New planted tank plan suggestions pleasseeses

Helloo!

I wanted to find out what you guys think about the this planted tank plan. This is my very first planted tank so I can't wait to start it up..!!

This is what I have so far

45 GALLON HIGH TANK 36L X 12W X 24H

DIRT FROM HOMEDEPOT & CLAY AND ON TOP OF IT SOME ECO COMPLETE PLANT BLACK..SUB

LIGHTING NOT EXACTLY SURE, THE TANK IS TALL SO I NEED TO GET A LIGHT THAT CAN REACH THE BOTTOM. ANY SUGGESTION IDEAS ON THIS?

AQUEON FILTER FOR A 90 GALLON

WOULD YOU GUYS REC CO2 SINCE MY TANK IS TALL AND THE LIGHT MIGHT NOT REACH THE BOTTOM? RIGHT NOW IT HAS AN 24 INCH T8 BULB

I WANTED TO TRY SOME SHRIMP BUT IM NOT SURE IF THE LOACH WOULD JUST EAT THEM..

FISH

2 Clown loach

1 Angelic botia loach

12 neon tetras

2 Praecox Rainbow

3 Boesemani Rainbow

2 Red Irian Rainbow

1 pair of Korthausae killifish

23 FISH TOTAL

PLANTS

Water sprite

Micro Sword

Java fern

Java moss on driftwood

Narrow leaf Ludwigia

I want to add a few more plant to the list..

Heres a pic of the tank

I want to make a slight hill across from the rock. I think I can use rocks and just add dirt to give it that look not really sure yet...

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lindsey on July 24, 2011 at 1:43pm

Sounds like you've got a great idea on how you want to start this tank! Your fish list looks great but I don't know much about the botia loaches.

Only thing I see you having a problem with are the clown loaches... They like being in schools of at least 3 or 4. That, and they can grow up to 12" long. They would be ok as 1"-2" fish for maybe a year or two since they grow fairly slow. But it's good to think ahead and see how big your fish will be in the future (unless you plan to upgrade your tank in a year or two).

As for your lighting, I completely understand your predicament with tank depth (my 110g is 36" deep, about 40" light to substrate). You could do a two light 10,000k t5 and probably get decent lighting. A co2 setup wouldn't hurt as long as you've got an idea of how to run & monitor it. Check out the following link for lighting:

Fishtanktv Lighting

Good luck! Post some updates when you get it running. =)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 24, 2011 at 2:49pm

Thanks Lindsey

I did nt look at the clown loach size, I just may go with another type of loach.

The botia loach is this guy right here: He gets about 4 inch max, I just love the yellow and black combo on him. I may need to get 3 since they love hanging out together.

Your right about the lighting, I 'm reading some info right now about it.

I may do a DIY with the CO2...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lindsey on July 24, 2011 at 3:10pm

They look awesome! 3 or 4 would probably look great in that tank.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bingamon on July 24, 2011 at 10:51pm

I'd get a really small breeding tank like 2gal to breed snails for ur loaches. They love to swim around and suck snails out of their shells!! But they do it so much it's hard to keep any snails. But it's a great treat.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 25, 2011 at 7:44pm

I had no clue they like snails. Im kinda soft when it comes to feeding a live snail to a fish, but I may give it a try it will be interesting to watch . Thanks for the tip!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by brosaquaticuniverse on July 27, 2011 at 3:15am

chris whats up man!!

hey dude it looks good so far!

i agree no clown loaches and with all types of loaches they need schools of usually 6+, or will die of a broken heart, seriously iv seen it.

for light a simple 2bulb t5 would be fine. you should be able to grow whatever u want.

I never suggest co2 pretty much for anyone. but in your case certainly not. mainly because if your lacking in light u can't add co2 to fix it. in order for co2 to work you have to have high lighting and vice versa in order for high lighting to work you have to have co2. so i wouldn't do it. it's a gamble you could loose all your fish.

and it depends on the shrimp. tiny ones like cherries might get eaten. but amanos and stuff should be fine.