Comments on: Canister filters and lighting for planted tanks

[TBarb]

Hi all.
I want to setup a planted 75gal tank with Angels. What do you recommend for filters and lighting?
I have looked at the Eheim, Reno and Fluval filters. Are the higher price filters worth there money? What about long term costs of media? Fluvals are popular but many enthusiasts say to go with something else such as an Eheim.

What about lighting? Is 2watts per gallon really a rule of thumb? Any comments on power compact fluorecents versus regular fluorecents? At 2 watts/gal it looks to becoming very expensive to buy the appropriate hoods.  It is also difficult to get the neccessary wattage without spending a fortune. In my case I am looking at a minimum of 150 watts. What makes aquarium lighting hoods so expensive? Why not go to home depot and buy a compact fluorecent fixture then buy the neccessary aquarium bulbs at a pet store?
Any recommendations on a good lighting setup? Light bulbs, DIY, etc..

Anything else I should know before moving on up to a planted 75 gallon (20in deep) tank?

Thanks everyone,

Pat
PS. Any recommendations on substrate?

[slickshooter]

This is a well debated subject (check the older posts) but I will give my  review of the Fluval 404.
It has done everything it was advertised to do for me.Some say its hard to prime (those are the same people who take HOURS to cook minute rice....kidding guys relax).It is simple to prime! Runs silently under my tank behind a door and picks up a ton of junk!
Check  this post out from a guy who apparently helped design the fluval.
http://www.pondenterprises.com/PAQ/pill%20responses%20iii.html#fluvalstandardmaintenance

[Evan]

I have an ehiem , it is a great filter,  good filtration and very easy to clean.  In my opinion it was worth the money.

In order to determine how much light you need, you will have to know what plants you want first.    There are quite a few people here that are quite knowledgable so I will leave that to them.

People do build custom hoods and use standard fixtures, but if you are using it for a show tank you would want it made well as otherwise it will look bad.

[Greg]

I have an Ehiem going in my angelfish tank and no complaints.  It is in our living room and is almost 100% silent.

For over two months now I have had Mermaid pool filter sand under a layer of pet store gravel.  To date the stuff has been great, and the price is great too.

I am not an expert on plants, but I can help you out.  If you choose hardy, easy growing plants then you will be OK with basic lighting and not have to worry about expensive hoods/bulbs and you shouldn't even need to worry about CO2.  I think that my onion plant would grow in the dark...
If you want to be real fancy and have delicate plants then the plant experts can answer.

However, if you are going to be keeping Angelfish you may find their snacking habits anoying when it involves expensive plants..


Good Luck,
Greg

Oh, and don't forget to check out my post on Angels for sale