mrjackdempsey
Member
- Joined
- 7 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 220
Hoping to set up my first 'properly designed' planted tank soon and busying myself in preparation of it.Ordered the El fertilization in readiness and just waiting for delivery and hopefully getting my 10 kg CO2 bottle refilled this week or early next week plus a couple of fire extinguishers as backups. I'm collecting my tank this weekend (it's 8' * 2' * 2.5' length by width by height or 240 cm * 60 cm * 75 cm, 1,080 litres) and it's starting to excite me but also fill me with dread.
The tank is second hand and was used as a reef tank by it's previous owner along with a sump which I'm thinking of doing away it because of CO2 loss but maybe I'm wrong here and it would be useful for filtration ( looking for advice here from those with better experience on such matters). Filters I have at the moment are the FX5 plus a Superfish external filter (aqua pro 3) but thinking this would have to be supplemented by at least another FX5 , also got a powerhead that's capable of 12,000 litres per hour with the tank to aid in circulating the water in the tank. Wondering about a spraybar for the FX 5 ( or even shared between 2 FX 5's) and using CO2 in - line reactors to deliver CO2 to the tank. Would the reactor have to be DIY because of the size of the FX 5 pipe work or are there commercially available ones out there? Would I be better with two reactors for a more even coverage over the tank or would I get away with one?
Next worry is about lighting. I have a Betta 1500 light unit on a tank at the moment which has 6 x 80 w Arcadia T5 bulbs and was hoping this is enough but unsure about this as the bulbs are only 5' and worry the edges won't get enough
Sorry about the over load of questions but really want it go go well and not get egg on my face.The tank won't be set up for a couple of weeks/ month as must sort out the stainless steel base plus get rid of the tanks in the room at the moment. Would like to thank all in advance and be warned, there will be more questions
The tank is second hand and was used as a reef tank by it's previous owner along with a sump which I'm thinking of doing away it because of CO2 loss but maybe I'm wrong here and it would be useful for filtration ( looking for advice here from those with better experience on such matters). Filters I have at the moment are the FX5 plus a Superfish external filter (aqua pro 3) but thinking this would have to be supplemented by at least another FX5 , also got a powerhead that's capable of 12,000 litres per hour with the tank to aid in circulating the water in the tank. Wondering about a spraybar for the FX 5 ( or even shared between 2 FX 5's) and using CO2 in - line reactors to deliver CO2 to the tank. Would the reactor have to be DIY because of the size of the FX 5 pipe work or are there commercially available ones out there? Would I be better with two reactors for a more even coverage over the tank or would I get away with one?
Next worry is about lighting. I have a Betta 1500 light unit on a tank at the moment which has 6 x 80 w Arcadia T5 bulbs and was hoping this is enough but unsure about this as the bulbs are only 5' and worry the edges won't get enough
Sorry about the over load of questions but really want it go go well and not get egg on my face.The tank won't be set up for a couple of weeks/ month as must sort out the stainless steel base plus get rid of the tanks in the room at the moment. Would like to thank all in advance and be warned, there will be more questions