James Flexton
Member
Hi All,
i am expecting delivery of my new tank in a couple of weeks and as im starting this tank from scratch i want to make sure i buy the best possible equipment i can without spending ADA type money.
im sure there are a lot of people asking the same questions on here but if i can list what i have shortlisted please can any of you comment on the quality or products / suitability for the tank.
tank 100x40x30 (30 is the height) optiwhite float glass, braceless
substrate
Elos Terra Zero powder 14.60 EURO
http://www.elos.eu/productlines/freshwater/bottomsystem~42/terrazero~208.html#.U9YaWPldV8E
Elos bottom material 5L 24.65 EURO
http://www.elos.eu/productlines/freshwater/substratinaturali~39/bottommineral~175.html#.U9ZsufldV8F
Elos Terra Black 9L small 51.30 EURO
http://www.elos.eu/productlines/freshwater/substratinaturali~39/terrablack~176.html#.U9Zsy_ldV8F
Total cost substrate 90.55 EURO (£71.59)
CO2 (will be usinf 2kg FE)
professional dual stage reg with solenoid with precision needle valve £69.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...l-stage-regulator-and-solenoid-magnetic-valve
Diffuser not sure of, ive used rhinox glass diffusers before, ive seen inline diffusers and not sure how effective they are. it would be nice to keep another thing out of the tank.
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...ine-co2-atomizer-diffuser-system-16-22mm-hose
Lily pipes - £38.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...-made-glass-aquarium-lily-pipes-set-o17-16-22
Lighting
im wavering between led and t5.
either arcadia OT5 2x39W T5 - £172.54
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcadia-O...3?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item461b7cdcbb
or these led lights (LED luminaires are £400 ish - over budget)
13W - £159.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...-13w-led-for-nano-planted-tank-aquarium-6500k
20W - £169.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...d-for-planted-tank-aquarium-40cm-height-6500k
25W - £179.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...power-25w-led-for-planted-tank-aquarium-6500k
there's not much in it in price between the 13/20/25W so not sure what would be best for the tank. i want it bright and good plant growth (noted that co2 is more important!) my hesitation is that its a circular unit so will surely get more growth in the centre of the tank and less at the sides. is this true? does anyone have any experience of these?
so thats the kit i'm looking at. any thoughts or comments appreciated.
also as a side note i will need a filter but not researched yet. bearing in mind i will need a good water flow to distribute co2 effectivley what is the usual route regarding filters. 10x turnover ive read is optimal so are you lot using a big external or two smaller units. ive never seen a tank with more than one lily pipe fitted to i assume its one big external you lot go for.
if anyone would care to suggest a suitable filter (without costing the earth) id appreciate it.
to say things have changed since my last proper planted tank 6 or 7 years ago is an understatement. i remember looking for 4-5 WPG, 4x turnover, ei dosing etc..
naturally i will do another journal for this new tank and keep it up dated from initial build through to maturity. its going to be an interesting journey...
i am expecting delivery of my new tank in a couple of weeks and as im starting this tank from scratch i want to make sure i buy the best possible equipment i can without spending ADA type money.
im sure there are a lot of people asking the same questions on here but if i can list what i have shortlisted please can any of you comment on the quality or products / suitability for the tank.
tank 100x40x30 (30 is the height) optiwhite float glass, braceless
substrate
Elos Terra Zero powder 14.60 EURO
http://www.elos.eu/productlines/freshwater/bottomsystem~42/terrazero~208.html#.U9YaWPldV8E
Elos bottom material 5L 24.65 EURO
http://www.elos.eu/productlines/freshwater/substratinaturali~39/bottommineral~175.html#.U9ZsufldV8F
Elos Terra Black 9L small 51.30 EURO
http://www.elos.eu/productlines/freshwater/substratinaturali~39/terrablack~176.html#.U9Zsy_ldV8F
Total cost substrate 90.55 EURO (£71.59)
CO2 (will be usinf 2kg FE)
professional dual stage reg with solenoid with precision needle valve £69.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...l-stage-regulator-and-solenoid-magnetic-valve
Diffuser not sure of, ive used rhinox glass diffusers before, ive seen inline diffusers and not sure how effective they are. it would be nice to keep another thing out of the tank.
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...ine-co2-atomizer-diffuser-system-16-22mm-hose
Lily pipes - £38.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...-made-glass-aquarium-lily-pipes-set-o17-16-22
Lighting
im wavering between led and t5.
either arcadia OT5 2x39W T5 - £172.54
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcadia-O...3?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item461b7cdcbb
or these led lights (LED luminaires are £400 ish - over budget)
13W - £159.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...-13w-led-for-nano-planted-tank-aquarium-6500k
20W - £169.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...d-for-planted-tank-aquarium-40cm-height-6500k
25W - £179.99
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...power-25w-led-for-planted-tank-aquarium-6500k
there's not much in it in price between the 13/20/25W so not sure what would be best for the tank. i want it bright and good plant growth (noted that co2 is more important!) my hesitation is that its a circular unit so will surely get more growth in the centre of the tank and less at the sides. is this true? does anyone have any experience of these?
so thats the kit i'm looking at. any thoughts or comments appreciated.
also as a side note i will need a filter but not researched yet. bearing in mind i will need a good water flow to distribute co2 effectivley what is the usual route regarding filters. 10x turnover ive read is optimal so are you lot using a big external or two smaller units. ive never seen a tank with more than one lily pipe fitted to i assume its one big external you lot go for.
if anyone would care to suggest a suitable filter (without costing the earth) id appreciate it.
to say things have changed since my last proper planted tank 6 or 7 years ago is an understatement. i remember looking for 4-5 WPG, 4x turnover, ei dosing etc..
naturally i will do another journal for this new tank and keep it up dated from initial build through to maturity. its going to be an interesting journey...
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