Dear all,
I am Ryan, trying to set up my first plant aquarium, which I have
been interested for very long time.
I have a 5feet x 2feet x 2feet aquarium which has a sump filter
type (water move down to a smaller aquarium and goes through
filter and pump up to the main aquarium)

i) Could I use this type of filter for plant aquarium or do I need
to buy a new filter (Eheim type)?
ii) Most of the aquarium quoted , and some quoted even as high as
RM 5000 to set up this aquarium? This amount is high for a newbie
like me. So I would like to get advise from all the sifus in this forum on which items can we use a cheaper alternative (to save some money) and which one, it's better to get good one from the start. If you have an idea of pricing to expect, that would be great

a) Lighting
b) sand and soil type (ADA or other types)
c) fertilizer
d) protein skimmer
e) C02 system

Regards, Ryan

RM5000?...yup that would be the right amount if u ask a FS to set it up for u.
But then even if u could afford that sum , isnt it better for u to DIY?...thats the fun part about planting....doing it yourself.

A 5x2x2 planted tank = super headache.
it wont be easy to organize such a big tank if u are doing it for the first time.
if u want a really good setup...u gotta plan everything before hand...dont try to finish it in one evening....after u bought some plants and suddenly decide to do up your tank.....many of us planters started our first tank that way ...on impluse but look at the junk we inherited.

first of all ...decide what or which plant species u want.

the overflow or slump fileration would have to go...u dont need it. but then if u insist on using it...then u have to make some adjustment.
if decide not to use it...then get a cannister filteration system
if money is no objection ...then get the Eheim Classic 2260 (RM1,650), but if u want a cheaper product , i recommand JET3388...has the output as Eheim 2260 but at give away price of RM115.

Lightings.... 5x2x2 for Easy plant species...
Hagen Life-Glo 18000k 40w X 4 flo tubes.
Power-Glo 6700k 40w x2 flo tubes.
AIM Sun-Glo 3000k 40w x 2 flo tubes

Life-glo 40w =rm45each
Power-glo 40w =rm45 each
AIM Sun-Glo 40w =rm25 each
-----------------------------------------------------


FOR delicate and diffcult plant species.
Philips 865 PLL 36w X 9 PL tubes
Hitachi (pink) 40W x 2 Flo tubes
AIM Sun-GLo 40w x 2 Flo tubes

Philips 865PLL =Abt rm48 each
Hitachi 40w= Rm 35 each


Sand and Soil.....
are u sure u want ADA?? its super expensive......it could run up as high as rm2000 for a 5x2x2...and its still DIY
the cheaper choice...Holland fine gravel...20kg pack x 5
Hexa long term fert 4.7kg pack x 3
or
Sera long term fert 5kg pack x 3

Holland gravel =rm48 per pack
Hexa fert = rm45 per pack
Sera fert = rm68 per pack


CO2....

Co2 cylinder 3 liter rm245
regualtor mannul=rm65
or
regualtor magnetic valve control = rm288
bubble counter rm 10 to rm15
check valve rm3 x2

Timer control rm45...this is to control the lightings and Co2
when the lights are switch on ...the co2 will automatically start pumping. stop when the lightings are off

Fertillers....U dont need this at the time being.


Protein SKimmers????...u dont need this ...this device is only for marine aquarium system.
but i guess u are referring to Surface Skimmers
this one is about rm30.

__________________
Everyone Has a Photographic Memory..........some just dont have film!

Dear Sifu Ari,
Thanks a lot for your advise, it really helped
me plan for my aquarium at a reasonable cost.
By the way, which aquarium shop is reasonable in pricing
and could get the items that you mentioned below, I could
go to any shop in kl /selangor area (the plant aquarium fever
is starting!!).


Regards, Ryan

FIRST OF ALL....im NOT a sifu.
Secondly......calling me "sifu ari"will only get me into trouble. PLain ari will do fine.


ok...theres no such thing as an aquarium shop with a reasonable pricing...every darn FS owner in Kl goes to work with a razorblade tuck inside their back pocket....and they would be mighty please to slice an over egerly just catching the planting fever with money in the wallet newcomer like u to pieces!!...and that aint no lie.

hold your horses for a just a minute....sit and think about this....do u really want to do this...we talking about a pretty hefty sum in ringgits here...even with the budget pricing i mention, its still some heavy load for the pencil before coming to the final tally.

MY ADVICE ...get some aspirin and get rid of that planting fever before u go any further ...it will do u more harm than good.

buy your equipment by installments...not by raiding the aquarium shops with 4x4 pickup truck.
u have to run thru at least half a dozen FS buying items here and there before u complete all the equipment u need. dont buy it all in one stop over.


Each time u buy something ...u will learn something new about planting... talk to the experts...learn about the plants u want to keep...its more important than knowing the equipments u are about to buy.
i suggest u spend the next week visiting FS where the planting sifus hangs out....they are not snobbish ..and very helpfull with advice on where and what to buy. come to 62 aquarium in taman putera,cheras.this shop has the full equpiment i mention ...BUT DONT BUY ON THE FIRST VISIT... plenty of sifus there and good books on plants. what better way than to point at the photo of the plant u like and ask them directly about it
heres my number...u sms me ...i tell u how to get there
0166861797...or call 42956396. its gonna save u alot of money.

__________________
Everyone Has a Photographic Memory..........some just dont have film!

Hi Ryan,

Welcome on board and welcome into the planted tank.

I believe ari giving you most of the details you needed. What i would like to suggest you to check on what kind of setup you prefer to have. Try to browse thru internet for others ppl aquascaping and the details on how they setup. http://www.aquascaping.org/ which contained lot of past years international aquascping competitors setup. You might get some idea on that.

After decided what kind of setup you like. then only go n hunt for neccessary equipments. This is because of the amount of lighting is accordingly to the aquatic plants you have. Some aquatic plants need lower lighting and you can save some money on that. But some might need very high lighting. Especially your tank is 2ft height.

If you have a small tank at home...just try on that to gain experience. Unless you have lot of cash to burn. Then you can get all of them one short. Get ready RM2-3K into this hobby.

Beside what ari told you. Please remember you are staying in the country where with very hot weather most of the time. The lighting will providing heat to the water. And the aquatic plants do need lower temperature to grow well. The cheapest way is to implement few DC fans on it and blowing to the water surface to lower down the temperature. The expensive way is to implement a chiller to the tank.

Damn you ari!!!! IF only you came into the forum earlier and given me the advise you stated above, I would be a few grand richer and no need a whole warehouse to store legacy stuff from my learning days!!!! .............. LOL!!!

Now doing DIY stuff from all those leftovers useless stuff that was recommended by those "expert" sifus from LFS!!!

Cheers,

KG

__________________
Who is the more Foolish, the Fool or He who follows him?

Just to sibuk and add, I was guilty of running around on a weekend visiting LFSs (at least 4 shops a day) just to compare prices and make a mental note of who sells what. But then, sometimes, the little bit of money saved went to all to petrol and panadol haha. In the end, it's what drives and excites you. If you think it's worth it, it's your right.

PS. Of course, if can get something good at the cheapest price better lah.

__________________
The nose runs and the feet smell - go figure
Steven

Agreed... the difference in price between LFSes is really not worth the petrol...

Dom, you're wrong! The cheapest way for cooler temperature is put it indoors in your air conditioned bedroom . Kaw tim I tell you, no need chiller and etc. Chill the house and chill aquarium at the same time. Maybe a fan can help la but unnescessary.

the cheapest place to get normal equipments ...powerheads, chinese made cannister filters, wiring, blaast, lighting bracket and other electronic gadgets is in PUDU PASAR.

they are selling at below wholesale price...believe it or not. ie they get this pump from the supplier at rm10 , then sell it at rm9.50. NOT LOGIC to sell at a lost?....think again....they get 60 to 90 days credit from the suppliers, but receive cash when selling those goods...they roll at a 5% lost, but gain 20% profit thru cash flow doing other "cannot see daylight chinese stlye business".

Such trades are actually killing equipment sales in normal FS in KL/PJ area...and every FS owner will curse those traders in pudu pasar...dont believe?...try asking your local FS owner.

i used to stock pile powerheads and pumps from pudu pasar...a few thousand ringgit purchase on every trip...and another stock pile trip is on hand tomorrow....and HEAR THIS....all price for branded powerheads and pumps will be increase by 18% next month...

__________________
Everyone Has a Photographic Memory..........some just dont have film!

Soyadude, you are wrong!

When a tank covered with lighting on top. The heat will generate on top of the aquarium faster than air-con to chill. You can ask gg... He is using those giant air-con which we normally used in office. But he has one inside his BEDROOM.

He was using 6-8 FL tubes. But the water temperature can't go down when photoperiod and he turned the air con on before the photoperiod. I told him to implement a fan or two to blow the cool air which from the air-con into the water surface. And then...yes. He got 22C most of the time.

So, unless you dont need to worry about the electricity bill. You can get an air-con + the fans. Or...implement the air-con just close to your tank and blow directly to the tank...