New to plants- 26 gallon Bowfront

[Tommy10]

I have a well established tank that I am hoping to switch to live plants. I am going to buy a new light and a co2 system, but replacing the substrate is not an option. Given this situation I would like to know what equipment to buy, what plants to buy, and a rough cost estimate, (I live in canada and the plants will be much more expensive but I will buy the equipment from amazon USA) I would like to keep my budget at nothing more then $100. Thanks for the help!


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[Tommy10]

Oh yeah my current substrate is a gravel


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[bcarl_10gal]

A CO2 system and a light for under $100 will be tough. Id suggest metricide 14 for a carbon source.Your tank is too large for a DIY CO2 system. A finnex planted + should put you at a medium-low light. First thing Id do is figure out what plants and light level youd like but for a $100 budget it will be near impossible to go hi-tech.


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[Tommy10]

A CO2 system and a light for under $100 will be tough. Id suggest metricide 14 for a carbon source.Your tank is too large for a DIY CO2 system. A finnex planted + should put you at a medium-low light. First thing Id do is figure out what plants and light level youd like but for a $100 budget it will be near impossible to go hi-tech.


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This is my first crack at this, so I would want fairly low tech to mid tech but still good looking.


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[bcarl_10gal]

If you are going to be doing low tech i wouldnt worry about a CO2 system. Another good light to consider is the current satellite plus.


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[Puckhog429]

Why couldnt you switch out the substrate? If its your only tank you could put your fish in a bucket with a heater and airstone and they would be fine for a couple days. A good cheap substrate is dirt with a pfs or just regular playsand cap. You could even buy all that at your local hardware store in canada.


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[Tommy10]

So if I changed the substrate and got a new light I could grow some nice plants? What if I didn't change the substrate?


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[Puckhog429]

Ive ran gravel before and the plants live but they just dont grow like they do with dirt or other substrates


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[Puckhog429]

Dont know too much about light. Maybe someone else can answer.


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[Tommy10]

I'll see what I can do about changing the substrate. Any suggestions? Please not to expensive


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[Tommy10]

hows this look?


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[Brookster123]

Don't use the flourite black sand!!

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[Brookster123]

Check it out, i used it and ended up capping it because it was gray under the light, aweful looking..

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[Tommy10]

Okay thanks what do u suggest then?


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[Brookster123]

Eco complete or flourite capped with black sand, that's what I did. I know it will make an appearance eventually but hopefully by then the plant coverage is enough to block it out..

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[Tommy10]

this one? And would I need one or two? And just that nothing above or underneath?


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[Brookster123]

Think that's the stuff!! I've not personally used it but I know a few folks on here have.. floating particles is the only issue, just net them out when you fill er up

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