Newbie with a new 30 Gallon Tank

1713 Views 22 Replies 5 Participants Last post by llayz, Apr 12, 2014

llayz

Discussion Starter · Feb 24, 2014 (Edited)

5

The New Tank Measurements

My bad on the post topic, i thought it was a 30 but actually is a 36g

L -30inch
H- 21inch
W-15 1/2inch

PS. Glass is not broken. thats my stuff in the fish tank stand :hihi:

Hey guys,

This is my first post so bare with me :help::confused1::help:

So I just got a new free tank today. I'm planning to move my current 30g to the new 30g.. Since I am starting fresh I wanted to scape it a little and set up the substrate and plants before adding water/fish.

I need help on scaping, since I have never done it before and was looking for suggestions.

My goal for the tank is easy growing plants that doesn't require a lot of light nor CO2 injection (I already have a DIY co2 setup for my current tank but it is not being used, so If i need to i am willing to set it up and pump co2). I do however want plants to carpet the floor and have a lot of green basically filling up the whole tank. My goal is to have the tank have a forestly natural look to it.

I also need help on finding a light fixture for this tank.. My old one is way too small. Not looking to spend too much, But I do want a High light setup just in case i decide on getting plants that require high light and a timer on it switch on it as well. I also want it to be LED.

I feel like i'm asking a lot for u guys so please go easy on me lol thanks in advance.. Let me know if you guys want any better pictures.

Questions............

I really hate this about my new tank.. Can I cut this piece off?? Planning on a open hood Tank. I wanted to take off all the plastic on the top to make it look like an edge less glass like my current one but I read it wasn't advised to do so

I currently Have Fluval Stratum Substrate mixed with sand. But I remember reading you can buy a bag of substrate (a specific brand dirt) from home depot for really cheap compared to the fluval stratum substrate? If I can't go the home depot route I was thinking about transferring some of my old substrate and mixing it with a new bag of fluval stratum?? Is the sand bad ??

Here is my current stock of plants that I'm planning on moving over to the new tank.

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

TECKSPEED

· #2 · Feb 24, 2014

Welcome to TPT

As far as substrate if you plan on moving plants a lot don't go with dirt it will get messy for you, been there done that lol. If you like to rescape things I'd suggest going with something like eco complete or something similar. Now if you want to use dirt you can get miracle grow organic choice potting mix at home Depot for about 5 dollars or so. I'd get two bags for that tank and then you can put your sand/fluval stuff on top for the cap. It's up to you the possibilities are endless.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

GBRguy

· #3 · Feb 24, 2014

from the dimensions you gave I think that's a 36 gallon bowfront.(same as mine). personally I wouldn't remove that brace. Plus it doesn't really effect the light all that much. As far as the light I have a 30 inch finnex ray 2 on mine and it is very bright. I just recently stopped using co2 and I am fighting algea. good luck with the new tank.

llayz

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 25, 2014 (Edited)

TECKSPEED said:
Welcome to TPT

As far as substrate if you plan on moving plants a lot don't go with dirt it will get messy for you, been there done that lol. If you like to rescape things I'd suggest going with something like eco complete or something similar. Now if you want to use dirt you can get miracle grow organic choice potting mix at home Depot for about 5 dollars or so. I'd get two bags for that tank and then you can put your sand/fluval stuff on top for the cap. It's up to you the possibilities are endless.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

I was thinking of going dirt sense I won't be using any type of ferts (if i dont have to) or anything like that.. I was going to do a hardscape and once i like it, I'll plant and leave it alone.. only trimming and other maintenance would be touched in the tank.

GBRguy said:
from the dimensions you gave I think that's a 36 gallon bowfront.(same as mine). personally I wouldn't remove that brace. Plus it doesn't really effect the light all that much. As far as the light I have a 30 inch finnex ray 2 on mine and it is very bright. I just recently stopped using co2 and I am fighting algea. good luck with the new tank.

Yeah I noticed it when I went into Petsmart today.. i was like sweet bigger tank! lol As for the lighting do you have any pictures of it?? does it penetrate enough for me to grow dwarf grass? or any other simple carpeted plants? I was reading in the light section that some people need two and the visual lighting isn't that appealing

TECKSPEED

· #5 · Feb 25, 2014

2

Well for dwarf hair grass co2 is strongly encouraged for it to properly root and such, yes I do have pictures for you!

My 10 gallon with the planted plus fixture

My 20 gallon with a planted plus fixture

Both of these tanks follow the same schedule lights on from 9 to Noon then 5 to 7am. I dose generic excel(glutaraldehyde) and also dose macro on Monday and micros on Tuesday and a after change on Sunday. In the 20 glow is dwarf sag planted pretty thick, this gives a nice carpet effect and it is such an easy plant to grow.

Any questions just ask.

-TECKSPEED

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

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randpost

· #6 · Feb 25, 2014

The Ray 2 has a lot of penetration :x

Plenty of videos on Youtube. Its a good LED fixture for deeper tanks. I would venture a guess that you will end up around 18-20" from light to substrate.

GBRguy

· #7 · Feb 25, 2014

I don't have any pics at the moment. I will advise if you don't wont to use co2 I would think about getting the planted+. like I said the ray 2 is very bright. I stopped using co2 and raised the light about 4 inches above the tank and still getting some serious algae.

llayz

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 25, 2014

GBRguy said:
I don't have any pics at the moment. I will advise if you don't wont to use co2 I would think about getting the planted+. like I said the ray 2 is very bright. I stopped using co2 and raised the light about 4 inches above the tank and still getting some serious algae.

What is planted +??

What filter are you using? And your bioload?

I'm still snooping around. I need to read about what type of lighting I need still and pars and all that. Have no clue about it.

llayz

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 25, 2014

randpost said:
The Ray 2 has a lot of penetration :x

Plenty of videos on Youtube. Its a good LED fixture for deeper tanks. I would venture a guess that you will end up around 18-20" from light to substrate.

So mine is considered deep?? Will I be able to grow plants that require high light. And if I have low light plants will they get hurt from the high light??

Or will I get Algee issues?

GBRguy

· #10 · Feb 25, 2014

I have an ac 70 hob filter. planted+ is the newest finnex fixture. I don't think its quite as bright as the ray 2 but incorporates red leds for a broader spectrum. Just check out the sponsor section under finnex/Schubert wright. tons of questions and reviews about both lights.

TECKSPEED

· #11 · Feb 25, 2014

You will be able to grow MOST plants with the planted plus and dirted substrate. Now some plants need co2 to flourish I run generic excel which is 35 dollars for a gallon and you dilute that to make a mixture of 2.5 excel just like seachem sells.

Again most plants will do fine. If you choose water column stems you might need to dose some ferts to the water column but try it without first and see how it goes. I would stick with root feeders if you do go dirted they will grow awesome once they establish themselves.

Also, it is personal opinion on which one you get, although I'd hate to see you get the ray2 and then have algae problems it can get discouraging quickly when that happens. Again it is personal preference but do check out the finnex sponsor section many good questions on there

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llayz

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 25, 2014 (Edited)

GBRguy said:
I have an ac 70 hob filter. planted+ is the newest finnex fixture. I don't think its quite as bright as the ray 2 but incorporates red leds for a broader spectrum. Just check out the sponsor section under finnex/Schubert wright. tons of questions and reviews about both lights.

Checking out videos and I like the planted + .. it really makes the colors pop. As long as it gives enough light to the plants.. I like broader spectrum of light.

TECKSPEED said:
You will be able to grow MOST plants with the planted plus and dirted substrate. Now some plants need co2 to flourish I run generic excel which is 35 dollars for a gallon and you dilute that to make a mixture of 2.5 excel just like seachem sells.

Again most plants will do fine. If you choose water column stems you might need to dose some ferts to the water column but try it without first and see how it goes. I would stick with root feeders if you do go dirted they will grow awesome once they establish themselves.

Also, it is personal opinion on which one you get, although I'd hate to see you get the ray2 and then have algae problems it can get discouraging quickly when that happens. Again it is personal preference but do check out the finnex sponsor section many good questions on there

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

I have no clue what u meant when you said "water column" and "root feeders" I don't know what those are. Sorry new to this hobbie so i don't know much.. I think I am going to order the finnex ray 2 planted + sense everyone has been recommending it. Its $90.00 on amazon right now..

llayz

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 26, 2014

randpost said:
The Ray 2 has a lot of penetration :x

Plenty of videos on Youtube. Its a good LED fixture for deeper tanks. I would venture a guess that you will end up around 18-20" from light to substrate.

Yeah it's 21 inches deep. I've read a lot of comments saying the planted+ isn't enough light. But in YouTube videos it seems good. Will I get enough par for carpeted plants??

llayz

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 26, 2014

TECKSPEED said:
Well for dwarf hair grass co2 is strongly encouraged for it to properly root and such, yes I do have pictures for you!

My 10 gallon with the planted plus fixture

My 20 gallon with a planted plus fixture

Both of these tanks follow the same schedule lights on from 9 to Noon then 5 to 7am. I dose generic excel(glutaraldehyde) and also dose macro on Monday and micros on Tuesday and a after change on Sunday. In the 20 glow is dwarf sag planted pretty thick, this gives a nice carpet effect and it is such an easy plant to grow.

Any questions just ask.

-TECKSPEED

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

Wow that's a lot of light. Will it be the same for my tank? I feel like that black bar in the middle is going to block a lot of the leds

TECKSPEED

· #15 · Feb 26, 2014

First off let me ask how much you know about balance and light with fertilizer with co2? Are you relatively familiar with these things? Just to get a basis of where we should start.

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MrSlumpy

· #16 · Feb 26, 2014

Don't remove the center brace from your bowfront tank.

I have the same tank with a Ray2 and it's been great. Would like to try the Planted+ as well but it came out a while after I put my tanks together, so maybe next time. I'm using CO2 and fertilizing daily (EI)

TECKSPEED

· #17 · Feb 26, 2014

Are you familiar with the basics as far as lighting with nutrients with co2 basically it comes down to balance all of these need to have a certain role in your tank to get the best out of your aquarium? I would recommend the planted plus for you, with this you don't necessarily need to know about co2 and fertilizer you can ease into that later on.

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llayz

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 26, 2014 (Edited)

TECKSPEED said:
First off let me ask how much you know about balance and light with fertilizer with co2? Are you relatively familiar with these things? Just to get a basis of where we should start.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

Nope. I never used any of that in my current tank. I just tossed them in and watched them grow. I just know I need a lot of light to pen iterate 21" down. The co2 I just tried but didn't see a difference. It's a diy 2 letter bottle.

GBRguy

· #19 · Feb 26, 2014

the reason TECKSPEED is asking, is with a ray 2 you will need co2 and some basic knowledge of dosing ferts. as far as root feeders that is plants that take in nutrients through roots that are buried in your substrate. water column well most stem plants get nutrients from the water column that is all around them. that is why you dose ferts in the water. its a personal decision your gonna have to make on the light. if you want more light and broader range of plants get the ray 2. you will need to research co2 and dosing ferts. if you want less light and less maintenance go with the planted+.

TECKSPEED

· #20 · Feb 26, 2014

GBRguy said:
the reason TECKSPEED is asking, is with a ray 2 you will need co2 and some basic knowledge of dosing ferts. as far as root feeders that is plants that take in nutrients through roots that are buried in your substrate. water column well most stem plants get nutrients from the water column that is all around them. that is why you dose ferts in the water. its a personal decision your gonna have to make on the light. if you want more light and broader range of plants get the ray 2. you will need to research co2 and dosing ferts. if you want less light and less maintenance go with the planted+.

Thanks, you summed up what I was about to type, based of of the "just want to put them in and watch them grow" I would go with a dirted substrate and the planted+, now if you really want to research and learn I say go for the ray2 but you must understand you will get algae until you get the balance right (balance between light, fertilizer, and co2) it can get frustrating very easily. But if you do your research and take your time you will be okay.

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