Low tech planted aquarium question.

Snyder_7 · 01-23-2006, 09:05 PM

I have a 55 gallon tank that I want to turn into a low tech planted aquarium. I'm currently building a hood for it, and I was just wondering what equipment everyone here would recommend. I don't want to shell out money for a Co2 system, because at the moment my budget is exceedingly tight. Anyways, I'm basically looking for a ballpark figure expense-wise for lighting/the ballast (that IS the thing that the lights hook into, right..?) substrate, heater, and enough relatively easy to care for plants to provide an ample amount of cover for the fish that I would eventually add. The main focus here is building an aquarium on a tight budget that’s still functional.

A general outline of the actual equipment and plants would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

**Damon** · 01-24-2006, 06:47 AM

Substrate: Turface or Soilmaster (whichever you can find) $15.00 for 50lb. 1 bag will be enough

Heaters: (2x150) $35-$40.00

Lighting scheme: Since your building a hood that will allow many combinations. Shoot for 2 wpg of NO flourescent. 3x40 will work nicely.

Ballast: Workhorse 5 (120). ~$25-30.00.

Endcaps: ~$5.00

Reflector(s): DIY is cheap

Bulbs: Fortunately bulbs for a 48 inch fixture are also cheap. You'll spend less than $20.00 for 3 in the appropiate spectrums (6500K-8800K)

cheseboy · 01-24-2006, 03:03 PM

Simpte, you don't need all thoes things for easy to care for plants.Ok so I'm guessing you're gonna want tropical fish in there also so I won't incluse the stuff you would need for fish.

Simple Flourcent Lamp (it includes full spectrum blubs) - 47+$ (petSmart)

Fertilizer (Optional)- 9$

Heater(s)- 45$ I woulden't say the temerture is all that important for simple plants so 1 heater should do.

Powerhead- 25$ - 35$ for an aquaclear 55 gallon edition

For simple plants you don't need much regular gravel will do for easy to grow ones and a lower WPG will work. Obivously the more WPG you have the more plants you can grow. The stronger lights you haver the more Watts Per Gallon you will have. You'll need the powerhead to spread the heat out evenly.

Also what are you making your hood out of since it could be an issue?

Snyder_7 · 01-24-2006, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the help everyone.

Any suggestions for plants?

**Damon** · 01-24-2006, 03:08 PM

And what plants would you grow under those conditions, Cheseboy?

cheseboy · 01-24-2006, 03:13 PM

1.Water Sprite

2.Java moss

3.Java fern

4.Anubians

**Damon** · 01-25-2006, 06:27 AM

In a 55 gallon? Thats a LOT of watersprite, anubias, java fern, and moss. Would you just plant the java fern and anubias into the gravel? This tank is supposed to be planted, not just a few plants.

01-23-2006, 09:05 PM	#1
Snyder_7 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin Age: 20 Posts: 6	Low tech planted aquarium question. I have a 55 gallon tank that I want to turn into a low tech planted aquarium. I'm currently building a hood for it, and I was just wondering what equipment everyone here would recommend. I don't want to shell out money for a Co2 system, because at the moment my budget is exceedingly tight. Anyways, I'm basically looking for a ballpark figure expense-wise for lighting/the ballast (that IS the thing that the lights hook into, right..?) substrate, heater, and enough relatively easy to care for plants to provide an ample amount of cover for the fish that I would eventually add. The main focus here is building an aquarium on a tight budget that’s still functional. A general outline of the actual equipment and plants would also be welcome. Thanks in advance. __________________ Beginning fish enthusiast ~10 gallon tank: 1 corydoras 1 dwarf gourami ~1 gallon tank: Currently empty, awaiting some ghost shrimp. "Knowledge is power."

01-24-2006, 06:47 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Substrate: Turface or Soilmaster (whichever you can find) $15.00 for 50lb. 1 bag will be enough Heaters: (2x150) $35-$40.00 Lighting scheme: Since your building a hood that will allow many combinations. Shoot for 2 wpg of NO flourescent. 3x40 will work nicely. Ballast: Workhorse 5 (120). ~$25-30.00. Endcaps: ~$5.00 Reflector(s): DIY is cheap Bulbs: Fortunately bulbs for a 48 inch fixture are also cheap. You'll spend less than $20.00 for 3 in the appropiate spectrums (6500K-8800K) __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-24-2006, 03:03 PM	#3
cheseboy Freshwater Shrimp Dude Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Age: 16 Posts: 340	Simpte, you don't need all thoes things for easy to care for plants.Ok so I'm guessing you're gonna want tropical fish in there also so I won't incluse the stuff you would need for fish. Simple Flourcent Lamp (it includes full spectrum blubs) - 47+$ (petSmart) Fertilizer (Optional)- 9$ Heater(s)- 45$ I woulden't say the temerture is all that important for simple plants so 1 heater should do. Powerhead- 25$ - 35$ for an aquaclear 55 gallon edition For simple plants you don't need much regular gravel will do for easy to grow ones and a lower WPG will work. Obivously the more WPG you have the more plants you can grow. The stronger lights you haver the more Watts Per Gallon you will have. You'll need the powerhead to spread the heat out evenly. Also what are you making your hood out of since it could be an issue? __________________ 20 Gallon Saltwater Tank status: Full Blown Reef! For Information and stories Visit my Journal Here! I Love Inverts! Last edited by cheseboy; 01-24-2006 at 03:13 PM.

01-24-2006, 03:03 PM	#4
Snyder_7 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin Age: 20 Posts: 6	Thanks for the help everyone. Any suggestions for plants? __________________ Beginning fish enthusiast ~10 gallon tank: 1 corydoras 1 dwarf gourami ~1 gallon tank: Currently empty, awaiting some ghost shrimp. "Knowledge is power."

01-24-2006, 03:08 PM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	And what plants would you grow under those conditions, Cheseboy? __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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01-24-2006, 03:13 PM	#6
cheseboy Freshwater Shrimp Dude Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Age: 16 Posts: 340	1.Water Sprite 2.Java moss 3.Java fern 4.Anubians __________________ 20 Gallon Saltwater Tank status: Full Blown Reef! For Information and stories Visit my Journal Here! I Love Inverts!

01-25-2006, 06:27 AM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	In a 55 gallon? Thats a LOT of watersprite, anubias, java fern, and moss. Would you just plant the java fern and anubias into the gravel? This tank is supposed to be planted, not just a few plants. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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