My ADA 60-F Iwagumi

[FlSHRFun]

Thanks! I ended up getting a really healthy pot of HC at city pets. I used to go there for coral frags. I love that store.

I'm really hoping that the ADGShop is going to carry UG, because nobody really sells it except the ADA store in San Francisco, and they sell it for $16 a square, before shipping!

I was also wondering your opinion of lighting.

For saltwater I really like the look of t5 HO lighting.

I think you made a good choice with that 150W Metal Halide, especially since you got the ballast used.

Other than the shimmer effect and the pendant style lighting, does the metal halide offer any other benefit over a T5 HO? Have you noticed any differences in color?

I personally like pendant lighting too. So for me, would the Metal Halide 8000K Bulb be the ideal lighting for a planted tank?

I'm sure whatever you need, ADG will do their best to get their hands on it for you. Just give them some time to get settled into their new store.

As for the lighting, I think the FishNeedIt (FNI) MH pendant is one of the most reasonably priced MH pendants on the market.
Even brand new, it's cheaper than most other brands. It's sleek, stylish, and pretty good construction.
On top of that, you don't have to buy a separate leg clamp or hanging kit. It all comes with it. Just make a bent conduit fixture.
The bulb that originally came with the FNI was 6700K. Since it was used, I swapped the bulb out for a new ADA 8000K "Green" bulb.
However, when you place your order with FNI, they give you an option of your temperature color.
FNI also offers 8000K MH bulbs. Although, FNI's bulbs don't have a spike in the green spectrum to bring out your plants' greenery.

I'm no plant scientist, but I'm almost certain a bulb's temperature (K) is not nearly as important is its intensity.
Plants can absorb various spectra of light, depending on their species. 6700K-8000K is a safe bet.

I chose to go with 8000K, because Takashi Amano of ADA uses 8000K bulbs on all of his planted aquariums... so I would assume 8000K would be a good choice.

Let me jump in real quick, even though you addressed it to khoa.

I personally like mh better. It better represents daylight in my opinion. Another aspect to think about is cost. 4 t5 bulbs is gonna run you about 80 dollars. A decent mh bulb will cost you 50 bucks. Unless you wanna go on the far end and get a Ada "green" bulb. That'll cost you $100. But that Ada bulb is really something else, it's awesome. It makes everything really pop.

Mh gives you an awesome intensity you can't get with t5. Makes me wanna do a planted tank again....

I agree with soymilk. The shimmer effect mimics natural daylight and a natural shallow environment along with an intensity unmatched by T5.
However, I think a MH pendant's primary drawback is its heat production. It sure can make my room warm in the summer.

[soymilk]

Let me jump in real quick, even though you addressed it to khoa.

I personally like mh better. It better represents daylight in my opinion. Another aspect to think about is cost. 4 t5 bulbs is gonna run you about 80 dollars. A decent mh bulb will cost you 50 bucks. Unless you wanna go on the far end and get a Ada "green" bulb. That'll cost you $100. But that Ada bulb is really something else, it's awesome. It makes everything really pop.

Mh gives you an awesome intensity you can't get with t5. Makes me wanna do a planted tank again....

[tizzite]

Thanks! I ended up getting a really healthy pot of HC at city pets. I used to go there for coral frags. I love that store.

I'm really hoping that the ADGShop is going to carry UG, because nobody really sells it except the ADA store in San Francisco, and they sell it for $16 a square, before shipping!

I was also wondering your opinion of lighting.

For saltwater I really like the look of t5 HO lighting.

I think you made a good choice with that 150W Metal Halide, especially since you got the ballast used.

Other than the shimmer effect and the pendant style lighting, does the metal halide offer any other benefit over a T5 HO? Have you noticed any differences in color?

I personally like pendant lighting too. So for me, would the Metal Halide 8000K Bulb be the ideal lighting for a planted tank?

[FlSHRFun]

Thanks, tizzite!
I got my HC online from Drs. Foster & Smith Live Aquaria.
However, I only bought it because it was on "sale". I wouldn't advise this, but you can try your luck with it.
They probably market it as "on sale" because it's about to die and they're gonna' order a new batch.
When it shipped, the HC wasn't in the healthiest condition... plus there were a ton of small snails, even a spider. O_o
But, since HC grows best by individually planting each stem, I was able to avoid adding any hitch-hiking snails.
Luckily, I was able to nurse the HC back to health.

A few days later, Fish Gallery off 59 @ Kirby had JUST gotten a fresh shipment of HC.
I saw one pot that was really healthy and lush. I picked it up (Thanks to Van, a.k.a. "screename") and added it to my HC.

In the past, I've seen healthy pots of HC sold at City Pets on Beechnut off Beltway 8.
Although, it's kind of a hit or miss. Sometimes they have it, sometimes they don't. When they do, it's pretty darn healthy!
However, the staff there is incredibly friendly and helpful. Especially Donnie and David.
Great employees and great prices keep me coming back.

I recently moved close to Reliant Stadium, and I've been looking to see what aquarium stores are nearest to my new location.
I discovered that ADG was opening up nearby.
Although they have yet to officially open up their storefront, if you e-mail them ahead of time, you can still come inside.
I haven't bought any plants from ADG yet, since their live plants section isn't up and running.
But, I've been keeping in touch with them and they will be keeping a very good selection of live aquatic plants along with some new ones I'm incredibly excited to get my hands on.

I'm currently a senior at the University of Houston.





Aquyenl:
I used some ADA Power Sand Special which contains a blend of "Bacter 100" and "Clear Super".
Bacter 100 contains dormant microorganisms which can be reactivated once a favorable environment is met.
Clear Super improves the water quality and helps the nitrifying bacteria proliferate.
In addition to the Power Sand Special, I dosed Seachem's "Stability".
I tested my water parameters regularly until it was safe to add livestock.
Of course, I had a huge flux in ammonia, followed by nitrites, and nitrates.
I gave it time, and kept dosing the Stability.
Eventually, the bio-filter take hold and the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates dropped to safer levels.

[aquyenl]

how did you get the tank cycled with plants only?

[tizzite]

I am amazed at how good this is. The sunrise pics are the best. They look like some horizon in africa.

Can I ask where you buy your plants? I'm new to planted tanks and the city of houston and I want to buy some UG and HC but I don't know where to start.

Where are you going to school? I'm at UT.

[myjohnson]

lol, in 6 months that FW tank will need to be replanted and made over. Might as well.

[soymilk]

i give it 6 months before you start reefing lol.... come to the dark side.

[black_knight]

Gorgeous layout. I've got a 60-F I just emptied out . It was a planted saltwater macro algae tank. It did well but I ran into some problems with my C. taxifolia. It melted down. Very jealous of your tank. I have huge problems growing HC. Keep us updated

[armthehomeless]

Beautiful tank. I love the journal - and the dimensions of the the 60-F. The light behing the tank to simulate sunset is a great idea.

Excellent photography too!

[myjohnson]

been.

[ssrprelude]

Beautiful journal! I might have to redo my tanks.

[myjohnson]

I might try a saltwater planted tank for kicks.

Don't tempt me foo.

[myjohnson]

Now THAT is a sweet scape!!

+1!

i saw a video of this on youtube. Didn't know OP was from Houston.

p.s. vanson and trung got skills too.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Now THAT is a sweet scape!!