C02 Planted Tank - The Real Deal

[Proteus]

As a follow on to this thread - C02 Planted Tank - Trial Run this thread will show all the steps involved in setting up this tank and offer the chance to make suggestions in regards to how this planted display tank will take form.

The equipment that will be used.

Windsor 88 350L Corner tank with Cabinet



2 x 1200L Canister Filters (both from existing tanks)

1 x 11w UV Steriliser

1 x Sera Computer Controlled C02 system (as per previous planted tank)

1 x 40w Red Sea/Dupla Root Therm heating cable

1 x 250/300w External controlled heater

approx 25kg Red Sea/Dupla Flora Base substrate

15-20kg Pool Filter grade sand

either;

1 x Aqua Medic Aquastarlight T5 (4x39w)

or,

1 x Arcadia T5 Reflector (4 x 39w)

plus, 1 x T8 Reflector (2 x 20w) (to add light to the back corner)

The tank is in the process of having a high quality rock/root background being installed which adds a lot more visual depth to the tank.

[discusmaster]

Given how good the last tank looked and the way the previous thread was done (explaining all the steps involved) I am sure this tank is going to be a wee ripper

[Merrilyn]

Looking forward to seeing this tank coming together. Great job proteus.

[Roy]

Excellent to see you doing another tank, and a bigger one at that
Will be interested to see how the root therm works out, i havent installed mine yet.

Roy

[Proteus]

Update: The Latex Rock background has been installed and ample time has been given for the silicone to cure.

Should have it on hand later this evening or tomorrow, pics will follow.

Will be interested to see how the root therm works out, i havent installed mine yet.

I tossed up for days over using heating cables, but I am thinking this will serve as a learning curve for this type of planted tank. Being that my next project is an Amano style tank using only ADA products (they dont use heating cables). It will be good to compare both once established.

[Sime76]

I've noticed on some serious planted tank forums, they recon substrate heating is a waste of time. So if you do use them it will be interesting to see if they make a diff.

[Proteus]

I've noticed on some serious planted tank forums, they recon substrate heating is a waste of time. So if you do use them it will be interesting to see if they make a diff.

I have read that on some forums, at the same time, those same people claim that the specialist type substrates like Flourite, Eco-Complete, ADA etc are a waste of money and don't work either.

Yet, you go look at all the successful Dutch style plants aquaria, and the majority of those use some form of substrate heating. Each to their own I guess, and at the end of the day, if it works good, if it doesnt do much, then others will have more information on their side.

Win/Win as far as I see.

[jho51e]

i think susbstrate heating might be useful for areas who get really cold and snowy...

[Proteus]

i think susbstrate heating might be useful for areas who get really cold and snowy...

very funny.... lol

I actually did a test in my current planted tank sticking my fingers deep into the substrate (at the back it is approx 8-12cm deep), and even though the tank water is sitting nicely on 27c, the bottom of the substrate was very cool... to be a bit more scientific I pushed a glass thermometer into the substrate and after 2 mins it was readiing 19c... go figure

[OscarManAlpha]

Just thought I might add that the substrate heating also creates gentle upward movement in the substrate. And can aid in preventing areas of the substrate from becoming anaerobic.

For this reason they make perfect sense too me...that goes beyond just providing heat.

It also allows shorter rooted plants to get nutrients from well below the top surface of the substrate, as the current created allows iron to reach the roots.

As for the cons of using them I have heard and only once that some large root plants may become harder to move as the roots entwine into the wires.

Plenty of R&D ( research and development ) has been done on them and although they may not be a major limiting factor in growing plants if one doesn't use them, it is a nice luxury to have and to know one may extend the working life of the substrate.

These are just my thoughts from what I have read on them.

Looking forward to hearing more about them as this project gets underway.

So far all I can say is I'm jealous, I really want those lights !!

I think you are going to get a lot of pleasure from sitting in front of your garden especially with winter setting in.......

Cheers,

Mark