New 75G tank setup - recommendations?

[jgolden]

Hey all. I've seen several discussions about the type of filter to use; whether to use river stone ("pea" stone), aquarium gravel, or sand. This will be a new setup, so everything's up in the air. The plan is to have lots of live plant, along with the fish (species to be deterined yet  :wink: ). I know I'll need something to increase the CO2 for the plants; I'm building a new lighting canopy, which'll run approx. 2.6 wpg, but not sure which to use on the bottom - river stone, gravel, sand, or a cobination. Also not sure what type of filter would be best, or perhaps combination of filters. Any suggestions / recommendations would be approeciated.

jeff

[BigDaddy]

If you want a heavily planted tank, two possibilities

1)  Flourite

2)  Sand

Flourite is a good gravel and has high CEC values.  It's also really expensive per pound

Sand is a great low cost option, and it is much easier to plant in sand than it is in gravel... especially with delicate new shoots from your cuttings.

[Mettle]

Where can one buy flourite in Ottawa?

As for an opinion on the matter... I prefer a fine grade gravel that is not quite sand. It's fine enough for plants, in my opinion, however not as likely to get swirled about. I have something like that in one of my tanks and like it a lot.

[clouxles]

Does one vacuum a sand bottom... if so how?

[TBarb]

I've gone the fluorite route. It is expensive but if you are setting up the tank you might as well put in the gravel you really want right away cause it'll be there for a long while.

Big Als has it for $30 a bag. (i think 15 lbs? each) I have 5 bags in my 75 gallon. I picked them up at XMAS time for $22.50 each though. I like it very much and looks rather natural. HOWEVER if you do go this route, wash it wash it and wash it some more as it is a very dirty substrate out of the bag. (I learned the hardway!)

[PNA]

Don't forget to use the OVAS 15% discount.

[jgolden]

This is good to know. What about a filter recommendation? i know i can't use an UGF with a sand bottom. (Is it the same with flourite?) Any recommendations?
Oh forgot to mention in original post that this will be freshwater, in case that has any bearing on the sand / gravel / stone debate...

Jeff

[TBarb]

It seems that UGF's are a thing of the past. If you have a planted tank, then UGF's aren't used.

[Toss]

Agree, flourite works well with plants. I use 2 bags for 70G and cover them with a layer of medium gravel to make it easier for cleaning

[Jim]

Does one vacuum a sand bottom... if so how?

I was wondering this myself because i want so try out using sand soon.

What do you guys use?

Sorry to steel the post  :?

Jim

[jgolden]

Not at all! I have the same questions (probably more!) than you.

I went the flourite route tonight. Met up with Markx at Big Al's to buy those glass covers he had; and while we were there, I picked up 75 lbs flourite and a new Rena XP3...

:wink: Now all I have to do is get this stand finished, finish wiring the light ballasts, WASH THE FLOURITE (!!! hehehehe), and set up the tank.

That being said, I'll likely be inquiring about cuttings others may have in about a week or two...

Thanks all!

jeff

[blueturq]

Does one vacuum a sand bottom... if so how?

I was wondering this myself because i want so try out using sand soon.

What do you guys use?

Sorry to steel the post  :?

Jim

You'd have to "hover" the siphon tube over the sand bed, to remove the debris (since it just lays there on the sand bed, and doesn't get into the crevices like gravel), also you wouldn't want to suck up the sand! :shock: lol.

You're thinking of trying out sand Jim really?... here... PM me so the thread doesn't get crapped on. lol.