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[APD] Help With My New Tank!!
Hi,
I have just subscribed to this mailing list so I hope
this goes through okay...
I am just starting on a new 120g tank which I hope
will end up being a planted discus biotope.
Unfortunately, there is a bit of a rush on this since
I have small discus in a makeshift quarentine tank. I
really don't think its good to have him in there for
too long...
I have been doing a lot of reading and so I have a lot
of questions. Please bare with me.
I guess the first place to start would be the
substrate. I guess I should mention that while
asthetics are very important to me, cost is even more
of a concern. My original concept was to use a nice
tan/yellow color sand for the substrate.
Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate any such
substrate anywhere. Silica sand / play sand don't
seem to have the appeal I am looking for. Unless,
anyone can suggest a better looking sand I might be
forced to use black sandblasting sand.
I guess besides asthetics the real question for me is
should I use all sand or mix of other substrates. I
recently read an article that suggested soil + sand.
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/budget.html Is this
a good option for plants? Does it prevent compacting?
I'd rather have a substrate that did not change its
properties after a few months. ie I don't want to
always be fertilizing and such.
Next the big debate, should I use heating coils.
Based on what I have read I am interested in trying
them if I can find them!!! Have not been able to
locate any website that sells them. Do they still
exist? My other big question about the cables is:
Since I need a water temperature of 86degrees won't a
higher temperature substrate be too hot for plants?
Lastly, for lighting I was interested in have numerous
spot bulbs for the tank. Something like the sun
hitting the water through the trees. Varying areas of
light and shadow. Maybe 4-8 bulbs. Is this
possible??? What type of bulbs would I need? At the
extreme I was thinking that I could even have the
bulbs on a timing system to vary the look throughout
the day. ie something like the sun rising then
setting on the aquarium.
Thanks in advance for any help offered,
Shalom
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