Ok I am completly dumb in this area. Earlier this year I started my first delve into planted aquairuim I bought a light that would get me into some low light plants, anubias, Red/green lotus and a few other plants, I spent quite a bit of money needless to say nearly everything is dead or dying a slow death.
Here is what I have.
60gal
compact flourecent light 2x65w, they are freshwater bulbs so the guy told me on the phone, don't know much more on them, with moonlight leds ( very cool btw) link Current USA Satellite Power Compact Fixture 48" 2x65W
Substrate I bought from aquariumplants.com link AquariumPlants.com's own: Freshwater Plant Substrate
2 Penquin 350 bio wheel
2 100w heaters set at 82 ( don't know if this is high or not couldn't find any good solid info on temps for plants.)
Timer/powerstrip, I have the light to come on at 6 go off around nine... again couldn't find solid info on light times.
In Tank I have
7 rasbora hets
2 rainbow fish( that's what the pet store called them don't know any other name for them)
8 Cherry barbs
1 Emerald green Cory
1 Blue Crawdad which has taking a very good liking to the home i built him from some rainbow slate rock.
( I do have my Eye on a giant gold Gourami at this one store He would be the last fish to round out my tank)
I have not been running any CO2 at all. Mostly cause all the stores around me are either big box carry general stuff or small ma/pa places that don't really cater to the odd or expensive items. So I have been low tech so far, but with my tank in the state it's in now, i'm wondering if I have gone over my head with this planted tank idea.
I have seen some low tech tanks that look amazing, but I have been unable to get the right info on how this is accomplished. Based on what I have and what Aquariumplants.com folks told me my substrate and light would be more than enough to keep my plants alive.
I have read on DIY CO2 and I think that yeast/sugar going to be way to inconsistant for me.
So my questions are what is a good system for a 60 gal. and where is a good place online to purchase from that isn't going to break the bank? I'm will to spend around $200-250 maybe more if I need to.
What items do I need to get this going. If someone has a manifest of items they recommend please pass it my way. So I have an idea of what parts i need if there is no good "Kits"
Aquariumsplants.com has a system that they say is one of the best out there, however it's like 500 bucks if you add in shipping taxes and a CO2 tank or 2. link COMPLETE ULTIMATE Co2 SYSTEM (best of the best)($500+ VALUE ! )
Thanks for any help/advise any one can offer open to learning the ways of a planted tank.
My ultimate goal is to keep plants alive for no less than one year then start learning and ultimatley is get discus. I figure half of that battle is keeping plants alive. If I can't keep plants alive I don't think discus is something I should be trying
Here is what I have.
60gal
compact flourecent light 2x65w, they are freshwater bulbs so the guy told me on the phone, don't know much more on them, with moonlight leds ( very cool btw) link Current USA Satellite Power Compact Fixture 48" 2x65W
Substrate I bought from aquariumplants.com link AquariumPlants.com's own: Freshwater Plant Substrate
2 Penquin 350 bio wheel
2 100w heaters set at 82 ( don't know if this is high or not couldn't find any good solid info on temps for plants.)
Timer/powerstrip, I have the light to come on at 6 go off around nine... again couldn't find solid info on light times.
In Tank I have
7 rasbora hets
2 rainbow fish( that's what the pet store called them don't know any other name for them)
8 Cherry barbs
1 Emerald green Cory
1 Blue Crawdad which has taking a very good liking to the home i built him from some rainbow slate rock.
( I do have my Eye on a giant gold Gourami at this one store He would be the last fish to round out my tank)
I have not been running any CO2 at all. Mostly cause all the stores around me are either big box carry general stuff or small ma/pa places that don't really cater to the odd or expensive items. So I have been low tech so far, but with my tank in the state it's in now, i'm wondering if I have gone over my head with this planted tank idea.
I have seen some low tech tanks that look amazing, but I have been unable to get the right info on how this is accomplished. Based on what I have and what Aquariumplants.com folks told me my substrate and light would be more than enough to keep my plants alive.
I have read on DIY CO2 and I think that yeast/sugar going to be way to inconsistant for me.
So my questions are what is a good system for a 60 gal. and where is a good place online to purchase from that isn't going to break the bank? I'm will to spend around $200-250 maybe more if I need to.
What items do I need to get this going. If someone has a manifest of items they recommend please pass it my way. So I have an idea of what parts i need if there is no good "Kits"
Aquariumsplants.com has a system that they say is one of the best out there, however it's like 500 bucks if you add in shipping taxes and a CO2 tank or 2. link COMPLETE ULTIMATE Co2 SYSTEM (best of the best)($500+ VALUE ! )
Thanks for any help/advise any one can offer open to learning the ways of a planted tank.
My ultimate goal is to keep plants alive for no less than one year then start learning and ultimatley is get discus. I figure half of that battle is keeping plants alive. If I can't keep plants alive I don't think discus is something I should be trying