[karl1]

hi everyone,
ok so i have a marine aquarium already and have had it running for over a year and now thinking of setting up a planted tropical tank.
i need some help on what i would need for the tank i cant have an external filter has to be internal.
what sort of lighting will i need etc.
any help will be much appreciated.

 

[ShukiAi]

Well, first off I would figure out what types of fish you want in your aquarium. Some fish can do fine in smaller tanks and others need a lot more room. Once you narrow down what fish you want, you can go from there. I started out with a 10 gallon, but quickly realized I needed to go bigger. My largest tank right now is only a 30 gallon, but I would love to go bigger when I have the space. So that's another factor, where are you putting this tank and what kind of room do you have?

Do you plan on having a planted aquarium? If so, you'll need a bulb or light fixture that can support plants. 6500k is a rule of thumb. I'm only familiar with fluorescent lighting, so you'll have to consult someone else if you plan on getting into LEDs. Also for plants, you need to decide on a substrate. Some people stick with just the general aquarium gravel and they have great results, other people go for soil and sand.

As for the filter being internal, could you possibly have a HOB (hang on back) filter? That's what many people, myself included, use. I know people use sponge filters internally, but I don't have any experience with them. But that's another option to look into.

I would also definitely invest in API's Master Test Kit for measuring pH, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. It is invaluable, especially when you start out. When starting out, you need to make sure your tank is cycled, for a great sticky on all that is cycling, check out this link: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/beginner-freshwater-aquarium/beginners-guide-freshwater-aquarium-cycle-353074/

Hmm, I think that's a good general start.

 

[karl1]

Well, first off I would figure out what types of fish you want in your aquarium. Some fish can do fine in smaller tanks and others need a lot more room. Once you narrow down what fish you want, you can go from there. I started out with a 10 gallon, but quickly realized I needed to go bigger. My largest tank right now is only a 30 gallon, but I would love to go bigger when I have the space. So that's another factor, where are you putting this tank and what kind of room do you have?

Do you plan on having a planted aquarium? If so, you'll need a bulb or light fixture that can support plants. 6500k is a rule of thumb. I'm only familiar with fluorescent lighting, so you'll have to consult someone else if you plan on getting into LEDs. Also for plants, you need to decide on a substrate. Some people stick with just the general aquarium gravel and they have great results, other people go for soil and sand.

As for the filter being internal, could you possibly have a HOB (hang on back) filter? That's what many people, myself included, use. I know people use sponge filters internally, but I don't have any experience with them. But that's another option to look into.

I would also definitely invest in API's Master Test Kit for measuring pH, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. It is invaluable, especially when you start out. When starting out, you need to make sure your tank is cycled, for a great sticky on all that is cycling, check out this link: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...nners-guide-freshwater-aquarium-cycle-353074/

Hmm, I think that's a good general start.

ive got a 21 gal tank already. hob filter would be a possible but never used any of them before same with internal.

yes planted would be what im looking for. led wise would marine led be ok or not?
do you have to have the light on for a certain period or not ?

does a marine test kit work for the same? ie the salifert. for marine the api test kits are pants.

karl

 

[ShukiAi]

ive got a 21 gal tank already. hob filter would be a possible but never used any of them before same with internal.

yes planted would be what im looking for. led wise would marine led be ok or not?
do you have to have the light on for a certain period or not ?

does a marine test kit work for the same? ie the salifert. for marine the api test kits are pants.

karl

I've used Marineland Penguin power filters with bio-wheel for my tanks and really like them. I'd suggest the 150 for up to 30 gallons.

As for your other questions, I know nothing about marine tanks so I don't know if the lights or test kit would work. Someone else will have to answer those questions, sorry. But for time you want the lights on, it's suggested between 8-10 hours a day.

 

[sprmankalel]

I'm pretty sure the test kits are not the same and this is why they are marked as Freshwater and Saltwater. If you are going to setup a freshwater planted tank I would suggest you use lighting and equipment for freshwater. For my lighting I use an AquaticLife T5HO Dual Lamp fixture. (Aquarium Lighting T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture: AquaticLife T5 HO Dual Lamp Light Fixtures) I have 6700K and 10,000K bulbs in it. I believe it comes with a 6000K and a Roseate bulb. I recommend changing them. 6500K seems to be the sweet spot for photosynthesis. I use the 10,000K to offset the slight blue color from the 6700K. I dose my tank daily with FlorinMulti and Seachem Flourish Excel. FlorinMulti is usually found at specialty stores and it seems that PetSmart has stopped selling Seachem in favor of National Geographic. A lot of people have had success with Seachem Flourish instead of FlorinMulti. I think either way you can't go wrong. Also, depending on your plant's requirements you might need Seachem Flourish Trace. I have Seachem Dark Flourite gravel. Flourite is specifically designed to be a plant substrate. It comes in 3 colors Dark (Brown), Black and Red (looks like crushed bricks). I also use Seachem Flourish Root Tabs in my gravel for fertilizing my root plants. My stem plants have begun to grow roots so I am sure they benefit from the root tabs as well. I have my lights on a timer ($6 from Target) for 11 hours a day. I also prefer AquaClear filters. They are a little more flexible when it comes to media. Avoid activated carbon as it will suck up the nutrients from fertilizers. Of course all of this is what I do. Everyone does it differently. Just make sure you research the lighting and nutrient requirements of the plants you want to keep.