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

**random_alias** · 09-23-2005, 03:31 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?

**Wö£fëñxXx** · 09-23-2005, 03:50 AM

I like that tank, were did you find it if I may ask? my little 10 is fugly, blue seems with black frame, bah...

Not sure about the amazonia, but I have Flora Base sub with peat and can grow anything, especially the softwater plants

**random_alias** · 09-23-2005, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wö£fëñxXx

I like that tank, were did you find it if I may ask?

They are made in Hong Kong and this one was sent to me by a resident of California who found one at a LFS. I do not know the name of the LFS. The guy said that they have apparently decided to stop carrying them. It is glass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wö£fëñxXx

...I have Flora Base sub with peat and can grow anything

Is the Flora Base light weighted? Does it float when disturbed? Does it hold plants well and is it easy to plant?

**Wö£fëñxXx** · 09-23-2005, 05:23 AM

Yes it is lightweight, floats about like eco complete

in other words it is just like EC (except in color/Tan-ish) in that it is light & easy to plant, but grows better.. but was $30 a bag

That is why I only built a 10 for now.

Tino · 09-23-2005, 05:44 AM

I would by all means try Aquasoil, won't break your bank for a tank that small plus a chance to experiment with the probably the best.
For a filter, may I suggest to go with an Italian instead of German

- http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...711&pcid1=2885

**random_alias** · 09-23-2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wö£fëñxXx

Yes it is lightweight, floats about like eco complete...

I'm looking for something heavy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tino

For a filter, may I suggest to go with an Italian instead of German

- http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...711&pcid1=2885

I had never even considered a hydor. Are they silent? Whatever I get has to be dead silent. Tank's in the bedroom.

I'm thinking about getting a 55w kit from AH Supply and building my own enclosure. Also thinking about buying the mounting legs to something like a Coralife Aqualight and attaching them to the enclosure.

Georgiadawgger · 09-23-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tino

I would by all means try Aquasoil, won't break your bank for a tank that small plus a chance to experiment with the probably the best.
For a filter, may I suggest to go with an Italian instead of German

- http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...711&pcid1=2885

I'll take a BMW over a FIAT any day.

capricorn77 · 09-23-2005, 05:21 PM

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

**toofazt** · 09-23-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

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.

If the only reason that your getting ADA Soil is because you like the brown color then you could go with Schultz Aquatic Soil. It's about $6 a bag and is brown also... just an idea.

dss2004 · 09-23-2005, 08:42 PM

If he is looking for something heavy though SAS is about the lightest thing I have every worked with.

Tino · 09-23-2005, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by random_alias

I had never even considered a hydor. Are they silent? Whatever I get has to be dead silent.

Yes, they are silent. The price is terrific too.
Here's some info from Hydor's site http://www.hydor.it/inglese/faq3.htm.

Tino · 09-23-2005, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgiadawgger

I'll take a BMW over a FIAT any day.

I was thinking more along the lines of Ferrari vs Golf

.

**random_alias** · 10-20-2005, 10:33 PM

dbl post....

**random_alias** · 10-20-2005, 10:36 PM

I received the ADA Aquasoil Amazonia the other day.

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

I'll be dosing EI and Excel for carbon.

So now I have everything but the lighting. Since the filter is external and tank is rimless, I definitely have to go Amano style with this and use a pendant light. If I have to custom make one that's ok.

I want this 10 gal to be a miniature version of what my planned ADA 75 will look like.

Given the ferts and excel dosing, I'm assuming I'll need high light. The tank is 23.5 x 8.5 x 12.0. How many watts do I need and what's the best light to get this into the tank?

I'm thinking either an AHSupply 36w or 55w kit and then building a custom pendant enclosure. Which light would work better?

figgy · 10-21-2005, 06:23 AM

Glad I read this--I never knew there were such teeny canister filters out there! Thanks,
Fig

09-23-2005, 03:31 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 08:10 AM.

09-23-2005, 03:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wö£fëñxXx Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (125/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: N AL. Posts: 3,036	I like that tank, were did you find it if I may ask? my little 10 is fugly, blue seems with black frame, bah... Not sure about the amazonia, but I have Flora Base sub with peat and can grow anything, especially the softwater plants __________________ *Craig*

09-23-2005, 05:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Wö£fëñxXx Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (125/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: N AL. Posts: 3,036	Yes it is lightweight, floats about like eco complete in other words it is just like EC (except in color/Tan-ish) in that it is light & easy to plant, but grows better.. but was $30 a bag That is why I only built a 10 for now. __________________ *Craig*

09-23-2005, 05:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tino Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 343	I would by all means try Aquasoil, won't break your bank for a tank that small plus a chance to experiment with the probably the best. For a filter, may I suggest to go with an Italian instead of German - http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...711&pcid1=2885 __________________ http://www.sfbaaps.com/

09-23-2005, 05:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
capricorn77 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 232	How about one of these as an external canister filter for your 10 gallon tank? __________________ member of SFBAAPS

09-23-2005, 08:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
dss2004 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 62	If he is looking for something heavy though SAS is about the lightest thing I have every worked with.

10-20-2005, 10:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	dbl post.... __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

10-20-2005, 10:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 728	I received the ADA Aquasoil Amazonia the other day. I have ordered a mini canister filter discussed here. Thanks capricorn77. I'll be dosing EI and Excel for carbon. So now I have everything but the lighting. Since the filter is external and tank is rimless, I definitely have to go Amano style with this and use a pendant light. If I have to custom make one that's ok. I want this 10 gal to be a miniature version of what my planned ADA 75 will look like. Given the ferts and excel dosing, I'm assuming I'll need high light. The tank is 23.5 x 8.5 x 12.0. How many watts do I need and what's the best light to get this into the tank? I'm thinking either an AHSupply 36w or 55w kit and then building a custom pendant enclosure. Which light would work better? __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

10-21-2005, 06:23 AM	#15 (permalink)
figgy Nanofigs (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The Hermitage, Michigan Posts: 330	Glad I read this--I never knew there were such teeny canister filters out there! Thanks, Fig __________________ Soxus ichthys Silver Supporter of The Planted Tank Forum!

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