Hi-tech/Low Tech confusion

[Elariel]

I'm starting to get confused on this. What is the difference between high and low tech planted aquariums

[charlie]

I`ll  attempt to answer this from my perspective, the low tech tank is one which is more often than not a low light tank, with minimum  maintenance required , such as daily supplemental additions of various nutritional additives ( CO2, fertilizers) as well as trimming & water changes.
The High tech reference is the flip side of the low tech with various bells & whistles  such as fancy nancy pressurized CO2 injection systems, which is a requirement when you get into the high light systems ( usually above the 2.5 WPG threshold), this all triggers fast growth rates which then requires supplementing the nutrition , trimming & water changes
hope that helps

[fischkopp]

Yes. Just too add, this is how I would describe it: A high tank planted tank means basically that you are using state-of-the-art technology in order to grow plants that usually have a high demand in light. This means basically that such a tank has quite bright (powerful) lights, T5HO or Metal Halides for example, combined with pressurized CO2 to provide a constant supply of carbon for plant growth. So high tech means that somebody throw a lot of money at that tank. Of course you will have to invest a bit more time for maintenance to fertilize and prune your aquatic garden, but you would be able to grow anything from green to red below the surface.

Low tech is usually any other tank, that is still able to maintain plant growth. One special approach is the Walstadt Aquarium, which tries to establish a balance between substrate, plants, fish and light, so that it can run with a minimum of maintenance. The selection of plants is much smaller.

There is also the in between, to find out if you are actually interested in growing plants. Those setup have DIY CO2 and a bit better lighting than the ones that usually come with the tank, T5HO maybe, or cheap but effective spiral compact fluorescent. People that start this experiment will sooner or later end up with pressurized CO2 and call the their setups high tech tanks ...

[dan2x38]

Hi-Tech also means you will need sharp scissors... 

You can do Hi-Tech without throwing a ton of cash at the set-up. Low-tech should never be considered low value. Some of my Low-Tech tanks are pretty cool set-ups. Another note if starting a Hi-Tech tank it is often better to start from stracth they should involve a special substrate too.

Do you have questions about setting up a Hi-tech tank? Thinking of jumping into the wet gardening World? They might be more work but they are very rewarding. If you've not seen this stickie take browse through it: http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=32616.0 Great examples of many nice planted set-ups.

[Elariel]

Maybe...it was more curiousity then anything. I'm looking at a really good deal on a 55G tank so I thought a true planted tank might be a posibility.

Thanks for the explanations all!