Starting small Planted tank

[fish-oh-fish]

Tank size-
19/9/12(lbh in inches)

Lighting- Single 18W CFL Tube specs-
Tube specs are-
Philips 18W Tubular Fluorescent TL-D 18W/54
length 60cm
Light o/p-1015lumens
6500k cool daylight
56.4lm/W

Substrate- River sand from LFS

CO2- DIY Yeast+Sugar in 2ltr bottle
intake by Airstone(confused ) or syringe needle?

Filter- I got SOBO 650lt/hr which in all means an overkill but what If i put DIY spraybar to outlet to reduce flow?
Or I should think getting new small capacity one?
I got 3 choices at LFS-
Sobo WP-1050F
Sobo HOB 303
Sponge filter

there's nothing lower than it.

Plans-
I will be doing low tech setup with- Dwarf grass, Rotala rotundifolia,Cabomba caroliniana
Fishes will be-guppies,tetras,danninos, shrimps (maybe)

Doubts-
1. Is lighting sufficient? Duration after planting & during fish cycling process?
Current temps in morning/afternoon around-30C's
2. Advise on filter?
3. As tank will be kept in bedroom & without AC it's like hush...hushh... in night during summer do i need heater specifically? AC runs around 4-5hrs with temps set on 20 & that too thrice a week or lesser depending on weather
4. "When planting only 10% of tank space should be left open rest should be filled with plants"--this quote I read many times is it so?

 

[fish-oh-fish]

no response

 

[Rodeo one]

You ll get responses or you can PM some of the more knowledgable members. I m new to this so can t really advise you but, I ve gotten extensive help from people on this forum since I set my first tank up 4 months ago. Also, read the stickies in the different forums. Good luck with your tank. I m about to set up a 29g low light planted myself because apparently one tank isn t enough . Have fun & please post pics when you re done!

 

[Trout11B]

You should figure out a better way to diffuse your co2. I haven't, as well as others, had success through this method. Try a chopstick at the end of the tube or running it into the intake of your filter.

The lighting may be ok for low light, I can't remember how big your tank is. So don't quote me. Usually 6-8 is a good starting point. Some people run them as long as 12.

Do you have plans for dosing with fertilizer?

I've never heard that quote in number 4.