ideas for my very first planted tank

Discussion in 'Aquatic plants' started by Roxi_B4b3, Oct 17, 2012.

  1. Roxi_B4b3

    Roxi_B4b3

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    Hi guys/gals


    I have recently been looking into planted tank, and needless to say, the bug has bitten! I have started showing pictures of ideas to my dad, and I think he has come down with a serious case of MTS... He is already planning another 2 tanks...


    Ok, so lets start with what I have now:


    Aquarium: 15gal/55 litre tank(+-60x30x30)
    Lights: Odyssea T5 Quad 60cm 4x 24W Light Unit(I replaced the blue lights with other lights for plants, but cant remember what exactly it is. All I know it has a pinkish tinge to it)
    Substrate: Cal aqua labs - Black earth premium
    Filter: Tetratec EX600
    CO2: As a start I bought a disposable kit, but planning on buying a full canister with proper difusser, drop checker etc. next month
    Ferts: I have bought excel and a few other bottles of ferts


    I think thats about it. Please tell me if what I have is not sufficient or suitable.



    Here's a tank I saw that I fell inlove with:
    5762320732_347da44c02_b.jpg

    Could you possibly tell me what plants is used for the carpet, and what is that spikey plant? Would I get something like that in a lfs?


    Thanks in advance and feel free to give advice :)

    5762320732_347da44c02_b.jpg
     
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  3. manicmonkey

    manicmonkey

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    nice im still just starting to get into the whole planted tank thing my self so not that much advice for you other than good luck im sure you will manage it
     
  4. Ryno

    Ryno Kenaal baber

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    hythe carpet plant is glosso. the spikey plantis blyxia japonica. so you still have the 10000Klights in the unit? try and get 6500k or 8000k tubes to replace them. the other tubes you got, growlux?
     
  5. byronb

    byronb

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    I currently use 1x54 watt aquastar 10000k and 1x54w daylight 6500k light in my 1.2 metre and works well .
    I had 2x39w 6500k , and then 1x54w 6500k and the 1x 10000k it was wat overkill , I got a lot of algae , hair algae , bba etc..
    Honestly i think you have a bit to much lighting , not an expert but thats my thoughts.
    Why not do the DIY CO2 route ? dirt cheap and really easy .
     
  6. Ryno

    Ryno Kenaal baber

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    the problem with diy yeast co2 is fluctuating levels of co2 which gives you bba outbreaks.
     
  7. byronb

    byronb

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    true , I use 2xdiy systems , and they need changing a week apart so I would assume the levels remain pretty constant .
     
  8. Quue

    Quue

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    where can i get glosso need some ground cover like that
     
  9. manicmonkey

    manicmonkey

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    think one of the sponsors has (dory's in centurion) but i could be mistaken
     
  10. OP
    Roxi_B4b3

    Roxi_B4b3

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    thanks for the replies so far!

    Ryno: I will look tonight and see what lights I have, and will maybe just use 2 lights

    byronb: I did consider going diy and just saw an excellent youtube video on diy co2, but I'm still very concerned about overdosing and inconsistency

    manicmonkey: Dory's definitely has those plants in their own planted tanks - when I looked at more pictures of it, I realised its the same plants they use, but I'm not sure if they sell it. Maybe Lanzo can help us out?
     
  11. manicmonkey

    manicmonkey

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    if it is the same then they had some last time i was there
     
  12. cheekychops

    cheekychops themasterofSAURON

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    you do not need seachem excel and co2 as seachem excel is a carbon substitute, so it is 1 or the other. with your substrate you will prob just have to dose a bit of iron and seachem comprehensive.
     
  13. ivan

    ivan Aquascaper

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    hi guys, dorry pets have got glosso. if not in the selling tanks, just ask to get a portion of glosso from the display tanks.
     
  14. Tetra

    Tetra

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    I'm not a pro with plants yet but I think your lights is abit of an over kill. I started with a 12 hours light but at 8 hours at the moment with no direct sun light.

    I started to use Sera product pellets and fluid and seems to get results. My tank temp is 26-28 degrees do 40% water change once a month and 10% every second week.

    Just don't get Silver dollars fish they chow almost everything except Java fern that I know of.

    Good luck and send some pictures once you get the tank going. Take a picture every month to see tank progress.
     
  15. OP
    Roxi_B4b3

    Roxi_B4b3

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    My lights are on about 8 hours a day, My aquaflora lights is on for 4 hours in the morning, then off for an hour. All the lights come on for an hour, and the last few hours just the 12000k lights are on.

    Here is the thread of my new tank

    Oh, and no chance of getting silver dollars, this tank is just for small fishies
     

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