Starting new 50 gal. tank - complete newbie - NEED HELP!

Lighting, filtration etc
gills
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Location: Ashburn, VA

Post by gills »

So I have started on getting my hardware together...this is what I have:

This is what I have:

50 gal tank
192 watt Coralife lighting - 2 - 96 watt tubes
EHEIM External Filter (I think they may have ordered the wrong one...it says it is for 92-159 gallons) Is bigger better?
BlueLine CO2 System (still haven't gotten the CO2 tank yet)
Flourite Substrate

Think of anything that I am missing? I plan to put things together over the next week or two!
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Jamie G
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Post by Jamie G »

Make sure to save a saturday afternoon to washing the Flourite first ! :lol:
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron »

I think you have all the big stuff taken care of. You will want some fertilizers, fish food, etc...

What Eheim filter is it? It should have a model number on the box.
gills
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Location: Ashburn, VA

Post by gills »

I think it was something like Eheim 2217. Good? Bad?

Fertilizers...any recommendations? Suggestions on a location to get it?

I plan on hitting the next monthly meeting for plants...hopefully I can get a few starter plants! I was going to swing by Fins and Feathers and get a few clippings off of their demo tank also!
gills
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Location: Ashburn, VA

Post by gills »

Washed the Flourite yesterday....and still washing! Did I hear someone mention that the water should be crystal clear before placing into tank? That is my goal...but I don't want to kill myself. Is it just to eliminate settlement time and also any extra debris in the water?
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron »

The Eheim 2217 is an excellent choice for your tank. Once you get a lot of plants in there the flow gets impeded somewhat so the extra umph will be needed.

Because you are starting with such high lighting you will want to get the following fertilizers:

Macro Nutrients: Nitrogen and Potassium

Micro Nutrients: Trace elements and Iron

Do you know how soft your water is? If your water is very soft you may want to get some SeaChem Equilibrium to add calcium and magnesium into the water too.

Maybe it is time to do another talk on fertilizer dosing seeing as how we have so many new people in the club this year. It's a lot of information, but it is easy enough to get down.

Washing the Flourite is only to prevent cloudiness when you first set up the tank. I usually wash mine until it is somewhat clear. Crystal clear would take ages.
gills
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Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:09 am
Location: Ashburn, VA

Post by gills »

Any suggestions for timers for the lighting? I was just thinking about the cheapo ones from Home Depot...the ones you use for Christmas lighting!
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dmartin72
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Post by dmartin72 »

They work perfectly.
Sincerely,

David Martin
Mid-Atlantic Dendro Club
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron »

Yeah, those timers are fine. It doesn't have to be precise. :)
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron »

Any pics of the new setup yet Susan?
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