need opinion - Aquarium Advice

ryan · 05-09-2008, 10:02 PM

I have been thinking about changing my 55 gallon mbuna tank before i put the fish in, into a planted aquarium this would of course mean i need to upgrade my lights and substrate as i currently am using pool filter sand not sure if i can use that and will need to get a co2 tank any suggestiosn whether i should go through with it?

**Purrbox** · 05-09-2008, 10:08 PM

Pool Filter Sand is perfectly fine for plants.

pitt420dude · 05-09-2008, 11:30 PM

Ryan, you might want ot check out the thread called "I've jumped over the planted tank fence." It basically journals my adventures, failures and successes AND COSTS of when I transferred my 55 gal from unplanted to planted. It might give you a fantastic idea of accurate pricing and what it exactly entails.

Overall it was right around $700. I had to change everything: Substrate, lights (4wpg), CO2 tank, regulator, controller, plants. Everything.

ryan · 05-09-2008, 11:59 PM

Well seeing as pool filter sand is alright for plants i only need to change lights,buy a co2 tank and plants since i have all the other co2 equipment and tank equipment. Although ive also been thinking of buying a 29 gallon long or 20g long and making that planted and transfering my fish from the 10 gallon to that and keep my 55gallon mbuna. ill try to update on what i decide on.

neilanh · 05-12-2008, 09:10 PM

Either of those tanks, the 29 or the 20L, make great planted tanks.

mom2reds · 05-12-2008, 10:36 PM

I would vote that you keep the munba and get a 29 gall. and plant it. more tanks the better

ryan · 05-13-2008, 03:25 PM

well ill see what my money permits if i cant purchase the 29gal and set it up ill just work on my 10g i guess.

pitt420dude · 05-14-2008, 10:56 AM

It can get quite pricey, but I think you'll find it super rewarding to get that 29 gal up and going as a planted tank. It is a nice size tank for a planted tank. Let us know what you decide.

Glenc · 05-21-2008, 10:51 AM

Hey Ryan, get the 29 and plant it if you can. If not, plant the ten gallon and learn from it. Start smaller and see if you are really going to get into it. My first planted tank was a ten gallon. I made it look pretty nice a few times. I learned everything from that tank and a 20 gallon high. Smaller tanks are a bit tougher as there is less room for error, but you can do a nice job with them as well. The water changes are sure easier! If you can get a ride out this way I've got Turface, Eco Complete and a couple of lights I'm not using that will do a ten or 29 no problem. Got a couple of extra plants as well.

spilzer · 05-21-2008, 01:28 PM

I have a 29 gallon that I'm in the process of planting. It really is a great size. It only took me one evening to convert from bare-bottomed nothingness into a EcoComplete substrate with lots of hardscape and plants.

Water changes take at least an hour in my experience but that might be because I'm slow/clumsy and usually make a mess that needs cleaning up.

05-09-2008, 10:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
ryan Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: pickering, ontario Posts: 378	need opinion I have been thinking about changing my 55 gallon mbuna tank before i put the fish in, into a planted aquarium this would of course mean i need to upgrade my lights and substrate as i currently am using pool filter sand not sure if i can use that and will need to get a co2 tank any suggestiosn whether i should go through with it?

05-09-2008, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 4,453	Pool Filter Sand is perfectly fine for plants. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

05-09-2008, 11:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
pitt420dude Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh! Home of the 5 Time Superbowl Champs! Posts: 949 Images: 11	Ryan, you might want ot check out the thread called "I've jumped over the planted tank fence." It basically journals my adventures, failures and successes AND COSTS of when I transferred my 55 gal from unplanted to planted. It might give you a fantastic idea of accurate pricing and what it exactly entails. Overall it was right around $700. I had to change everything: Substrate, lights (4wpg), CO2 tank, regulator, controller, plants. Everything. __________________ Thank you so much for all your help. I'm now going green. LOOK! A NEW LEAF!!!!!

05-12-2008, 09:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,501 Images: 15	Either of those tanks, the 29 or the 20L, make great planted tanks. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

05-12-2008, 10:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
mom2reds Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lubbock texas Posts: 754 Images: 14	I would vote that you keep the munba and get a 29 gall. and plant it. more tanks the better __________________ Tess 100 gal. freshwater planted community tank VOTE FOR AA TODAY

05-09-2008, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
ryan Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: pickering, ontario Posts: 378	Well seeing as pool filter sand is alright for plants i only need to change lights,buy a co2 tank and plants since i have all the other co2 equipment and tank equipment. Although ive also been thinking of buying a 29 gallon long or 20g long and making that planted and transfering my fish from the 10 gallon to that and keep my 55gallon mbuna. ill try to update on what i decide on.

05-13-2008, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
ryan Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: pickering, ontario Posts: 378	well ill see what my money permits if i cant purchase the 29gal and set it up ill just work on my 10g i guess.

05-14-2008, 10:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
pitt420dude Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh! Home of the 5 Time Superbowl Champs! Posts: 949 Images: 11	It can get quite pricey, but I think you'll find it super rewarding to get that 29 gal up and going as a planted tank. It is a nice size tank for a planted tank. Let us know what you decide. __________________ Thank you so much for all your help. I'm now going green. LOOK! A NEW LEAF!!!!!

05-21-2008, 10:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Glenc Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,067	Hey Ryan, get the 29 and plant it if you can. If not, plant the ten gallon and learn from it. Start smaller and see if you are really going to get into it. My first planted tank was a ten gallon. I made it look pretty nice a few times. I learned everything from that tank and a 20 gallon high. Smaller tanks are a bit tougher as there is less room for error, but you can do a nice job with them as well. The water changes are sure easier! If you can get a ride out this way I've got Turface, Eco Complete and a couple of lights I'm not using that will do a ten or 29 no problem. Got a couple of extra plants as well. __________________ 125 gallon, Crypt green gecko, Crypt undulata "broad leaf" Lobelia cardinalis small and large form. H.corymbosa "compact" Crypt parva, Downoi, Bacopa. 2x 150 Wt 10000k HQI Metal Halide, 2x 65 Wt 6700k-Colourmax

05-21-2008, 01:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
spilzer Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 95 Images: 1	I have a 29 gallon that I'm in the process of planting. It really is a great size. It only took me one evening to convert from bare-bottomed nothingness into a EcoComplete substrate with lots of hardscape and plants. Water changes take at least an hour in my experience but that might be because I'm slow/clumsy and usually make a mess that needs cleaning up. __________________ ~Pitz Tank Overhaul Log - 29 Gallon Plecos: gotta love 'em

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