A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

[eklikewhoa]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Things work so much better with the nice gear.....when you finally give in you will see.  :wink:

[Hanson77]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

How much does an economical CO2 system cost for a 40 gallon set up??

[eklikewhoa]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

For a 40g you would be better off going with a pressurized setup...

New you could swing about $200-250 which would include aluminum tank and regulator with solenoid so that you can turn it on/off through timer or controller.

I have had good luck finding used ones that were like new anywhere fron $75-150

A filled 10lb tank would probably last you from 6mths to a year. You could go with a yeast set up but those are unreliable, messy, ugly, unstable and a pita to keep up with and for a tank your size it would be a headache real fast.

Keep an eye out over on marshreef.com cause the reef guys use it for their calc reactors so you could score one cheap! I know there is one over there now for $75 but it needs some parts.

[Hanson77]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Thanks for the heads up.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

No problem

[Mzungu]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Well the main thing about the fern and anubias is that the Rhizome is not buried...

You're right. Rhizome.  :doh:

[kidslikefish]

Update #3: Questions before my first try at a planted tank

The filter cleared the water up nicely, and the layer of dust on the bottom (I'll for sure go the rinsing of the Flourite next time I try this).  I'm going to need more plants, or hopefully what I have will grow and fill in. Those "in the know" can let me know once I get some pictures posted.  I wasn't able to take pictures last night.  I'll try to get some posted in the next day or two.  I haven't tried posting any pics, so I may need help with that too !!

[kidslikefish]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Okay, going to try to post a couple of pics  :?

1st is the whole set-up, not real clear. Tank sits on the bottom half of a gun cabinet that I made in High School, 25'ish years ago.

2nd is a close up of the tank/plants.  I do need to get a back for the tank.

Does anyone see anything with the plants/tank that I need to be concerned with at this point ? Next is fish, plants/water have been together for 6 days. I'll get some platties/mollies this weekend and have a lead on some Endlers.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/bqpw11/Fish-42.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/bqpw11/Fish-43.jpg

[Mzungu]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Cool, looks good to me!  :)

How is the java fern planted? And is that some kind of sword plant in the middle, in front of the java fern?

Not sure if you have a test kit, but you might want to look into getting one so you can monitor the cycle.

Should fill in nicely! Is that rotala on the right and behind the driftwood?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

I agree with Mzungu.....test the water before you put fish in......for planted cycle you need to have more plants then that and more "fast growers".....Also looks like you are still running the 50/50 bulb or is that actinics?

[fishlady]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

nice beginnings ....thanks for sharing with us....

[kidslikefish]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Dang, EK, your good !!     That is still the 50/50 bulb. I haven't been able to find a replacement yet.  But I am leaving work downtown about noon today and plan to make the rounds to Fish Gallery, Fish Ranch II, maybe City Pets then swing out to Mike's place before heading back to Kingwood.  I'll get a bulb, test kit, and maybe a few more plants.  I'd still like some type of "carpet" plant, and I have the name Marsilea Minuta that you gave me.   I'll talk to the folks at Fish Gallery to see what other fast growing things they have, and talk to them about the liquid carbon that I've seen mentioned.  

Getting closer to being ready, but I'll hang back on fish a little longer until I get a few more plants in and test the water.   I plan to make the HLA meeting next Saturday.  Hope to meet everyone and get any last minute tips !!   I'll wait for that to buy my first inhabitants for the tank, I'll see what I can get at the auction !

[eklikewhoa]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Make sure you look at the pin type on your bulb before buying the wrong one.....it's either :: which is square pin or .... which is straight pin.

The plant Marsiela Minuta you will probably not find anywhere but at CityPets since their 90g is choked full of it as their display but from time to time it is thinned and put up for sale.

With the Seachem Excel which is the organic/liquid carbonyou will probably get the best price at CityPets or Mikes(I think I saw flourish but not sure about excel) and if you are feeling froggy pick up a bottle of Seachem Flourish as well.

With Fish Gallery.....their for sale plant tanks are over driven with massive lighting but they are lacking in ferts/co2 so the plants succumb to a accelerated death/aging. So with that being said be sure to look at the plant and make sure it looks really good..... I think the ones that are good are the ones facing away from the front door all the way in the back near the discus.....that tank is full of crypts which do really well in low light.

[kidslikefish]

Update #3: Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Latest on the tank:

Replaced the 50/50 bulb with a 65w 10,000K bulb, wanted the 6,700K but no one seems to have that in a straight-pin for a 24 inch hood.

Bought Excel and Flourish so I can keep up the minerals in the water, haven't added any yet, wanted to get the first water test done first.

Got a test kit, but haven't testing anything yet.  What are the biggest things I need to watch out for when testing the water ?

Bought a few more plants since a couple of folks thought I needed a few more to get the balance right.  Fish Gallery was just unpacking a shipment of plants when I got there on Friday, got some Wisteria for the sides to give me some faster growth, and some HC, along with some tall/slender grass type plant for the back.  Also talked City Pets out of a few clipping of the Marsiela Minuta from their display tank.    Hopefully between the HC and Marsiela Minuta I'll eventually get a nice carpet in the aquarium.

I'll try to get some more pics soon.   If I get the water right by Saturday, I'll be looking at the HLA mini-auction to get some swimming inhabitants !

[Mzungu]

Re: A few Questions before my first try at a planted tank

Nice job on the Marsilea!

For cycling the tank, you need to monitor Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Those are most important right now.