Hi everyone. i'm new to this forum and this is my first post, so go easy on me! I have some questions that have been bugging me for a while, so i would be ever so grateful for you help
i've never kept planted tanks in my life as i'm an African Cichlid Hobbyist, however i'm in the process of setting up a 60L Dennerle cube planted Ram tank in my kitchen.
With the help of a good mate, I seem to have picked out all the plants for the tank and red moor wood decor etc. I will be using ADA AquaSoil and I will be using liquid co2.
I have two areas that i'm looking to get some advice on if i may:
1. Filtration:
What are most people using? I like the idea of a small external so i have been looking at the Eden 501 and 511. Does anyone use a the 501? What ever filter i go for it must be able to sit behind the tank as i can't put anything below it. So the filter will have to sit next to the tank. This pretty much rules out any big externals.
I did some reading up on it, and even though the quality and build was there, it lacked some guts and i'm thinking it might be a little small, plus lack of room for media that i want to use. This is Seachem Matrix and Purigen.
Someone please do correct me though if you find the 501 to be more than good at what it does!
The 511 looks like it has more guts and a bit more room, but i would really appreciate some advice
I have some lily pipes that are 9mm that would fit on the 501 but could I use them with the 511 or another brand of filter?
I have also been looking at HOB filters.
There are many to choose from. I have looked at the Eheim Liberty range and APS models.
My only gripe with these, is the lack of room for media, but i would be interested to see what you all think.
I hear that with plants and the AquaSoil filtration doesn't need to be crazy as they help? Maybe someone can educate me more on this?
2. Next is water quality. The ph where i live is 7.2. Rams require lower PH. However the breeder i'm getting them from breeds and raises them in 7.2 but recommends i go lower to get the most out of them. So how do i get the PH down? Once again will the Soil and plants etc contribute to this or just keep things stable or both? Should i go for RO water? I can get it from my local shop or i have found a non self piercing unit for £60 which i just screw on my tap. Or do i go for something like API PH down? The GH = 15 and KH = 18. So that works out to be GH = 269PPM KH= 322PPM.
Sorry for all the questions but i really want to get things right.
Thanks guys
i've never kept planted tanks in my life as i'm an African Cichlid Hobbyist, however i'm in the process of setting up a 60L Dennerle cube planted Ram tank in my kitchen.
With the help of a good mate, I seem to have picked out all the plants for the tank and red moor wood decor etc. I will be using ADA AquaSoil and I will be using liquid co2.
I have two areas that i'm looking to get some advice on if i may:
1. Filtration:
What are most people using? I like the idea of a small external so i have been looking at the Eden 501 and 511. Does anyone use a the 501? What ever filter i go for it must be able to sit behind the tank as i can't put anything below it. So the filter will have to sit next to the tank. This pretty much rules out any big externals.
I did some reading up on it, and even though the quality and build was there, it lacked some guts and i'm thinking it might be a little small, plus lack of room for media that i want to use. This is Seachem Matrix and Purigen.
Someone please do correct me though if you find the 501 to be more than good at what it does!
The 511 looks like it has more guts and a bit more room, but i would really appreciate some advice
I have some lily pipes that are 9mm that would fit on the 501 but could I use them with the 511 or another brand of filter?
I have also been looking at HOB filters.
There are many to choose from. I have looked at the Eheim Liberty range and APS models.
My only gripe with these, is the lack of room for media, but i would be interested to see what you all think.
I hear that with plants and the AquaSoil filtration doesn't need to be crazy as they help? Maybe someone can educate me more on this?
2. Next is water quality. The ph where i live is 7.2. Rams require lower PH. However the breeder i'm getting them from breeds and raises them in 7.2 but recommends i go lower to get the most out of them. So how do i get the PH down? Once again will the Soil and plants etc contribute to this or just keep things stable or both? Should i go for RO water? I can get it from my local shop or i have found a non self piercing unit for £60 which i just screw on my tap. Or do i go for something like API PH down? The GH = 15 and KH = 18. So that works out to be GH = 269PPM KH= 322PPM.
Sorry for all the questions but i really want to get things right.
Thanks guys