[timelord03]

questions

so, i have a 5 gallon Marineland portrait tank and i would like to do a setup like this. The only problem is expenses, so i was wondering if you had any advice you can give me for trying to set up something like yours in a tank like that. it has a separating wall in the back that separates the cartridge filter and submerged pump from the rest of the tank. I would like to take this out and possibly use an out-of-tank filter, but they are all so expensive, or would it be better if i use no filter at all (if it is heavily planted) and just do more frequent water changes? I also would like to find affordable lighting for my tank as well, so if you had any advice about any lights that i could use for a small tank. (its only 9 3/4'' across, so i would for sure need a smaller light, but still a good quality one). I would also like to keep it a low-maintenance/tech tank as well, so if you had any advice for that, that would be much appreciated.

Im sorry for all of the questions, but i am fairly new to this, so i would just like some instruction so that i do it right the first time. Thanks!

 

[Chizpa305]

so, i have a 5 gallon Marineland portrait tank and i would like to do a setup like this. The only problem is expenses, so i was wondering if you had any advice you can give me for trying to set up something like yours in a tank like that. it has a separating wall in the back that separates the cartridge filter and submerged pump from the rest of the tank. I would like to take this out and possibly use an out-of-tank filter, but they are all so expensive, or would it be better if i use no filter at all (if it is heavily planted) and just do more frequent water changes? I also would like to find affordable lighting for my tank as well, so if you had any advice about any lights that i could use for a small tank. (its only 9 3/4'' across, so i would for sure need a smaller light, but still a good quality one). I would also like to keep it a low-maintenance/tech tank as well, so if you had any advice for that, that would be much appreciated.

Im sorry for all of the questions, but i am fairly new to this, so i would just like some instruction so that i do it right the first time. Thanks!

I started just like you, bought the tank, that came with a very crappy "filter" (it was more of a decoration than a filter) and "light" if you can call it that, but not really intended for planted tanks (see picture below). At first I tried my luck and added some marsilea crenata, and to my surprice, it was growing, but extremelly slowly and not very healthy at all. I wasn't having too much problems with algae because the light was quite low, but I was very limited to what I could do with that crappy filter and light. I am sure that you can still get slightly better ones for an affordable price, but you will still be limited to the type of plants that you can grow in it. You would need to look for low light plants and such that would do ok. I would not recommend using no filter at all, because this will only bring trouble in my opinion and it's not worth it. If you can't afford a canister filter, then just keep the one that you have.

After some time of getting nowhere, I went ahead and bought a decent filter and light. If you want to have a scape like mine, I can only recommend the equipment that I use since I don't know how a different light / filter might affect the results. I currently use on this tank the Eheim 2211 filter, which costs about $90, and the Finnex Fugeray 10 inch light, which costs about $35. I've had both for some time now and they keep working without issues.

 

[timelord03]

Ok thank you. I really want to try to fix my tank up, but with having a low budget, and trying to save for college, I don't have the most money to spend on things like my tank, sadly. I did post something 5 mins ago on the general forum, and am hoping I can get some help and advice. This was helpful, and thank you for taking the time to answer. I really hope that I can get my tank to the point that yours is at! Its quite a good looking tank!