Originally posted by moopiespoo
I have decided on making the 29g a fw planted tank. I really don't have any clue what I am doing. Could someone help me with:
1. Best filtration method
2. Best substate
3. Lighting
4. good beginner plants
5. Do I need to cycle it?
Thank you.
Like any tank you need to know what fish you want to keep. Regular "tropical" fish like neutral water, S. Americans like neutral to slighty hard, angels and discus like soft low ph and
African cichlids need hard high pH. Plants do not grow well in hard high pH water.
So, that being said, for a planted tank I would recommend the following...
- Aqua Clear for a hang on filter would be my choice. A canister is very good too like a Fluval or Eheim. I've used bio-wheel Penguins and I prefer the Aqua Clear or canister filter.
-Substrate specially for planted tanks (Carib-sea Eco Complete).
-Good lighting. A 55 -65 watt PC with a good daylight bulb should be plenty for that tank (Coralife has some for FW tanks).
- Fish that are good for planted tanks. Apsitogramma, angels, tetras, guaramis, mollies etc... Stay away from Plecos for alage eaters. Get siamese or similar types for algae control.
-Most of the plants you will find at the LFS are easy to grow if you have decent lighting. Anubias, java ferns, amazon swords and the like are all easy.
Stay away from S. American cichlids that like to reargange the substrate.
The tank will need to cycle just like any other tank but the bio filration will be mainly in the filter and on the substrate. You can use Lava rock which is neutral and porus and will eventually get populated with good baceria and help with bio filtration.
Hmmm, I can't think of anything else right now. Post more questions if you have them or email me at
r53@comcast.net if you want.
BTW, since we are already OT, are you an Eagles fan? Your avatar is the logo for the Philly Eagels.
