[Bear]

This will be my first attempt at a planted tank. As some of you might remember I have done a cichlid tank, and a 40g reef and and a 125g reef.

As of now the tank in question is sitting with gravel, a small internal canister filter, a 50 watt heater, and a coralife 10 watt 50/50 PC bulb.

The plans

substrate: 20 lbs of eco-complete
lighting: 1 coralife colormax 20 watt bulb (6700k)
Livestock: not too sure, There is a betta in the tank now, I was thinking of replacing him with a school of dwarf rasaboras
Filtration: I figured I would keep the internal filter for now, but hopefully replace it with a HOB
Flora: Im not sure.
CO2: Not sure here either

If I only ran one bulb would I need CO2?
Would a DIY CO2 be enough?
Would it be a better idea to run 2 bulbs?
Would I need CO2 then?
What could I keep?
Any suggestions, comments, etc?

thanks for the help in advance, Hopefully you guys can help make this tank a successful as the rest of my tanks.

 

[eklikewhoa]

20lbs in a 7.5g? I don't think you have to worry about anything in that tank cause it will be covered in substrate.

I have 18w over my 2.5g and no co2 with about 1lb of flora base and the plant growth is good with barely any algae.

 

[Bear]

yea...guess i wasnt thinkin there, how about a 2-3" base?

 

[epicfish]

20lbs in a 7.5g? I don't think you have to worry about anything in that tank cause it will be covered in substrate.

Hahha. I love your humor.

Do you have pressurized in your 2.5g? (Sorry for the hijack).

Otherwise, the plan looks good...I'd have 2-3" in the front with maybe 4-5" in the back, depending on where it is. Gives depth to your tank.

 

[eklikewhoa]

:biggrin: Sorry for forgetting about the smileys.... :biggrin:


I am not adding any co2 or carbon to my tank, right now I think it is at a happy medium with the lighting and all cause I don't dose any ferts or carbon and there is good growth in the tank.

here are some pictures before and after changing out some plants....

The browning of the moss is actually growing back from being shaded in another tank.

 

[epicfish]

Where'd you get those brass tracks? And what'd you glue them on with? I have the Coralife 2x9w too. I'm not sure if I should put it on the glass top or not.

 

[eklikewhoa]

The brass tracks are from a r/c hobby shop, they come in long pieces which you have to cut down in length and cut slits in them. The legs I got from here.

The brass squares are held on with servo tape which can also be found at the r/c shop, for a more permanent setup you could use some sort of epoxy/superglue.

I have some of the brass square I believe and if I can find it, servo tape.....

 

[Bear]

so from what i have said would it be better to run a 1 or 2 bulb set up?

 

[eklikewhoa]

Ooops sorry for the hijack...

-I would ditch the 50/50...not sure if you plan on it replacing one with the colormax or both but replacing both is a better choice.
-With the screw in bulbs expect to loose half the available light produced due to the design.
-Seachem Excel is a good carbon alternative for small tanks.
-I would run both 20w colormax bulbs over the 7.5g with Seachem Excel.
-You might get away with no carbon at all but I would at least dose Excel to begin with.

 

[Bear]

i guess i dont understand what you mean by excel and carbon. when i have used carbon before it was for filtration, is that what you mean? what is excel?

 

[eklikewhoa]

Seachem Excel

 

[Bear]

ok, well than now it is just a matter of time before it is all set up and running. Hopefully within the next week I can make a run down to The Home Depot and the fish store to get supplies.