Converting a 10 gallon and a 5 gallon to planted

[batmansocks117]

I've been spending a lot of time looking at pictures of people's awesome planted tanks, and now I want my tanks to be just as awesome. =) I've been doing some research but I'm still a bit confused on some things. For substrate both tanks have sand in them right now, would I need to take that out and switch over to eco-complete or a substrate like that? Or could I use fertilizers to push into the sand near the plants?

I'm also really confused as to what to do with lighting. What would I need for a 10 gallon? The hood I have now has little lights that hardly light up the aquarium, so I definitely need a new hood, but I'm not looking to break the bank on anything. What's a good solution to this? I've been looking at some glass covers and fixtures that go above that, but I'm so confused. I found a Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 20in light fixture and lights on craigslist and I know these fixtures are usually super expensive and this one is only $60, would this be too powerful for a 10 gallon or would this work? For my 5 gallon I'm planning on sticking to some low light plants and maybe upgrading the bulb to a higher wattage one (I'm using the stock light now).

I'm planning on doing DIY CO2 for both tanks. I have java fern, anubias, anacharis, and ludwigia repens (which isn't do so well) now, does anyone have any suggestions for some other plants I could use that are fast growing and will fill in both tanks?

I'll attach some photos of the tanks now. I plan on keeping the pirate skull and crocodile skull in the 10 gallon, and in the 5 gallon I'm planning on getting some Doctor Who themed decorations (because Doctor Who is awesome) =P

 

[batmansocks117]

I've been spending a lot of time looking at pictures of people's awesome planted tanks, and now I want my tanks to be just as awesome. =) I've been doing some research but I'm still a bit confused on some things. For substrate both tanks have sand in them right now, would I need to take that out and switch over to eco-complete or a substrate like that? Or could I use fertilizers to push into the sand near the plants?

I'm also really confused as to what to do with lighting. What would I need for a 10 gallon? The hood I have now has little lights that hardly light up the aquarium, so I definitely need a new hood, but I'm not looking to break the bank on anything. What's a good solution to this? I've been looking at some glass covers and fixtures that go above that, but I'm so confused. I found a Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 20in light fixture and lights on craigslist and I know these fixtures are usually super expensive and this one is only $60, would this be too powerful for a 10 gallon or would this work? For my 5 gallon I'm planning on sticking to some low light plants and maybe upgrading the bulb to a higher wattage one (I'm using the stock light now).

I'm planning on doing DIY CO2 for both tanks. I have java fern, anubias, anacharis, and ludwigia repens (which isn't do so well) now, does anyone have any suggestions for some other plants I could use that are fast growing and will fill in both tanks?

I'll attach some photos of the tanks now. I plan on keeping the pirate skull and crocodile skull in the 10 gallon, and in the 5 gallon I'm planning on getting some Doctor Who themed decorations (because Doctor Who is awesome) =P

Okay, so doing some more research I realize those lights are probably way too bright (and it seems they are more for saltwater tanks and growing corals) If I did two CFLs in clip on lamps would that be enough to grow just about everything?

 

[Mebbid]

Okay, so doing some more research I realize those lights are probably way too bright (and it seems they are more for saltwater tanks and growing corals) If I did two CFLs in clip on lamps would that be enough to grow just about everything?

You would be surprised at just how much light it takes to grow plants. I am building my own LED light for my 10g tank. Including S&H it will cost me about $120 for 8 LEDs, lenses, driver, homemade heat sink, wiring, and other miscellaneous odds and ends. Just the lights and driver was $90, I'll let you know how it is when its running by the end of the week.

Two regular t5 lights would probably be just fine on a 10g but most likely you will need to replace the bulbs which can run 10-15 a piece

 

[patrickriley2010]

if your interested in in spending like 100 these are great lights

9) Talking about the future of the 26g. It's looking good - YouTube


you can buy them on amazon 16 inch is only 66$
Amazon.com: Finnex

 

[batmansocks117]

if your interested in in spending like 100 these are great lights

9) Talking about the future of the 26g. It's looking good - YouTube

you can buy them on amazon 16 inch is only 66$
Amazon.com: Finnex

Ooohh.. I'm gonna pick one of those up as soon as I get paid. =D Would the 20in be enough for most plants? Also should I change out some of the substrate or use root tabs?

Thanks for the reply =)

 

[Sharpchick]

I use glass versa tops on my 10s, 20 and 29g tanks with clamp on work lights from the hardware store. I use 13w and 23w CFLs in the fixtures.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Ooohh.. I'm gonna pick one of those up as soon as I get paid. =D Would the 20in be enough for most plants? Also should I change out some of the substrate or use root tabs?

Thanks for the reply =)

No. You do not have to change the substrate. However, you will need liquid/root tab ferts. If you want, you can get some dirt/Eco substrate and mix it with the sand.

 

[batmansocks117]

I use glass versa tops on my 10s, 20 and 29g tanks with clamp on work lights from the hardware store. I use 13w and 23w CFLs in the fixtures.

In the interest of saving money, do you use one or two on your 10 gallon?

 

[batmansocks117]

No. You do not have to change the substrate. However, you will need liquid/root tab ferts. If you want, you can get some dirt/Eco substrate and mix it with the sand.

Okay, thanks. =) that makes it a bit easier on me then, I'll get some root tabs when I head to my LFS next.

 

[Sharpchick]

In the interest of saving money, do you use one or two on your 10 gallon?

One 8.5 inch fixture, which I can move daily or so to make sure all plants get some concentrated light.

 

[FishCr8zy]

One 8.5 inch fixture, which I can move daily or so to make sure all plants get some concentrated light.

http://s3.photobucket.com/user/sharpchick/media/Aquaria/FTS-1.jpg.html

What is the plant in the bottom left corner? ( it kinda looks like an open flower )

 

[Sharpchick]

What is the plant in the bottom left corner? ( it kinda looks like an open flower )

It's a little rosette sword that stays small. As soon as I planted it, it started putting on more leaves. The rosette expands but it doesn't get any taller.

Got it from my LFS.

 

[FishCr8zy]

It's a little rosette sword that stays small. As soon as I planted it, it started putting on more leaves. The rosette expands but it doesn't get any taller.

Got it from my LFS.

A rosette sword? Never heard of one of those but it looks really cool! I'll see if online has it.