Hello everyone!
I recently got the boss's approval (My wife of 21 years) to start up a planted tank and yes, it will be my first. I have had several saltwater tanks though so I am not completely nieve. Based on what I have read thus far though, a saltwater reef tank is much different than a planted aquarium. My last 250g reef tank cost me roughly $9k with the display tank on the main floor and another 150g sump downstairs. I am hoping to do it a little cheaper this time around! ?
So how did I arrive at a 45g? I was browsing our local online version of craigslist, when I came across a guy who was selling this 45g (13 x36 X 24) tank with the stand, filter, fake plants, yada yada yada. It sounded like a good deal, so I bought it and drove it home. So let me first say that when I was originally looking for a fish tank, it wasn't going to be a planted tank. It was just going to be a quick setup, bubble scuba diver on the bottom, throw in some neon tetras for the kids and be do done type of tank. Made the mistake of googling freshwater tank setup and saw images of these beautiful planted tanks. I even saw one with a sand fall which I had never seen before and I was just captivated.
So yes, this went from a small undertaking to a major project. I'm not complaining because that is just the type of person I am. Now the wife on the other hand.....not so much. ?. That's okay. She will love it in the end. Getting back to the tank. Although I love how deep tanks look, I know this is going to be a challenge to successfully illuminate. I had the same issue with a deep tank and corals. Nonetheless, that is what I have to work with. 13" depth from front to back doesn't allow a lot of room either. I'm sure this would have made a better fish only tank. Still, I'm going to do my best and perhaps upgrade at a later date. The tank stand (as shown in the link I provided) is black so the boss immediately vetoed the color. My first project will be to paint it white. I think I'm just going to get some Krylon Fusion white and spray several coats over the black. I've has pretty good success with the Fusion brand in the past.
I have ordered some equipment already. I probably jumped the gun as I should have started this thread first but I think I'll be okay with the little bit I have ordered. It includes:
Filter: Cascade CCF3UL Canister Filter, 100g, 265 gph
Lights: Finnex Ray2 Aquarium LED Daylight, 36-Inch
Test Kit: API Freshwater Master Test Kit
If you have any opinions on what I have purchase so far, keep it to yourself. Kidding! ? Please share your thoughts on these and anything else that can be ordered now. I realize the carts before the horse by buying lights before deciding on the plants but there was actually a reason. My rationale is that A) I'm limited to high how high I can mount the lights because the boss wants it aesthetically pleasing and B) It was the highest amount of light I could find in a 36" fixture short of using MH. There was one other company I found that offered an even better LED but IMO, it wasn't worth the additional cost. The boss is going to keep a tight cap on this project and I'm already trying to figure out how to sneak through the house with Co2 canisters. ?
Okay, I'm out for now. Photos to follow. I'm headed to Home Depot for the Fusion paint. Thanks for the read. I know it was long! Sorry, I tend to ramble. Please subscribe though. I need the help and I'm sure it will assist someone else down the road.
I recently got the boss's approval (My wife of 21 years) to start up a planted tank and yes, it will be my first. I have had several saltwater tanks though so I am not completely nieve. Based on what I have read thus far though, a saltwater reef tank is much different than a planted aquarium. My last 250g reef tank cost me roughly $9k with the display tank on the main floor and another 150g sump downstairs. I am hoping to do it a little cheaper this time around! ?
So how did I arrive at a 45g? I was browsing our local online version of craigslist, when I came across a guy who was selling this 45g (13 x36 X 24) tank with the stand, filter, fake plants, yada yada yada. It sounded like a good deal, so I bought it and drove it home. So let me first say that when I was originally looking for a fish tank, it wasn't going to be a planted tank. It was just going to be a quick setup, bubble scuba diver on the bottom, throw in some neon tetras for the kids and be do done type of tank. Made the mistake of googling freshwater tank setup and saw images of these beautiful planted tanks. I even saw one with a sand fall which I had never seen before and I was just captivated.
So yes, this went from a small undertaking to a major project. I'm not complaining because that is just the type of person I am. Now the wife on the other hand.....not so much. ?. That's okay. She will love it in the end. Getting back to the tank. Although I love how deep tanks look, I know this is going to be a challenge to successfully illuminate. I had the same issue with a deep tank and corals. Nonetheless, that is what I have to work with. 13" depth from front to back doesn't allow a lot of room either. I'm sure this would have made a better fish only tank. Still, I'm going to do my best and perhaps upgrade at a later date. The tank stand (as shown in the link I provided) is black so the boss immediately vetoed the color. My first project will be to paint it white. I think I'm just going to get some Krylon Fusion white and spray several coats over the black. I've has pretty good success with the Fusion brand in the past.
I have ordered some equipment already. I probably jumped the gun as I should have started this thread first but I think I'll be okay with the little bit I have ordered. It includes:
Filter: Cascade CCF3UL Canister Filter, 100g, 265 gph
Lights: Finnex Ray2 Aquarium LED Daylight, 36-Inch
Test Kit: API Freshwater Master Test Kit
If you have any opinions on what I have purchase so far, keep it to yourself. Kidding! ? Please share your thoughts on these and anything else that can be ordered now. I realize the carts before the horse by buying lights before deciding on the plants but there was actually a reason. My rationale is that A) I'm limited to high how high I can mount the lights because the boss wants it aesthetically pleasing and B) It was the highest amount of light I could find in a 36" fixture short of using MH. There was one other company I found that offered an even better LED but IMO, it wasn't worth the additional cost. The boss is going to keep a tight cap on this project and I'm already trying to figure out how to sneak through the house with Co2 canisters. ?
Okay, I'm out for now. Photos to follow. I'm headed to Home Depot for the Fusion paint. Thanks for the read. I know it was long! Sorry, I tend to ramble. Please subscribe though. I need the help and I'm sure it will assist someone else down the road.