some questions..

[DiscusKid]

once i get my 100 gallon+ tank i was thinking of converting my 29 gallon to a ADA iwagumi (replica) tank. i have a couple questions though.
(the tanks dimentions are 30x12x18)

1)i was thnking about getting a Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 30"

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770

are these fixtures any good?
2)and i was gonna get my lily pipe replica intake/outake, glass diffuser, bubble counter,drop checker etc. frm http://aqmagic.com/store/index.php.
3)for substrate i was gonna use amazonia II(normal),amazonia II(powder), and power sand S.
4)for plants i wanted to use some glosso, and dwarf hair grass.

this is the picture tht inspired me to try a planted tank:

[edmlfc]

I won't be much help but I know that Nova is a good light. I was just looking at the 48" saltwater one today. Thinking about ordering it.

[Zulaab]

1)i was thnking about getting a Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 30"

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770

are these fixtures any good?

I own the 48 / 4 light bulb fixture. I love mine.
Pro : Awesome light to the tank (mine is 30" tall)
Con : After a while the fan (if you are getting a model with a fan in it) gets noisy. A better fan needs to be installed imho.

[DiscusKid]

the 30'' doesnt have fan i think...
u think itll be good for growing glosso? ive heard it needs alot of light.

[MerrittA]

3)1)i was thnking about getting a Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 30"
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=16770
are these fixtures any good?
2)and i was gonna get my lily pipe replica intake/outake, glass diffuser, bubble counter,drop checker etc. frm http://aqmagic.com/store/index.php.
3)for substrate i was gonna use amazonia II(normal),amazonia II(powder), and power sand S.
4)for plants i wanted to use some glosso, and dwarf hair grass.

I just finished a planted tank, you can read about it on the Captive Aquatics Blog(link below).

I you on the right track! Those lights are the ones I use on my planted tank and they are work perfect. The T-5's are great for planted tanks. I have never heard of the aqmagic.com store, so I am not sure about their products. To be cheap, I did not use the ADA style CO2 system or the glass intake/outake piping. The amazonia II, powder and Power sand are perfect for the setup you want. You should follow the directions on laying substrate from here, http://www.adana.co.jp/_e_howto/ . This manual is great to follow if you have never set up a planted tank. And the plants you want to use, the dwarf hair grass and some glosso, will work perfect for that Iwagumi layout you are trying for. Good luck! :-)

[manifresh006]

I wish i could help you with the light decision but i don't have one

But i can say you don't need a LOT of light for glosso but i have heard that once glosso mixes with any other foreground plant it might seem messy

For the pipes/diffuser and all that stuff if you dont like aqmagic theres also Green Leaf Aquariums

And well the substrate probably the best choice

Good Luck Dk

[DiscusKid]

thanks for all the advise eveyone i really appreciate it. if my parents decide not to go anywhere for vacation this summer i will try to get a job at the local community pool as a lifeguard so i can raise the money to set up this tank and my 100 gallon+ tank for my discus. i do actually have 2 more questions i want to ask though. as for lighting instead of the nova extreme could i use these?http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Coral...p/res53015.htm
theyre a lil cheaper than nova extreme but if theyre not as good ill juss buy the nova.
also i want to ask as for CO2 regulators is there anywhere like a LFS or something tht sells them cheap because the cheapest ive seen so far are $100...http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...95&pcatid=9895

thanks for the help(again)

[DiscusKid]

also heres my shopping list so far for when i actually go shoping for the stuff:
ADA 60P aquarium
eheim 2213(if i cant find a 2211)
clear tubing to replace geen tubing frm filter
ADA(replica)glassware
CO2 regulator
CO2 tank(free my uncle is a welder)
coralife light or Nova Extreme
amazonia II (normal and powder)
power sand(decided to do normal since S is more expensive)
Brightly K and green brightly step 1-3(is there a cheaper fertilizer that does the same thing?)
Stones
couple pots of glosso
couple pots of dwarf hairgrass

(i may have missed something)

as for fish/invert:
CRS(Crystal Red shrimp)
small schooling fish(sugestions?)