Rebornation (56k) (pg 29, post 426.)

[SeaSerpant]

I am in the near future, going to get a 120g tank for 150$. i have 90$ atm but i am selling another tank pack for 100$. I have a few ideas about what i'm going to do with my tank, it is going to be a planted, very low tech, aquarium. i have a stocking list with this many fish:

02 Rams
04 Angelfish
15 Rasboras
06 Assorted Rainbowfish
06 Glassfish
02 Gouramis
10 Zebra Danios
06 Black Kuhli Loaches
16 Otocinclus
06 Black Skirt Tetras
15 Rummy Nose Tetras
10 Cories

If you think it needs some tweaking just tell me. For aquascaping i was thinking about something like this:
but really lowlight. (from http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...0&vol=2&id=159)
any idea what i can do for plants for this scape?
i was thinking of adding a piece of driftwood to the left side of the aquascaping so it looks like the base and roots of a tree are digging in. any ideas comments?

[lauraleellbp]

Sea,

I personally wouldn't add a clay rock into my tank- you never know what all is in it and how it may affect your water parameters. It is likely to contain a lot of organic material that will decay, and possibly some other things that might affect your pH, kH, and/or gH? Could even contain some toxins...

[SeaSerpant]

k so nix on the clay rock. anything to help me along?

[fshfanatic]

A 120 is a huge step for a n00b. No offense. Illumination and filtration are going to kill you, even with a low light tank.

[fishman9809]

so when are you getting the tank?

[lauraleellbp]

So what specific questions do you want answered? LOL

There's a great list of lowlight plants in the Low Tech forum James has put together- I'd start with the ones that look attractive to you and are available in Canada.

For driftwood you could go with Manzanita wood if you like the branchy look (and can locate some in Canada) otherwise Malaysian or Mopani wood is good for big chunky pieces...

For rocks I'd try to find some granite or something along those lines. You need something that's inert in water.

[SeaSerpant]

i like the look of those zebra rocks. so many people say the bigger the tank the easier kept but for planted tanks i guess it's kinda the opposite isn't it? i expect to get the tank in maybe a weeks time, it might end up being at most a month but i don't think it will take that long. for substrate i'm going to use fine black beauty sand and i'm going to research ferts. is there any lowlight list that has the pictures so i can easily tell what i like and don't like? (i'd rather not look up every individual name.)

[SeaSerpant]

nvm the page gives me links.

[SeaSerpant]

slowly working on my plant list:
Moss on driftwood - flame moss
Backround plants – amazon sword, stargrass, ceylon hygro,
Grass – dwarf hairgrass, (under driftwood) vallisneria natans

[A Hill]

Sounds like one heck of a tank

Take your time. I know its tempting to rush but don't it causes more problems down the road. Research what you're going to do, save money and get the best stuff for the job etc.

KISS? Or at least Keep it simple. I think low light plants are a good way to start. Moss on driftwood like mentioned, and swords would both be easy to take care of and do great! I would fill that tank up with just those two and call it a day. Then throw in a dozen or so German Blue rams, two dozen or two dwarf corry cats, and a good dozen ottos. Maybe some Bushy nose plecos as well.

Good idea on not using that rock. Try looking into slate or fieldstone, its cheap and looks good.

Have fun and keep with the pictures!
-Andrew

[A Hill]

Internet crashed on me, didn't think I posted.

-Andrew

[SeaSerpant]

you posted. well i have had to do a lot of changes to the fish list and that's what i ended up with. since i already had half the fish i didn't want to get rid of them. i will only add the new plants when i'm ready to. i already have these plants: java ferns, hygro, java moss, amazon sword. just like before every tank i do loads of research. when i first wanted a tank i reaserched SW so i have more knowledge in the sw feild. i think i might dose a bit of diy co2 to keep the algae a bit under control.

[A Hill]

Just a heads up. You'll pretty much have to go pressurized if you have much light over this. The fluctuation of CO2 will result in algae hell.

I think you should simplify your fish list. Sell off or trade in some fish if thats what it takes, but its not my tank.

-Andrew

[SeaSerpant]

we'll see how that does and i won't add any fish that i don't have unless i am able.

[A Hill]

Alright, I know getting fish and whatnot may be a bit more of a pain where you are...

What are you going to use for the mechanical part of your tank?

Light?
Filtration?
Heat?
CO2? (You're probably going to need some)

Then theres...

Substrate?
Flora & Fauna which you've got figured out mainly.

You should start looking into life support for the tank before more into scaping it.

Just a general outline of stuff that you should already have been figuring out.

I really want to see this work for you

-Andrew