Getting started

[eeubanks]

Hi,

I have just started to buy items needed to set up a 100 gallon planted, freshwater, community tank. My family has a military background so my last tank (30 gallon) was set up then broken down every 2-3 years for many years. Sadly it was broken in one of our moves. I haven't had a tank in about 15 years. I'm learning that there have been many changes-advances in the equipment available. Any recomendations will be much appriciated.

Thanks

 

[henningc]

Sounds like a project. I'm not a plant expert but I can tell you this, go with dual canister filters. Pricey to start but once established make life easy.

 

[rachelives]

Just an idea - I currently have a 10 gallon with regular sand substrate. I use root tabs to give the plants their needed nutrients. It seems to work for me, but that is a very basic setup. Many people also add co2 to their tanks to help with plant growth.
I'm new, so I won't be of much help But I'm excited to see how it turns out!

 

[ScotJudd]

Hi,



I have just started to buy items needed to set up a 100 gallon planted, freshwater, community tank. My family has a military background so my last tank (30 gallon) was set up then broken down every 2-3 years for many years. Sadly it was broken in one of our moves. I haven't had a tank in about 15 years. I'm learning that there have been many changes-advances in the equipment available. Any recomendations will be much appriciated.



Thanks

What a wonderful opportunity to build up a tank from scratch. It's a big undertaking and there will be a temptation to buy cheaper equipment as you need a lot. Don't do it - buy cheap, buy twice.
I run a 55 gallon bowfront with two larges external filters, two digital heater/stats, Co2 injection, plant and fish lighting, eco complete substrate, blue moon lights for the evening viewing and A UV filter. I dose the tank with Excel and liquid ferts daily and put in root tabs (ferts) every 3 months.
All equipment is rated at at least 50% more than my volume of water, especially the filters as I like to filter all the water 10 times an hour.
Just food for thought, but your first buy must be a liquid test kit, such as the API master freshwater kit and also the API Gh and Kh test kit. How anyone can set up a tank with out testing is a mystery to me.
Enjoy building your tank and if you decide on a particular piece of equipment then post it before you buy, you will get a lot of honest reviews.
Post what fish you intend to get and you will be swamped with comments.
Good luck.


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