[acuaman]

Hello every body

well, i have a 50 gal tank with some plants, but i just want a bigger one, a 100g tank, so i like to do the best job at the start

well this is the list of plants I already have:

Vallisneria
Anubia v nana
Althernanthera R.
Lwdguia Repens
H. Polisperma
H. Diformis
N. Lotus Red
Cryptocorine Wendti
sagitaria
cabomba

i would like to have for the front:

Glossosestigma elatinoides or
Riccia flutains or
echinodorus tenellus

Light: 2 x 150 watts metal hilide lighitng sys

so my questions are:

1.- what kind of sustrate do you think is the best for it?
2.- how much of sustrate do i have to put in?
3.- i wiil have to change it? when?

any ideas for me will be great

thanks

a c u a m a n

 

[Gomer]

There are all sorts of substrates that work well, but I personally like Eco complete for its dark color and not needing to rinse it.

Not sure of a 100g, but a 90 Gallon 48x18x24 will need 7bags of eco complete

A 120 Gallon 48x24x24 will need 10 bags

This assumes ~3" depth

 

[Rob G]

Here is a link to a calculator that will help you calculate how much substrate you will need if you go with a commercially available substrate.
http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

As for the depth of substrate, I usually try to have somewhere between two and five inches of substrate. I don't normally try to create an even level throughout the tank. Instead I will slope the substrate from the front to the back corners to create mounds. It all depends on the desired effect and the type of plants intended to be planted. Some plants do fine with approximately one inch of substrate (i.e. glosso).

 

[SnyperP]

If you're gonna buy a large amount of eco-comp here is a website for great pricing.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/cgi-bin/cart/SS695.html

$9.95 a bag dirt cheap. The last time i checked prices with shipping 5 bags came out to about 20 dollars a bag with shipping. Try 7 and put in your zip to find out what it would come out too. GL with your project!

 

[acuaman]

thank you all for your help

now i have a few questions

Should I mix the ECo complete with something else or just put it in the tank? some aquarium gravel?
I know the sustrate expires, how long? I have to change it after it expires?
in case of....how often do I have to chenge it? and how? or just put in more fert?

actually in my 50g tank; I've used pellets florenete A from SERA, they are great......

thank you again

a c u a m a n

 

[Gomer]

Just use eco by itself. If you have mulm from your previous tank, feel free to use some of that to kick start the tank.

Eco complete effectively lasts forever.
I'd say the same with flourite and onyx as well.

Not sure how long florabase or shultz will last before breaking down physically... if you are thinking really long term.

 

[acuaman]

thank you again, you really help me a lot

about my lighting sys 2 x 150 watts Metal Halide, do you think is good enough, or what lighting sys do you recommend me?
this work fine to the plants? , or i need more watts?, or is better fluorescente light sys?
I've used DIY Co2, but i`m thinking to change it to a pressured sys co2,

to much questions, i'm sorry, but i just want the best for my planted tank

thank you

a c u a m a n