i like 30 cardinal tetras or mabye 25 glolite tetras. in a heavy planted tank that would look awesome!
New to aquaria need some beginning advice
- Thread starter rbielefeld
- Start date
I think David really hit the highspots....being fairly new to this myself I offer the following (learn from my mistakes).
1) With planted tanks follow the 3 Must haves: 1) adequate light (generally 2.5 to 3 watts as a general rule although most plants will grow (slowly) in lower light). 2) Good substrate..I personally like the Eco-complete black as it really makes the plants "pop" in the tank. I have used Flourite but found it hard to plant in. 3) CO2...to really get plants what they need for proper photosynthesis I feel that CO2 of some sort is a must (DIY or Pressurized depending on tank size and your willingness change mixture every 2-4 weeks). my experience with DIY fell short of giving me the target range of disolved CO2 for my tank size so I am purchasing today my first pressurized system.
2) Be very patient in selction of plants and really take time in planning their position in the tank.....Crucial as they start to grow. I would also add that initially go with fast growing plants during the cycling stages....plants compete with algae and if you can get plants off to a quick start this may help with algae control. I have a wisteria and a water sprite that grow like nuts.........
3) In terms of equipment take the time to analyze exactly what your needs are and then spend tons of time looking on the net.....some great prices can be found.....don't forget about ebay...
Hope this helps.....just a few of the major areas that I should have spent more time in......I tend to be a little impatient
1) With planted tanks follow the 3 Must haves: 1) adequate light (generally 2.5 to 3 watts as a general rule although most plants will grow (slowly) in lower light). 2) Good substrate..I personally like the Eco-complete black as it really makes the plants "pop" in the tank. I have used Flourite but found it hard to plant in. 3) CO2...to really get plants what they need for proper photosynthesis I feel that CO2 of some sort is a must (DIY or Pressurized depending on tank size and your willingness change mixture every 2-4 weeks). my experience with DIY fell short of giving me the target range of disolved CO2 for my tank size so I am purchasing today my first pressurized system.
2) Be very patient in selction of plants and really take time in planning their position in the tank.....Crucial as they start to grow. I would also add that initially go with fast growing plants during the cycling stages....plants compete with algae and if you can get plants off to a quick start this may help with algae control. I have a wisteria and a water sprite that grow like nuts.........
3) In terms of equipment take the time to analyze exactly what your needs are and then spend tons of time looking on the net.....some great prices can be found.....don't forget about ebay...
Hope this helps.....just a few of the major areas that I should have spent more time in......I tend to be a little impatient
I think David really hit the highspots....being fairly new to this myself I offer the following (learn from my mistakes).
1) With planted tanks follow the 3 Must haves: 1) adequate light (generally 2.5 to 3 watts as a general rule although most plants will grow (slowly) in lower light). 2) Good substrate..I personally like the Eco-complete black as it really makes the plants "pop" in the tank. I have used Flourite but found it hard to plant in. 3) CO2...to really get plants what they need for proper photosynthesis I feel that CO2 of some sort is a must (DIY or Pressurized depending on tank size and your willingness change mixture every 2-4 weeks). my experience with DIY fell short of giving me the target range of disolved CO2 for my tank size so I am purchasing today my first pressurized system.
2) Be very patient in selction of plants and really take time in planning their position in the tank.....Crucial as they start to grow. I would also add that initially go with fast growing plants during the cycling stages....plants compete with algae and if you can get plants off to a quick start this may help with algae control. I have a wisteria and a water sprite that grow like nuts.........
3) In terms of equipment take the time to analyze exactly what your needs are and then spend tons of time looking on the net.....some great prices can be found.....don't forget about ebay...
Hope this helps.....just a few of the major areas that I should have spent more time in......I tend to be a little impatient
1) With planted tanks follow the 3 Must haves: 1) adequate light (generally 2.5 to 3 watts as a general rule although most plants will grow (slowly) in lower light). 2) Good substrate..I personally like the Eco-complete black as it really makes the plants "pop" in the tank. I have used Flourite but found it hard to plant in. 3) CO2...to really get plants what they need for proper photosynthesis I feel that CO2 of some sort is a must (DIY or Pressurized depending on tank size and your willingness change mixture every 2-4 weeks). my experience with DIY fell short of giving me the target range of disolved CO2 for my tank size so I am purchasing today my first pressurized system.
2) Be very patient in selction of plants and really take time in planning their position in the tank.....Crucial as they start to grow. I would also add that initially go with fast growing plants during the cycling stages....plants compete with algae and if you can get plants off to a quick start this may help with algae control. I have a wisteria and a water sprite that grow like nuts.........
3) In terms of equipment take the time to analyze exactly what your needs are and then spend tons of time looking on the net.....some great prices can be found.....don't forget about ebay...
Hope this helps.....just a few of the major areas that I should have spent more time in......I tend to be a little impatient
how does that help?
i bet the OP already did google, and found Aquaria Central. whatev.
Back on topic:
definitely go to the planted tank section. if you KNOW you want plants, it's much easier and cheaper to get started with what you will need at the beginning rather than buying stuff for a regular tank and then having to buy more additional stuff when you want plants. (like getting a HOB filter at first and then deciding to get a canister filter later).
