New Tank/Plant Question

[Teeleton]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

I searched high and low for a cost effective lighting solution for my 55 gallon.  The fixtures that it came with were like yours and rated at 18w/fixture (I had two).  In the end, I just built a new hood out of wood that I could put a dual T-12 shop light in.  Now I have 80 watts, and while it's not blinding, since it's a natural-style tank with no co2 or fertilization going on, I don't really have a need for any more light.

The other solution that I took a long look at was some compact flourescent retrofit kits that would convert your existing fixtures to higher wattage.

http://www.ahsupply.com/

Teeleton

[Ellen]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

my tap water has ammonia in it.  I added some feeders that had been quarantined in another tank (6).  I'm getting frustrated because I thought seeding it was supposed to speed up the process.  I haven't added Prime or Amquel.

Are you using any type of water conditioner?? Are you on city water or a well?

Ellen

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

gt3guru-I'd hate telling that to people as well.  It's been so long since I've set up a new tank that I had forgotten how long the process actually takes.  I'm not known for being the most patient person but with all the money I'm investing I am going to do my best.  I thought of buying some dithers and ditching the feeders so at least I have something pretty to look at in the meantime.

eklikewhoa-my ammonia is at 0.5-1.0ppm and my nitrites are 0ppm.

Mzungu-The ammonia has stayed at 0.5-1.0 since Saturday.  No rises or decreases.  As I told eklikewhoa no nitrite rise either.  What size mini tank would be the easiest to mange?  I've looked at 1 gallon to 5 gallon sizes and can't decide.  Also, I saw the Eclipse come with higher wattage lights so there would be no need to retrofit the hood.  Have you used Eclipse aquariums?  It would be nice to find a used one so my husband doesn't mind so much.  He hasn't said anything to me yet about how much money I'm spending but I know the day will come.   :)

Ellen-I used Nova Aqua and am on city water.

Teeleton-I am leaning towards to compact flourescent if I decide I need to upgrade.  I have built a canopy before and I was never satisfied with how it looked (wood not flat, bowed a little and I could see a crack of light from across the room).

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragements.  I am so excited about this tank!!!

[Mzungu]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

:evil:  Just typed up quite a long response and my computer messed up, so I lost it all.  :evil:

So, basically what I said was:

I don't think I'm the best person to ask about Eclipses - I have a System 3 at home for my betta, and I was all excited at first that I was going to have a planted betta tank. For some reason, I can't even grow anacharis in there, which seems to grow for me no matter how I mistreat it.  :?

As far as used goes, be sure to check out marshreef. I've also spent quite a bit of time on the ahsupply site, but haven't yet tried them out.

My personal favorite in the way of "smaller" tanks (not too small for me, my largest is only a 40  :(  ) is the 15 gallon, long not tall. It's basically a 10 gallon with a little length added. That way you've got a little more room but don't need to spring for quite as powerful a light fixture, since it's not too deep. I've got a 24" 65 watt PC over it, and the plants grow really well.

Be sure to let us know when you see some nitrites, so we can cheer for ya!  8)

[Teeleton]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

I painted the hood black to match my stand, so it hides bit of my lack of craftsmanship.



Teeleton

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

I can't wait for nitrites!!!  I'm about to test to see what today looks like!!!

Teeleton-That looks great!  I'll have to find a picture from mine.  I threw the sucker out about 6 months ago.  You can see the sagging in the picture.  Have you filled yours yet?  What's going inside?

[Teeleton]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Yeah, the tank has been running about a month and a half.  I need to get an updated pic.  The hood was built totally on the cheap.  The plywood was scrap I had in the garage, shop lights, even a strand of blue christmas lights on a clearance rack for a moonlight.  Here's a shot looking down inside of it.  I glued some aluminum foil around the inside for some cheap reflectivity.  I think I spend all of about $120 total on the complete hood.  The moonlights are triggered by an electric eye when the timer turns the main lights off.  The air pump is now gone.



Teeleton

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

What size tank is that?  You look like you put a bit more thought into it than I did.  We spent about the same but I tried to make it look fancy and that screwed up the end result.  Simple shapes are more realistic.  But you live and learn.

[Teeleton]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Standard 55 gallon.  roughy 4 feet by 2 feet by 1 foot.

Teeleton

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

I got some new plants today with the help of Tiapan.  I got three new ones.  I'm not satisfied with the way they are laid out so I'm waiting to take photos until after I figure out how to arrange them.  I have FINALLY decide 100% that I'm keeping angelfish.  So my pretty plants will not be eaten or uprooted!!!

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Oh, I forgot to mention my ammonia is finally dropping and I have nitrites.  I'm so excited.  So, how long does the nitrites usually take going away?  I need to go buy a nitrate test kit.  I'm so excited!  I know I already said that but I am.  I am also going to try to get another light fixture so my plants will flourish.  If I can get the hang of the plants I'd love to try some more demanding species.  But first I need to learn/remember the ones I already have!

[Ellen]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

YAY! I'm so excited that you're going to be getting angels! I think you'll be very happy with them!

Ellen

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

from my experience nitrites come and go really fast.

congrats on the angels i just got one too! i got a koi angel for my planted tank.

[Tiapan]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

let me know how they do. i'm hoping that they do great in there. send me a message next time your coming by the store or give me a call and i can try to pull a val or too out of my tank for you.

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

I'm excited about the angels too!  I got some little cory cats today to see some activity.  I'm going to slowly acclimate them so the nitrites don't hit them too hard.  I hope they do okay.  I'm glad to hear eklikewhoa's experience with nitrites are that they go faster.  
Tiapan-next time I'm headed that way I'll pm/call you up.  Thanks for the offer!