cumar

Hello All,

Please excuse me for a lengthy post.

I have been trying to establish a decent planted tank for over 5 year.  My last attempt 2 years ago started well (image attached) and quickly fell apart.  I learned much from that, poor lighting, poor filtration and inadequate ferts.

During the lockdown, staring at my tank I have decided to start again and do it right this time.  I need your help and opinion on some of the choices as try to keep my cost low.

The tank is 120 x 65 x 50 (depth) cm 260 L.

AIM

High-tech heavily planted tank with carpet plants.

Light

I have opted to go with 3x 120 cm MML lights with 90 degree lens.  My existing ones are standard low coast white LEDs from a LFS.

Ferts

I currently use Aqua Greens dinosaur pee.   But this around I am looking as 2HR Aquarist (Singapore) APT complete, which from I understand is a middle ground between EI’s rich dosing and ADA’s lean dosing.  The benefits are less water changes and only monthly pruning.  I looked at Seachem, but too damn complicated for me.

Substrate

Currently I am using Eco Complete, and I hope to mix some Aquasoil as base substrate.

Filter

Currently have an old Sun Sun 1200L/H and it is barely pulling its weight.  My options are a Fluval FX4 or equivalent or 2x Aqua One Ocellaris 1400lph give me the flow rate at the same time better circulation in the tank.  Aqua One option cuts the cost by nearly half.

Co2.

Pressurised co2.

Any suggestions or comments?