Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted here. I'm in the process of closing on my first home and the move in date is at the end of October. I've discussed with my fiancé for years how its my wish to setup a 50g high tech planted tank in our living room which she's agreed too. For the past 3 years I've run a 30g tall high tech setup in our bedroom. I had to bring the substrate up about 4-5" to get enough PAR at the substrate level for good carpet growth. I used a c02 paintball tank setup but with the new setup I want to run full sized c02 tank so I don't have to worry about constantly refilling the c02 tank. That means I'll have to invest in a new regulator/solenoid. There's also many more places I can tank a full tank to whereas I'm much more limited with the paintball tank setup. I'm looking for recommendations on where to get a good deal on a tank, stand, filter, lighting etc. I don't think I can really reuse anything from my 30g setup. . .
One of the things I've learned through my experience with the current setup is that I don't need the fancy expensive planted LED lights I've invested in in the past. That's not to say I don't want to invest in decent LED lights, but I just want something that delivers the right amount of PAR to the substrate level and that's it. I can buy my own outlet timer, etc. I don't need an LED light that simulates thunderstorms. . . Really looking forward to starting this new setup! I'm going to use ADA aquasoil amazonia substrate system. I'm not going to run a pH controller, I just plan on using a drop checker. My last setup I grew dwarf hairgrass as my carpeting plant successfully, this time I'd like to experiment with dwarf baby tears. I learned a lot over the past few years running my first setup, would definitely like to try a few new things!
Any suggestions would be helpful. I just want to run a "basic" high tech setup. I need to keep cost down since there will be a lot of other expenses to pay for when moving into the new house. What dimensions should I look for to run a successful high tech planted setup in a 50g tank? I'm assuming 18" is to tall, I know they have "low boy" tanks out there that are only 12" tall. What do you guys think the optimal distance is from the lighting to the substrate for good carpet growth? I think that's definitely my number one question here. Thanks!
One of the things I've learned through my experience with the current setup is that I don't need the fancy expensive planted LED lights I've invested in in the past. That's not to say I don't want to invest in decent LED lights, but I just want something that delivers the right amount of PAR to the substrate level and that's it. I can buy my own outlet timer, etc. I don't need an LED light that simulates thunderstorms. . . Really looking forward to starting this new setup! I'm going to use ADA aquasoil amazonia substrate system. I'm not going to run a pH controller, I just plan on using a drop checker. My last setup I grew dwarf hairgrass as my carpeting plant successfully, this time I'd like to experiment with dwarf baby tears. I learned a lot over the past few years running my first setup, would definitely like to try a few new things!
Any suggestions would be helpful. I just want to run a "basic" high tech setup. I need to keep cost down since there will be a lot of other expenses to pay for when moving into the new house. What dimensions should I look for to run a successful high tech planted setup in a 50g tank? I'm assuming 18" is to tall, I know they have "low boy" tanks out there that are only 12" tall. What do you guys think the optimal distance is from the lighting to the substrate for good carpet growth? I think that's definitely my number one question here. Thanks!
