My planted tank check list

[Fromthelbc]

Ok guys, im getting ready for my planted tank that im cycling as i type.

What i have now includes:
3+ inches substrate
Weak coral life light,
Drift wood(picking it up sunday from mgamer)
Crappy emperor 400 filter
Tank
Stand
Canopy.

What i plan on getting
Fluval 305
2 36" t5ho bulbs(to replace the 36" purple coral life)
One fixture+ballast set up for the other 36" light
Tons of plants(picking some up from mgamer as well)


Possibly getting:
Small Co2 system until i get afford a good one.

 

[Fromthelbc]

what else would i possibly need?

 

[atomiclord]

you may need a fan to cool with those t5ho tubes. run them for a while and see how it goes.

How about some thread to tie your plants to your driftwood?

 

[Fromthelbc]

ok, what kind of thread? like twine or cotton...?

and i'll install a couple high powered fans above the lights...


also i just found out my lfs has fluval 405's for 10 dollars more than 305's. so i'll be getting a 405, for like 169 or 159... i have to get check it out again.

 

[atomiclord]

I'd run the lights for a while first. You may very well find you don't need fans.

Some people use fishing line to tie plants in place, some cotton thread, but I'd stay away from the minted floss though.

 

[Fromthelbc]

alright, i will, i think im spending a grand total of like 70 dollars for the lighting, so thats not too bad at all...