Substrates, Lighting, CO2

[dinnese]

I've recently decided to take on the challenge of setting up a 90 gallon freshwater planted tank. I would like the system to be as easy and low maintenance as possible. I would like to use Flourite as a substrate seeing that I already have 3 bags realizing that I am going to need more. I have 1 T5 High Output Lamp again with the realization that I'm probably going to need another one. I guess my biggest question is on CO2. I'm not real familiar with use of CO2 so any advice would be appreciated. Again looking for advice on all 3 subjects.

[madagascariensis]

I would like to give you advice on something else, if you don't mind. You say you want it low maintenance and easy, but you are going exactly the opposite direction. High lights and co2 are complex and expensive in themselves, and will require a complex and exact fertilization schedule. Easy and low maintenance would be a low light setup without co2 and the flourite will provide all the nutrients. Hardy plants such as crypts, java fern and moss and various stem plants would fit in such a setup.

[Cliff]

+1 to the above

Below is a pic of my 90 gallon tank before the plants really took over. I have about a 50/50 mix of black flourite and black sand. I have cut back to a two bulb T5HO fisture for 9 hours a day (6700 or 6500K bulbs). No ferts or CO2 used at all. I do 50 to 75% weekly water changes

Nice and low tech which is what I like