newbie with questions

cicrush13 said:
Welcome to the hobby Ron!

You are doing the right thing in doing some research before you start into this hobby.

I do agree with what everyone else here wrote. I do want to point out filtration. I see that you have the undergravel filter and powerhead for it. If you plan on using plastic plants the entire time this is fine. If you have any thought of using live plants, I would not use this filter.

Regardless of which direction you choose to go, I would suggest adding a power filter for a minimum rating of a 50 gallon tank. These hang on the back of the tank and filter the water through a carbon pack. You can find them at most any pet store and something that size would run ~$30-35 depending on the brand.

Keep us updated on how this goes!
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sorry, I did not see this post before adding/editing my above post regarding Canister filters due to my tank being located about 1" from the wall, I don't really have room for a filter that will hang on the back of the tank.
(I do think I can squeeze in some tubes for a Canister type filter, between the tank and the wall)

as for the plants, to begin with, I plan on just using the plastic plants. Maybe in the future I will decide to move to live plants. But please explain why it is not adviseable to use the bottom filter, when live plants are used in the tank.
Thanks
 
stonedaquarium said:
michiganman, thats a great tank... beautiful. what kind of lighting do you use?
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Thanks - I bought a 55w "bright" power compact flourescent kit from AH Supply and built my own hood for it. Still not entirely satisfied with the hood, but I might build a whole new stand and will do a new hood at the same time. The light assembly itself was easy-peasy to set up and works great - HUGE difference over the 18" dual T-8s that were in there.
 
Ron, the UGF (undergravel filter) will play merry havok with the roots on the plants, as I understand it. I had a HOB filter, as well as a HOB-Cannister before I went with the "true" cannister. I love it - very quiet, flexible in how you place the intake/return, vast amount of room for filter media, etc. And best of all the noise level does not vary with the water level. If you have some room in the budget, I'd look hard at a cannister.
 
Ron20 said:
sorry, I did not see this post before adding/editing my above post regarding Canister filters due to my tank being located about 1" from the wall, I don't really have room for a filter that will hang on the back of the tank.
(I do think I can squeeze in some tubes for a Canister type filter, between the tank and the wall)

as for the plants, to begin with, I plan on just using the plastic plants. Maybe in the future I will decide to move to live plants. But please explain why it is not adviseable to use the bottom filter, when live plants are used in the tank.
Thanks
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Ron, based on experience before i made the big mistake of using an undergravel with live plants... the plants died out in a couple of weeks. when they died... it seemed like the roots did not develop properly which i assumed lead to their demise... which is along the same line of thought as what the others say.
 
Ron20 said:
as for the plants, to begin with, I plan on just using the plastic plants. Maybe in the future I will decide to move to live plants. But please explain why it is not adviseable to use the bottom filter, when live plants are used in the tank.
Thanks
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I have several planted tanks which utilyze undergravel filters. I've heard the hype for years concerning plants and ugf plates and found no merit in it.

Mark
 
IMG_3660.JPG

Woo-Hooooo !,...
we have water inside,......(with none coming Outside !!!)
I guess my resealing job is OK !

(Just kidding..., YES,.... I DID do a test fill outside, before bringing it in the house, LOL)

I have not picked a nice background yet, and definitely need more plants though.

IMG_3660.JPG
 
Ron20 said:
sorry, I did not see this post before adding/editing my above post regarding Canister filters due to my tank being located about 1" from the wall, I don't really have room for a filter that will hang on the back of the tank.
(I do think I can squeeze in some tubes for a Canister type filter, between the tank and the wall)

as for the plants, to begin with, I plan on just using the plastic plants. Maybe in the future I will decide to move to live plants. But please explain why it is not adviseable to use the bottom filter, when live plants are used in the tank.
Thanks
Click to expand...

As the roots grow from the plants, they will become entangled in the filter and cannot absorb nutrients the best way possible. This can lead to root death and sometimes plant death. It is best for a live planted tank to use power filters or canister filters just due to this issue.
 
And so we see in this thread the One Eternal Truth (tm) of this hobby - there are lots of "right" answers to every question! :D
 
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