Hello,

My name is Art. I started a planted tank 10 years ago. My tank is 90X45X45 cm. I used Dupla system back then but without the substrate heating. I had 110 watts flouros (2 x 30watts, and 2 x 25 watts) using arcadia retrofitted on the canopy. My tank has undergone care and neglect in the 10 past years. At some point, I tried Discus, but my tank was small to house a few of them. For the past few years, it had been a low-tech, single 30 watt tube, low-maint aquarium.

I have renewed interest in doing high-tech so I can grow again all those red plants. After 10 years, some of my equipments are breaking down. I replaced my heater before it breaks. Two of my arcadia light controllers are now broken so I'm only doing 60 watts. I am waiting for T5 flouros to get into NZ market. And to my surprise, Jansens doesn't refill CO2 cylinders any more. Something to do with regulations. So I bought this Nutrafin CO2 system. It is not as good as CO2 pressurised. I was hoping I can reuse my Dupla. HELP!

My fish are 12 cardinals, 6 rummy-nose, a recently acquired royal whiptail, recently acquired 5 otocinclus (one is missing), a few (I don't know how many) kuhli loaches. A few rummy-nose have survived over the years (porbably more than 5 years). My kuhli loach has been in my tank for more than 9 years!

For plants, I have lots of hygrophilla polysperma to start again with. I also had this anubias of 9 years. Some Java ferns. And crypts that melted 10 years ago, but is now thriving in the foreground.

I'm using Seachem flourish, Seachem flourish excel, and Seachem potassium.

Welcome along!

It sounds like you are having a renewed interest in your tank. There is some good knowledge on this site about planted tanks but not from me I'm afraid! There is a big planted tank in my future dreams though.

Good luck with your plans.

MCT

hi and welcome :bounce:

T5s are already in NZ and a few of us here use them too but why not go for Metal halide lamps if u want some good plant growth.

WOW how big are those 9 year old Kuhlis

Hi and welcome

Hope you get everything up and running the way you want it with no major probs

Cheers

Jude

hi and welcome :bounce:

T5s are already in NZ and a few of us here use them too but why not go for Metal halide lamps if u want some good plant growth.

WOW how big are those 9 year old Kuhlis

What shops have t5 ?

Those kuhlis did not get longer, they got thicker (or fatter). I also have a variety that are smaller and like worms. They are very shy. Sometimes I don't see them for months depending on other bottom-dwellers that I bought and depending on how dense my planting is. They can survive eating decaying plant matter and snails. Over the years some became plant food.

look at the very end of this page [link below] these are not the only guys though pm some of the salty importers on this site i am sure they can help u out.

http://www.deepblueaquarium.co.nz/lights.htm

Hi & welcome