Advice for a beginner

[changyikhuan]

Hi! I'm a newbie on this website and to planted tanks too. I'm planning on getting a low tech planted tank coz i have no needs to use carbon dioxide (expensive!) and still can produce the same results (right?) Can anyone giv me some good advice for me??

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by changyikhuan

Hi! I'm a newbie on this website and to planted tanks too. I'm planning on getting a low tech planted tank coz i have no needs to use carbon dioxide (expensive!) and still can produce the same results (right?) Can anyone giv me some good advice for me??

Head on over to the low light tech part of the forum. I get excellent results out of my low light 36 gal tank with no fertz, or co2 injection.

[Crispino Labayen Ramos]

diy CO2 using yeast and sugar, low light plants, diy substrate, shop work light from a hardware store, use concrete blocks and scrap wood for a stand, browse craigslist for equipments, check out Goodwill for used tanks, join a local planted tank club.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by Crispino Ramos

diy CO2 using yeast and sugar, low light plants, diy substrate, shop work light from a hardware store, use concrete blocks and scrap wood for a stand, browse craigslist for equipments, check out Goodwill for used tanks, join a local planted tank club.

here on the Denver cragslist area is a fully planted 75 gal tank with two canister filters, stand and T-5 HO light... and get this.... CO2 injected for only 250.00 lol wish I had the fundage.

[changyikhuan]

hey Noahma, u have any photos of ur tank? can i have a look of ur tank that u said without fertz n co2?

[changyikhuan]

erm, nvm. checked ur profile

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by changyikhuan

erm, nvm. checked ur profile

the tank called "second life" is my low tech tank.

[lauraleellbp]

I don't use ferts or CO2 with any of my tanks, links are in my signature.

The trick is picking the right light fixture for your tank. Start with your tank first, then we can make recommendations for light fixtures that will put you at just the right light level to support plant growth, but not so much that you'll have to add CO2.

After you pick out your light fixture, then you can start picking out plant species that have the best chances of doing well at that light level.

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by changyikhuan

hey Noahma, u have any photos of ur tank?

Here is his tread.

Yeh, lights first, for most expensive item and is the engine.

I have found weather or not you need ferts depends on your lights, plants, how the city treats your water. You can definately get by not dosing anything with ferns, anubias and moss. With crypts, which are green, you can just add root tabs.

[changyikhuan]

well, erm, i choose the light based on my plants right? which plants are suitable for which kind of lighting??

[lauraleellbp]

Actually you need to decide on lighting and CO2 and then go from there.

Your basic choices are setting up a low light/low tech tank (with either no CO2 or perhaps DIY CO2 or Excel), a moderate light tank which requires either DIY CO2 or Excel), or a high light tank which requires a pressurized CO2 setup.

The lower the lighting, the lower the initial startup cost and ongoing maintenance required to keep the tank looking nice. My own low light tanks I probably work on an hour or two each month. Go with a high light tank and you'll need to spend probably an hour or more each week minimum to keep up with it.

[Hilde]

Check out the El Natural method. She add crushed coral, which will raise the ph. Here is a list of low light plants. Beware the stem plants are cheap but may need ferts.

[changyikhuan]

should i put oxygen for the fish or i don't need because the plant will be less of CO2?