New to live plants

[Importskyline22]

Alright. Me and my dad are building a canapy for my 55g this weekend. Mainly cause i want to start getting a planted tank started.

That being said i know little about planted tanks. I Have heard that if you have 3 watts per gallon you can grow almost anything.

So. what watt lights and how many of those lights should i get?

[phanmc]

www.ahsupply.com

Call them, tell them your plans if you have any and they can recommend the appropriate kit. Their kits are better than most cunsomer lights you can get.

[Importskyline22]

Thanks for the link!

But i plan on building my own considering my dad is an electricial and carpenter (more of a master of all trades) so i can get good parts for free.

I was just wondering how much wattage i should need for my tank :)

[phanmc]

depends on your plant choice and how much work you want to put into it. For an easy low light setup, aim for 70-100w of light. To grow virtually any plant, but will require more work (CO2, more ferts, trimming, etc) aim for 150w.

[WeeNe858]

i say about 100-150 watts.. and run a mild co2 fert. that way its kind of on both ends.. low light and all out now you can have pretty much most plants. run it cool with PC's or iv seen some people do halogen spots.. its really all up to you but remember some fishes dont like alot of light

[Rex Grigg]

If you go over 2 wpg (110 watts) you will need CO2. And DIY CO2 on a 55 gallon aquarium is hard to maintain. Fluctuating CO2 levels can contribute to algae.

[Importskyline22]

OK then. Lets keep it at 2 wpg. I thought i would have to have a co2 diffuser now matter what way i went. But if i dont. less to worry about.

ONe plant that i know that i want are amazon swords. I really dont know many plants so i can provide you a list of all that i want

[Ketso]

OK then. Lets keep it at 2 wpg. I thought i would have to have a co2 diffuser now matter what way i went. But if i dont. less to worry about.

ONe plant that i know that i want are amazon swords. I really dont know many plants so i can provide you a list of all that i want
2wpg? Easy and cheap.

Go to Home Depot (if you have one nearby) and get 2 $7 shoplight fixtures. Over where the fluorescent bulbs are, look for a 2 pack of Sylvania 32w T8 6500k bulbs. About $6 for the 2-pack. Get 2 (4 bulbs total). Now you will have your 2wpg for under $30 - (4x32)/55=2.33wpg.

And while you are at HD, you could pick up a 48" door mirror for $5 to use as a reflector. You may need a glass cutter as well. Cant say how much they cost, but cant be more than a few dollars I wouldnt think.

And be sure to search through the DIY section for more help and ideas on building your own unit. And dont forget to ask questions. The folks here are a wealth of information and are always willing to help out.

DeMonZ

[Importskyline22]

ITs good for me that my dad has access to most of these parts. Its possible to pick up the housing for the lights for free :)

What plants will grow well under 2wpg? And no co2. I can do a co2 unit but i would rather not if i dont have to.

[Ketso]

From what I was told ....

Go here: http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_cat.php?category=1

and stick with the plants listed under "Not Specific", "Low" and "Medium Low".

There are others that I am sure would do OK but those found above are a good start. I'm working on planting my 55g with the same type of lighting and was given that link on another forum.

Hope it helps!

DeMonZ

[Importskyline22]

Thanks for that link! That will help alot.

Also. Would buying one of these be worth it?

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0295&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1172186358734&itemNo=2&Ntt=co2&In=All&previousText=co2&N=2

[Jaysn]

Thanks for that link! That will help alot.

Also. Would buying one of these be worth it?

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0295&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1172186358734&itemNo=2&Ntt=co2&In=All&previousText=co2&N=2



That's the same thing you can build out of an empty soda bottle, some sugar, and some yeast. The bubble ladder is the only part that is close to hard to make, but it can be done out of some old blister pack material and silicon.

[Importskyline22]

Well i know about making them from a soda bottle. But i think a previous poster said making one for a 55g would be tidious.

[phanmc]

A yeast setup, whether it's a DIY or the Nutrafin system, is not going to generate enough CO2 for a 55g tank. You can try using multiple bottles but they won't be as effective as a pressurized CO2 setup.

[Importskyline22]

A preasurized system is upwords of 400 bucks is it not?

[Ketso]

You could probably get a decent setup for under $200. It wouldnt have all the bells and whistles, but would suffice.

[phanmc]

between $200-400, depending on how much 5 or 10lb CO2 tanks cost in your area and whether you want to use pH controller and solenoid, which aren't required.

[Rex Grigg]

You can setup a basic pressurized system for around $150 if you are willing do to a bit of work. If you want it with less work it will run you about $200-$225. Of course this is NOT including a pH monitor. But it will run on a timer.