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Fresh Start, 20 Gallon Long planted. TO GET LIST...

5K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  doki 
#1 · (Edited)
I'm going to start a new tank, Planted with soil and gravel 20 gallon long and this is to help me get the right things so I don't get a repeat of what happened with my other tank.

So far on my list:
Flourite
MiracleGro Organic
20 Gallon Long
Flourish Comprehensive
Flourish Root Tabs
API Liquid Carbon

I have a Zoo-Med 24 inch double t5HO light and I know the tank is going to be 3ft so the edges won't get that much light, I'm fine with that I'll have to DIY maybe use plexiglass to hold the light. The bulbs I have are 2 pink/purple 5000k each t5's I'm gonna get natural white lights this time unless someone states otherwise... What would be a better choice? pink bulbs or natural daylight? should both be 5000K?

Preparation and Maintenance of a Planted Aquarium

I want to start by growing a carpet plant as the foreground and in this link theres a method called the Emerged Method thats what I'm gonna be doing.

This site is really helpful too: Aquarium Tools | The Aquarium Toolbox

If anyone has anything to add please do.
 
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#3 · (Edited)
I have never done a full planted tank before and this is the first time that I have heard of people using potting soil as a substrate in a aquarium tank; have not read the entire article you linked. The MiracleGro Organic has chicken litter in it, which I would think would cause some major problems for a tank. Why not just buy peat moss, which is the main ingredient along with composted bark mulch, and skip the major nitrogen source (poultry litter)?

Just a thought..
 
#4 · (Edited)
i second this i myself have nearly 1.5 inch of aquatic peat under my gravel
it serves two purposes one to lower the ph and two is of corse aid plant growth

for starters potting soil has metals in it that you do not want your fish to breath
nitrogen is in potting soil also not good in any amounts
DO NOT USE POTTING OR ANY OTHER SOIL OR FERTILIZER

find a good aquatic/organic peat and use that have barely any at the front and about an inch at the back

not only will it lower the ph but also it's a good fertilizer
if you can't find aquatic peat then use something like pond compost
and then cover with your gravel
 
#6 ·
this would depend on your location and size of store

i would go with natural untreated peat as previously stated about an inch across the back half of the tank banking it towards the front so that the front 3 inches of the tank has none this will help to make your PH stable and is excellent for plant growth

however i will say this is hard to find and you will have to trawl the net to find it i had problems in finding it but its so worth it your LFS may stock it i'm out in the sticks in the UK so don't have very big stores

if you fail to find the much desired peat you can go for an alternative of aquatic pond compost that your LFS will more than likely stock
 
#7 ·
I tried doing some research about using peat moss as a substrate instead of soil and all I have found was negative results, I think it would be better to stick with soil, Just have to make sure I know what exactly is in it.
 
#9 ·
Okay so I've decided I'm going to use pond compost, I have the 20 long sitting in my room and I'm picking up the stand tuesday. I'm off on thursday so I will be getting the pond compost on that day I also have some red clay I'm planning on putting below the substrate. Is there anything else I can throw in there that may benefit my tank like something that has Calcium or pretty much anything that will help, I was thinking of putting in a little crushed coral for the calc but that might raise my Ph, Is it okay to put a little bit?

I just want to gather up info on anything I can put in that's gonna benefit my tank before I finally set it up and its too late.
 
#13 ·
I put in miracle gro organic choice, then some mexican red clay and gravel on top. I forgot to take out the wood chips from the soil now I have a bunch of tannins. If I do WC's often it should be crystal clear soon right?

http://i47.tinypic.com/oj43ye.jpg

I have another question. I have a t5 fixture with 2 bulbs and currently I have 2x 5000k pink bulbs. It's time to change bulbs and if I get 2x 10,000k bulbs will it be too much? Will they add together to 20,000k? I have to get 2x 5000x? Would 2x 6500k work?
 
#14 ·
I put in miracle gro organic choice, then some mexican red clay and gravel on top. I forgot to take out the wood chips from the soil now I have a bunch of tannins. If I do WC's often it should be crystal clear soon right?

http://i47.tinypic.com/oj43ye.jpg

I have another question. I have a t5 fixture with 2 bulbs and currently I have 2x 5000k pink bulbs. It's time to change bulbs and if I get 2x 10,000k bulbs will it be too much? Will they add together to 20,000k? I have to get 2x 5000x? Would 2x 6500k work?
2X 6500 K will be fine.
 
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