Low Tech Planted Tank - 15 Gallon

[Oval291]

I have been thinking and going back and forth on how I wanted to start my planted tank journey. I have finally decided to start on a 15 gallon (24 x 12) and 33 gallon (36 x 18h) as opposed to my 180 or 90. I want to learn on these two tanks and grow low tech plants for use maybe in a year on the 180 and 90. To this end can you recommend LED lights for the 15 and 33 gallon. I don't want to use CO2 at this stage.

 

[TexasDomer]

For low light plants, I really like the Finnex Stingray. There are also some cheaper options if you want to go that route ( bizaliz3 can recommend a good one).

 

[junebug]

the Off brand planted tank lights from ebay are my favorites honestly. They grow all my low-tech tanks and I have never had an issue with one of them.

 

[max h]

I went the eBay route for lights and the plants are doing great.

 

[LordPM]

the Off brand planted tank lights from ebay are my favorites honestly. They grow all my low-tech tanks and I have never had an issue with one of them.

Which one are you talking about? I'm trying to figure out which one you were talking about but there are so many options on ebay that I am kinda lost.

 

[MC4RKiller]

Beamswork LEDs from a seller called "topdogsellers" are primarily what I use for a lowtech LED. Just make sure you get a light with far fewer blue LEDs than white...too much actinic and you will have algae issues. I bought some fixtures for my 40Bs and they were less than $30 shipped

 

[LordPM]

Beamswork LEDs from a seller called "topdogsellers" are primarily what I use for a lowtech LED. Just make sure you get a light with far fewer blue LEDs than white...too much actinic and you will have algae issues. I bought some fixtures for my 40Bs and they were less than $30 shipped

Thanks a lot MC4,really appreciated.

 

[Jamieson22]

Beamswork LEDs from a seller called "topdogsellers" are primarily what I use for a lowtech LED. Just make sure you get a light with far fewer blue LEDs than white...too much actinic and you will have algae issues. I bought some fixtures for my 40Bs and they were less than $30 shipped

^ This.

I went with a 72" BeamsWork DHL from seller mentioned above. It is series of 90 x 1w LEDs. You'll want the 6500k not the 10000k lights.

Also check the VivaGrow knockoff of a Finnex Planted+ 24/7 they sell.

 

[Oval291]

Beamswork LEDs from a seller called "topdogsellers" are primarily what I use for a lowtech LED. Just make sure you get a light with far fewer blue LEDs than white...too much actinic and you will have algae issues. I bought some fixtures for my 40Bs and they were less than $30 shipped

Thanks a lot...will have a look at these. Any quality issues?

the Off brand planted tank lights from ebay are my favorites honestly. They grow all my low-tech tanks and I have never had an issue with one of them.

Thanks

 

[MC4RKiller]

No quality issues for me. Ive got 3 of those lights and another 1watt higher light one going on its 2nd year. Beamswork are honestly good lights especially for the cost.

Now I did buy a random brand one on ebay...Aquaneat or something like that and it lasted about 4 months before crapping out. However I did win it on an auction for 99cents and shipping....so I can't really complain.

 

[Jamieson22]

Thanks a lot...will have a look at these. Any quality issues?

My first 72" light came damaged in shipping and seller was very quick to correct issue. Certainly not a ding on quality of product as a 72" light is not an easy thing to ship (it was triple boxed). Does show that the seller is a good person to deal with.

If you buy on eBay (they also sell on Amazon) you can get a multi-item discount of 5%. The timers they sell count as a second product so worth buying at same time if you want. Timer plugs directly into light and suctions to side of tank.

 

[Mifuluhu]

I've had Beamswork lights and ended up upgrading to finnex as I wanted plant growth and diversity. Be sure you explore plant options before you go super low tech as you are limited. If you use flourish and Excel dosing, you can move to medium tech with the Finnex planted lights.

 

[Oval291]

I've had Beamswork lights and ended up upgrading to finnex as I wanted plant growth and diversity. Be sure you explore plant options before you go super low tech as you are limited. If you use flourish and Excel dosing, you can move to medium tech with the Finnex planted lights.

Thanks. Yes my preference is to start low tech and move to medium tech at some point in time so a light that gives me that flexibility is nice. I have been looking at the finnex lights and have been reading stories of quality issues. Some people swear by them some claim they stop working after a couple of months.

 

[MC4RKiller]

You could always add a 2nd fixture to get your intensity needs if you wanted to go higher tech down the road.

 

[max h]

Nothing wrong with the Beamsworks ET series lights.

 

[Mifuluhu]

I've had finnex planted on all my 7 tanks for a while with zero issues (other than I don't like the plastic legs). The beam works serve as extras for me now or a switch if I find algae growing. Lots of money spent for extras though

 

[AquariumX]

Are they bright enough to GROW medium light plants like Amazon Swords?

 

[max h]

Are they bright enough to GROW medium light plants like Amazon Swords?

If you're asking about the Beamswork ET lights, the answer is yes or at least on my tank. I had to get 2 48" lights to get full coverage on my 60" tank.

 

[TexasDomer]

Finnex Planted Pluses usually are fine for medium light plants too, depending on your tank height. I was able to grow medium light plants in a 20" tall tank with mine.

Amazon swords are low light plants, and will grow with those Beamswork lights or with the Finnex lights.

 

[max h]

Finnex Planted Pluses usually are fine for medium light plants too, depending on your tank height. I was able to grow medium light plants in a 20" tall tank with mine.

Amazon swords are low light plants, and will grow with those Beamswork lights or with the Finnex lights.

Un fortunately I was on a real tight budget only getting a military retirement check.

 

[Mifuluhu]

On my largest tank, 24" deep the Beamswork did not grow even low lights. All my swords died off after about 6 months. Just my experience, far from a lighting expert. I know PAR has something to do with this which is basically how much light reaches the bottom. IMO it's better to spend more upfront (you can always reduce photoperiod if it's too much) thank have to buy twice.

 

[Oval291]

Thanks for all the replies....Another question what is a good timer to use for the LED lights?

 

[max h]

If I used one, it would just be one that plugs into the wall socket.

 

[TexasDomer]

I just use the cheap $4 one from Walmart

 

[FishAreFriends24]

So I have an established 20 gallon long and want to make it a low tech planted tank. I just want any insight anyone might have.
So I plan to put in a layer of organic garden soil and cap it with half an inch of sand and half an inch of gravel the plants I want are crypto, hydrophila, Anubias, java moss and fern and Val grass. I have 18 w led light and for filters I have a sponge filter and a hob filter with sponge media and ceramic rings. I read after I put the dirt it tannins will turn the water brown so I was thinking I could add active carbon and keep the ceramic rings in with that? Then doing water changes to remove the excess nutrients. If anyone has any insight or tips that would be great I’m new to this

 

[Ronniethewitch]

Welcome to fishlore!

I can't comment on much other than to say it sounds like it's going to be beautiful! Also, can I suggest scrubbing the water for the dirt? Add a bit of pollyfil (what gets used to stuff pillows, but with no antI bacterial or antifungal additives and bought cheaply at any craft shop) when a bit is added in the filter it really makes your water crystal clear.

Can't wait for pics!

 

[OlgaMolga]

This is how my low tech planted tank went, I am in day three.
The water did brown at first, and I did a lot of water changes and the water has cleared up, I have a 5.5 gallon aquarium with ghost shrimp, two different breed of large snails so they do not breed lol, and a sucker fish, unknown breed and wild snails.
The only problem I have is during water changes, when I pour the water back in and i'm not gentle, the sand will easily move and open up the soil, I also didn't filter the sticks and other stuff from the soil creating this residue on the floor.
I think the sticks or bark add some texture to the ground and my shrimp seem to enjoy it. So I don't mind too much.

How big do you plan on making your aquarium to be?

I also bought fertilizer for my plants for my aquarium without substrate but the hornwort stuck inside the fake rocks

 

[Ronniethewitch]

This is how my low tech planted tank went, I am in day three.
The water did brown at first, and I did a lot of water changes and the water has cleared up, I have a 5.5 gallon aquarium with ghost shrimp, two different breed of large snails so they do not breed lol, and a sucker fish, unknown breed and wild snails.
The only problem I have is during water changes, when I pour the water back in and i'm not gentle, the sand will easily move and open up the soil, I also didn't filter the sticks and other stuff from the soil creating this residue on the floor.
I think the sticks or bark add some texture to the ground and my shrimp seem to enjoy it. So I don't mind too much.

How big do you plan on making your aquarium to be?

I also bought fertilizer for my plants for my aquarium without substrate but the hornwort stuck inside the fake rocks

That's going tO grow in beautifully! I do love a planted tank.

Are the two of you goiNg to keep pictuRe journals?

 

[OlgaMolga]

That's going tO grow in beautifully! I do love a planted tank.

Are the two of you goiNg to keep pictuRe journals?

That is such a good idea, I have not thought of this ! I surely will. I have two scud missles from the hornwort I purchased at Petco, and I have seen them mating in the grass, I did some research and I have found that they are not harmful to my ghost shrimp so I decided to keep them and hopefully maybe use them for live fish food for my betta and BGK

 

[Joshaeus]

The dirt will add tannins for a while (speaking from experience here). It can often simply be controlled with water changes. I'd recommend either the sand or the gravel...having a full inch of substrate over the dirt may result in the soil becoming anaerobic.

 

[Guy25]

I've done a 5 gallon low tech setup almost exactly the same as you did. It grows and looks amazing!With correct lighting plants thrive and algae is kept at a minimum. Not having a filter keeps things silent as well, and water changes are your friend If you haven't already, check out Foo the Flowerhorn's videos on NO FERT,NO CO2 on YouTube, imo he does this perfectly. Also recommends a couple great resources throughout the video series. I attached a photo of mine after 2 months

 

[FishAreFriends24]

This is how my low tech planted tank went, I am in day three.
The water did brown at first, and I did a lot of water changes and the water has cleared up, I have a 5.5 gallon aquarium with ghost shrimp, two different breed of large snails so they do not breed lol, and a sucker fish, unknown breed and wild snails.
The only problem I have is during water changes, when I pour the water back in and i'm not gentle, the sand will easily move and open up the soil, I also didn't filter the sticks and other stuff from the soil creating this residue on the floor.
I think the sticks or bark add some texture to the ground and my shrimp seem to enjoy it. So I don't mind too much.

How big do you plan on making your aquarium to be?

I also bought fertilizer for my plants for my aquarium without substrate but the hornwort stuck inside the fake rocks
[/QUOTE
Wow that looks great thanks, what kind of soil did you use? I do have liquid fertilizer as well and it’s a 20 gallon long

That's going tO grow in beautifully! I do love a planted tank.

Are the two of you goiNg to keep pictuRe journals?

Thanks I’ll definitely try the pollyfil and that’s a really good idea I’ll have to do that!

The dirt will add tannins for a while (speaking from experience here). It can often simply be controlled with water changes. I'd recommend either the sand or the gravel...having a full inch of substrate over the dirt may result in the soil becoming anaerobic.

Ok thanks I’ll probably just do a really small bit of sand and then a little more gravel I just don’t want the souls coming up through the gravel !

 

[OlgaMolga]

I've done a 5 gallon low tech setup almost exactly the same as you did. It grows and looks amazing!With correct lighting plants thrive and algae is kept at a minimum. Not having a filter keeps things silent as well, and water changes are your friend If you haven't already, check out Foo the Flowerhorn's videos on NO FERT,NO CO2 on YouTube, imo he does this perfectly. Also recommends a couple great resources throughout the video series. I attached a photo of mine after 2 months

I'm in love with that series !!!!!!!

I've watched almost all the noco2 etc videos omg! to die for !

 

[FishAreFriends24]

Does anyone have any experience with corys and dwarf hair grass? Are they ok with carpeting plants ??

 

[OlgaMolga]

.

Does anyone have any experience with corys and dwarf hair grass? Are they ok with carpeting plants ??

I know that cory cats are diggers, I have a cory cat but he's not in the planted aquarium with the dwarf hair grass, but watching his quick movements and his his digging around looking for food, i'm guessing he will dig it out. unless the hairgrass is heavily rooted i'm guessing it wouldnt uproot it then?
That's just my theory.

Does anyone have any experience with corys and dwarf hair grass? Are they ok with carpeting plants ??

My huge snail likes to avoid the small trail I created for him to get across the tank easily and instead he trails over the grass and uproots it.
I'm not sure if on purpose creating havoc for my newly planted dwarf hair-grass haha.
What a pain in the butt he is lol.