New Tank-Planning and budgeting

Hey Fish Peeps

So I'm setting up a new tank in the next month or so and I need some advice. I got a Boyu TL550 (128l)for an absolute steal and I want to set it up as a planted tank. I've seen people do it successfully but not sure exacly what mods people have made to the setup-particularly lighting and filtration. So the tank has a brand new Boyu pump on it and it came with a big-ass bag of bio-balls and ceramic media.
Any pit-falls? Advice on what would be the best sump setup and what lighting modifications I can do.

1. Thought 1: Throw out the lid and get a Zetlight Za1200 Freshwater
2. Thought 2: Keep canopy and upgrade the bulbs to LED

Plan for planting and stocking. Prodibio Soil, Spiderwood/rock and big, tall stem plants like Lace-Leaf-Aponogetons, Big anubias barteri, Crypts and bucephalandra

Stocking-I want a pair of angels-something really special with interesting colour morphs and perhaps cory cats or small loaches?

Any advice would be appreciated

 

Looks like an awesome project!

If I'm not mistaken, that tank has a rim around the inside edge for a cove plate right? If so, you can ditch the lid and just get a sheet of glass cut to act as a barrier, and that way you can get the Zetlight to fit too without causing hassles Just an idea.

Good luck! Can't wait to see how this comes along!

 

Thank you so much guys!!! Thats really great advice. Logz-That was what I was thinking too. Will definitely try that

 

Much appreciated! I agree- maybe I'll do away with the Madagascan Lace Leaf idea and focus on Aponogetons and Anubias and buces...I definitely want some emerged wood and perhaps some emerged plants

 

I had the same tank and it served me well before I moved into mostly smaller tanks. Took it over from my brother - he removed the standard CFL light and set a Zetlight Aqua into the underside of the lid. As I recall, there was a panel that can be unscrewed, with a 'window' for the light, and he just bonded the Zetlight in above it with some silicone or epoxy.
Worked perfectly and looked great so I'd recommend the same route? I suppose the same light could be used with the lid removed and mounted on its stand, but that then raises it quite high from the substrate.

Incidentally, the deeper the substrate the better, and were I setting it up again I'd probably use some lava rock below a bag of aquasoil. I just had gravel and root tabs, maybe 13kg in total, giving a height of 6cm.
In the filtration compartments at the back, I had from left to right: pump; mesh bag of matrix; heater and airstone; sponge and filter floss on top.

Final thought on Prodibio - make sure you have the Aquagrowth soil that comes with the nutrient kit as the actual soil is largely free of it, unlike ADA for instance.
Look forward to seeing it come along!

 

Having had a 550 for a few years ... going the 6mm glass top works for me.



Later Ferdie

 

Nice ideas here, I think a pair of unique angels, a school of corys and a nice big school of cardinal and or rummy nose tetras with loads of plants, going to be stunning...watching this space

 

Oh wow, guys. some really great advice here. I really appreciate it. Its my first 'show tank' and the biggest tank I've ever set up and I really want to do it right.

 

Thanx Cale 24-Re Prodibio-does the bag come with inert soil and you have to add the nutrient kit? Ive just had a look at a bag at my LFS and it didn't specify....

 

No problem. I can't say for sure re the kit - if it doesn't, then the extra expense would likely push me toward ADA or even Langa. I've only used the powder Prodibio version for a small tank and don't recall it having anything, so was reminded of it.
It was practically inert, and I later added Seachem root tabs. I'd buy something soon before prices go crazy!

 

I've done a quick comparison of prices at my LFS- 9kgADA-is R899, 9kg Prodibio is R799 and Langa I think comes in at around R550 region. There is a new Japanese soil that just hit the market here that is somewhere between Langa and ADA that has good reviews online but it hasn't been tested here so I don't know if its any good. Also the bag is entirely in Japanese so I can't even tell you the name . prices are going up end of next week so I need to get in there and get my stuff ASAP...

 

That R900 a bag is decent - I paid that maybe a year ago for some ADA. Lot of people on here like Langa too, just bear in mind you'll need at least 9kg, ideally more, regardless of which type. Look out for lava rock to help raise things at the base too.
The Japanese one might be Akadama- is it brown? https://www.bonsaitree.co.za/collec...ng/products/japanese-bonsai-akadama-fine-1-3m

I used some in one of my tanks and it has worked very well, and very cost effective. Will soften your water quite a lot too, and if you are in JHB (usually harder water up there), is useful for plants.
I didn't think the brown would appeal but I quite like the look now, especially with dragon stone.
Attached is an empty shot of the small grain spec Akadama and scape, but it goes a bit darker and more saturated with water. Pair of crazed breeding rams in the tank are preventing me from doing much to it now but I'll post some pics of it filled in another thread sometime.

 

Thanks! Looks a lot richer with water and plants in it so I'll share some pics sometime soon. It currently needs some work but I put my hands near anything and I get bitten! New eggs this morning too :/
I'm actually going to try get the 2ft tank (where the rams are from) sorted this weekend and then once they're moved I can fix up some things in this akadama tank, finally.
But all of that aside, really pleased with it as a substrate so far.

 

I bought the tank form @Cale24. Beautiful tank and the led replacement works very good. I like low light; low tech tanks so it works perfect for slow growing tanks/plants. I do not recommend this type of tank for very demanding plants or high tech approach. This is a very deep tank and you will have to install very strong lights for good results.

ps. I would really like to try Aponogeton plants but don't know where to get? hint hint?

 

Good to hear it's still going strong! And good point regarding the height - worth considering for plants and hardscape.

 

I'm madly in love with your hardscape......its amazing. The substrate is not Akedama, but now you gave me an alternative to try so thank you so much!!!