No problem, Berudu.

Initially when most of us started we didn't have ppl to advice us, so mostly trial and error. But, nowadays, so easy. Feel free to ask us anytime.

maybe u list what u hv now? so i can help you to check the list.

what i have is what i inherited from the previous owner, which is a 2ft tank and a overhead box filter. i'm getting a light source from my boss, but he tells me its not powerful enough but could be just nice for java moss and ferns. i'm going to DIY my CO2.

so, this tells me i need substrates, filter media (maybe a new filter instead of the ugly overhead box), a timer for lighting, fertilizer. i'm still wondering what other 'chems' i need besides anti-chlorine.

right now, i'm reading up on how to cycle a tank.

this is what you can do.

get a ph tester, buy some bio - ring. put the bio-ring with tap water(ph 7) in a cup. test the ph see if it shoot up. if not then the bio-ring is safe to use.

put the soil in, add water, run your filter for about 3 weeks, same time you can water change until ur tank water is clear. put anti-chlorine everytime you water change. after 3 weeks. the benefit bacteria and the cycle of the tank should be good enough for the plants:)

what is the budget for your soil? cos good soil will make your life easier.

Light, depance on what plants u wanna keep. possible to show a pic of your light?

Hi,

Wanna ask; is the glass CO2 diffuser supposed to be filled with some water at the bottom part?

Thank you.

the buble counter .. need abit .. so can easily count how bubble per second .

ok. because i plan to start with Java ferns and moss, i'm told that holland sand will do nicely. the ADA soil is a bit too expensive but what about GEX soil?

i dun have the light yet. but i'll put up the pics when i get it.

Tadpole: GEX, ADA & JBL soil are priced just about the same. If you do plan to use GEX, I'd suggest you get the 3kg Red packaging one, its shrimp friendly. Why, you may ask. Compare the soil granule size. Easier for the shrimps to push around. Another reason, since you're going for moss & fern set-up, Cherry shrimps are the cheapest and most efficient moss cleaners. Just remember to bring your temperature down to about 25C with a dual fan setup, good amount of water flow, some DIY co2 and light, mosses thrive in well ventilated & clean tanks.

The various websites do say that moss & fern don't need much light or co2, but do remember you're are recreating nature in an environment devoid of water movement.

With addition of co2, light & water current; your mosses will grow bushy and the colors will be more vibrant, trust me I speak from experience.

In my shrimp tank set-up, I don't feed the shrimps reason being there's enough dead particles in the water for it to feed on plus I don't want to add to the bio load of the tank. All I do is top-up water every other day and do a water change every week. Addition of Seachem's Flourish Excel ensures that my plants get the extra Carbon.

When adding chemicals into the water, its advisable to add half the dosage initially so as not to 'shock' your flora & fauna; then increase slowly until you arrive at the required dosage.

When you first introduce the mosses & ferns, also get a few bunches of Cabomba Caroliniana (one of the fastest growing stem plants). Why you need to have plants that suck up the excess nutrients in the water therefore ensuring less likelyhood of an algae bloom.

This post has been edited by geediver: Feb 20 2008, 12:12 PM

no a CO2 diffusor don't need to fill water, but a bubble count do.

GEX is a good one too but its not as cheap as holland sand.yes holland sand will do too, a few DWood in your tank will help to pull the ph down abit.

ur room temp sure very good, i guess chiller only can get 25oC heheh mine is always 27 - 28, so far so good

oh, i mean the CO2 diffisuer which was placed inside the tank.

i noticed some water has got into it when i submerged the diffuser into the aquarium.

water will fill in itself. so worries.

tadpole-x,

u plan to go for planted tank with fish?or shrimp?
if only fish, no need go till 25~26C, normal 27~28 will be ok, but need to put fan to cool it down.

waww finally your samurine come out liao hahahha..

samurine??
wat samurine la auntie bully, just that i seldom come to this section, i normally at kopitiam only....

tadpole... welcome to the planted tank hobby...

well, from what i understand, you have a 2 feet tank with an overhead filter.. and you plan to use a DIY co2... also, the soil thing...

well, i say, the overhead filter would be a NO NO thing in a planted tank..
why? it will cause your co2 to diffuse at a very fast rate...
which leads to algae problems as your plants won't be able to do photosynthesis at its peak and this is when the algae comes in...
also, when your co2 level is not being supplied constantly, you plants won't do as good... well, of course, without co2, you could grow java ferns... and mosses too.... option for a canister filter is the best...

Substrate, well, simple, ask yourself, don't talk about aquatic plants, talk about plants in general... they grow on soil or sand...
as sand is something solid without any ferts or organic matter, but soil does... therefor, plants thrive with soil..

Soil... not that i especially like ADA and hate other brands like JBL,GEX or whatsoever brands, but from experience, ADA is the best...
In fact, ADA is more towards a plug-and-play-and-you-wont-fail-if-you-follow-the-instructions...

if you want, you could option for ADA Malaya or Africana as ADA Amazonia would be very hard to handle as it is the richest among the 2 other type of ADA soil.... well, last advise, don't be penny wise pound foolish... no offence...

Lights, for a 2' tank, you could use a 36watts Philips PL-L with 6500k or you could simply use a 55watts Dymax PL-L... the 55watts PL-L is about 22 inches in lenght, so, your whole tank will have enough lights....
(only apply to 2' tank and depending on the type of plants you want to keep)

Fan, as someone mentioned earlier, a fan is a must to keep the temperature down, but evaporation rate would be very high and you got to top up water like everyday... but it does bring down the temperature..
temperature is crucial in keeping a planted tank...

if you don't believe, try to get a bunch of plants, put some in a pail of water, and another in a pastic bag sealed in a fridge. see which one goes bad 1st...

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things to look out for...

try to get a better canister filter... see the wattage...
keep in mind, you are having a 2' tank.. and your water volume is small... additional wattage will bring your water temp up...

this is a long running hobby, so don't be penny wise, pound foolish...
that is why most of the people who is penny wise and pound foolish because they dont get the point where they need the hardware which can sustain the tank... therefor, they option for a cheaper alternative and 2 months later, they go around and say fish keeping is hard... which is not at all... no offense to everyone, to anyone...

RESEARCH RESEARCH and RESEARCH!!!!

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pinchboyz, nice HINO on your avatar with huge maro... thumbs up...

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nezumitaro, DW (driftwood) will lower the pH a lil, but tannins can block the light penetration... soil brings down the pH.. and also the hardness..
everyone else who needed advise and suggestions, please add me in MSN ... icthinus@hotmail.com...

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been in this hobby for 20years... >5years for planted tanks.. of course, lots of money wasted... therefor, i would not hope anyone here burn their money for experience.. i'm here to guide,advise,critique and comment as a hobbyist which holds a lot of passion for anything aquatic....

and now, have fun... and sorry if i offended anyone... lies sound better, but truth makes life easier..

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geediver, your nick is familiar.....hmm... have i met you somewhere?

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attached below is a 14 feet tank i recently do for Eco Park Clubhouse at Alam Setia Shah Alam ...

This post has been edited by ggMing: Feb 20 2008, 09:33 PM


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guys, what is the estimate price for a 4ft long, 1.5ft wide, 2ft tall aquarium?

ggming: Yeah, we met at one of SLS's ADA workshops. I cabut early due to prior appointment with Noyze.

Inv: If you're ever around, when would you like the mosses la? They growing out of control dy!!!

Tomorrow, RE-SCAPE DAY!!!!!!

This post has been edited by geediver: Feb 21 2008, 12:53 AM

wawww Ah Ming you also here liao.. finally we have a sifu ranking person here..WELCOME wor.. and thanks so much for the sharing. it will sure helping the newbie out

the 14ft tank is so well done too... post more pic if you are free.. hehe we need more poison!

yes soil is the best to lower down ph. and agree DW will yellow the water, but guess there are alot youngster here.. its abit pricy for them to get ADA or GEX. if using holland sand. is there any way better to pull down the ph?

This post has been edited by nezumitaro: Feb 21 2008, 09:42 AM

there are lot ways to pull down the pH auntie, ketapang leave(which water will also brownish), or beneath the holland sand, can put some peat moss...

ok, thanks!

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Added on February 21, 2008, 1:07 pmHi,

I own a 2' tank as well and I think your advice is very helpful.
Lights, for a 2' tank, you could use a 36watts Philips PL-L with 6500k or you could simply use a 55watts Dymax PL-L... the 55watts PL-L is about 22 inches in lenght, so, your whole tank will have enough lights....
(only apply to 2' tank and depending on the type of plants you want to keep)

Where can I get these kind of lights? In normal LFS, they normally only have the 15W type for a 2' tank....
I'm using two 18" Arcadia white light, do you think they are bright enough for my tank?
Fan, as someone mentioned earlier, a fan is a must to keep the temperature down, but evaporation rate would be very high and you got to top up water like everyday... but it does bring down the temperature..
temperature is crucial in keeping a planted tank...

Not enough space to hang a fan....
if you don't believe, try to get a bunch of plants, put some in a pail of water, and another in a pastic bag sealed in a fridge. see which one goes bad 1st...

Thanks!

This post has been edited by frankzane: Feb 21 2008, 01:07 PM