‘Simple but nice’ is the mantra here.
After exiting the hobby in 2016, I am getting back into it. I learned a lot with my previous 40 breeder and it’s starting to come back to me (thanks primarily to this forum). That one started as a low tech and quickly evolved into a maintenance heavy high light CO2 stem growing machine. This time around, I want to find a middle ground between low tech and high tech. Ideally being able to grow and sustain most plants but without being a complicated and maintenance heavy tank.
This is the equipment I have selected:
Tank: Landen 90p. I chose this due to having similar dimensions to a 40B and being familiar with that footprint. I’m a sucker for rimless tanks.
Stand: DIY but inspired by the UNS tank stands. It’s nowhere near the same level of quality, but much cheaper at only $75 in materials. Going DIY was also a good excuse to acquire some new tools.
Light: CurrentUSA Serene Sun LE PRO. I couldn’t find much info on this light, but I’m excited to give it a shot. I wanted a remote operated light with a built in timer, color adjustability, and a mid-grade price. CurrentUSA claims decent PAR and the spectrum will help support reds. Only time will tell if it works out.
Filter: UNS 120 with stainless lily pipes. Seems adequate for my needs.
Heater: Hydor in-line ETH-200. I perceive some controversy with these but I had good experiences with them in the past. I got a deal on an opened box that I couldn’t pass up.
CO2: FZONE Pro Series Aquarium Dual Stage CO2 Regulator with 5lb bottle. This one seems to be a mimic of the UNS dual stage regulator. It had decent reviews and was cheaper so I figured I’d give it a shot. For now, I’m using an Aquario Neo Co2 Diffuser and drop checker.
Fertilizers: For now, leaning towards ATP Complete with an autodoser.
For hardscape I ordered some Manzanita Driftwood and 15lb Manten Stone from Pet Zone SD. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too pleased with what I received but that’s the price I paid for buying sight unseen. I think I’ll end up using it since I bought it already, but I would probably spend more and but WYSISWYG if I could do it again.
For substrate, I initially ordered 10L of extra fine Controsoil in black from Aquascape Supply. My plan was to use that for a carpet area with BDBS in the non-carpet area. Long story short, I found out they did not have it in stock like their site suggested with no ETA. It took entirely too much effort to find this out and I’m realizing I probably should have read reviews on Aquascape Supply before ordering. (Side note, I found out that Pet Zone SD and Aquascape Supply Co are one in the same). I can’t find Controsoil in black in stock anywhere so substrate is currently
TBD. I’m considering Aquasoil, straight BDBS, or anything in between. Suggestions are appreciated!
For plant livestock, I am not set in stone on anything. I’m considering a dry start for a carpeted area, and will likely go with DHG or HC Cuba, or a mixture of both. When I do fill, I would like to plant heavily off the bat so the plant list will largely depend on what’s available when I do plant. These are the species I have shortlisted for now:
Foreground
-Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘cuba’
-Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini'
-Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'
Midground
Reds:
-Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'
-Alternanthera rosanervig
-Ammania senegalensis
Greens:
-Hygrophila 'Araguaia'
Background
-Pogostemon erectus
For fish, snails, shrimp, etc. I am still somewhat undecided. I had a GBR pair in my 40B and really enjoyed them. I’d like another ‘centerpiece’ pair again, maybe even two pairs. 44gallons may be pushing it for that though. I’ll refine this list when I get closer to adding livestock. Here is my shortlist for now:
-Electric Blue ram pair
-Apisto pair
-Tetra variety schooling fish
-Corys
-SAE
-Amano shrimp
-Assassin snail if necessary
So that leaves me with a substrate dilemma. I’ll continue doing research and will likely make a decision based on what’s readily available without breaking the bank. I recognize each has pros and cons. ‘Simple but nice’.
Questions I currently have:
Will BDBS with no root tabs be sufficient for dry-start carpet growth?
Does anyone have experience with this light? I’d like to hear your experience.
Pictures for now. Once I have my substrate, I’ll begin scaping and update then.