New plans for 50gal - Paw Talk

GeishaGirl · #1 11-22-2006, 04:10 AM

I am getting my tank this weekend I think...YAY!! Well it is a pond for my HUGE MASSIVE Goldies (glodfish). NOW I will have a 50 gallon tank with only a half dozen Black widow Tetra's in it so now I can make it into my DREAM (and the fishes dream) tropical Tank. I am going to put in new gravel, sand probably, and gourami's plus I will start getting REAL plants!!

I only had ONE tank ever with real plants and it was my small 5 gallon with baby guppies fishes in it and it was a lovely tank but I have bad luck with small aquariums, I only have good luck with anything bigger than 20 gallons.

Anyone here with a big tropical tank with pics so I can get some idea's??

Skratikans · #2 11-22-2006, 08:04 AM

wow...im really interested to see how your plants do and like what kind of light set up you have, i have a 30gal and i have put two flourescent fixtures in my tank....and so far that seems to be ok

**Sasami** · #3 11-22-2006, 02:23 PM

Awesome, can't wait for pics once it's set up!

Just make sure you have really good lighting...you'll need really strong bulbs to properly light a 50-gallon. I would get the 50/50 actinic bulbs if possible.

Vanilla_Rat · #4 11-22-2006, 07:05 PM

Good luck with that!

Skratikans · #5 11-23-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasami


	Awesome, can't wait for pics once it's set up! Just make sure you have really good lighting...you'll need really strong bulbs to properly light a 50-gallon. I would get the 50/50 actinic bulbs if possible.

Is that strong enough to provide the plants with proper light? where can you get those?

**Sasami** · #6 11-23-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skratikans


	Is that strong enough to provide the plants with proper light? where can you get those?

Actinic just means that the bulbs give off light from the blue side of the spectrum which is better for plants

.

You can get actinic bulbs in both flourescent and power compact flourescent. The latter is stronger and produces more light...I recommend power compacts for heavily planted and/or large aquariums

. If you can get T5 HO bulbs those are even better and that's what I'll be using for my saltwater aquarium

.

GeishaGirl · #7 11-23-2006, 09:49 PM

I should look into those lights!! Fingers crossed I will get the pond on Saturday and then I can start planning!! Any tips on plants and care? I don't know a whole lot on it!!

**Sasami** · #8 11-23-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeishaGirl


	I should look into those lights!! Fingers crossed I will get the pond on Saturday and then I can start planning!! Any tips on plants and care? I don't know a whole lot on it!!

As far as tips make sure you have good lighting and it would be a good idea to use a substrate made for plants and/or a liquid fertilizer. A form of co2 would be helpful, too.

Some great beginner plants are anacharis, hornwort (needs cooler temperatures), water sprite, ludwigia, cabomba, microswords, hair grass, amazon swords, creeping jenny (prefers cooler temperatures), cryptocoryne, java fern, java moss, anubias, chainsword, moneywort, and banana plant (can be hit or miss sometimes). I've kept almost all of those...plus some of the less common species

.

Let me know if you have any specific questions

.

GeishaGirl · #9 11-23-2006, 10:01 PM

THANSK!!

I will be looking into plants soon, probably wont be getting the real ones right away, maybe the fish and gravel first! Will ask for help soon!!

Merlin · #10 11-24-2006, 01:48 PM

Cant wait to see pics, are you going to use co2 or co2 injections, I personally have never used them, to confusing I think, and all my plants have turned out perfect!

sara8 · #11 11-24-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeishaGirl


	I am getting my tank this weekend I think...YAY!! Well it is a pond for my HUGE MASSIVE Goldies (glodfish). NOW I will have a 50 gallon tank with only a half dozen Black widow Tetra's in it so now I can make it into my DREAM (and the fishes dream) tropical Tank. I am going to put in new gravel, sand probably, and gourami's plus I will start getting REAL plants!! I only had ONE tank ever with real plants and it was my small 5 gallon with baby guppies fishes in it and it was a lovely tank but I have bad luck with small aquariums, I only have good luck with anything bigger than 20 gallons. Anyone here with a big tropical tank with pics so I can get some idea's??

you might want to be careful putting gouramis in with tetras. some gouramis can get aggresive and they may pick on your tetras. they sure are gourgeous though. my husband and i are always tempted but never dare to buy them. some day i would like to do discus that would be my dream tank.

sara8 · #12 11-24-2006, 07:17 PM

oh sorry for double posting but congrats on the new tank and have fun

GeishaGirl · #13 11-25-2006, 01:25 AM

I think they will okay in there, I had Gourami's before but they attacked my goldies so had to return them but they left the tetra's alone

I hope it will be okay!! Cannot wait!!

Skratikans · #14 11-28-2006, 08:41 PM

what are T5 HO bulbs?
and i have shopped around in pet stores but was never able to find compact fluorescent bulbs...where can you possibly find them, any good online places?

Skratikans · #15 11-28-2006, 08:52 PM

Also, do you think that a metal-halide or mercury vapor lamp would be better for a 50gal ?