Chopperman

+1 FX5

That is a great link thanks Werner.

I probably have 3 full bags of the geo system substrate in my arsenal of past impulse buys. It looks to be around 4-5 mm. The tank is well established and has been currently running for 5 years. It only has around an inch of gravel in it due to the fact I had a couple fronts and a few dolphins in it that quickly outgrew the tank and keeping the nitrates down became a problem, weekly 25% water changes and consistent vacuuming just to keep parameters/algae growth stable. To think all that detritus that had been vacuumed would have been good for a planted tank, current habitants are in need of finding a new home. The switchover is not going to be rushed and wont be done until I have gained basic knowledge and have the right equipment to start. I see everyones pictures of there plants and I'm green with envy. I appreciate everyones input on this subject and willingness to help.

Thanks for the info I will ditch the A/C I've got a fluval 303 in my big box of leftovers in my basement. I think I'll pick up a few bags of flourite.

Im looking at changing my 50 gallon 48x12x20 (not drilled) into a planted tank in the near future it has a rena xp3 and an A/C 50 for filtration. I will have a 2 bulb t5ho fixture, but my question is about substrate. Substrate is IMHO the one thing you need to get right right off the hop because of the difficulty to change down the road. What is the recommended substrate to use? Ive been thinking of Seachem black flourite maybe 2-3 inches. Should laterite be mixed in or placed in layers? or do i need laterite at all? Just so you know in previous attempts Ive killed umpteen anubias and many vals the only thing my tanks have ever grown is algae, So i'm thinking there may be hope for me yet. Thank You for any help or suggestions. Adam

Have you checked out melevsreef.com theres some good sump designs there and a wealth of info. Adam

Aww man, Im going to to call off christmas so I can make the sale.

Ya, I think I will keep the lights off for a week or so, they didnt show up until I picked up a new fixture for the tank. I guess I'll continue scrubbing and water changes in a couple days. Apparently SW is pretty finicky to start, but I cant wait until I can stock the tank. Thanks for the reply Adam

My tank has been cycling with no livestock and around 40 lbs of LR for about a month now. I noticed a brownish algae starting to accumulate on my LR the other day and today saw it spread to the glass and sand, so I started researching it. It sounds like it is most likely Diatoms, I used tap water to fill the tank a month ago then Primed it and aged water treated with Prime for top ups. I am going to pick up a silicate test to test my supply water. I also did a 75% change on the tank today after I vacuumed the gravel and cleaned some of the glass to hopefully suck out some of the algae so a minimal amount of silicates are dispersed from the dead or leftover algae. Im just curious if anyone has any suggestions if Im addressing this nuissance the right way, or if theres any suggestions before this stuff suffocates my tank before I even stock it. Adam

Darn, Ill be in BC and you cant beat 30 bucks for a bucket of salt and all the carbon and the koralia pumps are sure to be gone

Welcome to Alberta Aquatica. So many people with very good info and alot of knowledge of the hobby. Have a good one Adam

Its in a bucket right now seems to be OK but I'll be waiting for a Rena to go on sale, I have one running on a different tank and it just seems better and easier too.

I did some maintenance on my fluval 303 the other day. Media, Clean the impeller and such. When I put it back together and primed it all seemed well no visible leaks or anything, like so many times before. Well this time 24hrs later I noticed damp areas on the hardwood that the stand and aquarium sit on and low and behold the bucket the filter sits in is full. So now I have warped hardwood that Im hoping may dry out somewhat flat. So a quick note to people that may have one of these, Make sure the connections are tight and the O-ring is seated. Or maybe just dont put an aquarium on hardwood. Adam

Im not 100% sure but my sister lives in BC on an acreage and uses her well water for changes and she doesnt even need to age her water or Prime it. No Chlorine and is very hard. excellent for cichlids.