Greeting / Introduction - Aquarium Advice

wes.pastor · 06-27-2008, 08:00 AM

Hello,
I have been an aquarium enthusisit most of my life. I have had mostly small tanks not larger than 10 gallons. Over the last five years I graduated so to speak from 10 to 29 gallons. It was at that time that I began planting my tanks with live plants. My results were poor at best. the plants seem to onlt service for a few weeks at best. But I pressed on and endured loss after loss. I then obtaimed a 55 gallon tank. the advent of internet access in my home allowed me to do some research. Tons of research. More research than I ever did in school or college

I went with a semi natural substrate and no CO2. Compared to my previous results with the 29 gallon tank, I feel that I was far more successful. However, again, losses seemed to be inevitable that tank eventually failed in about 5 months as I recall. That was three years ago.

Today, I am planning a 75 gallon tank. These are the basics. Keep in mind that as of yet this tank does not exist it is only in preliminary planning stages and in all likelyhood change as I consider results from my fellow aquarists -- friends like you

aquarium type: Glass
Gallons: 75
dimensions:

Height: 20” (Top to Bottom)
Width: 18” (Front to Back)

Length: 48” (Wide)

Lighting: 270 Watts Fluorescent
Co2 system: complete details: None
Substrate: Natural (Sand / Peat / Vermiculite / Red Clay ) mix with white sand covering all. To a varied depth of 2 – 8 inches
Water temp: 78 – 80 degrees
Driftwood: how many pieces? How large?) 1 Medium Piece
Planting preference: Light to Moderate with these plants in mind

Crypt moehlmanii
" parva
" willisii
" balansae
" albida
" cordata 'rosanervig'
" ponterderifolia
" wendtii x hybrid
Lagenandra meeboldii
Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia ''1705''
" barteri var. 'nana golden'
" barteri var. 'nana narrow leaf'
C. retrospiralis
Hemianthus callitrichoides

**melosu58** · 06-27-2008, 11:07 AM

It looks like you have done your homework. Welcome aboard

cmor1701d · 06-27-2008, 11:34 AM

fijiwigi · 06-27-2008, 11:38 AM

Welcome to the site I have never done a planted tank But there are lots of planted tank GURU's around that should be along to help you out.

**roka64** · 06-27-2008, 12:15 PM

Welcome to the site!

black hills tj · 06-28-2008, 03:01 PM

Welcome to the site. I'm currently planning a 75 gallon tank as well. However, your plans for 270 watts of light seem a little excessive to me for the plants you want. Which fixture are you looking at?

FishCrazyBenBOMB · 06-28-2008, 03:29 PM

Welcome to AA. Hope you find out what you need to know.

**Ziggy953** · 06-28-2008, 05:22 PM

Welcome to the AA Family! Glad you have joined us!

wes.pastor · 06-28-2008, 10:03 PM

"...your plans for 270 watts of light seem a little excessive to me for the plants you want..."

The 270 watts is high but the bulbs loose 20% of their light value in less than 90 days and i am planning for the farther end of the bulb life at which will be about half in about one year. Also not quite sure what I will use for a light hood yet as I said this tank and none of its equipment exists yet. Any sugussetions?

middlechild · 06-28-2008, 10:48 PM

Welcome to AA. Working on my first 10g with an interest in putting in live plants, so read with interest your brief bio. I will be following along closely, thanks for sharing with us. Middle.

06-27-2008, 08:00 AM	#1
wes.pastor Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Saco, ME Posts: 3	Greeting / Introduction Hello, I have been an aquarium enthusisit most of my life. I have had mostly small tanks not larger than 10 gallons. Over the last five years I graduated so to speak from 10 to 29 gallons. It was at that time that I began planting my tanks with live plants. My results were poor at best. the plants seem to onlt service for a few weeks at best. But I pressed on and endured loss after loss. I then obtaimed a 55 gallon tank. the advent of internet access in my home allowed me to do some research. Tons of research. More research than I ever did in school or college I went with a semi natural substrate and no CO2. Compared to my previous results with the 29 gallon tank, I feel that I was far more successful. However, again, losses seemed to be inevitable that tank eventually failed in about 5 months as I recall. That was three years ago. Today, I am planning a 75 gallon tank. These are the basics. Keep in mind that as of yet this tank does not exist it is only in preliminary planning stages and in all likelyhood change as I consider results from my fellow aquarists -- friends like you aquarium type: Glass Gallons: 75 dimensions: Height: 20” (Top to Bottom) Width: 18” (Front to Back) Length: 48” (Wide) Lighting: *270 Watts Fluorescent* Co2 system: complete details: *None* Substrate: *Natural (Sand / Peat / Vermiculite / Red Clay ) mix with white sand covering all. To a varied depth of 2 – 8 inches* Water temp: *78 – 80 degrees* Driftwood: how many pieces? How large?) *1 Medium Piece* Planting preference: *Light to Moderate with these plants in mind* Crypt moehlmanii " parva " willisii " balansae " albida " cordata 'rosanervig' " ponterderifolia " wendtii x hybrid Lagenandra meeboldii Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia ''1705'' " barteri var. 'nana golden' " barteri var. 'nana narrow leaf' C. retrospiralis Hemianthus callitrichoides

06-27-2008, 11:07 AM	#2
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 12,140 Images: 76	It looks like you have done your homework. Welcome aboard __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

06-27-2008, 11:34 AM	#3
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,825 Images: 43	__________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

06-27-2008, 11:38 AM	#4
fijiwigi Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Yakima, Washington Posts: 1,094 Images: 7	Welcome to the site I have never done a planted tank But there are lots of planted tank GURU's around that should be along to help you out. __________________ The "experts" are many, but the truths are few. "When we have stopped learning, we have stopped listening"

06-27-2008, 12:15 PM	#5
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,330 Images: 12	Welcome to the site! __________________ Uh-oh, I just overloaded my Bioload! Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

06-28-2008, 03:01 PM	#6
black hills tj Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: black hills, south dakota Posts: 1,274	Welcome to the site. I'm currently planning a 75 gallon tank as well. However, your plans for 270 watts of light seem a little excessive to me for the plants you want. Which fixture are you looking at? __________________ Mike 29g Tank Log 20G Tank Log www.bhtj.net

06-28-2008, 03:29 PM	#7
FishCrazyBenBOMB Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 103 Images: 8	Welcome to AA. Hope you find out what you need to know. __________________ My Profile Check Out my First Planted Aquarium Ever Log Vote For AA Yet? Click Here To Vote Now!

06-28-2008, 05:22 PM	#8
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 3,403 Images: 5	Welcome to the AA Family! Glad you have joined us! __________________ Happy Reefing! *120 Build in progress 6/18/08* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here! Pods, algae and more!

06-28-2008, 10:03 PM	#9
wes.pastor Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Saco, ME Posts: 3	"...your plans for 270 watts of light seem a little excessive to me for the plants you want..." The 270 watts is high but the bulbs loose 20% of their light value in less than 90 days and i am planning for the farther end of the bulb life at which will be about half in about one year. Also not quite sure what I will use for a light hood yet as I said this tank and none of its equipment exists yet. Any sugussetions?

06-28-2008, 10:48 PM	#10
middlechild Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NH, USA Posts: 43	Welcome to AA. Working on my first 10g with an interest in putting in live plants, so read with interest your brief bio. I will be following along closely, thanks for sharing with us. Middle.

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