Here we go...first 30gal planted tank

[Roujin]

How did you end up packing your 2215?

[kevinly]

co2 yet? If not, get one!

I also notice the lights are blue. Actinic? If so, you need to rid of them. How many bulb is on that fixture?

The sword and crpyt will do ok with your setup.

I would not put any fish/shrimp for another 3-4 weeks. Let the plant grow and do their magic.

Yeah I have a total of four bulbs but the other light was not on so you couldn't see it. But tomorrow I am getting my co2 filled at whatever location is closest.

[tnguyen]

co2 yet? If not, get one!

I also notice the lights are blue. Actinic? If so, you need to rid of them. How many bulb is on that fixture?

The sword and crpyt will do ok with your setup.

I would not put any fish/shrimp for another 3-4 weeks. Let the plant grow and do their magic.

[kevinly]

That's cloudy, alright. What are your water condition readings (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)? I wonder if you could be having a bacteria bloom?

The only test kits I have are KH and pH. So I'm gonna take some of my water to get it tested. Also the filter is new so I can expect a bateria bloom.

[Complexity]

That's cloudy, alright. What are your water condition readings (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)? I wonder if you could be having a bacteria bloom?

[kevinly]

Here is a quick update on the tank:



I want to thanks srrprulude once again for giving me some starter plants.

Today I upgraded my filtration from an Eheim 2211 to a 2215. I have two t-5 lights now.

However my water is still very cloudy. I have been doing waterchanges everyday for 4 days now. I was told that it takes about a week for the water to be clear. I'm starting to get impatient. Should I be worried? The substrate is ADA Aqua Soil.

[Complexity]

Crypts will be perfect for what you have. You'll probably do well with stems, depending on which stems you get.

Be sure to take pics when you get it planted. It's fun to watch planted tanks as they grow and evolve.

[kevinly]

What plants are you planning on getting and from what source?

ssrprelude is going to be trimming his tank and he is offering me some stems and crypts.

[Complexity]

If the two T5 fixtures are dual bulb fixtures (meaning, 4 bulbs total), then you're fine. You may want to upgrade later down the road, but what you have now will work well.

What plants are you planning on getting and from what source?

[kevinly]

Hmm...not sure why he said AquaSoil is toxic to plants...But tnguyen's right in that if you don't have plants to absorb all the nutrients that the AquaSoil leeches out, you'll be a very plentiful algae farmer. Believe me, I know from experience.

I guess you're safe without the light on, though? Do you have a timer ready for when you do plant the tank?

If I were you, I would get some plants in there. Keep up with the water changes, because the AquaSoil is creating ammonia which will help cycle the tank, and also providing nutrients for the plants. Plus, it's tough to have a tank ready and waiting and not fill it up with plants!! :)

The ratings on all filters aren't a good measure, unfortunately. Planted tanks require much heavier filtration than normal. Plus, I prefer the redundancy of having two canister filters so you can always have one running when you clean the other or if one should leak or what have you. The combo of a 2211 and 2215 should be good.

Keep in mind that T5NO light isn't as strong as most of the other lights so you need higher wpg for T5NO light than for other lights. I've been running two Coralight T5NO fixtures on my 29g, and the light is adequate. It's a good place to start with a planted tank.

I have never heard of ammonia being toxic to plants. Plants can utilize ammonia for ferts. But I have no experience with aquasoil so I don't know if the ammonia it puts out is so high that it can truly harm plants.

Keeping your light off will work well to prevent algae while you're cycling the tank without plants.

so are you telling me two t-5 are not enough for the tank?

Everyone is telling me to cycle with plants, so tomorrow I'm gonna go pick up some plants to help cycle the tank.

I have been reading forums online showing people how to setup aquasoil and they all say i should at least do waterchanges for 3 days before adding plants.

I tell you, its so hard looking at my bare tank.

[Complexity]

Plus, it's tough to have a tank ready and waiting and not fill it up with plants!! :)

So true!

[Complexity]

The ratings on all filters aren't a good measure, unfortunately. Planted tanks require much heavier filtration than normal. Plus, I prefer the redundancy of having two canister filters so you can always have one running when you clean the other or if one should leak or what have you. The combo of a 2211 and 2215 should be good.

Keep in mind that T5NO light isn't as strong as most of the other lights so you need higher wpg for T5NO light than for other lights. I've been running two Coralight T5NO fixtures on my 29g, and the light is adequate. It's a good place to start with a planted tank.

I have never heard of ammonia being toxic to plants. Plants can utilize ammonia for ferts. But I have no experience with aquasoil so I don't know if the ammonia it puts out is so high that it can truly harm plants.

Keeping your light off will work well to prevent algae while you're cycling the tank without plants.

[Mzungu]

As for cycling the tank without plants, I was just following Dan's from HAW recommendation. He told me that aquasoil is very toxic to the plants and that I should do a 50% waterchange everyday for a week before I start putting in plants. So far I'm on day 4 and no algae seen yet. Also I seldomly turn on the light, only to see when I am doing a waterchange.

Hmm...not sure why he said AquaSoil is toxic to plants...But tnguyen's right in that if you don't have plants to absorb all the nutrients that the AquaSoil leeches out, you'll be a very plentiful algae farmer. Believe me, I know from experience.

I guess you're safe without the light on, though? Do you have a timer ready for when you do plant the tank?

If I were you, I would get some plants in there. Keep up with the water changes, because the AquaSoil is creating ammonia which will help cycle the tank, and also providing nutrients for the plants. Plus, it's tough to have a tank ready and waiting and not fill it up with plants!! :)

[kevinly]

Thanks to tnguyen and complexity for all the comments. I appreciate all the comments for my setup.

Well here is a quick update on the tank then. I added another bag of aquasoil and got another t-5 light adding my total watts to 84 which should be enough .

Well on the box of the 2211 it was recommended up to a 30g, I didn't want to get another one since I had this one lying around the house. Now it looks like I am gonna be getting a bigger Eheim, I'm thinking about getting the 2215.

As for cycling the tank without plants, I was just following Dan's from HAW recommendation. He told me that aquasoil is very toxic to the plants and that I should do a 50% waterchange everyday for a week before I start putting in plants. So far I'm on day 4 and no algae seen yet. Also I seldomly turn on the light, only to see when I am doing a waterchange.


Again thanks for all the comments and sharing your knowlodge with me.

[Complexity]

I'm in agreement in general, but have some other thoughts to add for consideration. So here goes:

It is best when scaping a tank to plan and get all the material and plant first.

Yes, yes, and triple yes!

Filter---Canister eheim is a excellent choice for filter but 2211 is not for a 30 gal. You want good circulation. I would recommend minimum 2213. 2215 is better for this tank.

Actually, I think the 2211 is perfect IF used with a second canister. I prefer redundancy of two canisters instead of one. So the 2211 would be perfect if a second 2211 or better is added to the overall filtration. I agree that a 2211 alone is not enough for a 30g planted tank.

Lighting---Need more lighting. T5HO, compact florescent, metal halide(150W) More light give you flexibility to grow almost anything you want.

When I first saw what lighting was being used, I also thought the same. However, lower lighting, such as the T5NO, can be best for those who either want slower plant growth, prefer slower growing plants in general, and who aren't quite ready for bright lighting. Unless everything else is in place – CO2, ferts and plants – then it's best to not have bright light on the setup.

That being said, a single Coralife T5NO fixture over a 30g is far too low lighting in general for a planted tank. Two Coralife T5NO fixtures would be adequate. T5HO and the other options you mentioned would be best.

I do agree that brighter lighting would be best, overall, for a planted tank when certain goals are in mind, such as using ground covers, red plants, etc. If java ferns, anubias, and the like are the goal, then brighter lighting can be problematic.

CO2---since you are planning pressurize---excellent choice

Headbanging right along with you on this one! There is nothing like injected CO2 for a planted tank.

Setting a tank with aquasoil and no plant = high chance of Algae(unless you want to be an algae farmer)

I have no experience with aquasoil (unfortunately), but I think this applies in general. The lighting must be kept very low (even kept turned off at this stage) until the tank is stuffed with plants. Then let the show begin!

these are just my thoughts. Discovering the green side!

You have much more experience than I, but I hope my thoughts can add to the discussion.