Newbie Wanting To Go Planted.... Help !

[CdoGG]

Hello everyone.

I am new to all of this so I need a lot of advice. I have two tanks. 1 90 gal and 1 29 gal. The 90 gal is setup for fish only and I have 5 medium sized fish and 4 small fish in it. The 29 gal is not in use yet.

I would like to make my 90 gal a planted tank.

Should I move my fish to the 29 gal, tear down my 90 and start over on it If so should I use the water from my 90 to fill 50% of the 29 ???

I will need to get rid of the blue gravel and buy substrate for it. I also need more lighting. I plan to go the diy co2 route.

I would also like to keep some of my current fish in the 29 gal because I want a certain look in the new planted tank...


Any advise would greatly help.

I am totally lost and have been a little overwhelmed by all of the info here. If someone could give me a check list of equipment and products I should get to accomplish this ??? (please)

Thanks
Chris

 

[Dave Spencer]

Do you know how many Watts of light you will be using in the tank?

This will be key in deciding other factors such as pressurised CO2, water column fertilisers and money.

Dave.

 

[CdoGG]

Do you know how many Watts of light you will be using in the tank?

This will be key in deciding other factors such as pressurised CO2, water column fertilisers and money.

Dave.

Right Now I have two T-10 40watt 18,000K tubes. I know it isn't much but I was considering getting something off eBay in the 260watt range or I could use the 30" bulb type fixture I have with a couple 40watt spiral bulbs. Eventually I will get the 260.

I want to try a couple of diy yeast co2's

I can't spend a ton of money at first and I would like to start with just a few different types of plants. I want the carpeted look and some type of moss on some rocks. I will also want some taller plants in the rear of the tank to cover the tubes and such.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Castellop123]

Cheers...

 

[Dave Spencer]

80W over 90USG isn`t a great deal of light, making CO2 optional, but beneficial.

If you opt for 260W then you will have a serious amount of light over your tank with no room for compromise. For a 90USG tank, this will make pressurised CO2 at a stable 30ppm a necessity, along with a decent substrate and water column fertilisers. You might want to read the pinned EI article at the head of this forum.

If money is a restriction then you will have to stay away from the high light tank option, but you should still be able to run a successfully planted tank. Your plants might not appreciate 18000k light, aim for around 6500k or a decent mix of daylight and plant specific tubes from any of the mainstream manufacturers. I am not entirely sure what light levels you need to make it a medium light tank, but you could possibly do with another 40W tube to avoid being restricted by too much of a plant choice.

Carpetting plants could be a bit hit and miss for you. Maybe someone with experience of Glosso and the like could help you here. You should be able to grow mosses, ferns and crypts without too many problems.

Dave.

 

[cheesy feet]

Four leaf clover might be a good choice for a carpet.It is growing in my nano really fast!It can tolerate low light and doesn't necesserely need any ferts etc.

 

[CdoGG]

80W over 90USG isn`t a great deal of light, making CO2 optional, but beneficial.

I was thinking of adding a small incondesent fixture with two 40watt spirals. Would this work?

If you opt for 260W then you will have a serious amount of light over your tank with no room for compromise. For a 90USG tank, this will make pressurised CO2 at a stable 30ppm a necessity, along with a decent substrate and water column fertilisers. You might want to read the pinned EI article at the head of this forum.

I think I will wait on the high power light for now.

If money is a restriction then you will have to stay away from the high light tank option, but you should still be able to run a successfully planted tank. Your plants might not appreciate 18000k light, aim for around 6500k or a decent mix of daylight and plant specific tubes from any of the mainstream manufacturers. I am not entirely sure what light levels you need to make it a medium light tank, but you could possibly do with another 40W tube to avoid being restricted by too much of a plant choice.

I just bought the 18,000K tubes. Looks like the guy in the store knew as much about it as me. So these will hurt my plants? I still have my origanal tubes. Should I mix 1 and 1 ? or just buy more new ones?

I might try the clover suggestion.

Thanks for all of the great replies !

I am in the US. I am not sure which online stores are good here.

Thanks
Chris