Thinking about starting a Nature Aquarium... any tips?
A 40 gallon does have nice dimensions, just down here in sac 55's are a dime a dozen.
Lighting is a very important aspect when considering a planted tank, the color of the light is not so important, it's the wavelength of the light emited that is crucial. You want lighting that peaks in the blue and red spectrums. Those are optimal for photosynthesis. It is best to have a few different bulbs with different spectrums, atleast in my experience.
I ran 48" dual t-5 fixture with a 10k and 18k bulb on my 55 planted and had the best luck with it. I tried many different lighting combos and had the best luck with it
Lighting is a very important aspect when considering a planted tank, the color of the light is not so important, it's the wavelength of the light emited that is crucial. You want lighting that peaks in the blue and red spectrums. Those are optimal for photosynthesis. It is best to have a few different bulbs with different spectrums, atleast in my experience.
I ran 48" dual t-5 fixture with a 10k and 18k bulb on my 55 planted and had the best luck with it. I tried many different lighting combos and had the best luck with it
I also agree with the spectrum, but planted tanks are nowhere near as demanding as reef tanks in terms of spectrum and PAR, so this is one of the minor details that you don't have to worry too much about. Unless you're like me and you want certain colors to pop - I sought advice from the reefer folks to get blue and orange to pop (cardinal and glo-light tetras) so I ended up with a specific T5HO bulb mix.
Tiny D, got pics and specs of your 535g?
That's true. So easy to find 55g tanks for cheap/free.
I also agree with the spectrum, but planted tanks are nowhere near as demanding as reef tanks in terms of spectrum and PAR, so this is one of the minor details that you don't have to worry too much about. Unless you're like me and you want certain colors to pop - I sought advice from the reefer folks to get blue and orange to pop (cardinal and glo-light tetras) so I ended up with a specific T5HO bulb mix.
Tiny D, got pics and specs of your 535g?
I also agree with the spectrum, but planted tanks are nowhere near as demanding as reef tanks in terms of spectrum and PAR, so this is one of the minor details that you don't have to worry too much about. Unless you're like me and you want certain colors to pop - I sought advice from the reefer folks to get blue and orange to pop (cardinal and glo-light tetras) so I ended up with a specific T5HO bulb mix.
Tiny D, got pics and specs of your 535g?
I'm sure he will post up some pics. I like planted tanks but I will stick to freshwater monster fish 
Here's a quick pic of my glass 210g 6x2x2.5 feet, Stocking list 17" Black Arowana, four RedHook Silver Dollars, one 12" Juruense catfish and my favorite a 10" Tigrinus catfish
Will be upgrading to either a 8x4x2.5 foot or a 8x4x3 foot tank next year! I didn't go to crazy with the setup, just crazy with the fish lol I use to have five Gulper catfish but I sold them to get the new fish. Tigrinus are expensive lol
Last edited by ryansti; Jan 28, 2010 at 05:20 PM.
Or you can do a very simple easy setup with a fish that has personality
Here is my 12" Flowerhorn, he has more personality then my dog lol
He does flips, spits rocks and sand at the glass if you don't give him attention. Oh and he has big teeth
Easier to care for then a goldfish 
Probably the best aggressive fish for someone new at fish keeping.....
lol
Here is my 12" Flowerhorn, he has more personality then my dog lol
He does flips, spits rocks and sand at the glass if you don't give him attention. Oh and he has big teeth
Easier to care for then a goldfish Probably the best aggressive fish for someone new at fish keeping.....lol
here is the 210g back when I had the Gulper catfish, I had to trim the plants shorter so the arowana was more comfortable. Also pulled the wood for the larger catfish.
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Or you can do a very simple easy setup with a fish that has personality
Here is my 12" Flowerhorn, he has more personality then my dog lol
He does flips, spits rocks and sand at the glass if you don't give him attention. Oh and he has big teeth Easier to care for then a goldfish Probably the best aggressive fish for someone new at fish keeping.....
lol
Here is my 12" Flowerhorn, he has more personality then my dog lol
He does flips, spits rocks and sand at the glass if you don't give him attention. Oh and he has big teeth
Easier to care for then a goldfish Probably the best aggressive fish for someone new at fish keeping.....lol
TinyD's lighting is over 2 grand?! Damn! ....and to think folks already gawk when I tell them my ATI 4x54W T5HO is $500!
ryansti - love that flower horn! I've gone the "other way" and go for smaller peaceful fish, preferably schooling ones. I always get the "you should get bigger fish!" from folks that see my tank hahaha
....sorry for going sorta OT. Is there an aquarium thread here? Yes, I'm too lazy to search
ryansti - love that flower horn! I've gone the "other way" and go for smaller peaceful fish, preferably schooling ones. I always get the "you should get bigger fish!" from folks that see my tank hahaha
....sorry for going sorta OT. Is there an aquarium thread here? Yes, I'm too lazy to search
TinyD's lighting is over 2 grand?! Damn! ....and to think folks already gawk when I tell them my ATI 4x54W T5HO is $500!
ryansti - love that flower horn! I've gone the "other way" and go for smaller peaceful fish, preferably schooling ones. I always get the "you should get bigger fish!" from folks that see my tank hahaha
....sorry for going sorta OT. Is there an aquarium thread here? Yes, I'm too lazy to search
ryansti - love that flower horn! I've gone the "other way" and go for smaller peaceful fish, preferably schooling ones. I always get the "you should get bigger fish!" from folks that see my tank hahaha
....sorry for going sorta OT. Is there an aquarium thread here? Yes, I'm too lazy to search
TinyD's 535g has two large LED fixtures, each fixture has six 48" LED bulbs. Its crazy!
I really want to get rid of my 72 bow front. If you're serious about this, I could cut you a killer deal on the tank, stand, lights, filter and wet dry both Eheim.
Wait....LED.....freshwater or reef?