ferret
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hey guys,
I'm preparing to build up a new 55 gallon. I've got a fairly unlimited budget for it, and want to do things right. I've kept plants in the past but never in a tank truly prepared for it.
I'm interesting in java ferns and moss, of course, as well as swords (Specificly I'd like some sort of small grass like plant for the bottom, like a micro sword..). It'll be 48in I believe, standard 55G. Going to try to get glass tops, and will run two Penguin 330s on it. (I have some just lying around)
So I have three questions, though one is a bit odd..
What kind of lighting do I need? I'm going to aim for a 110watt minimum, possibly more depending on how difficult finding parts will be.. But I don't know what the various types of bulbs are all about, such as 10k, etc. Those values mean nothing to me..
Second.. what should I use for a substrate? I've got swords and ferns growing fine in a variety of 'normal' substrates (Various smooth river pebble substrates), but I want something that will support the plants a little better. I also want to take into consideration a desire for loaches. I haven't decided on dojo or clown loaches yet.. The contents of the 29G in my signature would be the other tank mates.
And third, my most bizarre question. Plants like nitrates. It struck me, that I could possibly move the rather high nitrate water of my Malawi and Oscar tanks to the 55 gallon as a kind of water change (Just the water, no gravel debris would be syphoned for this). Any comments?
Thanks in advance,
ferret
I'm preparing to build up a new 55 gallon. I've got a fairly unlimited budget for it, and want to do things right. I've kept plants in the past but never in a tank truly prepared for it.
I'm interesting in java ferns and moss, of course, as well as swords (Specificly I'd like some sort of small grass like plant for the bottom, like a micro sword..). It'll be 48in I believe, standard 55G. Going to try to get glass tops, and will run two Penguin 330s on it. (I have some just lying around)
So I have three questions, though one is a bit odd..
What kind of lighting do I need? I'm going to aim for a 110watt minimum, possibly more depending on how difficult finding parts will be.. But I don't know what the various types of bulbs are all about, such as 10k, etc. Those values mean nothing to me..
Second.. what should I use for a substrate? I've got swords and ferns growing fine in a variety of 'normal' substrates (Various smooth river pebble substrates), but I want something that will support the plants a little better. I also want to take into consideration a desire for loaches. I haven't decided on dojo or clown loaches yet.. The contents of the 29G in my signature would be the other tank mates.
And third, my most bizarre question. Plants like nitrates. It struck me, that I could possibly move the rather high nitrate water of my Malawi and Oscar tanks to the 55 gallon as a kind of water change (Just the water, no gravel debris would be syphoned for this). Any comments?
Thanks in advance,
ferret