HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

[jetchanic]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

ok, im an idiot.  i appologize honestly.

[Hanson77]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Jet... Don't worry, we all have our moments on here...it's all good.

Alexa... Since you aren't into cichlids, I would go Tim's route with the monster planted tank with a huge shoal of Rasboras, Tetras, and of course some cool shrimp!!!

[alexarae]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

I am leaning toward a planted tank...but, I've never had one.
Do I need a CO2 tank or anything in particular to grow them?
Also, I just put sand down 150 lbs. of Tahitian white sand...which I really don't want to part with.

Bleh...too many choices. I really would like some tetras and rasboras.  :think: Hummm....

[finfan]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

i think a 100 gallon planted tank would just be amazing, i don't see many big planted tanks

there are many here much more experienced compared to me, but i will put in my 2 cents

you can always use co2 for better/lush growth, but it is not necessarily needed for all plants/set ups, but if you have (1) high light (>2.5wpg), (2) want high/lush growth, (3) want red color stem plants, (4) carpet plants then co2 is more helpful/essential

if you don't want to do co2, you can still be very successful with plants that don't require high light, like different anubias, ferns, mosses, crypts, some swords, some vals, etc.  you don't even need a substrate or alternatively use any substrate (unless it increases ph substantially) for anubias, ferns, mosses - these can be successfully done on driftwood/rocks/other hardscape/decorations and with 2wpg and w/o co2

[finfan]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

one more thing, get some awesome large pieces of driftwoods, nice pieces of beautiful driftwood can look amazing

[armthehomeless]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

As finfan said, some plants can be grown without CO2. Depending on the type of sand that you have, it may be a bit more difficult though.
Here is a picture of one of my planted tanks that didn't use CO2 (80g)

And a non-cichlid tank with a sand substrate (ADG) to give you some ideas...

[spyke1969]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Tim's like a ninja!!

[wesleydnunder]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Beautiful tanks, Tim.

Alexa, if you don't care for cichlids, maybe a few pearl gouramis as centerpiece fish would work. They're beautiful and stately fish when they reach adulthood. All of my tanks are planted and only my 125 discus tank has CO2. I still get very nice growth in the non CO2 tanks.

There is a good shop on 61st St. in Galveston called PhD Pets. It's owned by Bill and Sharon Wimmer, former owners of University Pets. Bill is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and one of the most knowledgable shop owners out there. Sharon can be a pill, but she does know what she's talking about. It's a small shop with not a huge stock but they can order fish for you.

Photobucket is doing maint. right now so I can't post pics of the non CO2 tanks. I'll try later.

Mark

[eklikewhoa]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Mark, Hows the livestock at that place? Everytime I head that way I try and stop by but they are closed by the time I get down there.

[wesleydnunder]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Mark, Hows the livestock at that place? Everytime I head that way I try and stop by but they are closed by the time I get down there.

Generally in very good shape, ek. Like I mentioned, it's a small store and Bill only has a couple dozen tanks. But for the slow stocking that Alexa should practice with her new tank and the expertise that Bill can provide I think it's gonna be her best choice on the island...not to disrespect any other stores in Galveston. I don't get down that way much and there are probably stores that have opened which I haven't visited.

Mark

[alexarae]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Okay guys...I have a few ideas. I don't mind shelling out the money for a co2...it's not a problem.
I just don't want a huge hassle, you know?
I am about to post a few pictures of the new set-up. Maybe after yall see it, the ideas will keep flowing.

So far, I'm looking into these few plants:

Giant Marimo ball
Star Moss
Flame Moss
Hairgrass


I kind of like the moss look...but I'm not sure how quickly it grows, etc.
Do I need some sort of new substrate?
I have a giant piece of driftwood in the middle. I think the moss can grow on that.

Oh yeah, here is the light that I have...I don't know if it will work.  

https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CL53526&Category_Code=CAP2HL

Until the posts start flowing in, I'm google-ing all the plants I can find. The experiences that you all have had is valuable as well, and of coarse, greatly appreciated.

[Hanson77]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Dang....too bad you still aren't into saltwater!!!!  With a light like that, you could grow just about anything that you wanted as far as corals go...LOL!!

[alexarae]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

Hanson...my saltwater days are far over.
It lasted about 3 months and a few thousand dollars.
:sick: My water was always discolored and I somehow managed to kill hermit crabs. lol.
The live rock, corals, and whatnot...it just lacked the cleanliness of freshwater.

I'm glad I'm back.  

[Hanson77]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

I know where you are at.  I started with a 12G nano...outgrew it and bought a 58 gallon.  Then before I knew it, I had already dropped 2 grand between rocks, fish, coral and more chemicals than I knew what to do with.  Now I have a 30 gallon that is a money pit...still working on getting that water crystal clear.  The 58 gallon now flows crystal clear with a natural freshwater scene that I'm very happy with.  You could post your MH lighting on MARSH and take the proceeds and buy a T5 setup or something that runs a little cooler.  Just a thought.

[alexarae]

Re: HELP!!!!! 100 gallon in 2nd story apt??

That is a good thought...the dang lights broke 2 of my tops.  :evil: