Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:02 pm Post subject: Help needed in setting up planted tank
To summarize, I'm planning to start a planted tank & have a bunch of questions. The details:
>Tank Size: 18X12X12 (10 gallon) --I know its small but I already have this tank & getting a new one won't be possible now.
>Substrate: Diy (Laterite+Soilrite+Cocopeat/Humus Plus/<any>) --Will using the third element (i,e cocopeat/humus plus etc.) ensure better results or 'laterite+soilrite' alone is good enough ?
>Plants: Not decided yet but will go for cheap & easy ones (considering my absolute lack of experience & current unsuitable weather). Any suggestions ?
>Lighting:Will any of these 36 Watt PLLs by Philips do or is it too much for my tank ? Any other suggestions ?
>Co2: This is the most important query. If I can afford it, should I go for a Pressurized System or Diy Co2 is good enough (considering the small tank size & my zero experience)
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: Help needed in setting up planted tank
Hey man, dont fret. I started a small planted tank for a betta just now. All I added were :
>Tank Size: 18x10x10 (8G) {I think}.
>Substrate: Inert. Small white pebbles, which the LFS called Sugar
>Plants: Cabomba, 5 of them.
>Lighting: 18W CFL.
>Co2: No.
Bonus:
>Fauna: One betta, not yet added.
I see you are all excited as this is your first planted tank. You might have loads of querries, and worries. But the truth is , Relax. As you can see my setup has nothing but plants and light. The substrate is inert. And I know this will work. Why? Because I have already had an identical setup in the same tank with Vallisneria and danios. And it worked.
As long as the lights good, plants are tough, you wont have a problem growing them.
Joined: Nov 23, 2011 Posts: 1031 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Help needed in setting up planted tank
Hope you have done lot of reading before jumping in to this..
As far as your concern..
Tank Size: Its good enough.. there are people, who have even smaller planted tanks.
Substrate: sprinkle a layer(5mm max) of wormicompost then add soilrite for 1.5 inches, then top off with river sand for 1 inch.
Plants: Get plants like cryptocoryne, java ferns, mosses, and small swords (not easy to get), cabomba, Ambulia etc .. google Low tech plants, you will find lots of results..
Lighting: go for any 6500k light of 24w.. thats more than enough, for 36w you might need co2.
Co2: If you can afford go for pressurized ones, In my opinion CO2 is not necessary..
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: Help needed in setting up planted tank
phoenix1024,
Do read a lot about low tech (Walstad) aquariums. Here is one of my post on setting up Walstad tank when I first started. The dimension of the tank are a bit bigger than yours, But it help you out.
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