setting up

[timleete]

i curantly have a four foot tank about 18 deep with a 40 watt 4 foot tube
i have about an inch thic of normal graavle and a heater

what is this iron gravle stuff and how much would it cost me
do i need more lights i can get them of ebay (2x4 foot fluorecent tubes 60, 4x4foot t5s for 170 or 8 x 4 foot t5s 230 or keep it as is ) i could use the 2x in adition to my other light i already have.what wold you recomend

also to have a fairly planted tank will i need cO2

what is the mose tloerant plant that is like a grass such as hairgrass

are there any fish i should watch out for if i want a planted tank that may eat the plants

[cichlidboy]

Iron gravel is essentially gravel that slowly releases minerals that aid in the growth of rooted plants.
I forgot what minerals are released, but it's probably got iron somewhere in there?
(Iron gravel has made my plants grow wonderfully)

As far as I'm concerned, a Co2 system would probably make your plants grow like weeds. which is awesome.

But, it's not worth it to spend hundred of dollars on a Co2 unit is you're only going to stick with your usual plants.
go crazy and make you tank green!!

If you didn't want to get a Co2 unit, just get some iron gravel, or finer grade gravel (3mm works well)
two fluorescent aquatic plant bulbs would help as well.
and just add some ferropol (my favorite fertilizer)

But if you wanna go the whole nine yards.
T5's, t8's...Co2 Unit with replaceable cartriges...

i wouldn't go for plecos.
also, cichlids and medium to large fish will start to rip up your plants.
with a Co2 unit as well, you probably don't want too many fish in there.

[timleete]

yea on ebay i can get a double tube 4 foot for 60 buks whitch i could use in asdition to my single 4 foot
will most pet stores sell iron gravle and how much for it

also how much will i need in adition to my 1 inch layer of normal gravle i curantly have

[wombat1100]

It would seem all of the ground cover like plants like hair grass need ALOT of light and co2 to do well (correct me if I'm wrong guys, i cant seem to grow it )
as for fish , i would have a look around then when you find a style of tank you like google the fish you have selected and make sure they don't eat plants, silver dollars , cichlids etc will decimate your plants B4 u know it. if you are thinking a co2 system i would invest my $$$ into good lighting first, then if you want to go the whole 9 yards make your own co2 generator (plans for a few are on this forum) and go from there.

[timleete]

yea i was thnking id rather no co2
id evan perfer no more lights but to get it well planted i think ill need more
im so regreting buying the light i did
its a 4 goot normal tube but on ebay for the same price i could have got a twin t5 thing and had change
oh well lern from my mestakes

[wombat1100]

thats right mate, thats where forums are great, lots of research will save you thousands