New Tank

[Dale D]

Most cichlids and plants do not mix very well. African and new world cichlids tend to dig up and move around the substrate alot. Leaving you with a tank full of uprooted, shreaded plants and messy water if you are using a mixed substrate. Cichlids that are suitable for a planted tank would include angels, discus, rams and apistos etc.

There are alot of new one part substrates out on the market now from companies like Red Sea and Seachem. They are alot less messy and easier to use than setting up a mixed substrate. I only have experience with the Red Sea Florobase. It is easy to use and seems to do a good job of growing plants. The only thing I am a little concerned about is that it is rather lightweight and can be harder to get larger bouyant plants to stay in place until they root.

I use a mixed substrate in my 90 planted tank. The bottom 1 1/2"layer is a mixture of Laterite and natural aquarium gravel, which is covered with a top 1 1/2" layer of gravel. The tank has been set up for over a year and the plant growth is great. I had one of my tiger lotus's bloom for me last week.

Reef substrate would push your PH up too high.

I'm using a 110 w PC fixture and 2 48" 40w GE daylight Ultra
NO's over the tank. No CO2 yet,but, am thinking about it.

IMHO the only thing as nice or nicer looking than a well done reef tank is a well done planted tank. If I could only have one tank it would be hard to choose between a reef and a planted tank.