Advice on a tank from scratch. (substrate & filtration stage)

**random_alias** · 10-21-2005, 08:46 AM

I've looked and looked and decided that a 55w AH Supply kit will be the best way to go. I'll build my own pendant to house it in.

I also have plans for a little ADA style stand except the whole front would be one large door, rather than having two small split doors like on the larger stands.

Gotta have somewhere to put my little canister filter! and maybe little 10 inch tall 2.5lb Co2 cylinder.

**random_alias** · 10-21-2005, 08:49 AM

And here's another smaller tank I'm working on. The two are kinda coming along together so some of what works for one may work for the other.

Jerm · 11-24-2005, 01:15 AM

Wait, did you say you are putting 55 watts over a 10 gallon tank? A ahsupply 55 watts?

**random_alias** · 11-24-2005, 02:15 AM

Still not sure what I'm gonna do. My 1.3 and 2.5gs have my attention right now so the 10g is on the back burner. You thinkin a 36w is all I'm gonna need?

Prolly be pressurized Co2 injected whatever I do.

Jerm · 11-24-2005, 02:39 AM

Well.. ahsupply watts are like super watts, they have killer refelctors, and putting one of those on my 29 gal was an option that would let me grow anything.

Wiggawam · 11-24-2005, 09:43 AM

36 will be more than fine, it is not a reef tank that need huge amounts of light.

**random_alias** · 12-24-2005, 09:23 AM

After I cleaned the rocks well they came out with slightly different colors and also different textures. Arranging them like this helps them transition a little better than randomizing them together. Obviously, this isn't a strong hardscape at the moment. Any advice would be appreciated.

Read above to get the dimensions on the tank. Since there is very little depth I am planning on putting a school of small fish in it to emphasize the length since I cannot exploit the depth. This tank will be much "colder" than my others. I'm not even sure the plants I have will work in it. What plants would you recommend for something like this. I think that if I plant it right I can make the rocks work well, use the plants to tie them in better.

I want deeper, darker colors, no bright plants like sag or pearlweed. I think rotala indica may work well with it's reds and pinks. Sort of a pastel coloring with a school of brightly colored fish, something like gertrudae small rainbows.

99RedSi · 12-24-2005, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capricorn77

How about one of these as an external canister filter for your 10 gallon tank?

Does anyone know if this tiny, external cannister filter will work well on a 15g high? I currently have an AC mini on a 10g and since a 15g is the same footprint, I'm going to get the bigger tank and put some AH lighting on it. This filter would really be icing on the cake for a 15g, if it can keep up!

What do you think?

bhare · 01-22-2006, 04:43 AM

Quote:

I have ordered a mini canister filter discussed here. Thanks capricorn77.

how is your Zoo Med turtle filter working out? does it do a good job of keeping your water clean?

**Hoppy** · 01-22-2006, 05:11 AM

Just my two cents worth: That tank is beautiful and that is an understatement. Of course a pendant light is needed, so why not go to MH lights? I would think a jet black, glossy pendant, probably 50 watts or more. And, I would keep the mechanical stuff out of the tank if at all possible - in line heater, glass filter pipes, glass CO2 diffuser (if used). This is like designing a dream house!

99RedSi · 01-23-2006, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppy

Just my two cents worth: That tank is beautiful and that is an understatement. Of course a pendant light is needed, so why not go to MH lights? I would think a jet black, glossy pendant, probably 50 watts or more. And, I would keep the mechanical stuff out of the tank if at all possible - in line heater, glass filter pipes, glass CO2 diffuser (if used). This is like designing a dream house!

Um...glass filter pipes, are you serious!?

psarakia · 01-23-2006, 05:36 PM

Hi, I have a 10 gallon tank and my fish are going to get bigger so I am setting up a 55 gallon tank. I wanted to know how much substrate of Eco-Complete or Flourite do I need and if these are good. (I have catfish, knifefish, and angel fish) I have not yet bought plants and wanted to know which plants are good.

Thanks

**random_alias** · 01-23-2006, 05:52 PM

Hi psarakia. This isn't the right place to start that kind of discussion but I can point you in the right direction.

This website has a program that can give you a good estimate of how much substrate you need. It is the Substrate Calculator and it's located here:

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

Either substrate grows plants well so pick whichever looks best to you. If you still have questions, you can start a thread in whatever forum is appropriate and you should get good answers.

The Search function is also very useful.

**random_alias** · 01-23-2006, 05:56 PM

capricorn77, 99RedSi, bhare, I'm no longer using the Zoo Med 501 canister filter. It has gotten noisy and despite my best efforts I can't quiet it down. I even went as far as to build a wooden box for it and lined the interior with padding. It's still too loud for my taste. I've replaced it with a mini HOB filter.

**random_alias** · 01-23-2006, 06:02 PM

I ended up going with a Corlalife 65w PC light. Nice light.

I'm looking for a wood hardscape to use. Until then, the tank is on hold.

10-21-2005, 08:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	I've looked and looked and decided that a 55w AH Supply kit will be the best way to go. I'll build my own pendant to house it in. I also have plans for a little ADA style stand except the whole front would be one large door, rather than having two small split doors like on the larger stands. Gotta have somewhere to put my little canister filter! and maybe little 10 inch tall 2.5lb Co2 cylinder. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

10-21-2005, 08:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	And here's another smaller tank I'm working on. The two are kinda coming along together so some of what works for one may work for the other. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

11-24-2005, 01:15 AM	#18 (permalink)
Jerm Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rouses Point, NY Posts: 295	Wait, did you say you are putting 55 watts over a 10 gallon tank? A ahsupply 55 watts? __________________ JΞЯМ Peter- Moveable printed type! We must keep this from the serfs less they gain literacy and threaten the landed gentry. Serf- Whatcha got there ma' lord? Peter- Nothing! Back to your turnips!

11-24-2005, 02:15 AM	#19 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	Still not sure what I'm gonna do. My 1.3 and 2.5gs have my attention right now so the 10g is on the back burner. You thinkin a 36w is all I'm gonna need? Prolly be pressurized Co2 injected whatever I do. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

11-24-2005, 02:39 AM	#20 (permalink)
Jerm Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rouses Point, NY Posts: 295	Well.. ahsupply watts are like super watts, they have killer refelctors, and putting one of those on my 29 gal was an option that would let me grow anything. __________________ JΞЯМ Peter- Moveable printed type! We must keep this from the serfs less they gain literacy and threaten the landed gentry. Serf- Whatcha got there ma' lord? Peter- Nothing! Back to your turnips!

11-24-2005, 09:43 AM	#21 (permalink)
Wiggawam Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 73	36 will be more than fine, it is not a reef tank that need huge amounts of light.

12-24-2005, 09:23 AM	#22 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	After I cleaned the rocks well they came out with slightly different colors and also different textures. Arranging them like this helps them transition a little better than randomizing them together. Obviously, this isn't a strong hardscape at the moment. Any advice would be appreciated. Read above to get the dimensions on the tank. Since there is very little depth I am planning on putting a school of small fish in it to emphasize the length since I cannot exploit the depth. This tank will be much "colder" than my others. I'm not even sure the plants I have will work in it. What plants would you recommend for something like this. I think that if I plant it right I can make the rocks work well, use the plants to tie them in better. I want deeper, darker colors, no bright plants like sag or pearlweed. I think rotala indica may work well with it's reds and pinks. Sort of a pastel coloring with a school of brightly colored fish, something like gertrudae small rainbows. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

01-22-2006, 05:11 AM	#25 (permalink)
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (22/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,529	Just my two cents worth: That tank is beautiful and that is an understatement. Of course a pendant light is needed, so why not go to MH lights? I would think a jet black, glossy pendant, probably 50 watts or more. And, I would keep the mechanical stuff out of the tank if at all possible - in line heater, glass filter pipes, glass CO2 diffuser (if used). This is like designing a dream house! __________________ Hoppy

01-23-2006, 05:36 PM	#27 (permalink)
psarakia Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, New York Posts: 5	Hi, I have a 10 gallon tank and my fish are going to get bigger so I am setting up a 55 gallon tank. I wanted to know how much substrate of Eco-Complete or Flourite do I need and if these are good. (I have catfish, knifefish, and angel fish) I have not yet bought plants and wanted to know which plants are good. Thanks

01-23-2006, 05:52 PM	#28 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	Hi psarakia. This isn't the right place to start that kind of discussion but I can point you in the right direction. This website has a program that can give you a good estimate of how much substrate you need. It is the Substrate Calculator and it's located here: http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html Either substrate grows plants well so pick whichever looks best to you. If you still have questions, you can start a thread in whatever forum is appropriate and you should get good answers. The Search function is also very useful. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

01-23-2006, 05:56 PM	#29 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	capricorn77, 99RedSi, bhare, I'm no longer using the Zoo Med 501 canister filter. It has gotten noisy and despite my best efforts I can't quiet it down. I even went as far as to build a wooden box for it and lined the interior with padding. It's still too loud for my taste. I've replaced it with a mini HOB filter. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

01-23-2006, 06:02 PM	#30 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	I ended up going with a Corlalife 65w PC light. Nice light. I'm looking for a wood hardscape to use. Until then, the tank is on hold. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

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