Planned FW Tank advice?

[goodfortune]

I picked up a used 38g tank a few weeks ago, and I plan to start up a planted FW tank with it.

I'm currently doing some reading and research, and I would like some input and advice from everyone on my proposed set-up:

38g gallon tank (36” X 12” X 19”) with stand
96w PC w/6700K bulb (haven’t bought this yet)
Mixed Gravel Bed with either Flourite or Laterite
Drift-wood and Non-limestone rocks
Aquaclear filter rated for 50 gal tank
DIY Yeast-based CO2

Also, a few questions…

What are the pros and cons of using Laterite vs. Fluorite in my gravel mix?

What ratio of Laterite and/or Flourite should I use in my gravel mix?

Would there be any benefit with going with an all-Flourite bed? Would it be worth the extra $$$?

What are the pros and cons of using a hang-on power filter vs. a canister filter? Does it matter which type you use?

What plants do you recommend for the initial set of plants? I'd like to have various textures, various shades of green, as well as some red or maroon for color and variety.

Is it worth it to order my initial set of plants online? If so, which websites do you recommend?

Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated; thanks in advance!

- Michael

[superjohnny]

Originally Posted by goodfortune

Also, a few questions…

What are the pros and cons of using Laterite vs. Fluorite in my gravel mix?

Laterite is like kitty litter. It makes a good substrate, but Flourite has more nutrients (iron especially).

What ratio of Laterite and/or Flourite should I use in my gravel mix?

I would not mix them. They are different colors and it would look funny. Substrate isn't something you can easily change.

Would there be any benefit with going with an all-Flourite bed? Would it be worth the extra $$$?

I think I used something like 20lbs of flourite Red when setting up my first planted tank. It has worked very well as a substrate. The "Red" is a bad idea though because it makes your water red and is a PITA to clean.

What are the pros and cons of using a hang-on power filter vs. a canister filter? Does it matter which type you use?

HOB's increase surface agitation and aerate the water. In a planted tank that's not good because it gasses off CO2. Cannister filters generally do a better job. HOB's are much easier to clean.

What plants do you recommend for the initial set of plants? I'd like to have various textures, various shades of green, as well as some red or maroon for color and variety.

I have a similar tank except mine is 24" high. The added depth of mine makes my plant selection much smaller. You could easily grow many many kinds of plants. Start with some smaller swords, anubias nana or barteri, fava fern, java moss, rotella, aponogeton's... you have a lot of options. Check out
http://www.plantedtank.net/
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/

Is it worth it to order my initial set of plants online? If so, which websites do you recommend?

Yes. There are some great places around the net. Robert over at www.aquabotanic.com is a stand up guy.

Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated; thanks in advance!

- Michael

lemme take a shot here...

I'll make one last suggestion. There have been some very interesting planted tanks going "el natural" ***visions of hippies smokin' weed and dancing*** wait not like that. Check this forum out: http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.c...m/f/4686048124
Some cool stuff going on over there. I've done it myself with mixed success. I only followed some of the rules so go figure. Basically they're using a potting soil substrate with a layer of rock on top. The plants love it (duh). Lots of natural light, no CO2 and only moderate supplemental light. Very cool and extremely low maintenance if done properly.

Good luck Michael, please post back with pictures.

Johnny

[smeese]

Go with lots of Iron. Maybe a plenum is in order here.

[superjohnny]

From what I've read plenum's are not so good for FW tanks. With plenum's nitrates turn into nitrogen gas and bubble out of the tank. In SW you don't want Nitrates. In FW plants use nitrates as food so you can control nitrates through your plants. Actually, dosing nitrates is pretty common in FW setups.

Please don't take my advice about plenum's as hard and fast fact. I have not setup a plenum in either a FW or Saltwater setup so what I'm expressing is only based on what I've read, not first hand experience. If I were you I'd ask around at some of those sites I listed in my previous post.

[Wiskey]

Laterite has a problem I have experianced in the past, and that is releace of lots of iron into the watercolum especially when disturbed. I would go with 50/50 florite and 2-4 MM gravel mix, or pure florite, I have had sucess with both.

And look into water colum ferts in the "flourish" line.

Whiskey