plans for my new set-up

1226 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Antix, Dec 20, 2010

honda237

Discussion Starter · Dec 14, 2010 (Edited)

well i've had a nano with plants growing in it for a few months now, and i'm ready to upgrade to a 20g long (thats all i can fit in the house with all my other tanks), and i would like some help setting it up. I use cold sterile water, which the PH comes out to be 7.6. Here is the break down i am looking at doing.

20G long
Pressurized CO2 (1 bps, does that sounds ok?)
single bulb T5HO 67k (what brand do you recommend?)
Eheim 2215 with sponge over intake
Eheim Jager 75w heater
flourite black sand
Rootmedic root tabs
Rootmedic liquid ferts - 2 pumps every other day
glass diffuser for now, will get an inline soon

Plants:
Staurogyne repens
Blyxa japonica
some thing thats red and grows taller, suggestions?

Water creatures

12 CPDs
3 Green neons (might get more)
8 pygmy cories
Cherry shrimp

I want to say with T5HO because i like the way the way they look. What can i use to make different levels in my tanks? look at the picture if you don't understand
Any suggestions, or opinions would be great. My layout is below.

Red = red plant
Blue = bylxa japonica
green = Staurogyne repens carpet
yellow= what to use to divide these levels with?

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

honda237

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 14, 2010

Any help guys?

Joe.1

· #3 · Dec 15, 2010

You can use ludwigia glandulosa for the red plant.

honda237

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 15, 2010

Thanks, any help with the light and dividers

Joe.1

· #5 · Dec 15, 2010

I've seen small rocks used to divide or hold up a mound or hill type if that is what you are looking for. It adds a good natural look to it too.

honda237

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 15, 2010 (Edited)

Thats what i was thinking, where can I get them online? No local places have any, and its winter and everything is covered in snow. any help on a brand for the light fixture?

honda237

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 15, 2010

ok i think i found a fixture, how about this?
http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Fluor...upply-2-ft-T5-Fixture-Sun-Blaze-Reflector.asp

Which bulb should i choose?:
1: http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Fluorescent-Grow-Lights/Agrosun-2-ft-Agrosun-Fluorescent-Tube.asp
or
2: http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Fluor...ectrum-865-T5-Fluorescent-bulb-2-ft-6500K.asp

kevmo911

· #8 · Dec 15, 2010

In reference to the "red" plants you want in the back corners: The problem with plant colors is that they'll come in differently depending on light level. When you choose your plants, make sure you do research on what light levels cause them to achieve a certain color.

What I thought was cryptocoryne wendtii (green) began growing brown/bronze leaves when I switched up to medium light and CO2, and some still unknown tiny rotala (I think) clippings I picked up had pink leaves, which all rotted away. They're growing wonderfully now, but all leaves are bright green.

honda237

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 15, 2010

true, i didn't think about that. i will have to take that in to consideration. any opinion on the light?

honda237

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 15, 2010

Bump

honda237

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 16, 2010

Any help on the light?

Hoppy

· #12 · Dec 17, 2010

You would need to hang that light about 8-10 inches above the top of the tank to avoid having way too much light. Note that the link you showed is for the reflector only, the light itself is extra.

If you get a little drop checker you will have a much easier time adjusting the CO2 bubble rate correctly.

honda237

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 17, 2010

thanks, i must have mis-read. how about this:
http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Fluor...-Supply-2-ft-T5-HO-Supreme-Fixture-1-bulb.asp

yep, i working on getting a co2 indicator right now. I figured i would have to hang the light up.

Hoppy

· #14 · Dec 17, 2010

That light with the reflector you linked to should work fine. It isn't water resistant so having it hanging well above the tank would be a good idea for that reason alone.

MrMoneybags

· #15 · Dec 17, 2010

you can make the borders with cheap plastic notebook/binders...theyre readily available, pretty cheap ($1 each), easy to shape, and they come in a variety of colors

cut the binder into strips...and place the rock boundary in front of it
and match the color of the binder to the color or the rocks used (instead of the substrate)

honda237

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 19, 2010

ok thanks guys, i believe the light comes with a reflector.

Thanks for the binder tip, i am thinking i am going to use lava rock for its red color, now just to find a place that has some.:icon_roll

Reeyia

· #17 · Dec 20, 2010

Hey there - I believe you can get lava rock at the garden centers at places like Home Depot or Lowes. I got a huge bag there for not much $ but that was a couple of years ago so don't know if they still carry it.

honda237

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 20, 2010

ya i will go look and see if they have any, thanks

Antix

· #19 · Dec 20, 2010

I recently researched a setup almost exactly what you're looking at a few months ago. I have pressurized CO2 and run it at about 2.5 BPS and I get a nice green color on my DIY drop checker. As for lights I have 3 18W 6700K T8s running above my tank for 9 hours a day. This with the CO2 and ferts is more than enough light, I have excellent growth. Any other questions I might be able to help with too

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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