Lots of questions

[diehl2229@bells]

Hello to all this is my first post. I've been into saltwater reef tanks for many years but with cost, space and time I can't do it for a few years. So I bought a 36gal. corner aquarium because thats the biggest I can get right now. I would love to have a very nice freshwater aquarium with some live plants and a nice piece of driftwood as a center piece. But since I have no clue on the best lighting or best filter for freshwater I ask for your help I know about the cycling and going slow since I've kept stoney corals for years which need the best of water conditions, but I have no clue on how many fish? what type of substrate {wife wants a white sand } But since I only want a few live plants would I still need c02? And what about lighting? Sorry for all the questions just trying to get an idea. Oh also does anyone have the same tank that you can post some pictures so it will give me an idea? Thanks in advance:dance2:

 

[wataugachicken]

first thing you need to do is go to the LFS (local fish store) and look around. see what kind of fish you like, and what kind of plants interest you. once you see something you like, we can help you with how many, tankmates, similar options, etc etc.

there are high tech setups for plants (special lights, CO2, micro and macro ferts) and there are low tech (throw plants in tank. . . turn lights on in the morning). easy low tech plants include hornwort, java moss, java fern, and more. my hornwort grows 3-4 inches a week under shamefully low lighting. i'm using the $6 Quikrete commercial grade medium white sand.
with high-tech there are a lot of things to balance, which might be easy for you since you have a background in corals. too much light, too much ferts, not enough CO2 = algae.

filtration will depend more on the types and amount of fish you want, but always go higher. i wouldn't get anything rated for less than 60-75g for your tank.

 

[diehl2229@bells]

Thanks alot, I have no problem getting some good equipment like filters. I was thinking about a canister filter rated for a large tank, so I don't have to clutter stuff hanging off the tank. Also I would like to have some small schools of fish maybe a community tank but still not sure? I want it natural no fake stuff. But some of the things I see in the LFS like adding salt to your aquarium for stress? Whats that all about:help: What would be a good aquarium light system that I can buy online? I only see the ones for saltwater? I have two 15watt lights 24" that came with the tank.

 

[diehl2229@bells]

Oh and another thing and I'm sorry for bringing saltwater up again. Using RO/DI water was a must for reef tanks but what about FW? I have a well which runs through a softener

 

[Mgamer20o0]

reg tap water is fine. fw fish dont need salt added. only for treatment like ich. check out ahsupply.com for lighting.

 

[diehl2229@bells]

Thanks, What about substrate? how deep of a sand bed would I need? I like sand over gravel but I will go with whats best. Do I need to add a substrate specifically for plants and then something else on top? I would like a whitish sand on top?

 

[Plecosterone]

Just go with plain sand with a minumum 1-1/2" at the front and slope it up more at the back. The problem with mixing sand and gravel is that eventually the smaller particles of sand will wind up on the bottom. If you look at the link to my tank you can get a good idea what normal play sand looks like. Sand is inert, but root tabs can take care of heavy root feeding plants.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i have used both reg sand and gravel from home depot in my planted tanks and had great growth. 2-3 inch for the substrate.

 

[Rbishop]

There should be a bypass on your softener that you can draw water from for your tank.

 

[diehl2229@bells]

Awsome tank Plecosterone. What type of lighting do you have? Also how do you like the Eheim 2217? Thats the brand I want. Its a canister correct? Just wanted to make sure there safe from overflows since I travel alot. Also do you guys use any sand dwelling critters to stir the sand up so there is no problems in water quality? Thats one reason alot of people use barebottoms or shallow sand beds in reef tanks. And with my size tank how many fish could I put in the tank along with other things like snails, shrimp and such? Not sure what type of fish I want yet but I will ask firs if they would be compatable with others. But I will have a canister rated for a very large tank.