Hey everyone!
Alright, so I've got an empty 10 gallon tank with no hood and an AquaClear 20 filter. As much as I would like to hurry up and cycle as soon as possible, I have a few things that are holding me back.
Because I intend to give Bo (and a possible shoal of Harlequin Rasboras)the full run of the tank, I would really like to make it a planted tank with plenty of dwarf grass, anubias, and amazonian sword. I've reviewed OFL's NPT tank sticky as well as other various articles and forums, but a few questions persist.
Well, for one thing, I was wondering if I could possibly do it without soil.
I know, I know!!! It sounds really stupid (you can't have plants without soil for the most part, after all), but I was curious because my budget is very, very limited, and I'm not quite sure if I should or should not spend the money on soil when I've seen posts about plants (particularly the anubias and the amazonian sword) who don't require any soil.
So the first question is, is this possible without soil? And if soil is an absolute must, what kind of soil would be a nutritional and economic choice for the amazonion swords and the dwarf grass? (I would leave the anubias to float!)
Another function of an NPT that I would like insight on is the lighting. I'm aware that the plants will require fluorescent lighting, and I've been eyeing the Aqueon® Fluorescent Deluxe Full Hood found at PetSmart for ~$35. [http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...81-3C5F-542C-9A08-12C98BBA18EF#RatingsDetail] If you would happen to have any experience with this hood, or if you have any ideas for alternatives, I would greatly appreciate your input!
Thank you so much for your time and thank you so much for your response~ have a good day!
Sincerely,
Caii and Bo
P.S.- Bo says hi!
Alright, so I've got an empty 10 gallon tank with no hood and an AquaClear 20 filter. As much as I would like to hurry up and cycle as soon as possible, I have a few things that are holding me back.
Because I intend to give Bo (and a possible shoal of Harlequin Rasboras)the full run of the tank, I would really like to make it a planted tank with plenty of dwarf grass, anubias, and amazonian sword. I've reviewed OFL's NPT tank sticky as well as other various articles and forums, but a few questions persist.
Well, for one thing, I was wondering if I could possibly do it without soil.
I know, I know!!! It sounds really stupid (you can't have plants without soil for the most part, after all), but I was curious because my budget is very, very limited, and I'm not quite sure if I should or should not spend the money on soil when I've seen posts about plants (particularly the anubias and the amazonian sword) who don't require any soil.
So the first question is, is this possible without soil? And if soil is an absolute must, what kind of soil would be a nutritional and economic choice for the amazonion swords and the dwarf grass? (I would leave the anubias to float!)
Another function of an NPT that I would like insight on is the lighting. I'm aware that the plants will require fluorescent lighting, and I've been eyeing the Aqueon® Fluorescent Deluxe Full Hood found at PetSmart for ~$35. [http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...81-3C5F-542C-9A08-12C98BBA18EF#RatingsDetail] If you would happen to have any experience with this hood, or if you have any ideas for alternatives, I would greatly appreciate your input!
Thank you so much for your time and thank you so much for your response~ have a good day!
Sincerely,
Caii and Bo
P.S.- Bo says hi!