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Originally Posted by Jason Baliban Hello Everyone,
I have recently aquired a 75 Gallon tank in a game of chance. I now have the exciting task of making it come alive. I was wondering if you could all help me. My goals as of this moment are pretty simple. I want this thing to be very easy to maintain. I want to put my hands in this thing as little as possible. I have another tank that I have to prun every week without fail. That tank is much smaller and it is still almost too much to maintain.
My question is how to accomplish this? I wanted to originally not have CO2 at all to cut down on lighting and setup coasts. I wanted this thing to be completely low tech. I would still consider this, but it looks like this is not really a great idea. I currently have a 4x55PC retro laying around. I would consider using it, but is it too much light for my goals? Also I want the plants to be mostly slow growing.
I also would like to talk about ferts. I am using EI with my other tank and it is great. However, it is a high tech tank.....and i have read some people having issues with EI with lower light. Any thoughts on ferts?
So I guess these are my questions now (considering my goals of maximized self sufficiency):
Lighting?
Filtration? I probly want and ehiem - so this is where you eheimhead's come in with some great advice!!!
CO2 Yes or No?
Ferts?
Plants? - I really dont want to prun.... There is always prunning for health, and that is fine, but i really dont want to be topping 6000 step plants each week.
Fish? I was considering discuss just for size of the fish!!! But I dont know much about them? What about angels? Anyone have thoughts on fish? While tetras are great!! I want to have something that has some size....and i think this is the tank to do it.
Thanks so much guys!!! I am super excited to start the project. With all your help im sure i can get this thing within my goals. Thanks Again!!!
jB |
I have a 75g tank and love it for it's size. I would use the 4X55 retro fixture on the tank. You should be able to control at least two of the lights separately I would think.
CO2 - I would do CO2 if it were my tank. CO2 is always a help in plant growth as you know. Plus it will allow you to put a stand or two of slow growing stem plants in the tank for a bit of color if you get bored and still not have a lot to trim!
Filtration - I would try the Eheim 2128 if price wasn't a concern but I'll defer this to the Eheim experts also
Plants - I would use the typical low light plants, Anubias, Java ferns, Crypts, etc. Even though they are low light they will do fine in higher light and still not need much pruning. I went 6 months without much maintenance on my Java Ferns and Anubias when I had them in my 75g with about 3wpg. They did multiply in size quite a bit during that time and gave me lots of extra plants!
You can check out some of the Senske's works with tanks on their website:
http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/i...wrap=Portfolio
Agus Po also has some Anubias/Java Fern combos that I like. Since this was entered in the AGA contest, specs are also given for his tanks:
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...=0&vol=2&id=54 http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...=0&vol=2&id=24
Ferts - follow EI! You can start out with a higer dose and adjust it as needed (if needed) for the slower growing plants. You already know that excess ferts won't give you any troubles as long as you don't let them get out of hand.
Fish - Discus are nice as seen in the tank on the Senske site! I just got some Discus for my 75g tank and so far so good! I like them even though I prefer large schools of smaller fish in my tanks. German Blue Rams and Cardinals are also a good mix in my opinion! So many choices so few tanks
There's my thoughts