I've been making some plans for a planted 55 gallon, but I'm missing a few bits of information, and I'm also just a little indecisive.
I've got a 18" tall 55 with peacock cichlids and a sand substrate. In it are about seven good sized rocks that I plan (if needed after I'm finished) to make caves out of. I've also got a piece of driftwood that I intend to tie plants onto (Java fern, Java moss, maybe anubias nana). As of this moment I have no plants in the tank, but I have four small Java ferns in a 10 gallon that I want to move over.
I have two plans that I could go through with:
1. I hang a shop light with two T8 32 watt 6500K bulbs (a total of 64 watts) and an excellent reflector, and tie Java fern and moss to the driftwood. Also, there would be Java fern in some rock formations and on top of some caves, and depending on how well the anubias does, I would put some nana there, too. I would not add fertilizers, since there really wouldn't be enough light to do much good with them, and they would just grow a ton of algae.
2. I would use a shop light with four of the same bulbs (a total of 128 watts). This would allow me a wider variety of plants to choose from, since I wouldn't be restricted to low light. I heard that you can put potting soil in a tank as a substrate. I don't know exactly what kind I would use, but I would replace the sand, or at least most of it, with this. That would add nutrients to the water, and I could also plant rooting plants like Valls in there. Because of the higher levels of nutrients and light, the plants would grow much faster and healthier. Again, I would have caves and driftwood in the tank as well. I would not add fertilizer or Co2.
I'm sure I goofed something up with my plans, since they are my first attempt at a planted tank, but that's why I ask you guys! Any input is appreciated.
P.S. I know that planted African cichlid tanks are not the norm, but I think they would look rather nice. Might as well try it.
I've got a 18" tall 55 with peacock cichlids and a sand substrate. In it are about seven good sized rocks that I plan (if needed after I'm finished) to make caves out of. I've also got a piece of driftwood that I intend to tie plants onto (Java fern, Java moss, maybe anubias nana). As of this moment I have no plants in the tank, but I have four small Java ferns in a 10 gallon that I want to move over.
I have two plans that I could go through with:
1. I hang a shop light with two T8 32 watt 6500K bulbs (a total of 64 watts) and an excellent reflector, and tie Java fern and moss to the driftwood. Also, there would be Java fern in some rock formations and on top of some caves, and depending on how well the anubias does, I would put some nana there, too. I would not add fertilizers, since there really wouldn't be enough light to do much good with them, and they would just grow a ton of algae.
2. I would use a shop light with four of the same bulbs (a total of 128 watts). This would allow me a wider variety of plants to choose from, since I wouldn't be restricted to low light. I heard that you can put potting soil in a tank as a substrate. I don't know exactly what kind I would use, but I would replace the sand, or at least most of it, with this. That would add nutrients to the water, and I could also plant rooting plants like Valls in there. Because of the higher levels of nutrients and light, the plants would grow much faster and healthier. Again, I would have caves and driftwood in the tank as well. I would not add fertilizer or Co2.
I'm sure I goofed something up with my plans, since they are my first attempt at a planted tank, but that's why I ask you guys! Any input is appreciated.
P.S. I know that planted African cichlid tanks are not the norm, but I think they would look rather nice. Might as well try it.
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