Planted Tanks on a Budget

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skipplet

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Apr 16, 2007
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I recently bought a used 75 gallon tank that I'd like to turn into a planted tank with small community fish, but I'm also a college student constrained to a tight budget. Right now, I'm in need of a substrate and a filter. As for the substrate, eco-complete and fluorite seem much too expensive for me to cover the 4'x20'' floor of the aquarium. What alternatives do I have for substrates that would allow decent plant growth? I've read about peat moss, could I use that by itself or should I cap it with something else?

And finally, any recommendations for a filter in the $40-$60 range? I've also been looking into a DIY filter, specifically a canister filter because I have a 400 gph pump and a 5 gallon bucket at my disposal.

Any help in ideas for setting this tank up inexpensively would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
you could use an Aquaclear 110 filter for that price and it should be fine.

another thing to note is that you don't really NEED flourite as substrate, athough it helps.

you can use normal gravel and use root tabs for plants with large root systems like swords and anubias.

you can also add plants like Val, hygro, rotala and ludwigia that are easy to grow and do not require an overly nutritious substrate. They just need decent light and some liquid fertilizer.
 
$15 should cover enough pool filter sand for a 75g. It's what alot of folks are using for cheap substrate. I have it in mine and all my plants seem to be doing just fine in it. Would be much cheaper than the gravel sold at your LFS. Just one option to think about.

Good luck on your tank,
Ketso
 
The AquaClear 500/110 should work fine for you. The MarineLand Emperor 400 goes for about $45 so that's another to look into.

The peat moss should be covered by another substrate. I don't think it would stay down otherwise. As was said above, you don't need fluorite or eco-complete. Coarse sands or fine gravels will work.

You'll need some good lighting as well. Check out ahsupply.com. I believe the rule of thumb is at least 2 watts per gallon minimum.

Read up on rexgrigg.com for some tips too.

As you'll soon find out (like I am), a planted tank isn't cheap. There are some good DIY things out there that help cut costs though.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Pool filter sand sounds like a good alternative, but I'd really like a dark substrate. If I can't get those cheap though, I'll probably end up going with the sand.

Also, thanks for the suggestions on the Aquaclear. I'd read some good reviews about it before, but hadn't looked into prices for it.

Addict: Thanks for the info on the peat moss. I've read almost all of Rex Griggs' site too, lol. I'm almost about to die from the amount of reading I've done today. :duh:
 
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Hey there...
I'm pretty new at the planted tanks...(infact i might not be even considered since i havent planted any plants in my tank yet...but i'm in the process)

I read up and asked alot of people to setup a cheap planted tank and most of them simply denied that from happening!

neways i have a 4*2*1 ft tank which i wanna get plants for and i've been working slowly for over a month now to get the settings right for a planted tank...2 important things which a planted tank would need the most...
1. Lighting
2. Substrate

Lighting should be the top priority for a person who wants a budget tank...even i'm a student and i have my limits with money but thats y i took over a month to reach this stage of just researching about wotplants do i need to plant in my tank..

There should be adequate lighting for ur plants or they'll wither within a few days/weeks (dats wot i was told in the eginning of my process)
so do some research on lighting and see wot type suits u acording to the initial buying cost and the running cost....

next is substrate...i'm using quartz gravel but i'm told a mixture of quartz gravel with laterite soil would be awsome for a planted tank...the problem with me is that i've already installed a UGF filter and i dont wanna reset my tank and so i'm not in a position to go for a mixture of laterite and gravel (i'm told it might clog the UGF over time) so i'm going for potted plants...

Neways since i assume u r just starting out ur tank u should go for any kind od dark gravel (since thats wot u prefer, if u get them cheap n mix with laterite soil...

for filter i think others r in a better position to answer...
 
ditto, i have plain coarse gravel inoculated with laterite, works great! i would love to get eco-complete for my 75, but as in your situation, its a bit pricey.
 
You may experience issues with the UGF. If you're not too far along, you may want to consider another method. Do a search on here for more info.
Click to expand...

the thing is i dont wanna reset my tank now...i could only come up with 1 way where i would use pvc pipes half cut and use them as pots andplant my plants in rows...that way i take care of the roots and the UGF..ur say on that?
 
A cheap fine gravel substrate can be bought at many garden centres of brick places. They usually have some sort of fine peastone. That is what I use an it is fine for on the cheap. 4-5$ a bag.
 
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