Lower light, no co2 system, will this work

armystud0911

AC Members
Sep 22, 2006
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Cincinnati
I am not interested in setting up a rainforest in my tank, I'd just like some anarcharis in the corner to give some additional hiding places for fish and the visual appeal of a sort of kelp bed. My tank is basically a wanna be saltwater with white sand, coral decorations ect so my plant choices need to look somewhat marine-like. I have a 2x54watt T5 setup with lunar lighting, which amounts to 2wpg, I am hoping this will be enough intensity so that I won't be severely limited in plant choices but also won't be producing enough growth to necessitate co2. Will this work without co2? If I need to buy a setup then I just won't grow plants in my tank, as much as I'd like to. Also, I have an aquaclear 110 filter, I am building a custom hood to prevent jumping fish from escaping, this lets me keep my water levels higher so it doesn't produce a lot of agitation.
 
"My tank is basically a wanna be saltwater with white sand, coral decorations ect so my plant choices need to look somewhat marine-like."

so your tank is a saltwater tank or a freshwater tank? i'm a lil confused.
 
ah, gotcha.

that said, would you want to have plants in there if you are trying to acheive a saltwater look? and i might think that freshwater fish would look out of place in a mock saltwater aquascape.

i'm sorry i can't help you with what plants would be suitable, as i've only had experience with freshwater plants that are supposed to look like they are in freshwater. but i do wish you luck!
 
2 wpg actually gives you a lot of options, and you might need to dose Excel but CO2 shouldn't be necessary (I've always been told anything over 2 wpg needs CO2).

Anachris, I believe, would be fine. Subwassertag (aka round pelia) would probably look really cool in there. It's an unusual looking plant, and I think it would look nice iwith the pseudo saltwater theme.
 
Lol, I suppose it sounds a little ridiculous, my last setup was beautiful with bright tropical fish and white sands with rock aquascaping, this time, I'd like to add a few plants to add some more places for fish to hide. I think I have a pretty good idea of what plants I'd like to add, my big question is if it can be acheived without co2.

The big idea behind this tank is that I'd like to recreate some of the diving and snorkling experiances I've had around the world. I'd like to have a very large saltwater tank someday, but it will take a lot of time and money, I may never be able to throw several k at it. Also, there are some things that I'd like to have in this tank that I seldom see in saltwater tanks because I am trying to recreate a different aquascape. Cheifly, the large sparse beds of turtle grass in the caribbean set over white sands with schools of brightly colored fish darting above and throughout. To do something like that with saltwater would cost a small fortune for the fish alone.

Why go through all the money and effort of making that when I can acheive a similar result with a freshwater setup? I know, for most aquarists, the hobby is about accurately recreating different aquascapes around the world and selecting fish plants and decor to match the region. I am a little different than most in this regard though in that I am trying to do this more so that I can reacreate some of the memories I have had in the ocean.
 
You might be careful with the dead coral in your tank. Even though it looks killer, it can and does sometimes wreak havoc on your Kh levels as well as the other dissolved minerals. Essentailly it leaches out calcium, etc. The overall effect can be to alter your pH in unpredictable ways and levels. Just a thought. sounds like it will be a cool tank. Did is used to be a sw tank? Curious because of the t5s and lunar lights. 2 wpg is good and if you want co2 it would cost you about $3.97 to set up and will greatly benefit your plants...
 
2 wpg actually gives you a lot of options, and you might need to dose Excel but CO2 shouldn't be necessary (I've always been told anything over 2 wpg needs CO2).

Anachris, I believe, would be fine. Subwassertag (aka round pelia) would probably look really cool in there. It's an unusual looking plant, and I think it would look nice iwith the pseudo saltwater theme.

Thanks for the info, I like the look of that, I am also looking into concealing pots for micro swords to recreat the turtle grass look.
 
You might be careful with the dead coral in your tank. Even though it looks killer, it can and does sometimes wreak havoc on your Kh levels as well as the other dissolved minerals. Essentailly it leaches out calcium, etc. The overall effect can be to alter your pH in unpredictable ways and levels. Just a thought. sounds like it will be a cool tank. Did is used to be a sw tank? Curious because of the t5s and lunar lights. 2 wpg is good and if you want co2 it would cost you about $3.97 to set up and will greatly benefit your plants...


Bingo, I purchased the tank from a previous saltwater owner, however, I used the corals for years in my last freshwater tank, a couple had to be removed, but most of them are ok with PH and calcium.

Can a yeast setup be used effectively for co2? I've heard that they are hard to regulate.
 
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