Help with my set up please!

If you're going to fork out the money for the lighting, why not spend a little more for good substrate(geez, I'm good at spending your money, huh?)?
If you decide to do that, get back with us for tips on getting your tank up and running quickly. Flourite is my preference, but there are others that are good as well.
Before you pass over the lighting issue, call to find out if the AH light kits will fit into your hood. It's great lighting if it will fit.
What size and type of substrate are you presently using?

Len
 
I ordered the 2x55 CF light kit. I'll have to make a box for it. Each reflector is 4'' wide and my single light box is only 4'' wide. I may use it for a night light for me in the evenings. That or have the main light on from 11am-11pm.

Not sure about this yet.

I currently have plain gravel.

I'll need to layout my plants and driftwood, order them.

Pull fish out, put fish in a clean 5 gallon pail with air feed in, drain water, remove half of my gravel. I've read that you should leave some gravel in for the bacteria. I have also read that the bacteria is in the filter.

I want to add flourite from what I've read. Does this come in a color?

I'll need help of course on the above situation.

Obviously if I had know what was involved prior to purchasing, I would not have done it this way!

My Mother in Law pushed us to get the thing set up.

Little did I know I was setting up a small world! haha

All help welcome.

Thanks!
 
You can mix the current gravel you're using with flourite if you think it will match up well. Many people do this to save a bit on expense. Pure flourite is the best option, IMO.
If you do change out the substrate, you can drain the tank and pull all but a small amount (1/2") of your substrate and the gunk(we call it mulm) mixed in with the 1/2".
Then lay in your well rinsed flourite over that. There is a world of bacteria in that 1/2" you'll be leaving and it will hasten the maturation of your tank.
Flourite comes in two colors. A deep brown(coffee looking) color and a reddish color.
I like the brown personally, but it's a matter of personal preference. Both colors are of equal content, materially. Some people report that the red is a bit harder to wash the dust out of. I have no experience with the red, but actually I just wash my flourite and leave some of the dust to sift down and bolster the substrate. Besides, the stuff is expensive and I hate to waste any of it.
If you are careful, refilling slowly using a bowl, you will get very little disturbance of the substrate.

Len
 
So you don't see a problem with me setting the fish aside, re-planting the tank with new plants & flourite then adding fish back in within a few hours?

I read on Rex Grigg that you can add alot of plants and fish at the same time. I think, not sure about having read to cycle with Bio-Sphere for a few days prior to adding Fish.


What's your opinion?

Thanks.
 
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