Lots of questions

My lighting is mainly DIY. Two overdriven 48" 32 watt T8 Philips natural sunshine. Approx.- 108 watts.(64 x 1.7). One 48" 32 watt T8 Philips natural sunshine in the original tank light fixture. 64 watts. One 2 x 48" T12 40 watt Sylvania GroLux Wide Sprectrum. 80 watts.
Total about 252 watts.
The Eheim 2217 has been great. I have never had a problem with it at all and it is very quiet. I have never had a leak. The only thing that I am not crazy about is that it has no media baskets but I solved this by using media bags and they made my life so much easier when cleaning it. I had 3 SAEs and 8 ottos in the tank but just recently took the SAEs out because when they quickly move they would send sand onto my crypts. But they were about 6" long. Other than them I have had no problem with sand, but I it is peaceful community tank with no cichlids in it.
I also use DIY CO2. Two 4 liter juice jugs. I can't figure out why people say you really can't use DIY CO2 for anything over a 55 gallon because if I am not careful I can overdo it no problem. It is just not as stable as a good canister system which I will get one day.
 
Welcome!

I used pool filter sand (not quite white) in my 46g w/ some gravel. I'd recommend an Eheim 2215 or comparable Via Aqua filter for a 36 (2213 might cut it, but it might be "close" for a corner shaped tank with respect to circulation).

As long as your well water isn't loaded w/ tons of PO4 or NO3, go ahead and use it w/o softening (unless you want discus, angels or something else that really prefers softer water).

There are several plants that require next to no light/CO2, but most find that they get much better results w/ at least some quality lighting. Once you get to a certain point w/ wattage x hours per day, you either get CO2 (or algae).

I second AH-supply for fixtures, but I'd get the bulb(s) elsewhere. Depending on your tank depth, a single 6500K-6700K 55w PC may be adequate for a wide variety of plants.

36g is also right on the edge of the DIY CO2 vs. pressurized (assuming you want CO2). If done properly w/ a couple of 2L or 4L bottles and a decent diffusion scheme, DIY CO2 can bring a tank of that vol. up to ~30ppm but, in the long run, it costs more than pressurized (unless you can get sugar for free).

Good planted tank advice and more "in depth" aquascaping info can be found at APC. There are also indepth fertilizer threads, dosage tools, sponsors who sell 'em cheap etc. etc.

Some good plant profiles can be found at Tropica
among other places http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=766
http://www.aquariumplants.com/
 
Squawkbert said:
I used pool filter sand (not quite white) in my 46g w/ some gravel. I'd recommend an Eheim 2215 or comparable Via Aqua filter for a 36 (2213 might cut it, but it might be "close" for a corner shaped tank with respect to circulation).

As long as your well water isn't loaded w/ tons of PO4 or NO3, go ahead and use it w/o softening (unless you want discus, angels or something else that really prefers softer water).

There are several plants that require next to no light/CO2, but most find that they get much better results w/ at least some quality lighting. Once you get to a certain point w/ wattage x hours per day, you either get CO2 (or algae).

I second AH-supply for fixtures, but I'd get the bulb(s) elsewhere. Depending on your tank depth, a single 6500K-6700K 55w PC may be adequate for a wide variety of plants.

36g is also right on the edge of the DIY CO2 vs. pressurized (assuming you want CO2). If done properly w/ a couple of 2L or 4L bottles and a decent diffusion scheme, DIY CO2 can bring a tank of that vol. up to ~30ppm but, in the long run, it costs more than pressurized (unless you can get sugar for free).

Good planted tank advice and more "in depth" aquascaping info can be found at APC. There are also indepth fertilizer threads, dosage tools, sponsors who sell 'em cheap etc. etc.

Some good plant profiles can be found at Tropica
among other places http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=766
http://www.aquariumplants.com/
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Thanks, I checked AH-supply and I think I'm going to get there custom hood also they make it in Oak color to match my stand. But how many watts should I get? Also do you guys use any acintics with the white lights? If not I would think it would look to yellow? And for the Eheim stupid question is you do use the media for biological filtration right? In saltwater that is called a nitrate factory when people do that? I might get the biggest Eheim they make. And should I add any powerheads? Or does fish and live plants not like that? Where is a good online site where I can get good aquarium sand and other supplies?
 
i have one 50/50 bulb over my tank. the actinic do very little good though. i use 10,000k bulbs and 6700k bulbs and it looks fine. no yellowing. plants are great biological filter. i use my filters as mechanical filters. as for sand its best if you find it local. like i said i have used play sand from home depot. others pool sand. i also have black sand i got from petsmart. as for other supplies i buy a lot of stuff from bigals.com i get a few stuff from petsmart by price matching to their website.
 
Thanks to all:) I am looking at getting the canister filter first I was looking at getting Eheim 2126 THERMOFILTER is this a good filter? would it be to much or to little for my tank with a big bioload? Also I never see anywhere where you add carbon?
 
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