Plotting and planning

[AmyLynn]

I am soooooooo excited. I scored an awesome tank off of Craigs list today that is paid for and I will pick up next week. It's a 55 gallon with wood stand and tank. I am STOKED. :jumpeveryone:

But I want to start getting some basic planning going. Eventually I want to go planted with this tank. Should I go with a sand substrate and plan on dosing with fertilizer tabs? Or should I splurge on something like eco-complete now?

I have to admit, sand sounds tempting since it's cheap. But I'm not sure what type of filters it'll have. And I'm worried about keeping it from packing down and getting toxic.

Thoughts and ideas? :help:

I am tempted by the tahitian moon sand too. But even with the drs f&s cheat it's $14 a bag.

[Lab_Rat]

I would go ahead and go with plant substrate as changing substrate is a total pita. It's worth it to invest in it if you want a nice planted tank. I'm really liking the flourite sand substrate. For my 29g I used 2 bags of flourite sand and mixed it with 1 bag of tms. Regular flourite is also a great substrate, I just wouldn't use it if you're planning on having soft bodied bottom dwellers as it is very sharp. From what I've heard, eco-complete is no longer as great as it used to be.

[AmyLynn]

I do have some otos coming my way and I currently have 2 syndontis so I can't have sharp in the tank.

Sooooooo for a 55 gallon I would probably need 3 bags of flourite and at least 1 tms?

[AmyLynn]

Nobody else has anything to add?

Okay, internet research it is then. :scry:

[rookie]

yea definatly do the plant substraite now. it will save you alot of work later. how much substraite depends on how deep you want it and the exact dementions of your tank. this calculator should help [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[AmyLynn]

Okay, so for the flourite SAND, should I go with the flourite calculation or the sand calculation? LOL

[rookie]

i would just go with florite because i got regular black florite and its kinda like sand so im assuming thats what you are looking for

[Lab_Rat]

I used 2 bags flourite sand and 1 bag tms in my 29g tank (30" long). It's given me a nice substrate depth. So if I had to guess, for a 55g I'd go with 3 bags flourite sand and 2 bags tms. If you want it deeper then go with one more bag tms. That's just a rough guess though.

Please note, there is are two black flourite products. One is sand and one is regular flourite. For your bottom dwellers the sand would be the better option.

[AmyLynn]

I used 2 bags flourite sand and 1 bag tms in my 29g tank (30" long). It's given me a nice substrate depth. So if I had to guess, for a 55g I'd go with 3 bags flourite sand and 2 bags tms. If you want it deeper then go with one more bag tms. That's just a rough guess though.

Please note, there is are two black flourite products. One is sand and one is regular flourite. For your bottom dwellers the sand would be the better option.

I was thinking there was a difference in the regular flourite and the flourite sand. :ssmile:

I don't know what types of filters I'll have. Not quite sure if there are filters with the tank and what type or if I'll be picking up a couple of HOB filters. Are sponges or nylon better to keep sand out of the impellers?

[Girl Got Mojo]

The impellers should be ok with whatever filter you use as long as the intake tube
isn't too long. Just make sure the sand settles before you turn the filters on. If
sand gets kicked up when you do your waterchanges you can turn the filters off
then back on when it settles. Depending on the plants you get nylon over the
intake might get clogged up too often and during the night the filter will burn
out.

[Lab_Rat]

I've never had a problem with sand and the impellers, but I don't stir it all up while the filters are running either. For a 55g I'd go with a canister filter.

[AmyLynn]

Not sure I'm quite ready to pay that much for a filter. yet LOL

I already run a whisper 30-60 on my 29 gallon. Will probably get something similar and hang both. Looking at the drs foster smith power filter and surface skimmer.

Of course, I could luck out and the new tank could have a filter. *crossing fingers and wishing hard*

[Lab_Rat]

It's really worth the cash to get a canister filter. I was scared of them at first but now that I've had one I won't use anything else as a primary filter on a tank over 30g. I'm actually going to switch my 29g to an xp2 when I get the extra cash.

[AmyLynn]

A canister filter is something that's definitely in the future plans. But I'll have to wait on that and lighting until I see what all is coming with the tank. The tank, stand and canopy were such a great deal that I didn't even ask. LOL

Okay, one final question before I head to bed.

I'm going to be starting off with some easy, low light plants. Do I need to get any flourish or something similar to supplement them?

[Lab_Rat]

I dose with Flourish and Excel, and occasionally I'll throw in some potassium and iron (even though I have the flourite substrate it's for the non rooted plants.) I'm sure you'll get varying opinions. I also stick in some root tabs near the swords.

[190MPH]

FWIW, if you are going with some soft bellied fish, I wouldn't use TMS. I know some have used it without problems, but it is definately sharper to the touch and it's also not recommended for them, as stated on their website.

[AmyLynn]

FWIW, if you are going with some soft bellied fish, I wouldn't use TMS. I know some have used it without problems, but it is definately sharper to the touch and it's also not recommended for them, as stated on their website.

Glad I didn't hit that order button last night. LOL I am going to have otos in there and I have 2 upside down catfish now. (assuming they're still alive since I haven't seen them in over a week)

[Lab_Rat]

There's a lot of debate about tms being sharp. Personally I don't think it's any sharper than pool filter sand and I have my cories on it.

[AmyLynn]

190 was right though about it being on their website. Never even thought to look there.

On the plus side, Seachem has a great website and its own substrate calculator that so nicely told me that I need 4 bags of flourite sand for my new 55. thumbs2: