si_sphinx Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I’m going to turn my empty 700ltr+ tank into a high tech planted aquarium. 2.0m long 0.6m high 0.6m deep. I did a low tech planted 300ltr tank for a few months and it didn’t really work out while flatting so now with a permanent place, I can give it a proper go. The tank has a 100ltr sump for filtration from my previous cichlid setup. With ceramic rings, bioballs, filter wool etc. I know a sump for a planted tank isn’t recommended but I’ve heard some people have had success with this so I’m going to give it a go. Lighting will be 3x 150w MH and 4x 80w t5 HO bulbs. Pressurized CO2 with 2x diffusers, one each end of the tank. Substrate will be a 4-5cm layer of Daltons aquatic mix with 3-4cm layer of 2mm gravel on top. I’m hoping that the Daltons won’t give me algae problems as long as it doesn’t get into the water and I don’t disturb it too much. I will dose with trace elements, NPK, Iron etc but don’t know exactly what to buy or where from so if someone that has knowledge with these, please let me know. I still have some research to do on this. I have a hollow log and a few tree roots for wood in the tank. I also want to put some stones and rocks in there. I want to make it as natural looking as I can. Plants thank I have so far are various java ferns, anubias, vallisneria and moss. I want to have the ferns up high tied to wood, anubias in the rocks and moss growing on the rocks and wood. Also need to get a few swords, I don’t know what sorts yet, stargrass, hygro, crypts, balansae and affanis, and maybe some hair grass or dwarf sag. AND the fish… 6+ discus, not sure what types yet. A decent sized school of cories, 10-15 bronze or sterbai. A school of tetras, not cardinals because everyone has them. I’m thinking 20+ rummy nose or silvertips. 6 Plecos, I’m hoping to get either L128 Blue phantom or L018 Gold nugget. What ever is easiest to get hold of…? Also would 3-4 blue rams go well with this setup and fish? I’ve thought about making this tank for a while now and have thought it through a lot. Along the way I will have questions and I will put up photos and updates as the tank progresses. At the moment the tank is still empty so there is plenty of time for me to change things yet. If there are things I haven’t thought of, please let me know. Or if you have any questions please ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 For the trace elements, I think the easiest way would be to go the flourish comprehensive route. May not be the cheapest but it is good. As for a school of tetras, a tank that size, I'd be looking for about 30-40+, if you can fit them in, k=just because they look much better in huge groups :roey: Sounds really good though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 you would be able to fit 100 in a tank that size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 you would be able to fit 100 in a tank that size +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 +1 yea could do 101 too :sml2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lickindip Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 oooo now you are really making me want to set up my 4ft tank just like i used to have it looking forward to the progress photos ... guess i have to wait till i buy myself a house before i can set it up :tears: Nice Pitts by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 3 Halides will be sufficient. You definitely don't need the HOs as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 those conchu blue tetra are very pretty, and the emperor tetra too. Also tonight I saw some very yellow lemon tetra which look very nice too, :spop: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 3 Halides will be sufficient. You definitely don't need the HOs as well! yea, that will definitely be plenty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navarre Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 HI Si, Let me know if you need any plants would ditch some of those fish but then it woudl be my tank...lol Sumps are fine with planted tanks great as a matter of fact. You just need to be thinking differently would go for all gear in sump and in line CO2 May want to use your HO lights on sump as a refuge and add baffles to decrease bubbles Look into dwarf neon gouramis for a fish type now you are going hi tech plant what bio type you looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 It will take a while to build up the fish I want. Yea all the gear would be in the sump. What would be more effecient, CO2 in the tank or in the sump? not sure how it would be plumbed inline with my return pump. I was thinking of adding lights to the sump to grow plants on the side. I haven't thought about what bio type I want. I want lots of swimming room and don't want the overgrown look. Ferns on wood. grass on the bottom. A few columns of stem plants. I guess it would be an amazon type theme??? With the odd crypts here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Lighting has just been ordered. This weekend I will hopefully buy the timber to start the new stand. PLan below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 :mbh: My lights have arrived... :happy1: It came in two packages. One with the hood unit and a small box with the ballasts for th MH All the lights on MH off T5s off It came with the correct plug connections but they are upside down :facepalm: So making drip loops in the wires makes it look messy. I won't be using the T5s or moon leds for this setup but will be handy for my future marine tank I think the fans may need upgrading in the future as they don't sound very powerful for the amount of heat I felt the MHs put out after 5mins of turning on. All up Im happy with the unit and can't wait to fill th tank. I have brought all the timber for the stand and progress will start this weekend hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Oooh cool lights, how much did they end up costing? You could use the t5s or LEDs for a sunset period instead of just having the halides turning off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddle69 Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 very nice lol ill be over in the weekend pick up my lid ill txt b4 i come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 It ended up costing just over $700 to buy and ship into the country and it took exactly 7 days to get to my door. I was quoted $1100 for for the same branded unit but half the size and half the lighting here in NZ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 nice :nilly: :nilly: i want one,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Co2 glassware came today, will post pics tonight or tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Difuser, Bubble counter and check valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Got all the timber cut today. Bottom Frame done Top Frame done One of the 4 legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I may not be commenting much; but I am watching keenly... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I may not be commenting much; but I am watching keenly... :lol: +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I may not be commenting much; but I am watching keenly... :lol: There isn't really anything to comment on just yet. All you can do is wait and watch :spop: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 And I have a frame finally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Nice build work! Looking forward to this one :spop: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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