Beautiful planted tanks on youtube.

[Kate]

Just wanted to share this link I found today on youtube! Awesome!

YouTube - Planted Tanks - International Aquascaping Contest

 

[NanoNewbie]

some awesome tanks in that!!!!!!!!!

 

[seafansar]

Wow! Those are beautiful!

 

[funkpolice]

I would love a tank like that. How much maintenance is involved with a planted tank? Daily pruning?
bill

 

[Kate]

I don't know, since I've never had one, but I am planning on one; that is why I've been researching! My 75 gallon tank, that I had salt water in, is sitting empty right now, and after renovations to the house, I hope to set it up for a planted tank! Those gave me some WONDERFUL ideas!

 

[PEMfish]

ppl think FW is cheaper...!

 

[funkpolice]

are the macros for fresh water really expensive?
bill

 

[Frankie]

Freshwater is more work.
Very cool link. thanks!

 

[RyanG]

are the macros for fresh water really expensive?
bill

You could plant one of those tanks completely for what an acan colony or two would cost.

 

[IdahoReef]

ppl think FW is cheaper...!

What do you mean by this?

 

[Kate]

I'm assuming he means the fish and plants, which is the truth! Depending on what you do, they can be equally as difficult to take care of though! I've had both, and corals can be REALLY expensive!

 

[Kate]

What do you guys use for a substrate in a planted fresh water tank? Do you use sand, dirt, fine gravel, undergravel filter, what?

 

[sambrinar]

they have fresh water substrate for growing plants etc... check out this link

Fish & Aquarium Supplies: Freshwater Substrates & Gravels

 

[Kate]

Ok, cool! See, I'd never of known that, if you wouldn't of told me!

 

[NanoNewbie]

Im using Flourite Black Onyx sand in my 20 gallon for my first planted tank. I like the looks of it and it is very good for growing plants I have found out

 

[neilanh]

I've used several different substrates. I've actually been the most impressed with the cheapest ones I've used.

I've used eco-complete, aquasoil, Schultz's aquatic soil, and soilmaster select. The soilmaster is my favorite, and was less than $15 for 50 pounds (I used something like 120 pounds in my 125).

 

[IdahoReef]

I've used several different substrates. I've actually been the most impressed with the cheapest ones I've used.

I've used eco-complete, aquasoil, Schultz's aquatic soil, and soilmaster select. The soilmaster is my favorite, and was less than $15 for 50 pounds (I used something like 120 pounds in my 125).

So, a pound per gallon, is that a good starting point?

 

[PEMfish]

FW animals can be more expensive than the med. to chap SW. Setups and running cost are comparable for a serious planted to a SW.

 

[neilanh]

Setup costs, yes... Operating costs, I doubt it's as much as SW, IMO. I'm building my first SW setup now, so time will tell.

Idahoreef, it depends on the substrate you use. Eco-complete I used 55 or 60 pounds in a 29, the SMS I used right around 120pounds in a 125.