blindcavefish
Seedling
- Joined
- 1 Sep 2009
- Messages
- 7
A bit of advice needed on my new tank please
Bit of background info first;
I was going to buy a much larger tank a while ago, but due to space restrictions, I’ve had to go for a smaller one. I did start a thread about 9 months ago, about starting a new tank, and the replies were really helpful. And now I need some more advice please.
I’ve got a new Juwel 180 turning up this Friday .
I’m aiming for a well planted community tank. However, it’s going to be a relatively ‘low-tech’ set up. The lighting is 2x35w T5 lights. I’ve already got some EasyCarbo and some TNP+ which is all I’m going to add for ferts and Co2.
I know that pressurised Co2 would make things a lot more interesting but that’s not the way I want to go. And I also know that mixing up my own ferts would be cheaper, but again, after A LOT of reading the different threads on here, it’s not the way I want to go. Sorry folks!
I’m going to use a mix of Tetra-Complete Substrate, Akadama soil and small gravel for the substrate. I’m guessing it will be in these proportions; 60% Tetra-Complete Substrate, 30% Akadama soil and 10% small gravel.
Any ideas on how to layer these different substrates or can I just mix them all up?
Now for the cycling advice;
It is possible for me to get my hands on a fair bit of established gravel from my LFS, and they would probably let my siphon a good amount of water from their tanks if needed to.
A couple of questions;
I’m guessing that it’s better if I get established gravel rather than established water?
Am I correct in thinking that, the more established gravel I get, the quicker my tank will cycle?
Can I just put the established gravel in filter bags and lay them on my own substrate, or is there another way I could do it? I can’t see how I could get the established gravel in my filter as it’s an enclosed unit?
Will all the added established gravel dramatically speed up the cycling process enough for me to bother adding Ammonia, or will just mean I have to add less ammonia for a shorter period of time?
Last couple of questions; I’ve done a lot of research on ‘easy plants’ so I’ve got a good idea about which plants to choose for my set up. Am I correct in thinking that I should plant all my plants at once and keep the light level low for the first month or so – about 5 hours a day? Do I add the TPN+ and EasyCarbo from the first day, weekly or wait for the cycling process to complete?
Any advice would be greatly received
Cheers
Bit of background info first;
I was going to buy a much larger tank a while ago, but due to space restrictions, I’ve had to go for a smaller one. I did start a thread about 9 months ago, about starting a new tank, and the replies were really helpful. And now I need some more advice please.
I’ve got a new Juwel 180 turning up this Friday .
I’m aiming for a well planted community tank. However, it’s going to be a relatively ‘low-tech’ set up. The lighting is 2x35w T5 lights. I’ve already got some EasyCarbo and some TNP+ which is all I’m going to add for ferts and Co2.
I know that pressurised Co2 would make things a lot more interesting but that’s not the way I want to go. And I also know that mixing up my own ferts would be cheaper, but again, after A LOT of reading the different threads on here, it’s not the way I want to go. Sorry folks!
I’m going to use a mix of Tetra-Complete Substrate, Akadama soil and small gravel for the substrate. I’m guessing it will be in these proportions; 60% Tetra-Complete Substrate, 30% Akadama soil and 10% small gravel.
Any ideas on how to layer these different substrates or can I just mix them all up?
Now for the cycling advice;
It is possible for me to get my hands on a fair bit of established gravel from my LFS, and they would probably let my siphon a good amount of water from their tanks if needed to.
A couple of questions;
I’m guessing that it’s better if I get established gravel rather than established water?
Am I correct in thinking that, the more established gravel I get, the quicker my tank will cycle?
Can I just put the established gravel in filter bags and lay them on my own substrate, or is there another way I could do it? I can’t see how I could get the established gravel in my filter as it’s an enclosed unit?
Will all the added established gravel dramatically speed up the cycling process enough for me to bother adding Ammonia, or will just mean I have to add less ammonia for a shorter period of time?
Last couple of questions; I’ve done a lot of research on ‘easy plants’ so I’ve got a good idea about which plants to choose for my set up. Am I correct in thinking that I should plant all my plants at once and keep the light level low for the first month or so – about 5 hours a day? Do I add the TPN+ and EasyCarbo from the first day, weekly or wait for the cycling process to complete?
Any advice would be greatly received
Cheers