First Planted Tank, Small Scale Project.

Woolly · 02-15-2013, 12:04 PM

I thought it was best to find a community such as this to voice my concerns and questions before initially setting up my first planted tank. I have experience with fresh water tanks but nothing this small, or planted. I'm also planning on having one or two dwarf crays, because I may as well go full out for what I've always wanted.

So to sum it up.. new guy, new tank, new to inverts... are you rolling your eyes yet?

Last night I picked up a Fluval flora tank setup. I was initially going to piece a set together myself because they wanted high money for this... but due to sale I grabbed the whole set for 40 bucks. The specs are as follows:

30L (7.9 gal)
35cm x 30cm x 30cm (13.8" x 11.8" x 11.8")
Glass cover with Corner Supports
Fluval Nano Filter,
Fluval Mini Power Compact Lamp
Fluval Mini 20g CO2 Kit,
Fluval Plant Stratum 2kg (4.4lb)
Rock Background
Plant Gro 30ml (1oz)
Nano Thermometer
Planting Tongs with Curved End
Protection Mat, Plant Care Guide
I'll be specifically setting up the plants the first few weeks to get the hand of it before adding the dwarf crays, but I would like some advice. A list of hardy, invert friendly, easy plants would be particularly helpful. The local stores (all two of them in a 200 mile radius) only have the very most basic and common plants.. so suggests which fall in line with that would be great.

Any other initial tips on either the plants or inverts will also be noted and appreciated. I'm jumping in with both feet on this one!

**DrakeScree** · 02-15-2013, 12:27 PM

Where can I buy that for $40???

Woolly · 02-15-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrakeScree

Where can I buy that for $40???

I got it at my local "Pets Unlimited" - They had about 9 and the owner said they just need to get rid of them to free up space. He also gave me a 9 dollar coupon for my first invert purchase. They were first marked up as 160.00, discounted, discounted again, and this was their last effort to try to get them sold. Just the filter that comes with it in the box was marked up for 40 bucks.. so it was a great price.

They will make their money back on fish sales though, they are rather expensive... their "Yellow Dwarf Crayfish" which I assume are miss identified CPOs or Cajun (If not I'm unsure of the species.) sell for around 20 bucks a piece (I'll be getting 2, and doing everything I can to keep them alive for a long time. I may even go for breeding).

**karce87** · 02-15-2013, 12:47 PM

I want one of those too! About plants, you can't go wrong with anubias or ferns

Woolly · 02-15-2013, 01:10 PM

I'll check out Anubias, and Ferns. The store does have those available.

My main concern now is if I should go with a, I guess you could call it soil, bottom.. or keep the plants in pots with a sandy or some other bottom. I wouldn't mind the soil, but I no nothing about maintaining it cleaning, replacing, replanting... etc. I'm also worried it may not be the best option for crayfish.

The guy I talked too said it was quite fine, but he was also selling me the tank. He's been good all other times, but I just want second opinions. Fluval Plant Stratum 2kg, is the stuff in question and I can't get any leads on how it works with an invert tank.

tomciu · 02-15-2013, 02:18 PM

While mine has only been running for 7 weeks, I have a 5G planted shrimp tank and I used the Fluval plant stratum, all of my plants already show good signs of new growth. I have a few dozen RCS fry now that are absolutely loving the christmas moss I attached to some driftwood.

Woolly · 02-15-2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomciu

While mine has only been running for 7 weeks, I have a 5G planted shrimp tank and I used the Fluval plant stratum, all of my plants already show good signs of new growth. I have a few dozen RCS fry now that are absolutely loving the christmas moss I attached to some driftwood.

Apparently it is quite safe, and one less thing to worry about. Thanks for the reply. I may go the RCS route some day myself, best of luck.

joey24dirt · 02-15-2013, 05:44 PM

I think the only difference between the plant stratum and the shrimp stratum is the diameter of the balls. Could be wrong though but I'm pretty sure that's the main difference. I too have a 5gal tank (fluval spec) with fluval plant stratum for the substrate. The rcs and crs don't seem to mind at all

The Big Buddha · 02-15-2013, 06:47 PM

Sweet deal, I saw them at a LFS in montreal on sale for 99$. 40$ is crazy cheap !
I had one of those filters in my RCS tank and did not like it at all.

Good Luck- Post some pics !

02-15-2013, 12:04 PM	#1
Woolly Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 10	First Planted Tank, Small Scale Project. I thought it was best to find a community such as this to voice my concerns and questions before initially setting up my first planted tank. I have experience with fresh water tanks but nothing this small, or planted. I'm also planning on having one or two dwarf crays, because I may as well go full out for what I've always wanted. So to sum it up.. new guy, new tank, new to inverts... are you rolling your eyes yet? Last night I picked up a Fluval flora tank setup. I was initially going to piece a set together myself because they wanted high money for this... but due to sale I grabbed the whole set for 40 bucks. The specs are as follows: 30L (7.9 gal) 35cm x 30cm x 30cm (13.8" x 11.8" x 11.8") Glass cover with Corner Supports Fluval Nano Filter, Fluval Mini Power Compact Lamp Fluval Mini 20g CO2 Kit, Fluval Plant Stratum 2kg (4.4lb) Rock Background Plant Gro 30ml (1oz) Nano Thermometer Planting Tongs with Curved End Protection Mat, Plant Care Guide I'll be specifically setting up the plants the first few weeks to get the hand of it before adding the dwarf crays, but I would like some advice. A list of hardy, invert friendly, easy plants would be particularly helpful. The local stores (all two of them in a 200 mile radius) only have the very most basic and common plants.. so suggests which fall in line with that would be great. Any other initial tips on either the plants or inverts will also be noted and appreciated. I'm jumping in with both feet on this one!

02-15-2013, 05:44 PM	#8
joey24dirt Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: North Yorkshire, UK Posts: 112	I think the only difference between the plant stratum and the shrimp stratum is the diameter of the balls. Could be wrong though but I'm pretty sure that's the main difference. I too have a 5gal tank (fluval spec) with fluval plant stratum for the substrate. The rcs and crs don't seem to mind at all __________________ joey24dirt

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-15-2013, 12:27 PM	#2
DrakeScree Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 223	Where can I buy that for $40???

02-15-2013, 12:47 PM	#4
karce87 Long-time Lurker (View User Tanks) PTrader: (21/100%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 149	I want one of those too! About plants, you can't go wrong with anubias or ferns

02-15-2013, 01:10 PM	#5
Woolly Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 10	I'll check out Anubias, and Ferns. The store does have those available. My main concern now is if I should go with a, I guess you could call it soil, bottom.. or keep the plants in pots with a sandy or some other bottom. I wouldn't mind the soil, but I no nothing about maintaining it cleaning, replacing, replanting... etc. I'm also worried it may not be the best option for crayfish. The guy I talked too said it was quite fine, but he was also selling me the tank. He's been good all other times, but I just want second opinions. Fluval Plant Stratum 2kg, is the stuff in question and I can't get any leads on how it works with an invert tank.

02-15-2013, 02:18 PM	#6
tomciu Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15	While mine has only been running for 7 weeks, I have a 5G planted shrimp tank and I used the Fluval plant stratum, all of my plants already show good signs of new growth. I have a few dozen RCS fry now that are absolutely loving the christmas moss I attached to some driftwood.

02-15-2013, 06:47 PM	#9
The Big Buddha Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 117	Sweet deal, I saw them at a LFS in montreal on sale for 99$. 40$ is crazy cheap ! I had one of those filters in my RCS tank and did not like it at all. Good Luck- Post some pics !