Plant Recommendations - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

BlakeL · 10-03-2009, 11:43 PM

So, I found a 46g Bowfront for $50 with stand and all it needs is some new silicone and the trim painted black. I just sold some stuff on eBay/Half.com so I should be able to pick it up in a week or two. Here is my plan so far:

Tank: 46g Bowfront
Substrate: MTS w/ Possible Flourite Black
Lighting: Fishneedit 36" 2x39w T5HO (Is this enough?)
Filter: Rena XP3
Heater: Rena Smart Heater as Intake
Dosing: Would like to try the EI method with the $19.99 Package
Co2: None

Approx. Equipment Cost: $300

As far as aquascaping goes, I kind of prefer the Iwagumi style with maybe a few tall plants. I am not sure this can come out good without Co2. Any plant ideas, mainly for the foreground carpet? Also, The time between the aquarium setup and water will be awhile because of lack of funds, so is it a good idea to grow the carpet without water for a couple of weeks, kind of like what people do with HC.

Thanks,
Blake

AquaZilla · 10-04-2009, 12:10 PM

With those T5HO bulbs you will need co2... I would not think of doing Iwagumi without co2.

BlakeL · 10-04-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaZilla

With those T5HO bulbs you will need co2... I would not think of doing Iwagumi without co2.

Even with only 1.7WPG? I thought that was fairly low-light.

AquaZilla · 10-04-2009, 12:57 PM

WPG rule does not apply to T5HO bulbs. In my experience that would be MED light and you should be able to grow almost anything. You may not get colors you want, but growth will be decent.

You could always raise the light up a bit and that would help. I would go with ferns,crypts, and moss...

BlakeL · 10-04-2009, 12:59 PM

Well, the light sits on legs and I will also have a glass lid that will diffuse the light some. Would micro sword plants work for a foreground?

AquaZilla · 10-04-2009, 01:02 PM

That should work. Even hairgrass would work well...

BlakeL · 10-04-2009, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the help, I think I am ready for the tank.

AquaZilla · 10-04-2009, 01:05 PM

I grew this tank with 1.9w with T5HO

BlakeL · 10-04-2009, 01:06 PM

No Co2? What kind of plants are those?

AquaZilla · 10-04-2009, 01:09 PM

This tank had co2 with a Cal Aqua Labs Diffuser.
I had Needle leaf ferns, Jap.Dwarf Hairgrass,various moss, C.Helferi,crypts,mini pellia,anubias nana petite,a few others

10-03-2009, 11:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	Plant Recommendations So, I found a 46g Bowfront for $50 with stand and all it needs is some new silicone and the trim painted black. I just sold some stuff on eBay/Half.com so I should be able to pick it up in a week or two. Here is my plan so far: Tank: 46g Bowfront Substrate: MTS w/ Possible Flourite Black Lighting: Fishneedit 36" 2x39w T5HO (Is this enough?) Filter: Rena XP3 Heater: Rena Smart Heater as Intake Dosing: Would like to try the EI method with the $19.99 Package Co2: None Approx. Equipment Cost: $300 As far as aquascaping goes, I kind of prefer the Iwagumi style with maybe a few tall plants. I am not sure this can come out good without Co2. Any plant ideas, mainly for the foreground carpet? Also, The time between the aquarium setup and water will be awhile because of lack of funds, so is it a good idea to grow the carpet without water for a couple of weeks, kind of like what people do with HC. Thanks, Blake

10-04-2009, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	With those T5HO bulbs you will need co2... I would not think of doing Iwagumi without co2. __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-04-2009, 12:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	WPG rule does not apply to T5HO bulbs. In my experience that would be MED light and you should be able to grow almost anything. You may not get colors you want, but growth will be decent. You could always raise the light up a bit and that would help. I would go with ferns,crypts, and moss... __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-04-2009, 01:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	That should work. Even hairgrass would work well... __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-04-2009, 01:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I grew this tank with 1.9w with T5HO __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

10-04-2009, 12:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	Well, the light sits on legs and I will also have a glass lid that will diffuse the light some. Would micro sword plants work for a foreground?

10-04-2009, 01:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	Thanks for the help, I think I am ready for the tank.

10-04-2009, 01:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
BlakeL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Longwood,FL Posts: 102	No Co2? What kind of plants are those?

10-04-2009, 01:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	This tank had co2 with a Cal Aqua Labs Diffuser. I had Needle leaf ferns, Jap.Dwarf Hairgrass,various moss, C.Helferi,crypts,mini pellia,anubias nana petite,a few others __________________ The Planted Aquarium Blog

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