pumpypants
New Member
Hi all I've been right through the aquarium hobby over the years, cold water, tropical, planted, discus, rift valley and marine.
Various tanks over many years and not many were a success if I'm being honest.
I said I'd never be here again - no more tanks in this house, but, after a 5 year break here we are.
I suppose I have a lot more patience this time around after a recent life changing event and I want to get it right first time - other aquariums were rushed or that'll do.
I have a brand new fluval flex 57 and I'm going for John innes no 3 in filter bags capped with black sand, very much low tech and dirty to begin with - with a potential turn to co2 later on.
I have an azalea root for the main centrepiece which I plan to java moss most branches with java fern emerging from the centre - but this it's where it's different this time I'm slowly buying everything I need and in no rush whatsoever - other plants will be added as I go along and have researched.
lighting - I'm not entirely happy with the stock lighting which comes with the tank and I have bought a 6500k 30w led floodlight - I'm just pondering if I can cut the hood in the centre and just simply position the floodlight on the top of the hood - will the floodlight still be too close to the surface from this distance?
I didn't really want to go hoodless. I suppose I could use the stock led to get me going and introduce floodlight later on.
and finally we are so lucky now with these forums and YouTube has absolutely been my biggest inspiration to get this aquarium off the ground.
Various tanks over many years and not many were a success if I'm being honest.
I said I'd never be here again - no more tanks in this house, but, after a 5 year break here we are.
I suppose I have a lot more patience this time around after a recent life changing event and I want to get it right first time - other aquariums were rushed or that'll do.
I have a brand new fluval flex 57 and I'm going for John innes no 3 in filter bags capped with black sand, very much low tech and dirty to begin with - with a potential turn to co2 later on.
I have an azalea root for the main centrepiece which I plan to java moss most branches with java fern emerging from the centre - but this it's where it's different this time I'm slowly buying everything I need and in no rush whatsoever - other plants will be added as I go along and have researched.
lighting - I'm not entirely happy with the stock lighting which comes with the tank and I have bought a 6500k 30w led floodlight - I'm just pondering if I can cut the hood in the centre and just simply position the floodlight on the top of the hood - will the floodlight still be too close to the surface from this distance?
I didn't really want to go hoodless. I suppose I could use the stock led to get me going and introduce floodlight later on.
and finally we are so lucky now with these forums and YouTube has absolutely been my biggest inspiration to get this aquarium off the ground.