New planted tank

[Fedex3d]

Its still a little cloudy from the tannins from the DIY driftwood and the organic soil and still have the centerpiece soaking. But its up and cycling!!!! Yea!!!

 

[fort384]

What kind of plants did you add? Hard to tell from the pics.

 

[Fedex3d]

What kind of plants did you add? Hard to tell from the pics.

Amazon swords, wisterias, java ferns, 2 types of annibius, & the 2 tall ones are silk but look pretty real ( transferred them to transfer some bacteria but really like them in it lol )

 

[fort384]

ok, was wonderin about the tall ones Wasn't sure they were aquatic.

Good start! CAn you tell us a bit more about the tank? Size? Lighting? Looks like it is going to be a great tank as it matures!

 

[Fedex3d]

ok, was wonderin about the tall ones Wasn't sure they were aquatic.

Good start! CAn you tell us a bit more about the tank? Size? Lighting? Looks like it is going to be a great tank as it matures!

Yea l think its gonna turn out to be a great tank !!! its a 125 gallon with an inch of miracle grow organic potting soil, an inch of eco complete, and an inch and a half of black moon sand. The driftwood is from a dead dogwood that I cut up in the backyard and boiled & soaked for 2 weeks. Filtering it with a marine land 530 and a cascade 600. the Cascade is just for additional filtering & will allow me to start up a quick hospital tank if necessary. the lighting is just stock Aqueon lights but will be replaced as soon as I catch my breath for what I spent so far !!! LOL

 

[fort384]

Love the substrate mix. I bet it looks sharp and will grow anything you wanna grow once you get the lighting squared away.

 

[Fedex3d]

Love the substrate mix. I bet it looks sharp and will grow anything you wanna grow once you get the lighting squared away.

Was going to change out the T8 bulbs in it now for 2 6500K bulbs. Will that work or do I need to look at doing something else? Im still trying to learn about the lighting aspect with planted tanks!

 

[fort384]

What wattage are the bulbs?
I suspect this may be enough for low light plants but maybe just barely. That will be very low light.

 

[Fedex3d]

What wattage are the bulbs?
I suspect this may be enough for low light plants but maybe just barely. That will be very low light.

They are 24" 17 watt bulbs. I figured l might need more than those because they seem awful dim in that size tank.

 

[fort384]

Yes that won't be sufficient even for low light unfortunately. How wide is the tank?

Consider a couple of double t5ho fixtures. Fishneedit.com has some very decent fixtures for a great price.

 

[Fedex3d]

Yes that won't be sufficient even for low light unfortunately. How wide is the tank?

Consider a couple of double t5ho fixtures. Fishneedit.com has some very decent fixtures for a great price.

Thanks!! I will check em out. Yea its a 72" tank & 2 24" bulbs just do not cut it. They are actually 36" fixtures and I thought they would work till I turn them over & thought what a ripoff lol But they came with the tank so I should have known better lol what are your suggestions on the type of bulbs I need ?

 

[fort384]

2 dual 36" t5ho fixtures with 6500k-10000k bulbs will grow all low and medium light plants in that tank and even some high light stuff without having to inject co2. It would be a nice setup.

 

[Fedex3d]

2 dual 36" t5ho fixtures with 6500k-10000k bulbs will grow all low and medium light plants in that tank and even some high light stuff without having to inject co2. It would be a nice setup.

GREAT !! Cause l wasn't quite ready to get ito the co2 yet. Thanks for all the help !! Can't wait to post some more pics when it clears up & l get the last piece of driftwood in it.

 

[Fedex3d]

2 dual 36" t5ho fixtures with 6500k-10000k bulbs will grow all low and medium light plants in that tank and even some high light stuff without having to inject co2. It would be a nice setup.

Found 2 on ebay from a reputable seller. One has 2 6700K bulbs & the other is 1 10000K & 1 arctic bulb. Is there a difference or would one work better for plants than the other?

 

[fort384]

Actinic bulbs are for SW applications. You would want the first one.

Are you sure it is a good fixture? Are the bulbs individually reflected? Is it UL listed? Lots of fires started with cheapo non UL fixtures...

 

[Fedex3d]

It was Odyysea & lookin at some of their reviews l will get the Aqueon dual fixtures at petsolution.com at a reasonable price. I really appreciate all the help!! The water cleared up znd the final piece of driftwood sank. Tell me what you think. The Gouramis seemed extremely happy in their new home!!