20 Gallon Build

[Stingray68]

I have a empty 20 gallon tall and I plan on doing it planted. The problem is that I don't know what type of style I want. I either want to do a nice almost Dutch style high tech aquarium or a planted jungle with a ton of plants that is dirted and low tech. I just want some help deciding on what I want to do and how I'm gonna do it.

 

[cgthebeast]

I have a empty 20 gallon tall and I plan on doing it planted. The problem is that I don't know what type of style I want. I either want to do a nice almost Dutch style high tech aquarium or a planted jungle with a ton of plants that is dirted and low tech. I just want some help deciding on what I want to do and how I'm gonna do it.

I would do the planted jungle, it looks more natural IMO.

 

[Stingray68]

I just went to the store and got dirt and this substrate. It is called Flora Max. it is supposed to be the perfect substrate with nutrients and stuff but I'm not so sure. So if anyone has experience with it, it would help.

 

[Stingray68]

Would 2x 26w clf be enough light to grow most carpeting plants?

 

[Stingray68]

It has been 3 months since I started this thread and I'm just now getting to it... Wow. Well I just added dirt and toped it with floramax. All the plants are just siting until the real light comes in.

 

[Stingray68]

It has already cleared up quite a bit. I'm running 2 bags of carbon to get rid of the cloudyness and any tanins

 

[Stingray68]

I planted and added fish

 

[Stingray68]

It looks pretty good
I have 4 rummynose tetras, 5 guppies, 1 sparkling gourami, and 1 pearl gourami

 

[Sillyfishies]

I like it!

 

[Stingray68]

I think I might make it a biotope

 

[AcidRainFalls]

What is a biotope, and should I be concerned with the substrate I use when I start the tank I have if I"m eventually planning on planting it? I am very new to this and can use as much advice as possible, I'm also on a tight budget!

-Christina

 

[Sillyfishies]

How many bags of floramax did you use?
And to the person who asked a question, ill PM you.

 

[Stingray68]

How many bags of floramax did you use?
And to the person who asked a question, ill PM you.

I used 1 and a half and I am saving the other half for touch UPS

 

[Stingray68]

Wow I haven't been on here in months. Well the tank has been doing good. All fish still healthy and the plants are growing slowly but good.

Lately I have gone through 3 different filters in the last month. Ugh... So I have a canister filter that is for a 75 gallon but I have the spray bar pointed into the glass so the flow is not strong

 

[Stingray68]

Just an update. Everything has really taken off and grown in. It's starting to look pretty nice.

The little cherry is hungry! lol

 

[Stingray68]

I don't think anyone even looks at this so this will be my last try at getting a real response out of this forum.

It has been a while since I trimmed so I just did and I found something weird! It was sold to me as jungle val but I don't think jungle val produces leaves that are 5 ft long! The plant grows up and lays right under the surface. Two of the leaves are all messed up. They are folded over like an accordion!

If you know what it is than please let me know! If not, Goodbye!

 

[Sillyfishies]

Could it possibly be a corkscrew Val? And jungle Vals get the tallest I'm pretty sure. So 5 ft wouldn't be abnormal. I've been here the whole time. Just been lurking. If you want answers I would suggest making a new thread. A lot of us don't bother with build that have already started because that means we would have to read through a bunch of pages to help out

 

[Puckhog429]

Thats just jungle val. My italian val gets like that when it gets to the top of the tank and hots the glass


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