What substate?

[Carlton]

Hi everyone

I've purchased a small tank (Aqua One Nano 55) and want to make a start setting it up.

I figure the first thing I'm going to need (correct me if I'm wrong) is some kind of substrate.

Could I have some recommendations....

This will be the first time I have set up a planted aquarium, so guess I'm looking for a kind of "road map" as to what to do first, second, third etc.

Just as a side point.
I make up a great deal of purified water as part of my work. (Pre filters, Carbon, RO, DI). Is this water suitable for planted aquarium use?

Thanks in advance of any and all help.... Really appreciated...

Carlton

 

[ian_m]

I make up a great deal of purified water as part of my work. (Pre filters, Carbon, RO, DI). Is this water suitable for planted aquarium use?

Yes, you will have to remineralise with say 50% tap water or add specialist (or make your own) re-mineralisong salts.

However, I would highly in fact positively tell you KISS when first starting. Keep it simple stupid 😉

Many people start off down the super duper high tech gadget'y stuff route and it all goes pear shaped, as they fail to understand basic principles, haven't got any experience of what to do & look out for and also haven't got the 110% of their spare time to do tank maintenance.

I would therefore recommend you keep it simple and easy, that way you have easy water changes (each week from tap), dose ferts each day etc etc. Simple.

Later when you have more time 🙂)) (and experience) move to high and higher tech.....

The required reading list is below.
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/ei-dosing-using-dry-salts.1211/

http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/fire-extinguisher-co2.266/

http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/lighting-in-the-planted-aquarium.2271/

Most common failing is zapping the plants to too much light, turning the tank into an algae farm.....

 

[Carlton]

Thanks Ian for the info on purified water and the shortcuts to other threads.
Appreciated...