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Originally Posted by SBDTHUR
I plan to put a good 2.5-3 inch layer of EcoComplete or Flourite for substrate.
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I personally suggest Eco over Flourite. It doesn't need to be rinsed, is easier to plant in IMO, and doesn't cloud the water. Flourite is just the opposite. I also think that Eco is better for bottom feeders. Flourite pieces can be kind of sharp.
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In the way of plants, I want to make a nice carpet of dwarf hairgrass or something similar. With maybe some larger plants sprouting up. In the way of electronics.. 65W Compact Fluorescent, new heater, canister filter..
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Hairgrass may or may not thrive in that lighting. If you add CO2 and dose fertilizers regularly, you may be able to get away with a carpet. It will grow very slow though and IMO it won't look like the nice photos you see of people's tanks with the lush hair grass carpet. If you have more light, CO2, and ferts, then it would grow in faster and probably healthier. There are other grassy plants that would grow better in 65w though.....like Echinodorus tenellus. Its not thin, but would give you a grassy effect.
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In the way of fish, my list is as follows.
- Otocinclus Cats 2-5
- Sidthimunki Botia Loach 2-5
OR
- Tiger Shrimp 20
- Blue Pearl 10
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If you go the Oto, Sidthimunki route, I'd suggest atleast 4 of each. With the loaches, you would be better off having atleast 6 IMO. They are small, so you wouldn't be overstocking with 6-8.
Have you thought about a middle or top dweller for the Oto/Loach stocking. You may not see them very much and they'll stay either on the bottom or the sides of the tank (Otos). You could have a school of small tetras or rasboras that would go nicely with them.