Intro

[RichC]

Hey everybody.

I decided to get back into aquariums a few months ago after a dozen year break. I setup a small 29 gallon reef aquarium first, and now I've started a 34 gallon freshwater plant aquarium.

For this one, I think I'm going to go with an all Anubias low tech tank. The substrate is 30lbs Fluorite, 20lbs sand, 10lbs small gravel, and 10lbs medium gravel. I also have a few nice pieces of drift wood, and some petrified wood. I've gotten some Anubias Nana, Congensis, and Afzelii so far. I'm going to add a bed of Petite in the foreground, and a few others.

For live stock, I want a school of Cardinal Tetras, a school of Celestial Pearl Danios, a group of Pygmy Cories, and a group of Ottos.

After reading up on some of the posts here, I thought that it would be a good idea to join. There seems to be a lot of experience and knowledge here that could be quite beneficial. Also, I really enjoy interacting with people that have similar interests.

[CatB]

there's no reason you need a high CEC substrate like fluorite if you're going for anubias, as they get all their nutrients from the water column and can't be planted in substrate. i'd save it for something else if it were me.

[RichC]

I know, good advice, but the Fluorite is already in there. Considering that I'm typically a reef guy, a couple extra dollars on substrate really doesn't scare me. Also, I still may not do only Anubias. I could very easily end up modifying my plans. It's been known to happen. Plus, I've always had good luck with the roots of Anubias in the substrate and their rhizomes exposed.

[RichC]

I probably didn't introduce myself well enough. I'm actually the Sr. Systems Engineer for a large company. I have a severe problem with leaving anything simple. Even though, right now, I sincerely have the desire to build a low tech Anubias tank, anyone who actually knows me would be saying "Yeah, right." I'm even thinking it to myself already. Just to be honest, in the end, this will probably end up a CO2 injected system with custom built LED lighting instead of a low tech tank. It will be interesting to see how long I last on the original idea though. As an example, the 29 gallon reef I just setup as a softie only tank, now has custom LED lighting, a skimmer, UV sterilizer, refugium, and a metallic green frogspawn, a purple tipped green frogspawn, an open brain, and even a goniopora.

[microw]

Welcome back to the aquatic life. I'm new to it, so all I can do is try and be friendly. :D

[RichC]

That was definitely a friendly welcome.

I might as well be new. I've focused very heavily on reef tanks in the past and recently. I still really like a nicely planted freshwater tank though. I do not have the knowledge, experience, or artistic ability of many of the people here though when it comes to freshwater. Fortunately, I'm a quick study.

My Marineland Double Bright LED arrived today (actually Friday, but the receptionist at the office didn't bother to let me know). I was going to just use it, but it is too cool white, and it spotlights too much. I found that it and the dual tube T5 NO with a 6700K and Colormax in front of it, creates a very nice look. It looks like beams of sunlight coming through a vegetative canopy. Of course, with both, I think it will be too much light for an Anubias only tank. I'm thinking about a few Swords in the background, and would like to add a touch of red.

Any recommendations on a moderate light plant with a little red that's easy to take care of? I greatly prefer rooted plants and not bunched plants with a rubber band or weight around them holding them together.

Thanks

[GMYukonon24s]

Welcome Back