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To get my tank setup and going with me on a tight budget I was wondering a couple things. Can I just go scavengering for drift wood and nice looking rocks to put in the 75g. I am aware of the viniger test for rocks. I think you have to chip off a piece and test that area. Concerning wood what do I have to look out for. This is going to be a mildly planted 75g with rocks and some drift wood. Think I'm going 100% flourite for the substrate. I plan on putting schooling fish and then some bottom feeders I think. Bala sharks as my main fish.

Successful planted tanks are difficult on a tight budget...everything from the substrate to the lighting costs more when you go planted...there are ways around it however.

I've collected all my driftwood myself. Most was dead wood and I had to leech the tannins out myself. If you take your wood from a local stream make sure it's from a non polluted source. You'll need to steralize it thru boiling (not too long or you'll cause it to break down too quickly) or baking it. If you bake it to kill any nasties you'll need to resink it (hot not boiling water is the best).

Die hards out there will of course dissagree with me on this, but a much cheaper substrate is Shultz's Aquatic Plant Soil. It's a baked clay (similar to florite) and can be found in most every hardware and landscape supply shop. I got mine from home depot for $6/10lbs if I remember correctly.

As a side note, 75 is a bit on the tight side for bala sharks. Adult size is a foot + and they're very active swimmers. If you're not planning on upgrading to a larger tank soon, you might want to rethink the stock .

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*

Last edited by Babelfish at 19-Oct-2004 13:47

Ok thanks for the substrate recommendation. I'm looking at only $10 plus shipping from big als Online for the Flourite. If there is not much difference, I will think about going with the Shultz Aquatic plant soil. It does say Aquatic so I don't see any reason no to go with this maybe. Will I be ok with the rocks by just doing the viniger tests?



Last edited by aquanator101 at 19-Oct-2004 14:09

Rocks will be alright with just the vinegar test, but like the wood will need to be steralized and scrubbed prior to being put in the tank.

IMO/E you're biggest expense will be lighting a 75 gallon tank for plants. You'll need @least 150watts...IMO anyway .

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*

I purchased a 75 gallon with cabinet, lights for $299 and it was such a spur of the moment buy I didn't even check the lights wattages. That's one reason why I'm on a tight budget with it now because I didn't save up for anything.. There are 3 tubes in there and I know they are flourescent but don't know type or wattage. I am calling the lfs now to find out. I could probably just look at the bulbs when I get home to but want to know now! Thanks....

Thanks Babelfish for all your help!

Ok, I picked up my substrate last night. I used Shultz Aquatic Plant soil. While at Home Depot I saw some concrete blocks and thought it would be a nice budget peace for now. It will end up looking like some kind of stone hindge display. Is it ok to put concrete in the water?

Last edited by aquanator101 at 21-Oct-2004 08:02

Concrete is likely to increase the ph of the tank. You should test it in the same manner as rocks, by scoring the surface and adding some vinegar. I'm pretty sure however that concrete isn't good for tanks, unless you're willing to deal with the rising ph.

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*

I already have water with high ph. Wonder if it would make it even higher or not effect it as much. I will just have to do the test. Chow fer now... thanks again....