Tank Overhaul Log - 29 Gallon

[spilzer]

Last week I finally had time to get started on overhauling my 29 gallon FW into a fully (low-tech) planted tank. The steps I've taken so far are small and few but I wanted to start this log in anticipation of the numerous questions, comments, etc. that are bound to come up during this process. My goal is to tank with just under 2WPG, densely planted, no-C02, driftwood and rocks, and peaceful community fish (tetras, angels, pleco, etc.)

Here's the equipment I started with:
29 Gallon All-Glass Aquarium (30"x12"x18")
30" All-Glass Deluxe Fluorescent Hood
Eheim Liberty 200 HOB filter
12" Aquatic Gardens Profile Heater
Spectra Stone "Nutmeg" gravel

Here’s the equipment I’m upgrading to:
Twin-Tube 30" Versa-Top
Nova Extreme T5 30" 48W
60 lbs of Eco-Complete
Eheim ECCO Canister Filter 2232

So far I've only be able to take two steps towards the new tank.

First: I removed the Spectra Stone substrate so that the tank is now bare bottomed. I did this a few months ago when I moved into a new apartment and had to empty the tank anyway to transfer it. Ever since I've been meaning to lay down the Eco but don't ever seem to have time to do such a large project. I'm hoping to do it this Saturday, but we'll see. It's amazing how quickly you can see mulm build up without a substrate! I've been trying to save some of it as a starter layer for my Eco, is this a bad idea? Or should I get rid of it all before putting in my new substrate?

Second: I tested out the ECCO filter as I have never had a canister filter before. I used the following order for the media baskets (from bottom to top) 1. course filter pad, 2. Ehfisubstrat Pro, 3. fine filter pad. I put the filter on the stand beneath my tank, hooked up the hoses and got ready to prime the thing. I wasn't totally sure how to make it work because I got the filter from a friend and it didn't have the instructions with it and so as I tried to start it I managed to create a huge puddle on my floor! I quickly shut the valves on the intake/outake hoses and got a bucket to put the filter in. It was a total mess so I spent a while cleaning up. At this point it was getting late and I didn't have time to try again. I was gone away for the weekend so I still haven't had a chance to get it up and running but I think I have a better idea what to do now. I learned the hard way that it's important to ensure the hose valves are shut before trying to close the canister and that there is enough room for the lid so water isn't displaced out of the filter onto your floor. I'll be trying again tomorrow so I'll update then with how it goes.

Anyway, I'm excited to even get a few small things done on this tank. I'll try to include some pictures tomorrow too of what the tank looks like now as a "before" that I can compare to later when I have a rocking planted tank.

[neilanh]

Looks good, I think you'll be happy with the equipment selections you've made.

About the mulm under the eco. There's no reason to leave it there, as the eco should contain everything you need, but there's no harm in doing it either IMO.

Out of curiousity, what bulbs did you select for your new T5 fixture?

[spilzer]

I went with the bulbs it came with a 10,000K and a 6,700K each at 24W. I thought that I would try out the mixed colors look because a lot of people here have said they prefer that to all 10,000K or all 6,700K. I haven't had a chance to get the thing up and running yet so I'll have to wait and see what I think before I declare and opinion. I don't have it out of the box yet so maybe I should wait to ask but does anyone know the best way to mount this fixture? Does it come with legs to raise it off the glass of the versa-top? Can I put it directly on the glass?

[neilanh]

I have tanks that I've mixed the colors on just like you, and I like it.

I don't know if that fixture comes with legs or not, sorry.

[spilzer]

I'm going to try to take a look at the fixture tonight (it's my first free night in a while) so I guess I'll find out soon!

If it doesn't have legs what would be the best way of mounting it?

[Purrbox]

You could rest it directly on the glass canopy, or the legs could be bought separately for a few dollars if they have the necessary mounting hardware.

[pitt420dude]

Why 60lbs? That seems like quite a lot. I used 50lbs to cover my 55 gal with a 4" base.

As far as your light, just make sure it is high enough so that when bubbles break the surface and "pop" they don't get water on the bulbs.

Regarding your filter: I used more than a few large towels to clean up some mishaps when breaking in my Fluval 304 cannister filter. Trial and error and you'll quickly figure out the best way to service and maintain it. Sounds like you've already learned a tip to avoid big spills, lol.

Good luck and I feel obligated to ask for pics when you're ready.

[blazeyreef]

Originally Posted by pitt420dude

Why 60lbs? That seems like quite a lot. I used 50lbs to cover my 55 gal with a 4" base.

As far as your light, just make sure it is high enough so that when bubbles break the surface and "pop" they don't get water on the bulbs.

Regarding your filter: I used more than a few large towels to clean up some mishaps when breaking in my Fluval 304 cannister filter. Trial and error and you'll quickly figure out the best way to service and maintain it. Sounds like you've already learned a tip to avoid big spills, lol.

Good luck and I feel obligated to ask for pics when you're ready.

really? 40lbs wasnt enough for my 29gall...

[neilanh]

Yeah, I think I put 50 pounds in my 29gallon.

[spilzer]

Why 60lbs? That seems like quite a lot. I used 50lbs to cover my 55 gal with a 4" base.

I used a substrate calculator and given my tank dimensions it said I'd need 60lbs for a 3" depth.

But actually I had a small debate with myself because 60 seemed like a lot of Eco but I wasn't confident that 40 would be quite enough. Ultimately I decided I would be happier with a little bit extra than not enough. Also if I ended up wanting 60 but had only ordered 40 I would have to pay more shipping (~another 10$) for the single bag than it would cost to add another bag onto my already large order (just a couple $ more).

So, I now have 60lbs but I haven't put it in the tank yet so I might not use all of it. Though that may be dangerous because I know if I have extra substrate I'll want to get a tank to put it in and we all know where that would lead...