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80 Posts
Hello,
I have decided to start my first planted tank over the next two months. I have purchased a 50 gallon tank (36x18x18) that I would like to have visible on 3 sides like a mini room divider to separate my desk from the rest of the room.
I have purchased a 2x96w compact fluorescent retrofit kit with 6700K bulbs as I like the bright greens I see with these bulbs. I will be building my own canopy and stand, which is the main delay in this project. I plan on using ADA Aquasoil Amazonia for the tank, as well as an Eheim canister and a Tom's Aquatics surface extractor.
I would like this to be a 'lawn' tank, preferably with a dense mat of glosso and two medium stones sticking out of the substrate/lawn. I would like cardinal or neon tetras as a primary schooling fish, and I have seen longer 'dart' or torpedo bodied fish that have black and red striping on them but I don't know the name or if they would be OK in a 3' tank.
I know I will need CO2 for this setup. I am open to any recommendations on CO2 setups and on canister filters. I do not know what to do as far as flow rate or filter capacity in a planted tank. I would like to use my canister filter as the reactor.
I know there is an approach called EI but my tap water is very bad for plants (kH >20!) so I will have to RO or RO/DI all my water which is inconvenient given the location of the tank in my house. I remember reading about an alternative method that required less water changes but still tried to maintain proper NPK. If anyone can point me to that site or article I would appreciate it. I remember they had a name for it.
Any help of recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!
I have decided to start my first planted tank over the next two months. I have purchased a 50 gallon tank (36x18x18) that I would like to have visible on 3 sides like a mini room divider to separate my desk from the rest of the room.
I have purchased a 2x96w compact fluorescent retrofit kit with 6700K bulbs as I like the bright greens I see with these bulbs. I will be building my own canopy and stand, which is the main delay in this project. I plan on using ADA Aquasoil Amazonia for the tank, as well as an Eheim canister and a Tom's Aquatics surface extractor.
I would like this to be a 'lawn' tank, preferably with a dense mat of glosso and two medium stones sticking out of the substrate/lawn. I would like cardinal or neon tetras as a primary schooling fish, and I have seen longer 'dart' or torpedo bodied fish that have black and red striping on them but I don't know the name or if they would be OK in a 3' tank.
I know I will need CO2 for this setup. I am open to any recommendations on CO2 setups and on canister filters. I do not know what to do as far as flow rate or filter capacity in a planted tank. I would like to use my canister filter as the reactor.
I know there is an approach called EI but my tap water is very bad for plants (kH >20!) so I will have to RO or RO/DI all my water which is inconvenient given the location of the tank in my house. I remember reading about an alternative method that required less water changes but still tried to maintain proper NPK. If anyone can point me to that site or article I would appreciate it. I remember they had a name for it.
Any help of recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!