Transforming a goldfish tank to a planted tank.

[tyr]

I finally have the time to complete this project of mine. I have wanted to make my 46 bow front goldfish tank into a planted tank. I have taken small steps towards this goal. First of all I tested some plants out and they ate them. Then on my second attempt (picture below) I put the plants in pots and removed the gravel. This has proven to be successful. I want to move to the third stage which is having the plants actually planted in the tank and not in pots. I plan on using black estes sand. Now before I move on I have a few question that I am sure many of you can answer.


Will my red rubain be ok being planted in the sand?
What other plants should I add?
Will the sand cause any trouble for my Bristle nose pelcos?

I do dose the tank with flourish and excel and my lighting is 2 30 watt T12 coralife nutri-grow

If there is anything else I need to add let me know! Picture of current tank below.

 

[Lupin]

Sand is fine with BN plecos. Boy...you sure have lovely goldfish especially an oranda.:hearts:

 

[tyr]

I have 3 goldfish in that tank 2 orandas and 1 calico ryuken. You might be able to see the black one but he is small.

 

[tyr]

Actually I need to add a question lol

I know I said I am going with black but I forgot which color is better at hiding the poop black or white?

 

[BettaFishMommy]

i'd go with black sand or another dark colour sand. white gets grimy fast and poop really stands out on it!

 

[Jaykit]

Black sand will hide the leftovers much better than white. Heres a link that might help in your searching. 60w puts you just over the 1wpg mark so I would stay in the lowlight section.
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php

 

[RazzleFish]

If you could, do brown or tan, that might be better because even on black debris will stand out.

 

[tyr]

I just realized I have another 25 watts I could add which I have. (Forgot I had the original single Fluorescent Strip. I think that brings me up to 1.8 watts? Also thanks for answering all my questions but does the sand effect what types of plants I put in the tank? Example my Red Rubin.

 

[Jaykit]

No, any plant will be okay in the any type sand/substrate. It will take some time for the roots to re-establish so dont panic when it doesn't look good right away or starts losing a couple leaves.
At 1.8wpg you could try growing some medium light plants as well.

 

[tyr]

Just and update Ill be getting the sand on the weekend. Also should I add the sand (after cleaning it) or wait till I order some new plants? Also What should I put on my canister filters intake so sand does not get in it? Thank-you!