Scuba_Guy

One more question How about Metal Halide Fixtures? are they better or worse than T5 High Output lights?

Wow I have been doing lots of reading Thanks Werner for the link to the "Planted Tank Beginner Basics" site as I have learned quite a bit but I can see this will be a continuous learning curve so I have purchased a Cal Aqua Double Check CO2 Checker (thanks condor) I did buy some "TOTAL SUBSTRATE PELLETS" from AP. Could I still use these for spot fertilization? Should I use the PPS fertilizer recipe and the PPS Dosing Calculator right on start up? Thanks jvision I have planned that idea into the tank setup. I'm a science teacher so I have this right at my finger tips Yes the system comes with a Milwaukee monitor/controller but I noticed that the fertilizer pellets that I bought are full of Calcium (like: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate Equivalent and Calcium Sulfate.) So I guess I shouldn't use these? The dimensions are 48''L x 18"W x 22"D. Ok after reading some of your thoughts about lighting I have decided to take back the HAGEN 48" GLO T5 HO and get a new fixture with 4 lights. I thought it was better to have one fixture instead of two for aesthetic reasons, only one plug-in for timer, etc. I am looking at the Aquatic Life 4X54W T5 Light Fixture W/4-LED Lunar Lights - 48". Anyone had any experience with this light or would you suggest another light?

Wow I have been away from the forum for a couple of days and now I have so much reading to do. Thank you so much for all the comments. I do have some questions from just scanning these posts but I want to read a few of these post more in detail as well as some of the links I have been given to read. Thanks again for helping me with my techno-tank :thumbs:

Hello All, I am in the process of starting a planted aquarium. I have been in the fish hobby in the past but not for a very long time. I used to breed a number of labyrinth fish but that was almost 20 years ago. So I have an old 80 gallon Hagen tank that used to house Breaded Dragons. I had to re-silicon the tank as the BDs had destroyed the silicon on the bottom edges. I wish I would have read the article by Sam Chicklets because my silicon job isn't the best looking job. But it does hold water and now I'm ready to set up the tank. This is what I have so far... Electronic CO2 Regulator External Reactor 5000 Substrate Milwaukee monitor/controller Eheim 2217 HAGEN 48" GLO T5 HO Has anyone used this type of CO2 system before? I have done some reading and everyone talks about bubbles per second but this dial is set to seconds per bubble? There is also a dial to set the size of the bubbles. Am have an RO system set up and I am planning using it for this setup. Any suggestions on the ratio of RO to tap water? Are there any plants that you would recommend or is it personal choice? Is there anything (setup, plants, etc.) that I should avoid as a new planted aquarium guy?

Bristlenose Pleco - Ancistrus spp R

Great Video! Lots of Fry :thumbs: I have a male and female Bristlenose and I had a few fry hatch back in June. I'll see if I can get a pic or two and post them.

I just wanted to say hi to all the members of this board. I used to be heavily into fish of all kinds and I used to breed a number of labyrinth fish but that was almost 20 years ago. Now I'm back and I have one tank running (130 gallon) with two Bristlenose (Ancistrus spp) which have breed producing a number of babies. I have been saving this tank for Silver Prochilodus (Semaprochilodus taeniurus), if i could find some and Stingrays. I am also setting up a planted aquarium up (80 gallon). My CO2 injector just came in so I am excited about this! :thumbs: Anyway just wanted to say Hi and that I am glad to be back in the aquarium hobby!! Ron