canister filters are very costly
can easily be Rm200-RM500
so u better be prepared to fork out money
if u r on a tight budget, can use DIY co2
however, ur tank is so big
so its still better to get a pressurised co2 system
i used to have the same problems as urs
wrong filter, no co2 system
however, i decided to invest some money
i changed my filter(cant afford canister so got myself an Eheim internal)
also got myself a pressurised co2 system with electric solenoid
the effects are wonderful
spent approximately RM600
but never regretted

wahh really expensive ler... i think i must find a way out ... without spending too much $$... cos dun hv so much money la...

__________________
- Ang -
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Tell them big outside filters.....or ask them to show you to the filter section...

If you stay at JB, Singapore have a lot of LFS that sells pretty cheap eheim filters... and other stuff...ask in http://www.aquaticquotient.com a Singapore forum....

The reason for wet / dry filter / sump tank is to air (O2) the water to convert the NO2 to NO3. NO2 is toxic but NO3 is not toxic to the fishes but with an planted tank you get free water purifiers when the plants absorb all the toxic like amonium NH4 and NO2 ( nitrite ) from the tank...

All the ceramic rings / bio balls are to do the same function, allow the bacteria to grow and to convert NO2 to NO3...

If you do not want to invest in a canister filter, you need to stop the sump tank and get an internal filter to circulate the water...

Most of us have what we called a "high tech" tank... CO2 injection, high lights, liquid fert dosing to promote fast plant growth....and frequent water change.

If you decide to go with a low tech tank similar to the fresh water rivers... you also need make the tank similar to the river condition.

Stanley

ermm.. so u mean that.. if i have plants in my tank, i wouldnt need so much rings/bioballs for the bacteria to grow ? bcos my plants will de-toxic the ammonia and nitrite ?

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- Ang -
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Yes... b'cos most of the LFS sells aquarium for non-planted tank...

And also when given a preference.... based on experiment, plants will prefer amonium NH4 than nitrite or nitrate...

I learn a lot about what is going on inside the tank ( rather than guessing what went wrong ) from the book I mention "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium".

There are also many way the plants can take up the Carbon from the CO2.

Stan

well, we have nitrate/nitrite because of the decomposition of NH4, if we dont have NH4 (ie , being absorb by plants) , i believe they'll be only a very little of NO2, NO3...

so in this case.. i'd say a sump system would be a waste for me then ... since i just need to filter out the major waste/dirty things in my tank..and i dont need place for the biobacteria to grow..

am i correct ?

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- Ang -
Website: http://my.ang.bz - Under Construction

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yeah... something like that... it is not that simple... there are many different types of good and bad bacteria that grows in the tank..

But the fish poo is also a good nutrient for the plants as it contains many elements needed by the plants.... but these fish waste needs to be processed by some other types of bacteria to break them down to simple elements for the plants to absorb...

Filter.powerheads are also needed to circulate the water ( like a river ) for the nutrients/CO2 to reach the plants or else your tank will be cloudy when you have bad water circulation.


Stan

If you're new to planted tanks, you need to do a lot of reading. I would recommend this page, this page and this page. Apart from reading the forums - here and others. I learnt everything I know about planted tanks from these places.

No doubt the great people here will help you but you need to do some homework as well. I apologize if I sound curt but this is the reason forums are created - to help you when you're stuck.

yaya.. i'v been reading those articles / forums these days ... subscribed to over 10+ forums .. everyday just forum forum only... really pengsan la ...

in fact i'm not new to planted tanks ... i used to have plants since 7 years ago.. but died and buy again and died ...until i got a proper lighting.. and now they are growing well...

recently just shifted to a 4ft tank with sump...(in the past 2 ft only,with canister filter) ... so wan to know more about plants ... how to obtain enuff co2 for my plants. .. etc...

__________________
- Ang -
Website: http://my.ang.bz - Under Construction

Interested in setting up a website to show off your tanks ? Email me @ angmoh@gmail.com .

angmoh, sump system will be an ideal place for bacteria to grow. The conclusion of sump system can't be use is due to CO2 will easily disappearing in the air the the water flow and air bubbles.

Planted tank is different with Marine. The most important issue is the PH and KH/GH level you need to know. The 2nd are the temperature, lighting and photoperiod. Then only the fertilizer dosing n algae control.

Honestly, I never care about the NO2, NO3 or NH4. My plants and fishes doing very well in my tanks. I just care about PH, KH n temperature currently.