Wanna Give Live Plants A Try.

[kevin007]

I've been on this forum for a long time, some of the older members might remember me

Anyway, I have a 55 gallon tank with plastic plants, it doesn't look the greatest, but the fish are healthy. But now I want something else. I love seeing planted tanks and instead of dreaming, I'm going to take action.

I currently have a standard 55 Gallon tank (pretty poor dimensions for planted tanks...) and EVERYTHING will be upraded. To get started I plan on gettin this

1. Ehiem Pro II 2026 canister filter
2. Coralife Freshwater Aqualight- 48" Power Compact Light-2 x 65W [URL="http/www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17952/si1320158/cl0/coralifefreshwateraqualight48powercompactlight2x65w"]http/www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl366...mpactlight2x65w[/URL]
3. Pressurized Co2 with reactor.
4. Black flourite (sand?)
5. Ferts.

To get started, i need some help.

1. Is the filter good enough to give me crystal clear water?
2. Is that light fixture any good?
3. Anyone in Toronto, Ontario know where to get the Co2 tanks? What size would be best?
4. How many bags of flourite would i need to fill the whole tank with it (3 inches) and a pathway shaped like an upside down "T" of white sand. (basically 2 islands)
5. What kind of ferts will i need? Are the root tabs needed when i change the substrate?

Here comes my other questions.

6. I want to start new, I don't trust the water or whats underneath the gravel I have now. I'll be honest, i havn't been doing my water changes as often as i need to, I mean the fish are all healthy so i slacked off. The water is pretty brown from the tannins too, I just want to start everything brand new. Is this a bad idea? I don't want to take the chance of having the new project being contaminated by my old one.
7. ....I don't remember what else i have to ask, I'll add more later.

Thanks for the help, I have a habit of trying to save money, and end up regretting not getting the better product, I don't want this to happen again. lol

 

[jollysue]

Hi kevin007

Just thought I would give you a little bump and say "hi!"

As to the possibility of developing "Old Tank Syndrome" (results of lax care), frequent small water changes are the cure for this. Fish will get used to the tank conditions and if you change them rapidly it can cause otherwise healthy fish to get sick.

I would just start planting, if it were me. Getting enough plants for a good planting in a 55 usg would take a bit of dough. I always just do a bit at a time as I see what I want. Then you can build as you go. If it were me I would probably end up putting off getting everything and so put off getting the plants going.

But plants are such a great addition to a tank. They make the tank so much healthier and more attractive. Just adding some low light plants like anacharist will help envigorate the tank.

 

[kevin007]

Hi kevin007

Just thought I would give you a little bump and say "hi!"

As to the possibility of developing "Old Tank Syndrome" (results of lax care), frequent small water changes are the cure for this. Fish will get used to the tank conditions and if you change them rapidly it can cause otherwise healthy fish to get sick.

I would just start planting, if it were me. Getting enough plants for a good planting in a 55 usg would take a bit of dough. I always just do a bit at a time as I see what I want. Then you can build as you go. If it were me I would probably end up putting off getting everything and so put off getting the plants going.

But plants are such a great addition to a tank. They make the tank so much healthier and more attractive. Just adding some low light plants like anacharist will help envigorate the tank.

Hey there!

I never planned on keeping the fish in the tank, I was aiming for a large school on Cardinals and keep the cories and add some ottos. All the other fish are no longer going to be here. I plan on moving the cories to the quarentine tank. While I take everything out EXCEPT the filter. Hopefully, the bacteria in the filter media will prevent any mini cycle.

It would take alot of dough, I have a $1000 budget and thats all I'm willing to spend. I will start a journal once I am ready.

Are the equipment good enough?

 

[LosC519]

With the equipment you have listed it sounds like you will have a nice n healthy planted tank soon. I started my planted 30g by investing in a T5 light and liquid ferts, in total around $120. My plants are doing good and I barely have room to add more.

 

[jollysue]

I know nothing about the co stuff, but with LosC, I would surely have either a compact or a T-5 with 2-3 w per usg, a good planting substrate and of course some ferts, although with a great substrate the ferts wouldn't be as necesary. But maybe with co you would need the extra ferts. I have a planted (not scaped) 25 usg drip filter like a System II that is very dense with just a bare minimum of substrate and a 48 w Nova Extreme T-5. If I were going to spend that much I would certainly get a completely contained arcylic with drip filter, like the System II or the Uniquarium. They are an awesome investment.

Uniquarium rectangle

Uniquarium flat back Hexagon

There are usually coupon codes avilable here for small discounts and often free shipping.

I have been getting the Current Nova Extreme t-5s. Very nice
comparative shopping for T-5 48" Nova

The acrylic is much easier to keep clear. I have a small (2") albino BN in the 25 usg Clear For Life Uniquarium. There is never any algae.

 

[kevin007]

Wow the tanks are very nice, but what would I do with the 55 gallon? I must admit, the dimensions are pretty bad for a planted aquarium.

The lights are very nice aswell, especially the lunar light and it fits 4 fluorescent tubes, I might get that one instead of Coralife.
Thanks for the opinions and ideas.

 

[jollysue]

If you have never had a fully contained drip filter unit, you can't imagine what a thing of beauty it is.

I have the 25 usg and a 125 usg.