starting a new aquarium

[Elchakas]

So i have a 60g that used to be saltwater that i now upgraded to a 120g. Now i want to set up my 60g into a community tank.. ived had many freshwater tank for years but this time i want it w/ a natural look... i have couple questions... i want it with alot of plants... now can i use fake plants and.still give it a natural look or live plants insted?.. its cus i dont want to deal w all the lighting and stuff since i got the saltwater...

Second. If i go to the lake and get some driftwood.. whats the process of getting it into the aquarium?..

Im exited and looking very much foward to this build... thanks you guys in advance..

 

[Laser]

Yeah it's definitely possible to give your tank a natural look with fake plants, but live plants look really good. You don't have to go high tech to grow or sustain real plants.

 

[Elchakas]

What do i really need to have real plants?... is it possible to have them just w regular florecent lights?...

 

[Samzter]

I have my live plants under fluval glow lighting and they're doing fine. For the wood it will contain tannins. To get this out put it in a bucket and pour boiling hot water over the wood. Do this twice a day until the water in the bucket is clear instead of red.

 

[Laser]

No, you don't need live plants. Yes, there are plants that require different amounts of light. There are plenty of plants that you can grow under a standard fluorescent light.

 

[Elchakas]

Oohh oks i think ima lean more towards fake plants then and ima do that w the water for the drift wood...

Any one know were i can get fake plants for cheaper than a petstore?..

And another question... since the aquariun is gana be full of plants for the most part.. do i have to vacum the gravel during the waterchanges?.. that would be a pain since all the plants are in the gravel and i would have to aquascape everything again..

 

[Samzter]

Oohh oks i think ima lean more towards fake plants then and ima do that w the water for the drift wood...

Any one know were i can get fake plants for cheaper than a petstore?..

And another question... since the aquariun is gana be full of plants for the most part.. do i have to vacum the gravel during the waterchanges?.. that would be a pain since all the plants are in the gravel and i would have to aquascape everything again..

Umm. I would strongly recommend vacuuming. Maybe not on every water change. Just once every two weeks, depending on your stock.

 

[Elchakas]

So perty much taking of and putting back on the plants again?.. or whats the best way to do it?

 

[Samzter]

So perty much taking of and putting back on the plants again?.. or whats the best way to do it?

I would just vacuum round the plants. Then once a month or something take all of them out and vacuum .

 

[Elchakas]

Oh gees i would just imagine the pain and work its gana be.. hahahaha

 

[Elchakas]

Any idea were i couls get some fake plants or real plants that i could grow w just florecent lights?..