Specific Questions for new 20 gal

GayleMG

GayleMG

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Aug 26, 2006
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I'm setting up a 20 gallon high tank. Here are my specific questions about plants. I've failed with tanks before, so I'm determined to get it right this time. :wall:

Do I need to use Flourite or can I get away with just gravel? I've used Flourite before and didn't like it. It's hard to rinse it clean and it discolored the water, no matter how long I rinsed it before I put it in.

What kind of filter? I like HOB biowheel types, but can someone give me an idea of the size? I know it's better to go higher than the minimum, if you can. Is a 30 or 40 gal filter better than the 20 for my type of tank?

Do I need a CO2 system? If so, should I buy it or make one? I've never used one before.

My hood is an incandescent with 2 sockets for short bulbs. Someone suggested buying 2 cfl of about 20-25 watts each. Is this enough and how many K is that?

What types of plants are good to start? I'm thinking of a cool water tank with white clouds, paradise fish, and shrimp and snails. Are there plants that are suited to cool water?

Last, but not least, how do decorations affect the water quality? I can go with driftwood, rock, or synthetic material for a nice large centerpiece decoration.
:1zhelp:
 
***leMG said:
I'm setting up a 20 gallon high tank. Here are my specific questions about plants. I've failed with tanks before, so I'm determined to get it right this time. :wall:

Do I need to use Flourite or can I get away with just gravel? I've used Flourite before and didn't like it. It's hard to rinse it clean and it discolored the water, no matter how long I rinsed it before I put it in.
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You should be fine with gravel.

What kind of filter? I like HOB biowheel types, but can someone give me an idea of the size? I know it's better to go higher than the minimum, if you can. Is a 30 or 40 gal filter better than the 20 for my type of tank?
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That I'm not sure, more is usually better though.

Do I need a CO2 system? If so, should I buy it or make one? I've never used one before.
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Depends on what kind of lighting and plants. Probably not, and if so, you could probably do DIY. I definitely wouldn't buy anything yet.

My hood is an incandescent with 2 sockets for short bulbs. Someone suggested buying 2 cfl of about 20-25 watts each. Is this enough and how many K is that?
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that might have been me, I think that's your best bet. You want 65k, which usually in CFL is "daylight". "Bright white" and "soft white" are too low.

What types of plants are good to start? I'm thinking of a cool water tank with white clouds, paradise fish, and shrimp and snails. Are there plants that are suited to cool water?
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Don't really know that either, but with 2x 20watt bulbs you could grow medium light plants. So anything from java fern, anubias, swords, ludwigia, moss, bana plant, and lots more.

Last, but not least, how do decorations affect the water quality? I can go with driftwood, rock, or synthetic material for a nice large centerpiece decoration.
:1zhelp:
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Driftwood may lower your pH, and may also leech tannins at first, which will make your water dark.

Also... shameless plug (blush) but I'm selling this decoration if you're interested, it looks best in a narrower tall tank like yours, which I no longer have: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3202488&lmdn=Fish+Decor. No pressure or anything, just thought I'd mention it because I know ot looks nice in taller tanks.
 
i run a pet store so i can help first answer- yes u can use gravel but id thro in some root tabs they cost about 6$ for a pack, or some kind of plant formula u can buy at any pet store to help growth.
Second- an underground filter or a 30 gl biowheel filter would be best but id add some kind of air stone or ordement to add air flow
Third- u dont really need a CO2 system but if u want one id buy it. alsong as u use root tablets u shouldnt need one unless ur getting serious about plants.
Fouth- it dosnt really matter the watts as long as ur hood can hold it just stay in the wattege, and make sure u get bulbs heres a good one11702 Marina Aqua~Glo Showcase Bulb - 25 W

11702.jpg
- T10
- Incandescent
- 1 piece per display box
- Produces beneficial red and blue spectrum
- Helps plants grow
- Highlights aquatic colors


Fifth- for those types of fish big leafy plants are best not stringy thin plants these fish could get cought in it. here is a good site http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-species/plant_H_landing.aspx

last but not least- decorations do not affect water conditionsbut i suggest to wash everything before puting in tank u can use driftwood or and kind of pipe rock or other rocks u find just boil them first. if u want drift wood id boil it then let it sock in the aqaurium or large starile container before adding it with fish
 
Gonna have to disagree with McPets on a few things.

Root tabs are good for some plants, like swords, that getfood through the substrate. However, as long as you have a pretty well stocked tank fish waste does a pretty good job itself. I have some really nice big swords and have never used root tabs.

a majority of the plants you'll probably have will benefit more from liquid or dry ferts in the water column itself, so something like Flourish and maybe Flourish Iron (depending on your water and plant choices, I need to dose iron to keep plants dark green or red) will help.

Also, if you're doing to have co2, make sure you don't use an air pump at the same time, it will de-gas the co2 from the water. So if you use co2, use the airstone at night when the lights and co2 are off.

Also, that bulb posted is incandescent, usually fluorescent is recommended for plants, and in general because 2 20 watt incandescents would run much hotter than CFLs, and they're really not much cheaper now, anyway.

ETA: and that wattage *does* matter if you're growing anything other than low light plants.
 
I need to check that my paypal account is still active and I also have to wait until the end of this week to buy it. If you still have it then, I will most likely buy it from you.
 
i would stay away from the hob filters if you are serious about going planted. the surface agitation from the filter quickly releases any c02 into the air. you are better off with a canister filter.
 
***leMG said:
I need to check that my paypal account is still active and I also have to wait until the end of this week to buy it. If you still have it then, I will most likely buy it from you.
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Cool. :) Here's what it looked like in my old tank, sadly didn't look good in my new one: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30655947&l=4f5f6a29f7&id=100300628.

small-fish said:
i would stay away from the hob filters if you are serious about going planted. the surface agitation from the filter quickly releases any c02 into the air. you are better off with a canister filter.
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Good point. If it's do-able financially might as well get the best you can from the beginning.
 
Oi!

clb2196 said:
Gonna have to disagree with McPets on a few things.
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I think I disagree with McPets on just about everything.

Undergravel filters are not a good choice for planted tanks. HOB filters and air pumps are not either as already mentioned.

Using root tabs will not keep you from needing CO2. You may actually need CO2 because you used them.

I don't think I've ever seen any fish get tangled in any plants.

You need to be careful what driftwood and rocks you put into your tank, especially with shrimps. Some conifer woods may still have toxins in them if they're not fully cured. And calcareous rocks can seriously alter water chemistry. Boiling will not solve these problems, no matter how long they simmer.
 
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