Kronosdelsol

I'm sure its going to look good. I can't wait to see how the plants will react to this light. Will your dog Dakota stay out of that tank?

Tuan at tntaquatica.com has Galaxy Rasboras for $4 each. That's cheaper than Riverfront and Pisces. Let me know when your ready to add them and I will go in and get a bunch of these with you. We can save on shipping.

I just picked up a couple of these from Riverfront Aquariums in Calgary yesterday. Maybe check to see if they will ship it to you. The cost on each one was $14.99.

Eheim is quite expensive. Big Als online has a sale on Rena XP filters right now.

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Which Walmart did you get these bulbs from? I heard that they sold them but I thought that was only in the US. I didn't see any at my local store.

Of the suggested substrates (Fluorite, Eco-Complete, and Aqua Soil, other?) is one better than the other? (I know Raj suggested Fluorite, but I just want to check the general consensus!)

What brand of fertilizer is a good one, and one I should start with? (Do these fertilizers contain enough of an added source of carbon?) Excel has been mentioned already.

Checked the bulbs that I have - I have two 15W bulbs. (Well, that's what the one says, and I'm assuming the other is the same.)

Flourite involves a lot of rinsing and for a 75 gallon tank, it will take a long time considering you will be purchasing at least two bags of fluorite (50 lbs). If you don't want to waste a couple hours rinsing the gravel until it's clear, choose a different substrate. I used playground sand on top of soil in my tanks. It's just as bad cleaning that sand as the flourite. I don't suggest putting sand on top of the flourite if you go with that option. As someone else mentioned, over time, it will mix together and won't be as attractive anymore.

I wouldn't worry about fertilizers yet if you have a heavy fish load and feed lots. I successfully grew many low light plants in regular gravel with a single 40W light bulb over a 45 gallon tank. That tank also received a lot of direct sunlight. But my circumstances will be different from yours.

You can start with an all in one fertilizer until you understand what plants need and the different ingredients. You will quickly find that it costs a lot in the long run. Dry fertilizer is a good way to go as you don't need to keep the liquid solution bottles in the fridge (in case they mold). I looked around Calgary and the hydroponic stores charged too much for all the fertilizers. My source is now www.aquariumfertilizers.com . It only costs me $30 for over a years supply of dry fertilizers. It is a US website but at least it comes through the mail in a week.

You can simply change your bulbs and keep your existing light fixture but you will be limited to plants that require low light. the higher light plants will eventually die off. Plant keeping is so addictive and you will eventually buy a new light fixture.

You can always go to Home Depot/Rona and pick up a 48" T8 double fluorescent fixture for $18. They also carry Sylvania 6500K Lumens, 91CRI daylight bulbs for $4 each. $30 is pretty good for adequate low lights. T5 lighting is nice but much more expensive. I highly recommend that you purchase a $10 timer so that you don't have to worry about turning the lights on and off. Plants like consistency with their photosynthesizing period. Maybe get rid of the existing canopy, have a glass shop cut some glass tops instead for $15 and then mount the light fixture on top.

Hey this is my first post :thumbs: Good luck!