I am going to be setting up a 55 gallon planted tank. I would like to have some kind of ground cover and various other plants. I was thinking of having about 3 wpg. I would like to have a canister filter, and have an inline co2 diffuser, and a inline heater. What kind of lights and equipment would you recommend? While I am willing to spend money on the tank, I would also like to go the cheapest way. Thanks in advance
New 55 gallon tank
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Zagz
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have asked some of our planted tank guru's for advice for you, I'm sure you will get excellent help.
Lets start off with the filter.
A lot of people, including myself, like the XP series of filters. They are cheap, as compared to other filters, and do a wonderful job. You would need an XP 3. If you have a Petsmart local, you can simply print off the website price and have them match it at the store(if the person at the register doesn't think you can, have then get a manager and it should be taken care of. I have done this numorous times). That will save you a lot of money or just order it online. Petsmart always has free shipping when you purchase more then 50 bucks worth of stuff.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752400&cp=2767036.2769231&view=all&fbx=0&fbn=Taxonomy%7CCanister+Filters&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2769128&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2769231&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1
For the inline heater, the Hydor is highly recommended:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+11369&pcatid=11369
And for the inline diffuser, see this DIY article:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85573
Now the type and amount of lighting is really up to you. (of coarse)
I recommed getting the Nova HO T-5 setup from the good doctors. Running all four with plants bulbs will put you into the 4 WPG range, so if you want to stick to 3 WPG (not a bad amount at all), I would leave one of the actinic bulbs in it. I would run that one in the socket closest to you when viewing. The fixture comes with two actinic bulbs, so if you wanted 3 WPG you are also going to have to purchase an additional bulb.
Running this fixture also allows you to upgrade in the future. If you run 3 WPG for awhile and decide you want more light, all you have to do is purchase another bulb and you are now running in the 4 WPG range.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772
You can also purchase a coralife 4 X 65 watt fixture, but that is alot of light. In order to drop it down to where you want it, you would have to purchase to 50/50 bulbs. That would put you around 3 WPG and plently of room to increase down the road just like the Nova fixture.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13733&pcatid=13733
http://www.hellolights.com/ also sells fixtures for a reasonable price.
Of course, this is just my recommendation. I have a Coralife lunar fixture running 4 X 65 watt over my 75 gallon tank and love it.
I would also HIGHLY suggest you look into getting a drop checker and some reference solution to monitor your CO2 concentration. A very simple device that shows you how well your CO2 is doing.
I recommend getting that from http://liquidarthome.net/khstandard .
Just to clear up some things: Actinic bulbs only put out light in the blue spectrum. Plants need more then that, so having actinic bulbs installed in your fixture does little to nothing for the plants and therefore are not counted towards the WPG in your tank.
HTH
A lot of people, including myself, like the XP series of filters. They are cheap, as compared to other filters, and do a wonderful job. You would need an XP 3. If you have a Petsmart local, you can simply print off the website price and have them match it at the store(if the person at the register doesn't think you can, have then get a manager and it should be taken care of. I have done this numorous times). That will save you a lot of money or just order it online. Petsmart always has free shipping when you purchase more then 50 bucks worth of stuff.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752400&cp=2767036.2769231&view=all&fbx=0&fbn=Taxonomy%7CCanister+Filters&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2769128&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2769231&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1
For the inline heater, the Hydor is highly recommended:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+11369&pcatid=11369
And for the inline diffuser, see this DIY article:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85573
Now the type and amount of lighting is really up to you. (of coarse)
I recommed getting the Nova HO T-5 setup from the good doctors. Running all four with plants bulbs will put you into the 4 WPG range, so if you want to stick to 3 WPG (not a bad amount at all), I would leave one of the actinic bulbs in it. I would run that one in the socket closest to you when viewing. The fixture comes with two actinic bulbs, so if you wanted 3 WPG you are also going to have to purchase an additional bulb.
Running this fixture also allows you to upgrade in the future. If you run 3 WPG for awhile and decide you want more light, all you have to do is purchase another bulb and you are now running in the 4 WPG range.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772
You can also purchase a coralife 4 X 65 watt fixture, but that is alot of light. In order to drop it down to where you want it, you would have to purchase to 50/50 bulbs. That would put you around 3 WPG and plently of room to increase down the road just like the Nova fixture.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13733&pcatid=13733
http://www.hellolights.com/ also sells fixtures for a reasonable price.
Of course, this is just my recommendation. I have a Coralife lunar fixture running 4 X 65 watt over my 75 gallon tank and love it.
I would also HIGHLY suggest you look into getting a drop checker and some reference solution to monitor your CO2 concentration. A very simple device that shows you how well your CO2 is doing.
I recommend getting that from http://liquidarthome.net/khstandard .
Just to clear up some things: Actinic bulbs only put out light in the blue spectrum. Plants need more then that, so having actinic bulbs installed in your fixture does little to nothing for the plants and therefore are not counted towards the WPG in your tank.
HTH
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Thanks for your reply. So I now know how I'll do the lights(aiming for 4WPG), the filter and heater, and the CO2 diffuser. And I was thinking of getting a 10 pound tank for CO2. Is there any specific regulator anyone recommends or does it not really matter. Also, should I run the co2 all night or turn it off when the lights are off? And the substrate, I was thinking about using the aquariumplants.com own blend http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/ss-1.htm, but Ive seen some mixed reviews on it. Should I stay away from this? Or what would you most recommend? Thanks!!
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Lonewolfblue
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have mine set where it turns on with the lights, and turns off when the lights go out. If you run it at night, it's just wasting the CO2, as the plants use O2 at night.
LOL, all of those questions are debatable. Everyone does things a little different.
Regulator - If you are only running it to one tank, then I would go for either the Azoo (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3747+9895&pcatid=9895 )
or the milwaukee ( http://cgi.ebay.com/CO2-REGULATOR-W...yZ117435QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem )
They both are well made and easy to use. If you are going to go to a couple tanks, you are better off either making your own or contacting Rex Grigg.
I only run my CO2 during the lighting period. Many run it 24/7. I have mine come on 15 minutes before the lights to ensure I have the proper CO2 level when the lights turn on.
Substrate - I have heard mixed reviews as well on the aquariumplants.com substrate. I have and really like Eco-complete. I have run just plain old pool filter sand and had a very nice looking scape with it.
Slightly more cost effective solutions.
For the filter I recommend a Rena XP2, people say you need an XP3 but I run an XP2 on a 55g with no problems. I think XP3s are an unnecessary expense for this size tank. This is especially true on a planted tank because you don't want to have too much water movement that will outgas CO2. 300 GPH is fine for your size tank, and the thing is rated by the manufacturer for a 75 gallon anyway.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...e+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&N=2004&Ntt=xp2&Np=1
The same is true for HO lights, and Coralife products in general, expensive. Current USA satellites are cheaper and if you leave the 50/50 bulbs in you should have just enough light for a medium light growth, and if you change your mind later you can drop in a pair of Dual Daylight sunpaqs easily. The design of the fixture is quite sturdy and is easy to maintain. The anodized aluminum frame is put together it 3 pieces + end caps which makes replacing the ballast easy (most light ballasts will fail eventually, regardless of quality nothing lasts forever) Don't expect too much from the lunar lights, but with an electrical knowledge you could replace them with better LEDs and get it brighter. It is also possible to drill the fixture to add more bulbs for a better coverage. I added 5 super bright 100 degree LED's to my fixture. I honestly can't believe than any other brand with built in LEDs would be better though.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9654+11418&pcatid=11418
I agree on the Hydor ETH. It's a killer product, you just can't go wrong.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+11369&pcatid=11369
For the Inline reactor, if you want to get a good quality reactor for minimal cost this is probably one of the easiest DIY projects you could do. If you need more instructions I can provide them but the link in my sig has minimal instructions. The link provided by rkilling1 above has an alternative design which more complicated, but nicer.
For the regulator I will yield experience to rkilling1. I currently still use DIY CO2.
For substrate, I really like Eco-Complete but it is expensive so others will work as well. Flourite is a cheaper option. Other than that, you can use plain gravel with root tabs.
Light Timers, this was mentioned a little but I have one of these (digital) and it works great (I say this after I trashed Coralife for being too expensive above but... meh). Anyway, this will allow you to time your CO2 with your lights using an electric valve, and have moonlights as well.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+11379&pcatid=11379
For the filter I recommend a Rena XP2, people say you need an XP3 but I run an XP2 on a 55g with no problems. I think XP3s are an unnecessary expense for this size tank. This is especially true on a planted tank because you don't want to have too much water movement that will outgas CO2. 300 GPH is fine for your size tank, and the thing is rated by the manufacturer for a 75 gallon anyway.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...e+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&N=2004&Ntt=xp2&Np=1
The same is true for HO lights, and Coralife products in general, expensive. Current USA satellites are cheaper and if you leave the 50/50 bulbs in you should have just enough light for a medium light growth, and if you change your mind later you can drop in a pair of Dual Daylight sunpaqs easily. The design of the fixture is quite sturdy and is easy to maintain. The anodized aluminum frame is put together it 3 pieces + end caps which makes replacing the ballast easy (most light ballasts will fail eventually, regardless of quality nothing lasts forever) Don't expect too much from the lunar lights, but with an electrical knowledge you could replace them with better LEDs and get it brighter. It is also possible to drill the fixture to add more bulbs for a better coverage. I added 5 super bright 100 degree LED's to my fixture. I honestly can't believe than any other brand with built in LEDs would be better though.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9654+11418&pcatid=11418
I agree on the Hydor ETH. It's a killer product, you just can't go wrong.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+11369&pcatid=11369
For the Inline reactor, if you want to get a good quality reactor for minimal cost this is probably one of the easiest DIY projects you could do. If you need more instructions I can provide them but the link in my sig has minimal instructions. The link provided by rkilling1 above has an alternative design which more complicated, but nicer.
For the regulator I will yield experience to rkilling1. I currently still use DIY CO2.
For substrate, I really like Eco-Complete but it is expensive so others will work as well. Flourite is a cheaper option. Other than that, you can use plain gravel with root tabs.
Light Timers, this was mentioned a little but I have one of these (digital) and it works great (I say this after I trashed Coralife for being too expensive above but... meh). Anyway, this will allow you to time your CO2 with your lights using an electric valve, and have moonlights as well.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+11379&pcatid=11379
Last edited:
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