My Eclipse System 12 from Big Al's Online will be arriving shortly. I have a multitude of decisions to make before setting it up.
Issue 1: Does anyone know how strong the lighting is with this system? I asked the friendly folks at Petsmart who said that it is fine for plants with high light requirements, but I always question their judgement. The packaging gives no clue as to the wattage. I also question Petsmarts knowledge of aquatic plants in general. A label there says that java ferns need moderate light when I've always heard that they are low light plants.
Issue 2: Substrate dilemma! I really like the look of onyx, but I want to keep cories and am not sure if onyx is too sharp for them. Also, I want to be able to vacuum, but I think onyx is too fine to vacuum. If it is too fine to vacuum, how do people with onyx keep their tanks clean? Fluorite or small, light brown pebbles would be my other preferred options.
I would like to be able to have java ferns, aponogeton varieties, java moss, anachris, and maybe anubias or crypts. Are any of these nutrient hogs? I hate algae!
Issue 1: Does anyone know how strong the lighting is with this system? I asked the friendly folks at Petsmart who said that it is fine for plants with high light requirements, but I always question their judgement. The packaging gives no clue as to the wattage. I also question Petsmarts knowledge of aquatic plants in general. A label there says that java ferns need moderate light when I've always heard that they are low light plants.
Issue 2: Substrate dilemma! I really like the look of onyx, but I want to keep cories and am not sure if onyx is too sharp for them. Also, I want to be able to vacuum, but I think onyx is too fine to vacuum. If it is too fine to vacuum, how do people with onyx keep their tanks clean? Fluorite or small, light brown pebbles would be my other preferred options.
I would like to be able to have java ferns, aponogeton varieties, java moss, anachris, and maybe anubias or crypts. Are any of these nutrient hogs? I hate algae!