Upgrading time :)

[iamavibe]

Hey.. so its time to upgrade again :)
so these are the three things I am looking at: (ATM I have a 300L tank with no fish)
1.) CO2 and all the special gadgets that go with that.. Anyone using any specific brands or whatever and have any recommendations here?
2.) A canister filter, I have a dolphin one at the moment, but I'd like to have a really nice filter, but I will hve to be doing some research before making any decision as I dont really know much about them. any recommendations? remember I will be using C02 in the tank, and aparently certain canister filters do better with this? But as i said earlier I'm basicly clueless so let me know if that is rubbish :).
3.) After some research I am stuck between two stocking options:
6X zebra danios
20X black skirt tetras
6X Schwartz’s corydoras
1X dwarf gourami
or
1 Pearl gourami
24 harlequin rasboras
6 yo-yo loaches
Also anybody's opinion is welcome here...

[Max98]

As I understand with the Co2, you will be going with a planted tank.

The canister filter sounds fine.
I would look at getting proper lighting though. Planted tanks strive with proper lighting and the use of your co2 will be maximized.
For measuring the co2, look for a co2 drop checker. It makes life a lot easier.

For plants, you need to look at some fast growing plants to start of with. The theory is that it out competes the algae. And most people I have seen advises to plant heavily when you start.

a 300L tank should easily handle the fish you propose. I think you can even add a few more.
In my 130L heavily planted tank I have about 15 neons, 4 harlequin rasboras, 3 cory's, 6 rosy tetras and 2 bristlenose plecostomus's.

Good luck.

[brentnorm]

Hiya Max98. Sorry for the quick hijack but how many drop a second of CO2 should be going into a planted tank?

[Max98]

Hiya Max98. Sorry for the quick hijack but how many drop a second of CO2 should be going into a planted tank?

That is where the co2 drop checker comes in. It measures the amount of dissolved co2.

The bubbles per second calculation doesn't work because there is a few things that can influence it, like the way it is added to the tank. eg using a diffuser dissolves the co2 better than just bubbling it in big bubbles.

I push my co2 bubbles through a powerhead.

[iamavibe]

what lighting would you suggest? At the moment I have one 30w blue light...
Any specific canister?

[Max98]

what lighting would you suggest? At the moment I have one 30w blue light...
Any specific canister?

If it is the normal T8's I would try to get 4 - Minimum 2 for lower light plants.

And as far as I have read, the blue only promotes algae.

As far as the canister filter goes, I just had a dolphin that was a bit noisy and nothing to compare to. Hopefully someone else here knows...

[iamavibe]

I'm not sure if 4 can fit under my canapy but I will look.. would it not be possible for me to get a stronger Watt light or whatever? Anyone have any advice about the canister filter?

[solex69]

Go and get yourself about 4 or 5 X T5 tubes with a minimum K rating of about 8500. Can't go wrong with that lighting.

[iamavibe]

just plain white ones?

[brentnorm]

That is where the co2 drop checker comes in. It measures the amount of dissolved co2.

The bubbles per second calculation doesn't work because there is a few things that can influence it, like the way it is added to the tank. eg using a diffuser dissolves the co2 better than just bubbling it in big bubbles.

I push my co2 bubbles through a powerhead.

Mine is also going through my powerhead but I am not sure how much to put in.

[solex69]

Yeah, but you do get the branded ones that have the blue & reddish spectrum as well. Those tubes cost a bit more money but well worth the investment.

I know the ATI tubes can cost up to R 300 - 400 per tube. They are claimed to be the best, but I can't comment as I've never used them before nor, really read up on them

[brentnorm]

just plain white ones?

I have 2 white and 2 blue. Bought a beautifull 1.2m T5 fitting from Sams.

[Henk Hugo]

for you my friend - nice price!

[Max98]

I agree that T5's is a very good choice.

If you use individual reflectors, you can get away with 2 t5's.
I have used this on a previous planted tank with a great success.

With the bulb colour, I prefer the 10,000K bulbs for a planted tank.

The current metal halide bulb I have is 20,000K but it is not advisable. I am just using it because I had it from a previous reef tank.