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Post by guppyguy on Feb 6, 2013 21:55:17 GMT -5
Hi this is my 15 gallon community tank. Here is what in there. For plants Amazon sword, Red flame sword, Ludwigia repens, Rotala Indica, Java fern growing on Malaysian drift wood, Cryptocoryne Wendtii (Green), Cryptocoryne pontederifolia, and a Moss ball (Chladophora aegagropila) For Fish one Hi-Fin Paleatus cory cat, 3 Albino Hi-fin Paleatus. 6 neon tetra's, six males guppies of different ages. For snails I have 3 zebra nerite snails and 20 malaysian trumpet snails (MTS) in the gravel. I hope you enjoy any questions or comments welcomed. Attachments:
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Post by 3littlefishes on Feb 6, 2013 23:29:57 GMT -5
lovely tanks! Your guppies are gorgeous! I think I may pass on the java moss at the moment btw, I was actually looking for the micro swords and may make a spontaneous purchase of java moss that I will regret! I was on the plantguys website and was really impressed. If you are ever interested in putting in an order with me and maybe some others on this site we can save on the shipping. I was wondering what you are using for lighting in your plant tanks. My 55 I just set up 3 days ago and it came used with the original fluorescents. Not enough light. Some people seem to be overkilling it these days. How much wattage do you think I need for swords (and other lower light plants?
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Post by andynater on Feb 6, 2013 23:49:01 GMT -5
General rule I know for plants as ive looked into it lately seems to be about of 2 to 3 watts per gallon for good growth in a planted tank up to about 20 inches deep. More light may be necessary for a deeper tank
On my 30 gal bowfront just used the light it came with and never had much luck, but im picking up a new marineland led light this week and I hope that helps with plant growing.
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Post by guppyguy on Feb 6, 2013 23:53:51 GMT -5
First off thank you. the guppies are my own creation. I have working on creating a new type of guppy of called sky blue half blacks and make it a solid strain and breed 100% true. I a not there yet but have made huge improvements. If you ever interested in the details of that let me know.
As far a the plants go most all of my plants are low to moderate light plants. My 15 gallon is 2 watts per gallon full spectrum bulbs. And my 10 gallon female guppy tank that is newly planted is 1.5 watts full spectrum bulbs. You will need for your tank 2 watts per gallon of full spectrum lighting (5000-7000K) no less.
And the plant guy is great. I do need more plants as I am planting 3 more tanks and his shipping gets cheaper with the more you order. So I would go in on a plant order with you. If you plan on stocking your tank I love aquascaping and seen your pic of your 55 very nice btw but has lots of room for planting potential. I would love to help you design a lay out as it is important and find the right plants for your set up.
And don't worry about passing up on the java moss. And the plant guy has great micro sword I got some from him. Let me know what you think on all this and what help you would like. thanks
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Post by 3littlefishes on Feb 7, 2013 1:05:18 GMT -5
awesome, thanks. I would love some imput. I just found a T5 6 bulb lighting system on KIjiji. I make the guy an offer and will see what happens. It would give me over 300 watts of light which would be amazing. I had a 7 year break from tank keeping while travelling and having babies and forgot how addictive it is! I am going to be very poor, very soon!
We will have to organize a plant order soon, if I get more lighting it is going to give me a lot more choices.
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Post by guppyguy on Feb 7, 2013 2:00:32 GMT -5
Well i know your dealing with a large tank and me on the other hand because guppy breeding tank many smaller tanks I have take different approaches to my tanks. I have a list of plants I want from the plantguy. You have to look at each plant and make sure he has in stock too. His plants stock changes in what he has every other week. He has everything I need to plant two 5 gallon tanks I am doing. The lighting system your looking at would give you unlimited choices for your tank as far as plants go. you want to get a good back ground mid ground and foreground plants. Microsword is perfect for foreground for example. You got a lot of nice driftwood pieces in your tank that definitely need some plants attached and growing on them. you tank has a lot of potential. My order alone is about $60 for plant guy. Anything over a hundred dollars i free shipping. And you could easily spend money to fill your 55. Figure how dense you want it with plants.
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