Wanting to start a 28 gallon planted tank ideas

twintrades

HEY im getting a 28 gallon tank setup for free and my wife wants to make it into a angelfish tank. I would like it to be as green and natural as i can get.

What should i use as my substerate ? How deep should it be ?
UNdergravel filter nessasary ?
power head ?
Type of drift wood ?
How should i do rock work ?

Im planing to use HOB filtration. No sump t-8 lighting.

Airstone or powerhead ?

Austin

What should i use as my substerate ? How deep should it be ? Doesn't matter unless you are going to plant your tank. If you're going to plant your tank I think 2-3 inches is good. :) Also you can use whatever substrate you want from playsand from lowes or home depot to marbles.
UNdergravel filter nessasary ? Nope. If you're going to use real plants then you do not want one for sure.
power head ? No? I don't really understand what you mean. Powerheads are used in filters I think. You're already using a HOB filter.
Type of drift wood ? I haven't used driftwood in my tanks before but whatever they have at a fish store should work. You need to soak it for a few days in a bucket of water before using. This site is mostly for plants but this is the only driftwood I know of really. ;P Link
How should i do rock work ? Not sure on this either. Sure some other members can give you some good advice. If you got a nice piece of driftwood you probably don't need rocks for decorations.


A HOB filter will be sufficient you don't need an airstone or anything else. Make sure you have a heater, though.

Also I assume you're somewhat new to fish keeping (don't be offended if I made a wrong assumption), but make sure you read about cycling first. Also 2-3 angelfish is probably all you can keep unless you plan to breed them, then get maybe 6 juveniles and once they pair off return the other 4 to your LFS. (:

twintrades

JUst want the tank to look natural. Probly are going to oder Quite abit of live plats. What lighting is best i have a 1 t-8 bulb or i could put 2 t-8 fixtures on the top.....?

Angel079

I'd really urge to re-think a group of Angels in that size tank they do grow anywhere's from 12-15" as adults you know that right?

Substrate I'd use fine grain (2-3mm) gravel in any dark coloration/ coloration mix that's most natural and best for fish & plants. ANd make that a good 3+inch thick layer for plants.

UGF & POwerhead- No need. HOB Filter is not too ideal for a planted tank so maybe a small canister would be better for you. Lights you need def a full spectrum light rated around 6500 kelvin.

If you go live plants I think Driftwoord nice sized and plants is plenty enough in that tank I'd not add rocks on top all that.

Good quality nice plants can be found here www.sweetaquatics.com

Angel079

Oh sorry overlooked your 2nd post: 1 t8 will be plenty on this tank on a 29g I'd suggest a wattage for a t8 bulb around 20w. I'd strongly urge not to put too much wattage over the tank because you WILL melt you plants if you do.
Proper Daylights (as full spectrum are called at the store) can be found at Lowes, Homedepot, Walmart by brands like GE, Bright Effects Phillips.

twintrades

We were thinking a group of three then if they paired off the loner would go to a friend. She has a 90 with only 2 fish

In the tank would be a pair of rams we have that seem nice and mabey something else not a lot.

We just want the tank to look nice next to our reef tank. My wife loves angel fish

1077

Twelve to fifteen inch Angel fish? Maybe if you combined adult length of a pair.

1077

Three juvenile angelfish could work in 28 gal. I have kept as many as nine dime sized angelfish in 29 gal until approx quarter sized ,with twice weekly water changes of 40 to 50 percent and no other fish.
Trouble with getting three, is that they may all three be male or female, can't really sex them until they pair off and even then close examination is needed . Is why some ,,purchase these fish in larger groups to help increase the odds of getting a pair.
Let us say you get a pair and spawning,, if that is your aim, occurs. You will need grow out tank('s) for the young at some point.
Add to this the frequent feedings needed for the young fish (Fry) to develop, and water changes to maintain water quality may need to be daily.
Am not trying to discourage you from keeping the fish that interest you just attempting to offer things that you should consider should spawning be something you are considering.
Larger tank would allow more flexibility with keeping a group of these fish that can reach adult size in six to eight months in the soft warm water that they appreciate.

twintrades

Were not wanting to breed them. If they happen to its a bonus. Weve had cribs and others bred in our tanks before. The fry would have to fend for themselfs.

so a bed aprox 3" deep and 2-3 cm gravel. with our existing lighting ? ( upgrade the bulb) and i should be good right ?

Lastly hood on or off which do you prefer ?

Angel079

Mine grew a lil over 12" body, fins and all and I seen plenty larger one's then mine at the breeder.

Not too sure what you mean by "bed" 3" deep and then gravel of a few cm over top. All you'd need to grow plants is about 3" fine gravel and you're ready to roll.
Yes exchange for a "Daylight" bulb to grow plants, any brand will do that I listed up top but be sure to buy a full spectrum that's listed with 6500 kelvin on the box.
I'd think the way your hood is built you'd need to leave it on there so your light can sit on something and not fall in to the water. Also having a hood over your tank (between tank/ lights) eliminated the greater portion of evaporation.

Once you got that sorted buy or order plants you like online and plant you tank, let it get cycled (you may wanna buy a liquid test kit too if you don't already have one, Tetra or API make good one's) and then once cycle is done add your fish.