Wanting To Start A New 70 Gal Tank

[oldstampman]

Hi:
I am new to the forum. I am starting a 70 gal community tank with live plants. (I have never had live plants before.) The last tank I had was 15 years ago, it was a 55 gal discus tank. I would like to know the best heater and the best filter to use and the best lighting. I have been looking at a Fuval 300 watt series e heater with the digital readout and a Marineland c-220 canister filter. I was told not to get a bigger one because it might hurt the live plants in the tank. I have also been told I need two double 48" t5 lights for the plants and that I don't need any air in the tank because the plants would provide it. Could someone help me with this, this is getting a bit confusing.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Hi, you already have more experience than me since you have had aquariums in the past, but I am also starting a planted tank and hope maybe we could learn from each other So far all of my questions and research has shown me that water flow is GOOD with planted tanks, dead spots in the tank can cause too much algae growth. I am starting a 75g and I am going to have a Rena filstar XP3 which is supposed to be for a up to 175g and has 350 gph water flow. I am also going to have a water pump{or two} that will create quite a bit of water flow....for at the least...1100 gallons per hour of water flow....

I was not going for "the BEST" with my filter choice...I went with the price So all I was actually writing to you about was the water movement...I don't think the c-220 will hurt your plants, it may not be enough actually. I was considering the c-360 for my 75g. I actually like marineland as a brandname but went with the Rena because of price and recommendation.

I'm under the impression that you need less filtration with a heavily planted tank but the nutrients need to reach the plants for them to thrive...Also I plan to fully stock my tank so extra filtration is a good thing for me.

Sorry I didn't have real answers, I just hope I gave you a place to start researching since no one had answered here yet.