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My setup so far...thoughts?

Niall

Member
Joined
1 Jun 2019
Messages
117
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Hi I am in the process of gathering everything together I need to start my planted tank. All advise, concerns etc. Would be great!
It'll be a learning curve I know but I don't want disasters from the get go!
Cheers

I plan on using peat moss with a ph neutral washed horticultural grit with is 2-4mm
I will keep some small fish to make the scape more dramatic and some snails too.
Fluval spec 19l
25w heater
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hidom-Su...461484?varId=621196822992&txnId=1052479369022
10w led light
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bright-I...096661?varId=583428603591&txnId=1993151207018
Water test kit
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NT-LABS-...L-FISH-TANK-/200985058198?txnId=1795836245010
Stone
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIRYU-R...963865?varId=691130757185&txnId=1970688854008
Ista professional c02 kit with solenoid reg

Here are some screen shots of my shopping cart from aquarium gardens, I haven't checkedout just yet so if anyone thinks I should make changes I would be glad to hear them!
Thanks!
 

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Hi Niall,

A couple of thoughts -

Seiryu stone / mini landscape looks expensive compared to this
https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/mini-landscape-seiryu-rock-per-kg-1632-p.asp

In the comments box at check out mention the size of tank you are scaping and stone can be picked for you accordingly.

The ista reg is a single stage reg. would be much better with a decent dual stage one. Also a much better diffuser
https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/aquarium-co2-kit-pro-se-complete-system-673-p.asp

With the money you save will be worth getting proper aqua soil (small tank so not much saving in going peat) and a better branded heater.

Hope that helps.

S.

Ps. Plant heavily and you won’t need a test kit!
 
Last edited:
Hi thanks for your advise. I have already bought the c02 kit as I got a good deal on it 2nd hand so it didn't cost alot. I understand a dual stage reg would be better but for now and starting out I thought the ista would be better than no c02. I have ordered the stone so a bit of learning there thanks. I was going to order a good diffuser. The heater I already have but if I need to upgrade I will. Would the plants I have there be considered heavy planting a 19l?
Would this be considered a good substrate?
https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/tropica-aquarium-soil-3l-1029-p.asp

Thanks!
 
I would suggest getting the hardscape in and then selecting plants.

You can post a picture of the hardscape and your preferred planting plan if you like.


Edit. The Tropica soil will be good.
 
Too late on the water test kit...oops. Could of saved there!
I'll order up the substrate and hardscape and put up a picture and go from there! Thanks!
 
Did your Spec 19 kit not come with the stock LED?

This is a long narrow tank, I suspect the eBay LED will provide more even lighting on a shorter wider tank (I didn’t see measurements)

Note you can order spare LED from Fluval - it should be decent price (though I’ve seen some shops mark it up excessively)

Tropica aquarium soil is grand, I’d use the finer texture “powder” in this tank (it’s also much easier to plant in ;))
 
Did your Spec 19 kit not come with the stock LED?

This is a long narrow tank, I suspect the eBay LED will provide more even lighting on a shorter wider tank (I didn’t see measurements)

Note you can order spare LED from Fluval - it should be decent price (though I’ve seen some shops mark it up excessively)

Tropica aquarium soil is grand, I’d use the finer texture “powder” in this tank (it’s also much easier to plant in ;))

I got the tank for free but it did not come with a light. I did see a fluval one and it's 6w so I thought going high tech the 10w would be better. I do understand what you mean about the size I'll have to play it by ear and see how it goes. If it's not doing the job I'll have to swap it out!
 
Spec 19 has a stock 10 watt LED - as I recall this is true of both generations though 2nd gen is definitely brighter
Fluval suggests 20% though it seems more in a side by side comparison - local shop has a Hemianthus Cuba Iwagumi set up (Tropica Nano pressurized CO2 Kit)
 
I got my light in the post today, so I managed to use the broken fluval led light fitting and remove the board and wiring. I stripped the eBay led, mounted and wired it into that. It is quite bright so I will see how it goes. If it doesn't work out I have another idea with different leds that will use the fluval light fitting.
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Hi there.
I was wondering how you were getting on with this setup?
How did the Spec work out and also how was the Ebay Led light for growing your plants.
Thank you!
 
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