[CraigThor]

What would you choose and why?

Nano either 2.5 or 5g, currently have nothing to work with in this size.

15g 24x12x12, currently have a stand, light bar for suspending a light.

33g Long 48x12x12, currently have nothing.

LMK your thoughts as I'm really torn as to a setup and really want to get a planted tank going again.

If I don't go ADA, which is my dream but wife might kill me with that purchase, I will probably use Flourite Black or Black Sand. which has everyone worked with and what is their preference. I've used standard red flourite before.

Lighting will most likely be T5HO for the 15 or 33 and CF for the Nano.

I really like the smaller growing plants as this is why I chose tanks not so deep.

Craig

 

[AaronT]

A 33 gallon long could make a really nice Iwagumi style layout. It would be a bit limited otherwise. I find the 2.5 and 5.5 too small to work with, but that's just personal preference.

How about an ADA 30-C tank?

 

[CraigThor]

A 33 gallon long could make a really nice Iwagumi style layout. It would be a bit limited otherwise. I find the 2.5 and 5.5 too small to work with, but that's just personal preference.

How about an ADA 30-C tank?

I've thought about the 30C I know Chaz has one forsale just don't really need everything he has with it.

Hmmmm....

Craig

 

[Tex Gal]

I like the smaller tanks for small plants. If you get a tank too large for the small plants it will not showcase them well enough. You want the tank to compliment the size of the plants. I think you might end up with it just looking like a lot of little clutter otherwise.

SO... my first choice would be the ADA 30C. Primo of tanks! Next I'd get the 15g. It would give you room for a lot of hardscape to play with. I would not go bigger using small plants. I do think you would need to do a mix of small and larger in this size tank, but you'd have the room.

My vote for substrate is ADA. I think it's fabulous. My plants grow fabulously. If I had to choose between an ADA tank or a plain tank with ADA Aquasoil I'd choose the Aquasoil.

I have heard amazing things about the mineralized soil that Aaron wrote about. I haven't used it, but many are using that with great success. It requires much preparation up front but much less maintenance down the road. Here is a link about that:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/library/52554-how-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html

I would also choose the T5s. They have great light output and don't generate the heat of other lights. Make sure you have the great reflectors. They make a big difference. I got a new light a few months ago with these bulbs and I am amazed!

Good luck with your choices!

 

[CraigThor]

I like the smaller tanks for small plants. If you get a tank too large for the small plants it will not showcase them well enough. You want the tank to compliment the size of the plants. I think you might end up with it just looking like a lot of little clutter otherwise.

SO... my first choice would be the ADA 30C. Primo of tanks! Next I'd get the 15g. It would give you room for a lot of hardscape to play with. I would not go bigger using small plants. I do think you would need to do a mix of small and larger in this size tank, but you'd have the room.

My vote for substrate is ADA. I think it's fabulous. My plants grow fabulously. If I had to choose between an ADA tank or a plain tank with ADA Aquasoil I'd choose the Aquasoil.

I have heard amazing things about the mineralized soil that Aaron wrote about. I haven't used it, but many are using that with great success. It requires much preparation up front but much less maintenance down the road. Here is a link about that:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/library/52554-how-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html

I would also choose the T5s. They have great light output and don't generate the heat of other lights. Make sure you have the great reflectors. They make a big difference. I got a new light a few months ago with these bulbs and I am amazed!

Good luck with your choices!

Well I would love to use the mineralized substrate I just don't have the place to make it at my apartment and the weather is around 20 so it would never dry out. I'm thinking about the ADA just not sure what I would need, like the AS Amazonia II, would I benefit from the other stuff bacter, tourmaline, etc... also is the Amazonia powder needed aswell what purpose does it serve.

For the lighting I will go with a TEK 24" 4x24 watt with the hanging kit if I go for the 15g. overkill I know but I love the TEK Lighting.

The 15g is tempting as I can get hte tank new for around $30. Then I just need to decide what filter and co2 setup I want.

Craig

 

[CraigThor]

O.k. Here is what I'm thinking.

15g Setup Black Trim and stand. $30 tank have stand

TEK 24" 4x24 watt Light with Bulbs and Hanging Kit $350 Shipped

ADA Aqua Soil with additives, 2 9l bags $150 shipped

GLA order (Ideal CO2, Glass pipes all around, Tank, Tools, Ferts, other misc.) $780 shipped

Eheim Pro 3E 2076/8 and Hydor Inline heater $400-450 shipped

$1760 Total, close but not as much as a full ADA around $2200 shipped for a full ADA Mini S setup.

I could do the 33 Long as the cost would only go up about $300 more for this setup, mostly the cost of the tank an the stand as the rest of the parts would transfer over.

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

Craig

 

[Tex Gal]

Yes, it's hard to decide. Pretty neat to have all glass pipes.

I would say stay away from the Amazonia II. It was AWFUL for me. Just get the regular Amazonia. The ammonia spike will get all your plants off to a rousing start. You can do water changes and add extra Prime to help hurry it up. You could also add mulm from another tank. It's not that bad. Also plant heavy. Just use cheap plants in the beginning and then sell them and get your money back and use it to buy the small plants you want.

 

[CraigThor]

Well I made my decision after checking alot of places and doing soem research and measuring up how much space I was willing to give up.

Going for the ADA Mini-M.

 

[Tex Gal]

Ok, now you have to hurry up and get that puppy done so we can see pxs.

 

[CraigThor]

Ok, now you have to hurry up and get that puppy done so we can see pxs.

Hurrying is not an option this time around done too much of that before. Got my list of toys all picked out and just need to wait till I hear back from AFA. I may have to wait till after christmas to see how much cash I have to come up with, after this week I will be a bit over half there. Full ADA setup....