Malawi tank coverted to low tech Planted tank - My 230 liter

Hi All

After a long and hard debate with myself I decided to try planted tanks. I however will be going low tech, with also not high level of lighting as my tank has only 2x t8 fittings. See some picture of the setup today. I will cycle it for 2 weeks after which I will add to basic planted tank fishes like cory's, tetras and maybe Discuss.

Enjoy.


Cheers Riaan

 

Its looking nice If I may ask where did you buy the driftwood.

 

Those I bought from Animal Kingdom @ Atterbury Value mart, but Dorry Pets also have,, just that they are really big. I soaks those for about 2 weeks.

 

Looking good!
Hope you go discus...
I sold all the caeruleus I got from you, was running out of space. Thanks anyway, it was fun for a while. Kept the brood that were born here,though. They are too tiny to even catch!

Keep the pics coming, and best of luck.

 

Thanks for the information

 

I like! Think it will look great in a week or two!

 

Nice tank!

 

looks good. only time will tell what you can grow with those lights. but so far its a good start

 

I will look into a better lighting solution, but my cabinet is very restrictive atm..

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Hi All

I have a question: What would be the ideal water temp for a planted tank? Mine is sitting at between 26-27 degrees atm.

 

I suspect that tank is going to look amazing when those plants start to fill in. Nice job!!!

 

@Cropheus

Your temp will depend on the fish you would like to keep in there. Your plants will be happy if they get light and you can add some Seachem Excel and if you like Seachem Comprehensive.

 

Thanks. I'm currently cycling it with MICROBE-LIFT :: Special Blend.

Tank has a little white cloudy look from yesterday.

Cheers,

 

Nice start man.

 

Another question. I am use to over filtrating my malawi tank with one Cascade 700 and 1000 external filters. I'm currently running my 1000 and internal small filter. Should that be enough on my 230 with a light fish load and plants?

 

24-26 is a good temp to go by but 27 wont do any harm

 

Thanks Ryno

Im concerned that the plants in the back are sort of dissolving for a lack of a better word and the water has turned white cloudy....Those plants at the back I bought from Dorry's. Not sure ont he name. the from one is a Microsorum Pteropus and some moss on the spider wood.

 

the willow leaf hygro. might be because of the light. the wster is a bacterial bloom

 

Ok thanks. Let me see what happens. I changed the one light today, so i have 2x 30w white t8 in.

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As Dinky said the temperature will depend soally on your fish you keep, if you go discus you will have to have 30°C temp but other fish will need different temperatures, take temperature, substrate, PH and HG in account when choosing fish, it's always easier finding fish that suit your water than to adjust your water to suit your fish.