jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
So I have a 20g long that I wanna plant. Its gonna be extreme planted. I need to know what substrate to do first. Pfs? Flourite? Flora max?
20Long planted build
- Thread starter jwh0818
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tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
I recommend ecocomplete or flourite if this is your first tank. Both get the job done. Or you could go dirted, or kitty litter (organic), or the best of the best ADA aquasoil
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
Whats wrong with flora max? Just curious
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
Flora max is like the cheap version of eco complete. And eco complete is the cheap version of aquasoil (not that its a bad product). It breaks down super quick and has a very low nutrient content. It's not worth the money.
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
So could I do pfs with the same results? What dirt? What soil? I cant do eco or ada. Not in my budget
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
Miracle grow organic potting mix is one, or mineralized topsoil, but that is a bit messy.
Search 'dirted tank' and there should be good hits.
Sand is another option, but you would need a source of nutrients like root tabs. But if you buy beginner plants that should not be a problem.
Im not familiar with the cat litter technique, but from the tanks I have seen it will work!
Search 'dirted tank' and there should be good hits.
Sand is another option, but you would need a source of nutrients like root tabs. But if you buy beginner plants that should not be a problem.
Im not familiar with the cat litter technique, but from the tanks I have seen it will work!
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
Can someone explain the cat litter way? Does the organic miracle grow need mineralized?
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
Nope MGOPM can just be plopped in. But usually you want to sift it for large chunks of stuff. There is a great thread on that in the general section of thplantedtank.net right now
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
Thanks. Anyone know if a 20 long is too big for a betta?
Do I need to rinse it? What can I put on top of it? Can I mix it with PFS?
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
A Betta would be in heaven.
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
Thats what I figured! Thanks for your help. Im fixin to get the tank and soil. For the light for now its gonna be a full spectrum bulb. Apparently for plant growth till I decide to shell out 100 $ for a light
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
You can find a light for a lot cheaper. Just go to home depot or menards and get 2 CFL bulbs and some clamp work lights and your set.
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yeah I know. Its a tube light so I may just get a 6500k 2ft tube for it. Thanks for that link. Im gonna dump it in and cap with pfs! Very helpful link
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
What soil depth am I aiming for? 2" on MG and like 1 inch on pfs? Or what
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
That sounds good
eAts
Aquarium Advice Activist
Those clamp works lights are cheap also, I just saw them on sale at menards for 6 each, plus bulbs.
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jwh0818
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yeah clip lights are cheap unless designed for a planted tank because their reflectors suck
tropicalmackdaddy
Aquarium Advice Freak
Making a reflector is easy. You can even use aluminum foil.
Jkeating8
Aquarium Advice Addict
I wouldn't say that at all. Having a CFL mounted vertically in a dome style clip light generates a substantial amount of PAR, more than enough for a high tech setup depending on bulb wattage. Hoppy, on The Planted Tank, did a thread on the use of CFLs in dome reflectors. It was very surprising. Ive seen people run beautiful high tech tanks with just clamp style lights, or even the Zoo Med Deep Dome. Here is the link
Nevermind. I can't seem to find it right now.
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