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well, I just recieved a 29 gallon tank. (12x18x30) and I need to get a lid and lights. I was wanting to do plants, so I was wondering if I can just buy a glass lid instead of making one. How much lighting would I need? I am on a budget. I was also wondering if anyone had any plant ideas for it?

If you are looking to go the low tech route I would stick under 2 wpg, but definitely get a glass cover. If you want to keep it really simple keep 1.5ish wpg and stick with anubias species, crypt species, and java moss/fern. Plant as much of the tank as you can to begin with though, the more plants the merrier.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

If you have an All-Glass Aquariums tank then I would suggest you buy their glass top that is designed for a "Double Fixture" as you might want to add more light later on.

The difference to the glass top for a single fixture is that the flap in the front is narrower and as such the middle part (over which the light sits) is wider. You will need the wider space because otherwise the light would shine on a conneting plastic strip between flat and middle instead of the plants.

If you don't have an All-Glass Aquarium tank then you might want to try to find out if the glass top fits anyway. It is worth the research.

Have fun,

Ingo

AND BY THE WAY: Welcome to FP, lookin_around

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 08-Oct-2005 16:48

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I highly recommend a glass top on the aquarium. However, you should be aware that glass tops are cut differently for single, double or triple tube flourescent fixtures. I used a triple tube fixture on my 29L or 30 gallong aquarium and I could not open the lid without removing the light until I purchased the proper size galss tops.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Thnx for the welcome....even though I've been here for over a year...but anyways, I looked at home depot to see if they had any light fixtures that I could maybe use, and the only thing I really found was a dual 24 inch flourescent fixture, but I'd only be getting 40 watts out of it. I think I am going to pets mart tommorow, do you know if they sell glass lids there? and if not, do you know of any place I could get one online for a reasonable price? Thnx

Hi,
When I purchased my 30G tank it came without a top.
I carefully measured the tank (L & W) which has a black
plastic frame around the top. There is a quarter inch
"lip" all the way around the top, and I figured the
piece of glass to fit 1/8 inch onto the lip all the way
around. Leave the glass "short enough" to allow for
the tank heater and filer and any hoses that might need
to go into the tank along the back.
Then I went to a glass store and had them cut
a piece and polish the edges, bought it home and PRESTO
a full tank glass top. Then I simply set my dual tube,
compact flourscent canopy atop of the glass.

When I do water changes or redo the aquascaping, I
set the canopy a side along with the glass top. Some
might want the glass in two pieces, but I prefer the
single large piece.

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

lookin_around,

even though I've been here for over a year

Well, maybe I should look at the &#8220;Registered Date&#8221; date on the left first before I welcome someone to FP.



See it as a personal welcome as I don&#8217;t think we have chatted before .

Ok, to the light and glass top: You did not mention if you have an All-Glass Aquarium tank, so I will just assume you do. I have the 29G from them and their glass top is rather inexpensive (even at the LFS) and readily available, just make sure you get the one for a double fixture. I had the 2x20W light fixture above it (is now on my 20G Long) for a few months and had a decent plant growth. Eventually I switched to a 65W Power Compact unit. If you want to see my tank before and after the switch, look at This Entry.

As to an online Retailer who has it: The good Doctors have it Here. Scroll down until you find &#8220;Black Twin-Tube Versa-Top ( 30" )&#8221;, that would be the model I suggest. It costs $ 16.99.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 09-Oct-2005 05:27

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

thnx for the help. From what I saw, compact flourescent seems to be the way to go. It just a lil expensive, especially being 15 and trying to get my truck the way I want it too I think I might try something like that ahsupply thing, but I'm not sure yet. Ohh, and I don't know if its an all-glass aquarium, because it was given to me. Decisions Decisions

well...I was lookin around online, and came upon a light I think I might get. It's the coralife 65 watt 30" compact fluorescent. I found it at hello lights and at bigals, and its the same price at both of the sites....is there an advantage to buying from one of these? Is this a good light?
http://bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=31566;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

P.S. with this much light would I have to go w/ co2, because I was trying to stay away from it?

Last edited by lookin_around at 09-Oct-2005 16:20

Well lookin_around,

That is exactly the light I have on my 29G (Coincidence ?). I love it and it is for sure good enough to last for a while.

About the online store options:

I bought my 30" fixture from Big Al's and my 72" fixture from Hello Lights. Both are good and reliable places (IMHO).

Maybe it is going to be the shipping cost that is going to be the deciding factor.

Either way, have fun with it,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

ok, now that I think I have the lighting thing done, Time for plant questions, since I have done only anacharis, lol. Are there certain placement techniques for plants, or is it just sort of a random thing? Will I need Co2? Thats about all I can think of for now. Oh, I was wondering what kind of chemicals I need to know about and regulate?

Last edited by lookin_around at 10-Oct-2005 00:12

lookin_around,

Take a look at [link=My 29G]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/61406.html?200510091647" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link] and its history over the last maybe 3 months. It is not the most beautiful aquascape in the world, but you can see how I arranged my plants etc.

There is never a must for CO2, I would say it is up to you as you can go either way with the wattage provided by the &#8220;new&#8221; fixture. I have no CO2 on that tank (so far ).

About the chemicals, go the [link=Seachem&#8217;s]http://www.seachem.com/products/planted.html" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link] website and read up on their Flourish line of products; that should be a good start.

For the planting details, I would suggest you ask a question in either the Aquascaping or the Planted Aquarium forum. But before doing so read up on plants that you might like in your tank.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Your tank looks really nice Today I went and bought the vers-a-top glass lid, and it fit!...so now I just have to order the light and keep researching the plants and what not, and then I'll be good to go. I also bought some flourish tabs, and I heard that you onlly need about 1/4 of a tab per plant, is this true?

PS- I just ordered the light from big als, so it should be here whenever it ships out. Time to really start the research , I would like to have everything sorta planned out b4 I get the light.

Last edited by lookin_around at 10-Oct-2005 21:49

Alright, I'm back after many hours of research. I am wonderinmg if I going to need to add any sort of micronutrients if I am not doing co2, or keep track of like gh, kh, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium?
I have sort of come up w/ a list of some plants that I like,a nd think I might attempt. I would appreciate any comments, advice, or problems with the plants I have chosen.

Foreground- dwarf hairgrasss

Rest of the Tank- Vallisneria Americana(Corkscrew Val),
Hygrophila polysperma(Green Hygro)
Ludwigia Repens,
Pennywort
Wisteria
And maybe:Vesicularia dubyana(java moss) if I find a piece of driftwood or something that I like.

Should I add more? and if so, can you give me some ideas..thnx


Last edited by lookin_around at 15-Oct-2005 19:50

Last edited by lookin_around at 25-Oct-2005 23:53

*Bump*