55g suggestions

[shovelnose]

I'm thinking of turning my 55g into a nice planted aquarium w/ small schooling fish (not really monster but wtf). I have a coralife compact flourescent light w/ 2 65 watt 6700k bulbs and space for 2 more bulbs. I'm thinking of using either Flora Base or Eco-Complete Plant Substrate. Has anyone had any luck with these products? Considering a couple of Hagen CO2 Natural Plant System units. The tank has 2 fluval 303s for filtration and a Won ProHeat 250w heater. Is an undergrave heater necassary? I'm looking at one of these packages http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=2145 to get started, they say that these are pretty easy to take care of.

 

[islander671]

I'm thinking of turning my 55g into a nice planted aquarium w/ small schooling fish (not really monster but wtf). I have a coralife compact flourescent light w/ 2 65 watt 6700k bulbs and space for 2 more bulbs. I'm thinking of using either Flora Base or Eco-Complete Plant Substrate. Has anyone had any luck with these products? Considering a couple of Hagen CO2 Natural Plant System units. The tank has 2 fluval 303s for filtration and a Won ProHeat 250w heater. Is an undergrave heater necassary? I'm looking at one of these packages http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=2145 to get started, they say that these are pretty easy to take care of.

ive recently started a somewhat planted 55g myself. checkout the packages at www.azgardens.com they have a low maintenence pkg that requires no CO2 inj, minimal lighting, and variable water conditions. good prices and decent service. funny shipping schedule though.

 

[guppy]

Under gravel heaters are not recommended for most plants as they lead to root rot, most plants also don't require extra co2 if you run a partail undergravel filter, not dicectly under the plants unless they are potted.

 

[Newt]

Don't get an undergravel heater, there really aren't needed.

I use a Flourite/gravel mix in one of my planted tanks, and Eco-Complete in the other. Please be aware that bags of Eco-Complete were being re-called by Carib-Sea not too long ago because of contamination. The "bad" bags have a milkly liquid in the bags. I have no experience with Flora Base.

As far as C02 goes, you don't really need it with your current lighting (just over 2 watts per gallon.) BUT, if you do add those other 2 bulbs to your light, then I'd go with C02. Once you hit 3 watts per gallon or more it really helps! Just be sure to shut the C02 off at night to prevent a PH and 02 level drop. BTW, your lighting levels are just about what mine are.

In my tanks I use SeaChem: Flourish, Flourish Trace, and Flourish Excel(which is a kind of liquid C02). I also put a Flourish Tab near the roots of my Swords every 4 months.

If you plan on having Vals. in your tank the Excel may "melt" them at first, but they will come back, stronger than ever!

Hope this helps a little!