new 80 gallon set up

[ilovemydragongoby]

so after weeks of looking I finally found an AWESOME deal on an 80 gal tank, with 2 filters, heater, light and stand. $150 woohoo!

Anyways, right now we are just trying to figure out how to start it up. As of now I have a dragon goby in my 20 gal fresh water, waiting to be moved once it's done it's cycle. One I need to know of other tank mates I can safely put in with him.

Second, I know I'm going to be putting sand substrate and live plants. Is there anything I should put underneath the sand for the plants or are they ok in just sand. What kind of plants should I try for it?

I have a hydrometer already, what else do I need to get my goby's new home ready?

 

[BigJim]

Make sure the plants you choose will be ok in a brackish environment. You can put laterite under the sand for your plants, but you have to make sure it stays buried to prevent algae problems.

I didn't see any mention of marine salt. That's what you'll need to make brackish water.

Look at archers, monos, and scats.

 

[DragonFish71]

Here's a list of BW plants, these are what I have growing in mine. Just remember, Dragons love to dig in the sand and will totally re-decorate

Are you cycling the tank with the salt in it yet? What I did to make the acclimation for plants/fish easier was plant the tank while it cycled, added the fish then slowly raised the salinity to the level I wanted it. I keep mine at about 1.011 now, give or take. Dragons are wild caught so they are used to the salinity changing with the tides. I try to replicate that. Here's a couple of pics showing the plants thriving. (not trying to jack your post)

BracPlants

 

[ilovemydragongoby]

just a question dragon, how do you clean your tank? is there a sand cleaner you can buy? i have a gravel cleaner for my 20 gal

 

[DragonFish71]

I just use a python cleaning system. This isn't sand in this tank though, it's 3M black color quartz. A bit larger than sand but still fine enough for the dragons to sift through. For our tanks that do have sand, I use the python as well. Just skim lightly over the top of your sand with it