Freshwater Questions

[yardboy]

Yep, I've got a freshwater tank too! I've had it set up nearly as long as my Reef but mostly Genie's been in charge and I've not paid a tremendous amount of attention to it until recently. It's a 25H with an Aquaclear 150 and gravel on the bottom. I have a 65W 7100K PC for a light source.
I'm interested in changing things around as Genie's prize angelfish died when we cleaned the tank (don't ask) and we're left with just a few small "chinesealgae eaters".
First, is an undergravel filter necessary with a hob filter? Is the 150 big enough for this tank? Is it worthwhile to put some special substrate (RedSea Florago is sold at the lfs) to encourage plant growth. I don't fertilize or anything and the plants tend to decline over time. I'd love to have a fairly dense growth of plants in the tank if I could, along with a school of neon tetras or some such schoolers.
What about algae control? It isn't terrible but there is some hair on the wood that I scrub off with a toothbrush at water changes.
I've been using RO/DI like I use for my reef, is that a bad idea? My tapwater is heavily laden wth minerals, including calcium and chlorine, is this going to be okay or should I continue to use the RO/DI?
Is the light enough or do I need to increase it. The ballast blew recently and I replaced it with a Workhorse 7 (which will fire 2-55W PC's), do i need more light?
Thanks guys, I hope someone notices this post. I've rarely visited here, and only from curiosity, which is why I have so many questions!

[Stang69]

First, is an undergravel filter necessary with a hob filter?

No but IMO there isnt a better bacerial filtration method


Is it worthwhile to put some special substrate (RedSea Florago is sold at the lfs) to encourage plant growth.

Yes is is worthwhile but if your gonna do the plants you will need to take out the UGF. Plants sometimes ted to freak when they hit the UGF and there is noplace for roots to grab on to

I'd love to have a fairly dense growth of plants in the tank if I could, along with a school of neon tetras or some such schoolers.

PH is the key there IMO. If you can keep it at 6.0 to 7.0 thisng will work better with plants and most tetra's

What about algae control? It isn't terrible but there is some hair on the wood that I scrub off with a toothbrush at water changes.


With regular wc's this should decrease some and regulate you lighting. You can scrub it off if youd like.

I've been using RO/DI like I use for my reef, is that a bad idea? My tapwater is heavily laden wth minerals, including calcium and chlorine, is this going to be okay or should I continue to use the RO/DI?


Most cases I have found that ro/di is almost too pure but thats IME anyways I had great luck with tap in my fw planted tank when I had it

The ballast blew recently and I replaced it with a Workhorse 7 (which will fire 2-55W PC's), do i need more light?


Just keep the light regulated and you should be fine ramp it up just like you would do with a reef.

Hope this helps ya

Jeff

[yardboy]

So to recap, if I'm gonna have plants no ugf, Use the special substrate (which by the way advertises that it helps maintain pH at 6.5-7.0) and don't worry so much about using RO/DI.

Oh, how about using carbon dioxide? "The guy at the lfs" said it was really a help with planted tanks. Seems a school of fish would produce CO2 also.

Thanks so much Stang, for your advice.

[Stang69]

Yes the co2 will help plants 100%. The fish do give off co2 but not really enuff to sustain plants long as it is used up too fast. One thing bout co2 to be careful with is over doin it it can lead to frunk fish and algae from hell if there is too much in the water. They have it simple now where there is a pill that you put into a gizmo that hangs on the back of your tank. I believe the pill lasts a month if I am not mistaken.

You can also look into a cable heater for the substrate this warms the roots and adds to growth also.


Jeff

[pnkpanther]

Platned tanks are interesting,


You need to do something for the Plants, CO2 and/or fertilize, you'll notice a huge different. Like said before, makre sure not to over do it, or else you'll feed algae too, but it's inevitable and i just owrry about keeping it off glass

RO water isnt good for freshwater, it ermoves all minerals that it needs, and unless you place it in it wont have it (in SW, the salt mix takes care of that).

Planted tanks can be a lot of fun, and are on my list of projects. A buddy of mine has doen both reef/and planted and has enjoyed hisplanted much more, (and they are spendy as well)