First off, hello everyone. I have been reading up on the fundamentals to starting a planted tank for about two weeks now. I got through the overwhelming part of the learning curve and have a basic idea of what I want.
I plan on having a relatively low maintenance tank / medium technology, something that doesn't need a whole lot of attention. I can handle water changes every week or two, checking ph and what not, I just don't think I want to have to add chemicals everyday.
I am taking a setup that my brother used, very low tech, no plants, and using the basic parts to start my tank. It was being used up until a week ago so it is still functional and works fine, he just bought a bigger tank and gave me his.
It is a 30g wide tank, keeping the standard powerhead it came with and I am going to use it to help distribute co2 along with moving water around. I have a cascade filter that I am going to clean out (he did not take care of the tank when it was being used) and that will be it for filters. As far as co2 goes, I'm going to start off small and see how it goes, I'm going to buy one of those cheap co2 kits that comes with the reactor, co2 tablets, hosing, etc this co2 setup.
I know I want to have some sort of short haired grass in the foreground, have a medium sized rock or driftwood, and have some decent sized plants in the background on the sides making the V shape. I also plan on growing the foreground plants (sorry I can't remember the name for it) slowly by planting them in the substrate and just adding enough water for them to grow.
My question is mostly about starting out. I am going to order the substrate but I am unsure where to go with it. I have been looking at aquariumplants.com's substrate but I wasn't sure if that would be enough for what I want. I plan on getting amazon swords or other small grass/carpet like plants, which I think I read they usually can thrive through their roots. With that substrate (or others you might recommend) do I need to put rocks or anything else on top or can that be my base and that is all I need?
My second question is about lighting. I am looking at "beginner" plants that look great but are pretty easy to take care of, what lighting setup do you recommend for this. I thought about doing a little diy style by buying two desk lamps and changing the bulbs out to two 30watt (insert # of lumen) and having them as a light setup until I can afford or make a better one. I do have the standard aquarium light that came with the tank but it is one of those long tube lights and just from looking around home depot and lowes I cannot find a tube light that has enough watt output or the right lumen. If you guys can shed some light on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.
Like I said I have been reading a lot but not everything hits on the questions I had in mind. I am sorry this is long but I really want to get this rolling soon. Again thanks for your help, this forum is awesome!
I plan on having a relatively low maintenance tank / medium technology, something that doesn't need a whole lot of attention. I can handle water changes every week or two, checking ph and what not, I just don't think I want to have to add chemicals everyday.
I am taking a setup that my brother used, very low tech, no plants, and using the basic parts to start my tank. It was being used up until a week ago so it is still functional and works fine, he just bought a bigger tank and gave me his.
It is a 30g wide tank, keeping the standard powerhead it came with and I am going to use it to help distribute co2 along with moving water around. I have a cascade filter that I am going to clean out (he did not take care of the tank when it was being used) and that will be it for filters. As far as co2 goes, I'm going to start off small and see how it goes, I'm going to buy one of those cheap co2 kits that comes with the reactor, co2 tablets, hosing, etc this co2 setup.
I know I want to have some sort of short haired grass in the foreground, have a medium sized rock or driftwood, and have some decent sized plants in the background on the sides making the V shape. I also plan on growing the foreground plants (sorry I can't remember the name for it) slowly by planting them in the substrate and just adding enough water for them to grow.
My question is mostly about starting out. I am going to order the substrate but I am unsure where to go with it. I have been looking at aquariumplants.com's substrate but I wasn't sure if that would be enough for what I want. I plan on getting amazon swords or other small grass/carpet like plants, which I think I read they usually can thrive through their roots. With that substrate (or others you might recommend) do I need to put rocks or anything else on top or can that be my base and that is all I need?
My second question is about lighting. I am looking at "beginner" plants that look great but are pretty easy to take care of, what lighting setup do you recommend for this. I thought about doing a little diy style by buying two desk lamps and changing the bulbs out to two 30watt (insert # of lumen) and having them as a light setup until I can afford or make a better one. I do have the standard aquarium light that came with the tank but it is one of those long tube lights and just from looking around home depot and lowes I cannot find a tube light that has enough watt output or the right lumen. If you guys can shed some light on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.
Like I said I have been reading a lot but not everything hits on the questions I had in mind. I am sorry this is long but I really want to get this rolling soon. Again thanks for your help, this forum is awesome!