36 Gallon Asian Aquarium

[Piranha86]

Supplies for plants: depends.

If you're getting hard care plants, like cabomba for example, you'll need to get a much better (expensive) light.
I think since you have a good amount of fish, you won't need the big fancy CO2 system, but a DIY yeast/sugar fermentator would be nice.

 

[Piranha86]

aqueon kit is a deal, my second 10 g is one of those.....

I hate the filter though for mine. Does yours have the external powerhead? I've spent hours screwing with that thing and it goes off randomly sometimes... grr.

 

[fishboy7]

What precautions should I get to not get snails? What supplies do I need to care for plants? Besides Java Moss and Java Fern, what are some other low-light Asian plant species? Please answer all these questions.

 

[Chrisinator]

If you have the cash, I wouldn't recommend these tank kits.

Lighting and filtration aren't really good when they come in kits. They are barely there. I'd recommend (if you are doing a planted tank) to research everything you can and do it all in one shot. Get a good lighting, good filtration (canister would be good) and CO2 system (DIY or Pressurized Co2 would work.

Items needed to run a CO2 tank can range from little to a lot depending on how low or high tech you want your tank to be.

 

[user_name]

I hate the filter though for mine. Does yours have the external powerhead? I've spent hours screwing with that thing and it goes off randomly sometimes... grr.

Mine just falls out like a waterfall.

 

[vampie]

How much light do you have? Most of the basic Hygrophila, Vallisneria and Cryptocoryne species often do well with low light.

You should also consider switching out the Ghost Shrimp for an Asian shrimp (Amano, Cherry, etc) if you trying to keep with the theme.

 

[fishboy7]

I wish I could switch the shrimp but the pet stores around me only offer ghost shrimp. Any other ideas on fish though?

Also, is there any canister filters you can add a pre-filter sponge intake to instead of the normal intake?

Would the C02 lower the oxygen levels in the tank? Also, with plants, do I need an aerator?

 

[happypoet]

To do an Asian Biotope, skip the Ghost shrimp (which are North American) and go with Amano Shrimp or Neocardina Neteropoda (wild type)

 

[fishboy7]

Since I have a lot of fish, do I need a CO2 system?

 

[GotTanked]

Short answer: No, but because of your lighting, not your fish load.

Long answer: Your plants WILL benefit from CO2 injection but unless you start having massive algae then you don't need to bother with it.