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RE: Eclipse System 12 - help a newbie



Chet,
  The Eclipse 12 is a great little tank for an low tech approach IMO low
light plants like anubias and crypts I have great luck with water wisteria
in a system 6, except I have to trim it often cause it covers the plants
real fast and does like to take over that small tank of mine also banana
plants would do great in a tank like that, gravel is a great substrate, sand
is hard on the roots of the plants and color of gravel is whatever you
want(darker might make the tank look smaller) I would limit the Cory cat's
to 3 max other bottom feeders are possible but you have to limit it cause
you only have so much bottom to work with.  I would just put cheap natural
color gravel in there add some low light plants and you driftwood in the
center wait a few weeks then add whatever fish you want till you think it
looks crowded if the plants or fish die then get technical with it and see
what went wrong with the water.


Matt W.

>>>>>>Subject: Eclipse System 12 - help a newbie
Hello,
 I've read much of the FINS archives under "Eclipse", Beginners FAQ's
and Aquatic Plants, so I've done some homework, but would really
appreciate if any experts would be willing to summarize the answers to
my questions.  I want to have a simple,*relatively* low  maintenance
(treat tap water for chlorine and nitrates), small planted tank just for
pleasure and relaxation.  I have space for either the Eclipse 6 or 12
and chose the 12 b/c of extra size.  It appears I can grow slow growing
low light plants from what I've read.  I picture my tank moderately
planted, a nice school of tetras, a central stone or driftwood
decoration and some bottom feeders. I don't want to get into CO2 or
replacement bulbs or other complications. My questions are:  Would I
benefit from a Seachem substrate (sand or gravel? and a dark color to
enhance tetra colors)?  Will this shallow a tank have enough room for
sufficient substrate depth?  What depth? Do Corys need a sand type
bottom to protect whiskers? Will this size tank support enough Corys to
make a school? (Beginner FAQ's suggested 6 or 7!)  Are other bottom
feeders better? If poss. I'd like to keep plants and fish from one
geographical area, but not essential.  Could some of you summarize for
me what you would do if you were setting up this tank, e.g. number of
fish, plants and type of substrate?  No changes in basic Eclipse set up
or lighting.  Sorry for length of post.  Thanks in advance!

Chet  -   crjs at umich_edu<<<<<<