Hi Everyone,
I'm finally ready to re-start my tank after a thorough tear down and cleaning, and I'd appreciate some feedback on the planned set up to help avoid as many newbie mistakes as possible!
This is my first planted tank, and I'm taking a 'hybrid' approach I'm calling 'mid-tech':
Tank is 72"x18"x18"
2 Magnum 350 canisters using blue filter sleeves and 'CellPore' bio media
Sustrate is 240 lbs of EcoComplete
Lights 240 watts DIY 6500k CF (12x20 watt bulbs @ 1350 lumens)
2x200 watt Visitherm heaters, no undergravel
No CO2 injection (plan to use Flourish Excel)
Assortment of liquid and dry ferts at the ready
For the scape, I'm going for a 'natural' look mostly based on an Amazon biotope. Two tanks I liked are Mellonman's and Norbert Sabat's tanks in this
thread. I'm planning a free form gravel area in the foreground, with a large piece of Mopani DW on one side and some large granite pieces on the opposite side.
My plant list / count is:
Mayaca fluviatilis 5
Brazillian Pennywort 6
Myrio, Red 3
Myrio, Green 3
Echinodoru Tennelus 30
Lilaeopsis Novaezelandiae 1 sq ft
Telanthera Rosefolia 10
Heteranthera Stargrass 3
Green Melon Sword 3
Red Melon Sword 3
For fauna, I plan to keep about 60 assorted tetras, some corys, a few plecos and some gouramis. I'm also planning to add some snails and shrimp, but haven't settled on those yet (advice on type and quantity?).
Does anyone see any glaring problems with this set up? Do I have enough plants to fill the space? Too many? Should I be considering a different mix of plants? Am I asking for trouble with the combination of light and no CO2 I'm planning? Any advice for a nervous first timer is appreciated!
Thanks, Mike