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I'm getting a 42g/150l tank on saturday, the only thing i've bought so far is the filter, fluval 304.

It's going to be an angel fish tank, but will also be housing a common plec, i recently posted a topic on what plants ppl kept with large plec so i could get a better idea of what i could keep.

I've bought some 'APONOGETON longiplumulosus' which (acording to plantgeek) requires medium light... so about 1.5 - 2.5 wpg I would also like to keep some or all of the following, Corkscrew vals, Crinum natans, Orchid lilly, Black Sword plant, Anubias nana, and maybe one of the following Cryptocoryne willisii / Dwarf water clover / Ranalisma rostrata / Pygmy crypt. I have ordered a floating plant (going to keep hatchet fish) but cant remember which one it is now...

Money is an object but i'm not on a real tight budget, got about £300 to spend on the rest (not inc fish)

my question:

1) What lighting system would you recommend? PC? T5?
2) I'm assuming i'll be needing co2, and would rather a presursised system - any recommendations? Do they come in complete kits?
3) Any thoughts on the plants i've chosen? Havent really had any experience with them apart from the vals and Anubias - theyre a piece of cake!

thanks in advance!

Last edited by chrism at 05-Oct-2005 08:35

Hi there,

I can give you my personal opinion on the first 2 of your questions:

I am a fan of PCs. What are the dimensions of your tank? If it is 36” long you could fit a nice 96W PC lighting fixture on top that should give you about 2.3wpg.

There is never a need for a CO2 system as plants grow without it as well, except they grow much slower. There are whole kits of pressurized systems available (at least here in the US they are), but I would recommend that you read up on CO2 systems first before you make a move in any direction.

Once you identified if you want to use CO2 we should talk again.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

EDIT: Actually, 96W would give you 2.4wpg as I mistakenly assumed your 42G were US gallons.

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 05-Oct-2005 09:34

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

no you were right, it was in US Gallons... figured most ppl use US here... think we should use a wpl rule

My tank dimensions: 36" x 15" x 18" it's a seabray slope front so would probably be a little less than 42g

I'll read up on co2 now... thanks

For lighting PC will definately sgive the most bang for your buck, or pound.

Co2 not's "neccessary" but always nice to have. There are kits available. If money is an issue I'd definately consider using Excel as a carbon supplement until you get the money together for presuurised.

Nothing too difficult with the plants you've chosen, but they are all pretty slow growers. Throwing in something that will grow quick and easy will definately help out, some sort of Hygrophilia species would fit the bill. Not sure about the "Orchid Lily" whatever that is, but probably some sort of Nymphaea species. These have a very soft thin leaves, personally I wouldn't trust a pleco with them.

Last edited by bensaf at 05-Oct-2005 22:52

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

thanks for all the tips!!

I'll go for PC then, i'm checking them out now, i'll aim for 2wpg or just over and hang on with co2 see how it all goes and possibly look into it if i feel i need to...

i've had a look at the plants you suggested and quite like the look of Wisteria or Tropic sunset - Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig' so might look into getting them

thanks again, much apriciated...