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| Parameters for an "ideal" plant tank? |
USGar-@aol.com
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I would like to hear some opinions from the experienced aquatic gardeners out there. I have been somewhat successful in keeping small (Eclipse 6's and 12's) planted tanks for the past couple of years. All 4 of my little tanks have been retrofitted with larger power compact lights and I use Turface or Onyx Sand for my substrates with driftwood for decoration -- plant growth for the low light varieties like Java fern and moss, several crypts and even tiger lotus -- has been slow but satisfactory with nothing but semimonthly 20% water changes. Erik and the SFAS plant study group have me inspired to try a bigger and more "technical" tank -- and my wife said she would like (accept) a bigger show tank in the living room! So, I'm goiing to try high light level and CO2 plus all the other macro and micro nutrient fertilizers to see if I too can grow plants fast enough to bring something to the auction. Now to pick your experienced brains -- what would be your IDEAL size planted show tank? Should it be acrylic or glass -- what difference other than empty weight would be considered? Are big "Amano like" rimless glass tanks available -- they sure photograph beautifully in his books? Do I have to consider a sump -- my preference is not to add that -- why would I want it other than hiding the "utilities" out of the show tank? How deep should it be to be attractive and allow adequate light penetration? How long should it be - I assume there is some consideration on how many powercompact fixtures I could attractively fit in a hood and uniformly light the tank without letting light spill into the room except through the walls of the tank? How many watts per gallon should I try for? What front to back depth aquascapes best with driftwood and lots of foreground, mid and back ground plants? For me when I looked at "standard" size tanks (and considered our living room space) big would be about 20 gallons -- really big would be 30 or 40 gallons and huge would be 55 gallons or larger. I think I can use up to 36" of wall space. Thanks for sharing your opinions. Leon Garden Monterey, CA |
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