1st Post - Hello and Questions

[mbhw]

Hello all,

I am an experienced cichlid keeper who has never given a plant tank a shot. I want to create a low maintainance tank that has a nice look to it. Currently, I own a 75 gallon tank, double 48" lightstrip, 2 Emperor 400s, and 100lbs of Oolitic Aragonite sand. I have done a fair amount of research, and have seen wildly differing opinions. My post has several questions, opinions wanted.

1) Will the one 48" lightstrip suffice for "easy" plants such as Java Moss, Java Fern, & Hornworts? If not, would two 48" strips do the trick?

2) I read several books and posts that argue against the oolitic sand. If I remove it, my choices would be between the following:
a) Flourite
b) Mix of vermiculite, soil, and then a top layer of large grained
sand/gravel

3) Are my filters appropriate, or will thier power disturb the surface of the water causing oxgenation and the growing plants too much? I hate canisters, I would be more likely to go back to sponge filters if the HOBs are not good.

4) Do it yourself CO2. Two liter soda bottle, siliconed air tubing in the cap, two cups of sugar, and a 1/2 teaspoon of yeast + seven cups of lukewarm water. Questions are:
a) How far into the soda bottle should the air tube run?
b) If the bottle is below the tank and the tube has to run into a filter
intake, will it be a problem that the tube runs from the bottle, UP into
the tank, then DOWN the tank until it can be placed into a filter
intake? This seems like a physics mess, just wanted to check with
those who have broken this ground before me.

Thanks all, looking forward to reading your answers and advice.

[phanmc]

1) a single 48" lightstrip with 2 bulbs will total 80 wattage, which is enough for low light plants. Adding another 80 watts will get you into the 2watt per gallon range which is enough for medium light plants like wisteria and most sword plants.

2) I believe oolitic sand will buffer your PH, and some plants are negatively affected by high PH levels. Sand isn't an optimal subtrate for plants by themselves, they need to be mixed with a nutrient rich substrate like flourite.

3) If you're doing CO2 injection, then you'll want to minimize the surface agitation by raising the water level over the outlet of the filter or putting sponge in the outlet to minimize the water splashing. If you're not doing CO2, the surface agitation won't matter.

4a) You don't want the tube to touch the liquid inside of the bottle.

4b) good idea to put a check valve to prevent water from shooting back into the CO2 tank.

[TKOS]

I would probably hold off on the CO2 until you add more light. Chances are that you will just be headed for a large algae growth otherwise.

[Timmain42]

Welcome to the insanity that is... LIVE PLANTS, by the way. We're happy to have you. :)

[mbhw]

Thanks! I appreciate the welcomes and the opinions. Cheers