pitt420dude
Aquarium Advice Addict
So what if my picture appears in the dictionary next to "Fiscal irresponsibility." Student loans can wait right? I hope to keep the final total of the planted transition below what my economic stimulus rebate is ($600). It should be close.
So here is my situation with where I'm at and an accounting (which is more from my own use but feel free to comment). For convenience, my questions are numbered. Feel free to answer as many as you'd like.:
WHAT I'VE GOT:
Fantastic Sources and lots of help: Aquarium advice. $0.00.
Lights: Catalina 4x54w HO T5s (2x10,000k and 2x6,500k) w/ lunar lights. $185. They arrive in 2 weeks. Q1: If I get a fan for these lights (so I can run them while my canopy is on) where should I get this?
CO2: Tank and Fill: $75
Milwaukee MA957 Regulator & SMS222 pH controller & DIY Reactor: $125 (thanks C.M.!!!) I still need to connect the reactor to the inflow of my filter (going into the filter). Q2: What will I need to do this? Q2.5: Do the electrodes in the controller go bad and where would you get one replaced?
Plants: Some swords and crypts on the way (thanks H.G.!!!),$9.95 and a hygro and crypt I bought at the LFS $15.
Total so far (3/13): $410
WHAT I STILL NEED:
Substrate: I still need to get this and have decided to mix some of my gravel in with it. Q3: I'm thinking Turface MVP (where do you get this?) or Eco-complete (where do you get this? LFS wants $27 per 20 lbs. bag.) Q4: Do I need root tabs if I get one of these substrates?
Test Kit/Drop checker: I don't have any of this stuff either. I know Hagen has been suggested and I've been told not to even bother w/ testing Iron and Phosphate. Q5: Where do you suggest getting these kits?
Timer/Powerstrip: I have no idea about these but Q6: the timer is necessary right? Brand and seller suggestions?
Ferts: I may have asked but don't recall. I think Greg Watson's have been suggested.Q7: What do I need and where should I get it? I plan on using the Estimative Index dosing method (Q8: fool proof for a noob right?) Q8: Now I have a big bottle of BigAl's comprehensive plant fert, which I gather is pretty much useless?
More Driftwood: Q9: Again, suggestions as to what/where to buy? I'm hesitant to go find my own but very tempted.
Misc. thoughts and concerns:
By far the most intimidating thing for me is the CO2 and fertilzation of planted tanks. These seem like the biggest opportunities for error/disaster. I want to make the transition as easy as possible for my fish, but swapping the substrate and completely reconfiguring my tank will likely be stressful for them. I'm also concerned about an algea outbreak...I hate algea.
I don't yet have a clear vision for exactly what I want to do as far as aquascaping goes, but am completely enamoured w/ T. Simonoson's tanks and really love his aquascaping. I have a basic understanding of plant placement (foreground, middle, back). Ricci and Glosso is a must for me, as well as some nice reds and some more DW.
Q10: Am I missing/forgetting anything? Q11: Comments/suggestions on how I'm doing?
So here is my situation with where I'm at and an accounting (which is more from my own use but feel free to comment). For convenience, my questions are numbered. Feel free to answer as many as you'd like.:
WHAT I'VE GOT:
Fantastic Sources and lots of help: Aquarium advice. $0.00.
Lights: Catalina 4x54w HO T5s (2x10,000k and 2x6,500k) w/ lunar lights. $185. They arrive in 2 weeks. Q1: If I get a fan for these lights (so I can run them while my canopy is on) where should I get this?
CO2: Tank and Fill: $75
Milwaukee MA957 Regulator & SMS222 pH controller & DIY Reactor: $125 (thanks C.M.!!!) I still need to connect the reactor to the inflow of my filter (going into the filter). Q2: What will I need to do this? Q2.5: Do the electrodes in the controller go bad and where would you get one replaced?
Plants: Some swords and crypts on the way (thanks H.G.!!!),$9.95 and a hygro and crypt I bought at the LFS $15.
Total so far (3/13): $410
WHAT I STILL NEED:
Substrate: I still need to get this and have decided to mix some of my gravel in with it. Q3: I'm thinking Turface MVP (where do you get this?) or Eco-complete (where do you get this? LFS wants $27 per 20 lbs. bag.) Q4: Do I need root tabs if I get one of these substrates?
Test Kit/Drop checker: I don't have any of this stuff either. I know Hagen has been suggested and I've been told not to even bother w/ testing Iron and Phosphate. Q5: Where do you suggest getting these kits?
Timer/Powerstrip: I have no idea about these but Q6: the timer is necessary right? Brand and seller suggestions?
Ferts: I may have asked but don't recall. I think Greg Watson's have been suggested.Q7: What do I need and where should I get it? I plan on using the Estimative Index dosing method (Q8: fool proof for a noob right?) Q8: Now I have a big bottle of BigAl's comprehensive plant fert, which I gather is pretty much useless?
More Driftwood: Q9: Again, suggestions as to what/where to buy? I'm hesitant to go find my own but very tempted.
Misc. thoughts and concerns:
By far the most intimidating thing for me is the CO2 and fertilzation of planted tanks. These seem like the biggest opportunities for error/disaster. I want to make the transition as easy as possible for my fish, but swapping the substrate and completely reconfiguring my tank will likely be stressful for them. I'm also concerned about an algea outbreak...I hate algea.
I don't yet have a clear vision for exactly what I want to do as far as aquascaping goes, but am completely enamoured w/ T. Simonoson's tanks and really love his aquascaping. I have a basic understanding of plant placement (foreground, middle, back). Ricci and Glosso is a must for me, as well as some nice reds and some more DW.
Q10: Am I missing/forgetting anything? Q11: Comments/suggestions on how I'm doing?