what equipment is needed

[aone4u2luv@yahoo.com]

Seting up a planted tank can yall tell me what equipment i am going to need to purchase 4 a 13 gal tank and basic info 4 care etc

[myjohnson]

Filter: eheim 2211

Light: 20" 2 x t5 bulbs

Soil: ADA

Ferts: dry mix

Finally, just pick the plants you like.

[cichlid1409]

less baller setup

filter - Aqua clear 10
lighting - 20" 2- t-5's (dont wanna skimp on lighting)
soil - aquatic soil from HD or lowes
dry ferts
any plants you like

co2 is great to add but not necesary. DIY is pretty easy and cheap but not too accurate. CO2 systems are more expensive but worth it in the long run.

[Sea-agg09]

As for CO2, either go all in or not at all. Dramatic pH swings aren't good for any of the inhabitants of the tank. If you're going to do a CO2 conister, get a pH controller. In a small tank, it's just as easy to dose a liquid carbon source like Flourish Excell.

[myjohnson]

But the equipment for a co2 tank is just so cool.

[algarciajr]

less baller setup
soil - aquatic soil from HD or lowes

Did not know this existed?

[cichlid1409]

yep , al used it before on my 75g planted i had years ago work good. i've never used ada so i cant compare the two.

[aone4u2luv@yahoo.com]

Ok i have 6 very large various types of plant with 5 smal angels and 12 neons wil turng off the lite spike co2 and kil the fish wat 2 do . . . Typng on the phone so im shrthandnit sry

[cichlid1409]

add an airator on a timer that turns on when lights go out.

[kwc1974]

If you are leaving co2 on 24/7. Dial back co2 a little ( I am assuming you bought a co2 setup). What soil did you use?

[aone4u2luv@yahoo.com]

do not have co2 yet but am trying to diy it if i can um.... i just bought an air pump too can i put it on the aquarium when lit up or just only when the lights go out i also changed the incandesent light to a uv blacklight for growing purposes is this right floresent on the other side in a 13 gal tall

[davemonkey]

Blacklight? No, you don't need that kind of light...try daylight bulbs or flora-grow bulbs or something like that. You want something with a Kelvin rating between 5000K and 10000K (though as low as 3000K will work...sort of). Flourescent tubes come in a vast array of colors and brightness-es and sizes.

Once a planted tank is well-established, you won't have many issues with CO2 build-up at night unless you are injecting CO2 or if you don't have a filter.

By the way, there is a meeting on March 26 at the ADG facility that will deal almost exclusively with planted aquaria. There will be experts...well...experienced hobbyists... there that can help explain better to you in person. Look in the club area on this forum...we are called Houston Area Aquatic Plant Society.

[wesleydnunder]

As for CO2, either go all in or not at all. Dramatic pH swings aren't good for any of the inhabitants of the tank. If you're going to do a CO2 conister, get a pH controller. In a small tank, it's just as easy to dose a liquid carbon source like Flourish Excell.

I have some issues with this statement:

First, can we quantify "dramatic"? Many aquarists who inject co2, Amano included, turn the co2 off at night. Tom Barr recommends turning the co2 off an hour before lights out and turning co2 on an hour before lights on. This is recommended to give the greatest consistant co2 concentration during the lighted portion of the day. Turning the co2 off overnight can result in a full log of change in the ph. This doesn't harm the fish. Fish have no idea what the ph of the water is... they have no receptors for ph. Often, what is commonly incorrectly referred to as ph shock is often osmotic shock brought about by changes in hardness, which effects a fish's osmolarity.

Mark

[Mzungu]

"Fish have no idea what the ph of the water is... they have no receptors for ph. Often, what is commonly incorrectly referred to as ph shock is often osmotic shock brought about by changes in hardness, which effects a fish's osmolarity.

Mark"

How interesting. Maybe start a thread about this? I know what I'm doing when I get home - googling this. :) Mark, what would we do without you? :)

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

[wesleydnunder]

"Fish have no idea what the ph of the water is... they have no receptors for ph. Often, what is commonly incorrectly referred to as ph shock is often osmotic shock brought about by changes in hardness, which effects a fish's osmolarity.

Mark"

How interesting. Maybe start a thread about this? I know what I'm doing when I get home - googling this. :) Mark, what would we do without you? :)

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

I was taught this by Robert T. Ricketts, MB, one of the great aquatic minds of our time. He made that statement in numerous articles and posts throughout the internet forums and published works. Here is one article that touches on the subject and was written for badmans:

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article56.html

Mark