Big aquarium change - Substrate, Plants, Lighting Driftwood

I want to completely change the layout of my tank, but before I go ahead and buy everything, I need to ask some questions The tank is L30" x D12" x H15" which makes it about 23 gallons, and it has in it, 7 zebra danios, 1 honey gourami, 6 juliI cories and 1 small marble angel.

Substrate/Plants

I want to change from smooth gravel to sand, but I don't know if that's good for plants? should I but the plants into the sand itself? iv heard about people putting a nutrient soil or something underneath the sand? I want to add lots of plants to the tank, so which would be best?

Lighting

I know my lighting is insuffiecient for a fully planted tank, so I need to know what to upgrade too, I was thinking about a dual T5 light fitting, but I don't know if that would actually be too much light? If so, any other suggestions?

Driftwood

Is driftwood okay to just throw straight into the tank, or is soaking for a couple of days recommended? Also, will carbon in the filter get rid of the tannis in the water?

Sorry for the long question, thanks for reading

Sam

 

Well, I'm learning, just like you, but I can answer that driftwood question for you

You can throw driftwood right into the tank, but it is not recommended. If you're gonna go right outside and pick out some wood that you would like in the tank, you will definitely need to soak it for about two weeks(that's how logn I did it for the tannins to completely go away) so that the tannins could be released. If you like the look of yellow/brown water, then go ahead and drop that driftwood into your tank
If you buy driftwood from your LFS, it is most likely cured, but ask them if it's cured anyway, just to be sure. If it isn't, you will have to soak it for at least more than a week, but if it is cured, soak it for two or three days anyway, just to be on the safe side.

 

Thanks a bunch!

Any help on the other stuff?

Another question, if I go for a highly planted tank, will I need to have C02 injection into the tank?

 

Good morning,

For my 33g long, heavily planted tank, I do not use CO2.

Tank dimensions in my profile.

I have T5 HO 6700k 28W single bulb. Plants are Java Fern, Anubias, Wisteria, Swords and all are doing well. I leave the tank light on for 6 hours a day.

I've never used sand so hold on for more responses. While you wait, check out the links below:





Ken

 

Thanks a bunch Ken, il go have a read

 

I want to completely change the layout of my tank, but before I go ahead and buy everything, I need to ask some questions The tank is L30" x D12" x H15" which makes it about 23 gallons, and it has in it, 7 zebra danios, 1 honey gourami, 6 juliI cories and 1 small marble angel.

Substrate/Plants

I want to change from smooth gravel to sand, but I don't know if that's good for plants? should I but the plants into the sand itself? iv heard about people putting a nutrient soil or something underneath the sand? I want to add lots of plants to the tank, so which would be best?

Lighting

I know my lighting is insuffiecient for a fully planted tank, so I need to know what to upgrade too, I was thinking about a dual T5 light fitting, but I don't know if that would actually be too much light? If so, any other suggestions?

Driftwood

Is driftwood okay to just throw straight into the tank, or is soaking for a couple of days recommended? Also, will carbon in the filter get rid of the tannis in the water?

Sorry for the long question, thanks for reading

Sam

Substrate: Plants will grow in either Sand or Gravel to be honest. Having sand would be easier for your cories though.

You have several options using sand to provide nutrients to your plants:
1. Organic Miracle Grow Substrate topped off with sand
2. Eco Complete topped off with sand
3. Just having a sand bottom and using root tabs underneath your rooted plants.

Lighting: Not a lighting person but I have t5ho lights and a planted tank.


Driftwood:

I would personally try to disinfect at first either by boiling the driftwood (also helps release the tannins) or pouring boiling hot water over it. You can also soak it for a couple of days (empty the water every couple of days and refill with new water), it all helps release the tannins.

The driftwood would will always release tannins into the tank. Carbon does help.

 

I'll give it a try! I'm a learn-as-you-go gardener, though, so bear with me
Substrate- my plants never did well until I switched to dirt capped with sand. I used organic putting mix screened (for sticks and vermiculite) then soaked in a bucket til it sank. Then topped with an inch or so of black diamond blasting sand. Huge difference in growth.

Lighting- not my forte, but dual t5ho does sound like perhaps too much.

Driftwood- I like boil it. I have also heard a bleach bath (followed by dechlorinator) is effective. I'm not as worried about tannins as I am about nasties (especially on found wood).

What plants do you want? Post pics of the process!

Edit: from now on I'll just say 'AP will answer in a second.'

 

I like the idea of having something like eco complete underneath sand, do you need to replace the eco complete ever? or does it last for ever?

Also does sand affect a canister filter at all? does the intake of the filter need to be relatively far away from the sand?

Yeah il definitely post some pics, at least a before and after, maybe some more

Thanks a bunch guys

 

Eco Complete loses its nutrients over time. I don't know how long it last though.

If you choose the dirted path, I think it is 10+ years from what I read. My 100 gallon is dirted and started it in April or May 2012.