem?

BTW it looks like you got a good buy on the system you're buying.
The CO2 one? I couldn't find anything else that gave me all those items for that price. I think Dr. Foster's Smith is kind of hit or miss, some of their products are priced so much more cheaply than anywhere else I've looked, but others are priced far above. However, if anyone has heard of a better deal be sure to let me know! :)

[Dahlia]

Since this post got long I'm condensing my remaining questions here:

-What plant substrate would match a neutral colored brown-tan mixed gravel? Regular flourite?

-Is it better to mix substrates to meet all the needs of the plants or is it fine to just use one substrate? If so, are small grains or larger grains better? Is Tahitian moon sand fine enough to compact or would it be okay as a single substrate?

-What is a safe depth in aquarium substrate to avoid anaerobic pockets? Do MTS (snails) help to avoid these pockets?

-Are the Coralife triphosphor similar or the same as Triton triphosphor? The LFS carries them and recommends them, and I liked the look of the light in their display tank.

-Is it bad to use the CSL PC ABS Hoods 64 watts (2 x 32) 15" light strip with daylight/actinic mix mentioned in the first post on my 30 gallon hex? Could I use the same fixture with different bulbs with good results? I could also get a retrofit kit that fits a 15" x 4" x 3" fixture, but the fixture I currently have is 15" x 4" x 2 1/2". Do you think the retrofit kit would still fit even though I am missing 1/2 inch in height? It's a freshwater fixture with a good reflector and 2 32 watt bulbs.

-For the most part, do these sound like good plans? I think I am going to change which plants I am using, but does 2.2 watts per gallon on the 90, 2.9 watts per gallon on the 55s, and 2.1 watts per gallon on the 30 hex seem adequate?