I have decided to go with a hard, slightly brackish water tank because of my existing tap water parameters (hard and akaline) and the demands of my ongoing investment of time and money with my planted, acidic 55 gallon tank. I have always been interested in keeping Monos (argenteus), though I am having trouble getting good info on them as to all the things I want to keep with the tank being compatible with them (plants, inverts, fish, etc.). I was thinking of going with a planted discus tank at one point, but I decided against it because I know I may be moving again within one to three years. My wife is going to buy me a beautiful nano reef tank for Christmas/Birthday (vey modern, comprehensive system), so I thought it would be cool to have one of each type of water tank. Formerly, if you recall, I was trying to design a 3 section tank that included a section devoted to each water type. Well, that isn't going to workout until I move near my cousin and can devote time to the design with him.
So here are my (almost final) plans. I have no experience with this type of tank, so feedback is much appreciated.
First issue - Can I use Sakrete Natural Play Sand (Home Depot) as a substrate for brackish fish and plants?
Second - I am considering a Fluval FX5 or a Lifeguard Compact Inline System (UV sterilization and heater are inline, within component sections).
Third - Plants. I don't know that I can go with anything other than ferns, mosses, and anubias. I would love to keep 2 mangroves, if at all possible, with one growing out of each side corner of the tank. In the back, whether this works out or not, I want to use manzanite covered in mosses and narrow leaf ferns. In the midground, I would love to use rounded rock formations with anubias wedged between the rocks. The other plant I may want to use is dwarf sag, which is growing like crazy in my other tank. From the midground to foreground, I would love to spot the sand with the sag to give is a grassy, weed-like look.
Is the substate sufficient? I will not be using CO2, but I will be dosing ferts and using tabs (the latter if I use the sag). Right now, I have 30 watts of T8 lighting, along with 38 watts of standard flourescent. I was going to get the larger light replaced (Trigon 350) from England, but I cancelled my order because they have taken over a month to ship it. With this current lighting, I would like to statrt the tank. I don't know that this will work with sag idea, so I think I may be limited to the low light, non-edible plants.
I am going to go with young monos, so it will start as a hard water tank. I will keep it slightly brackish as they mature, but I have no intention of going anywhere near full salt. What are my algae eating options within these parameters (i.e. species of snails, shrimps, plecos/scavengers, etc)??? I also like puffers, but they are agressive and I doubt they'd be very good with plants. Perhpas a mor docile puffer would be an option, an I'd like to keep a flounder to stir up the substrate.
At any rate, I appreciate any feedback. I get these ideas in my head, but I know that all the wishes are unlikely to come together perfectly.
So here are my (almost final) plans. I have no experience with this type of tank, so feedback is much appreciated.
First issue - Can I use Sakrete Natural Play Sand (Home Depot) as a substrate for brackish fish and plants?
Second - I am considering a Fluval FX5 or a Lifeguard Compact Inline System (UV sterilization and heater are inline, within component sections).
Third - Plants. I don't know that I can go with anything other than ferns, mosses, and anubias. I would love to keep 2 mangroves, if at all possible, with one growing out of each side corner of the tank. In the back, whether this works out or not, I want to use manzanite covered in mosses and narrow leaf ferns. In the midground, I would love to use rounded rock formations with anubias wedged between the rocks. The other plant I may want to use is dwarf sag, which is growing like crazy in my other tank. From the midground to foreground, I would love to spot the sand with the sag to give is a grassy, weed-like look.
Is the substate sufficient? I will not be using CO2, but I will be dosing ferts and using tabs (the latter if I use the sag). Right now, I have 30 watts of T8 lighting, along with 38 watts of standard flourescent. I was going to get the larger light replaced (Trigon 350) from England, but I cancelled my order because they have taken over a month to ship it. With this current lighting, I would like to statrt the tank. I don't know that this will work with sag idea, so I think I may be limited to the low light, non-edible plants.
I am going to go with young monos, so it will start as a hard water tank. I will keep it slightly brackish as they mature, but I have no intention of going anywhere near full salt. What are my algae eating options within these parameters (i.e. species of snails, shrimps, plecos/scavengers, etc)??? I also like puffers, but they are agressive and I doubt they'd be very good with plants. Perhpas a mor docile puffer would be an option, an I'd like to keep a flounder to stir up the substrate.
At any rate, I appreciate any feedback. I get these ideas in my head, but I know that all the wishes are unlikely to come together perfectly.
