After Some Ideas

[barakka]

Hi,

New to the forum, and after some ideas to re-work my tank...

It's a Jewel Rio180 with the Jewel filter/T8 lighting system, current occupants are 3xBlack Widow Tetras and one Platydoras Costatus (Talking/Striped Raphael Catfish)

I'm intending to do a full drain and refill starting from scratch, I have a temporary tank to put the fish in for a week while everything settles down.

What I want is to build a low maintenance planted community tank based on the fish listed, bearing in mind that the catfish will eat anything small/slow that he can fit in his mouth and will dig up anything loose.

I've never done a proper planted tank before, would like some input/pointers on;
Substrate
Choice of fish
Method of assembly
Yeast based CO2 ?
Choice of lighting tube
Plant suggestions

TIA

 

[fish_tank0311]

I would go for indian ferns for plants, they grow like crazy and if cared for properly look stunning. If you want your tank to look pro, and to look like a piece of art, i would get some vallisinaria. Its a grassy looking plant, and looks awesome. Also add drift wood, this will help to stabilise your ph. It will take a few months for the driftwood to stop bringing your pH down, but after it will stabilise it. For substrate.... up 2 u, but i prefer some dark pebbles, like 3mm or something. Hope this helps

 

[kevin82]

I would go for indian ferns for plants, they grow like crazy and if cared for properly look stunning. If you want your tank to look pro, and to look like a piece of art, i would get some vallisinaria. Its a grassy looking plant, and looks awesome. Also add drift wood, this will help to stabilise your ph. It will take a few months for the driftwood to stop bringing your pH down, but after it will stabilise it. For substrate.... up 2 u, but i prefer some dark pebbles, like 3mm or something. Hope this helps

What I would suggest is going to the photography section and having a look at peoples setups. Pick the styles and ideas you like and mixed and match them. I'm guessing there is nothing someone hasn't already done so looking around might make you think of something

As for plants and substrate, go for a good base substrate like Eco-Complete Plant Substrate. use around a 1.5 inch layer of this then something like 1 inch fine pea gravel to cover. I've stayed away from sand because some plants dont do very well in it, but thats not to say people haven't had success with it.

I bought a basic plant pack from www.Jave-plants.com and they have done the job nicely. I also made my own Co2 setup for around £10 out of bits and pieces and it works fine also

 

[OldTanks]

Welcome Aboard!

Very nice people here, where everyone is just like family.

Feel free to post your questions to the forums.

 

[aly_starh]

Welcome Aboard!

Very nice people here, where everyone is just like family.

Feel free to post your questions to the forums.

Seriously, can you stop bumping everyones threads...

 

[OldTanks]

Welcome Aboard!

Very nice people here, where everyone is just like family.

Feel free to post your questions to the forums.

 

[Assaye]

Heya!

Check out the planted tank section. Some really good sticky threads there and loads of very knowledgable members.