The Planted Tank Forum - View Single Post - Advice on a tank from scratch. (substrate & filtration stage)

**random_alias** · 09-23-2005, 02:31 AM

This is my first attempt at planning out a tank. My 55 gallon was more a gradual evolution from knowing nothing.

So far, I only have the tank...

So the next logical step would be the substrate.

I'm thinking about going with ADA Aqua Soil Africana simply because it's the only brown stuff I know of that should be easy to plant in. I also want the look of soil and since this tank is roughly 10 gallons this is an affordable opportunity to try the stuff. The Power Sand is an added cost I'd like to avoid.

Does Power Sand have any advantage over a thin layer of peat and mulm?

After I get the substrate in place I'll be looking for a very small canister filter. So far, I'm leaning towards the smallest Eheim Ecco. What do you think? I really don't want to spend a lot but I hate HOTB filters.

Any advice or comments?

09-23-2005, 02:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	Advice on a tank from scratch. (substrate & filtration stage) This is my first attempt at planning out a tank. My 55 gallon was more a gradual evolution from knowing nothing. So far, I only have the tank... So the next logical step would be the substrate. I'm thinking about going with ADA Aqua Soil Africana simply because it's the only brown stuff I know of that should be easy to plant in. I also want the look of soil and since this tank is roughly 10 gallons this is an affordable opportunity to try the stuff. The Power Sand is an added cost I'd like to avoid. Does Power Sand have any advantage over a thin layer of peat and mulm? After I get the substrate in place I'll be looking for a very small canister filter. So far, I'm leaning towards the smallest Eheim Ecco. What do you think? I really don't want to spend a lot but I hate HOTB filters. Any advice or comments? __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Last edited by random_alias; 09-23-2005 at 07:10 AM.