Custom set-up or Fluval Ebi Shrimp/Fluval Floral Planted

Callyft · 10-14-2012, 01:30 AM

Setting up my second planted tank (first one is in the office). Will go with a variety of lower-light plants and add shrimp later.

Trying to decide between a homemade set-up (more $) with the following:

Tank: most likely ADA one, under 10 gallons
Substrate: Eco-complete, possible capped with sand
Lights: Hampton Bay Home Depot, unsure of bulb
Filter: Aquaclear 30 HOB or Aquaclear 20 if tank is very small

or

Fluval Ebi Nano Shrimp (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=23682)

or

Fluval Floral Planted Tank
(http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=23677)

Thoughts?

vnghost · 10-14-2012, 02:42 AM

Most people are going to tell you to do a home built over a kit because you will probably replace everything except the tank. I have a fluval flora and love it but I replaced everything. I did find use for the other stuff though so it worked out In My favor.

somewhatshocked · 10-14-2012, 02:28 PM

You'll have more flexibility if you create your own setup, honesty. If you buy an Ebi/Flora, you'll have to sell and replace the internal filter and rip out the styro background. Really enjoyed my Ebi but added lighting, my own filtration, etc.

You can't cap Eco-Complete with sand - it will eventually settle beneath the EC. Go with one or the other. They're both inert and contain no plant nutrition unless you add it to the tank yourself.

Stormtracker · 10-14-2012, 04:54 PM

Really depends on your goals and plants you want to keep. I have an ebi and use the light and filter that came with it. My low light plants are doing great and I wouldn't hesitate getting another one.

**Rob in Puyallup** · 10-14-2012, 06:34 PM

I have a Fluval Ebi up and running now for several months. Used what came in the box. I did add another lamp, though not sure it's really necessary. The moss, ferns and assorted floating plants seem more than happy, and RCS are making babies. Several berried RCS and BCS too.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

**Rob in Puyallup** · 10-14-2012, 06:42 PM

That's baby cherries and berried crystal reds and blacks. :-)

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

10-14-2012, 01:30 AM	#1
Callyft Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: USA Posts: 23	Custom set-up or Fluval Ebi Shrimp/Fluval Floral Planted Setting up my second planted tank (first one is in the office). Will go with a variety of lower-light plants and add shrimp later. Trying to decide between a homemade set-up (more $) with the following: Tank: most likely ADA one, under 10 gallons Substrate: Eco-complete, possible capped with sand Lights: Hampton Bay Home Depot, unsure of bulb Filter: Aquaclear 30 HOB or Aquaclear 20 if tank is very small or Fluval Ebi Nano Shrimp (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=23682) or Fluval Floral Planted Tank (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=23677) Thoughts?

10-14-2012, 02:28 PM	#3
somewhatshocked Obsessed? Maybe (View User Tanks) PTrader: (278/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 8,329	You'll have more flexibility if you create your own setup, honesty. If you buy an Ebi/Flora, you'll have to sell and replace the internal filter and rip out the styro background. Really enjoyed my Ebi but added lighting, my own filtration, etc. You can't cap Eco-Complete with sand - it will eventually settle beneath the EC. Go with one or the other. They're both inert and contain no plant nutrition unless you add it to the tank yourself. __________________ 12gal Long \| 20L Shrimp Tanks \| 3gal Longs \| 10gal \| 45-F \| 5.5gal \| Triple Cubes

10-14-2012, 06:34 PM	#5
Rob in Puyallup Opae Ula Crazed. (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,272	I have a Fluval Ebi up and running now for several months. Used what came in the box. I did add another lamp, though not sure it's really necessary. The moss, ferns and assorted floating plants seem more than happy, and RCS are making babies. Several berried RCS and BCS too. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 Attached Thumbnails

10-14-2012, 06:42 PM	#6
Rob in Puyallup Opae Ula Crazed. (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,272	That's baby cherries and berried crystal reds and blacks. :-) Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ 35 gal Hex Shrimp and Celestial Pearl Danio ;29 gallon Endler's only;Petco Bookshelf 6.6 gal Crystal Shrimp and Hitchhiking CPD fry tank; Bookshelf 6.6 gal Brackish Opae Ula Shrimp; Fluval Ebi 7.9 gal assorted Shrimp only.; 10 gallon Opae Ula tank, started Nov 21, 2012. Opae Ula, Hawaiian Red Shrimp, SuperShrimp, whatever...Journal Now... I'm out of room!

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10-14-2012, 02:42 AM	#2
vnghost Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 216	Most people are going to tell you to do a home built over a kit because you will probably replace everything except the tank. I have a fluval flora and love it but I replaced everything. I did find use for the other stuff though so it worked out In My favor.

10-14-2012, 04:54 PM	#4
Stormtracker Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 10	Really depends on your goals and plants you want to keep. I have an ebi and use the light and filter that came with it. My low light plants are doing great and I wouldn't hesitate getting another one.