Ok this might be a little extreme, but what do you guys think? i have been planning my setup of 180g (72"x24"x24"). i dont have everything needed to have an established tank, I am getting stuff as my finances allow. the main purpose is to put off getting CO2 injection until last, because it seems less important then the lighting. i already have fairly hard water that goes through an iron remover and water softener.
out of tap:
about PH: 7.4 and KH:200
(that is right out of tap i checked while typing this)
i have 6 bags of fluorite in the tank already making that layer about an inch deep. on top of that i was thinking of using a thin layer of pete moss before putting the gravel in, or i guess i could put it on top of the gravel and not use sand for the top layer. that will help lower the PH of my initial fill water. after the first fill i have r/o that i could mix, even if i have to save it. i know my r/o does 5g at a time but not how much per day. i know that pete helps soften, but being my water is softened i am not sure if it brings down TDS. the main purpose, if i understand it right, is the decaying of the pete would cause the release of CO2 for at least a short pried of time. this would hopefully allow me to get plants and lighting to let the tank start growing in. i intended to let it grow in like this for a month or so with very few fish, just to get the bio-filter going. this idea came up from reading about low tech and El natural setups.
So am i on to something, wasting my time, or making things worse on myself? If it will work, am i ganna have trouble switching to more of a high tech setup or for how long can i expect it to work? would the pete leech ammonia into the water like using potting soil? what additives could be in landscaping grade pete that is would have to look out for? i have some that is ground fine like dirt with little twigs and stuff in it.
Side notes that might help:
plan on stocking cacatuoides and borelli
(i know they are more accustomed to my water)
otos, cory cats, cardinals, maybe another medium schooler
I would like to have 2-3 angels or discus(probably angels) just to have something big to mix it up. i have read very mix reviews on the compatibility of the dwarfs, angel or discus. so i would add the big guys much later when i am am comfortable with what is already in place.
thanks for any incite
out of tap:
about PH: 7.4 and KH:200
(that is right out of tap i checked while typing this)
i have 6 bags of fluorite in the tank already making that layer about an inch deep. on top of that i was thinking of using a thin layer of pete moss before putting the gravel in, or i guess i could put it on top of the gravel and not use sand for the top layer. that will help lower the PH of my initial fill water. after the first fill i have r/o that i could mix, even if i have to save it. i know my r/o does 5g at a time but not how much per day. i know that pete helps soften, but being my water is softened i am not sure if it brings down TDS. the main purpose, if i understand it right, is the decaying of the pete would cause the release of CO2 for at least a short pried of time. this would hopefully allow me to get plants and lighting to let the tank start growing in. i intended to let it grow in like this for a month or so with very few fish, just to get the bio-filter going. this idea came up from reading about low tech and El natural setups.
So am i on to something, wasting my time, or making things worse on myself? If it will work, am i ganna have trouble switching to more of a high tech setup or for how long can i expect it to work? would the pete leech ammonia into the water like using potting soil? what additives could be in landscaping grade pete that is would have to look out for? i have some that is ground fine like dirt with little twigs and stuff in it.
Side notes that might help:
plan on stocking cacatuoides and borelli
(i know they are more accustomed to my water)
otos, cory cats, cardinals, maybe another medium schooler
I would like to have 2-3 angels or discus(probably angels) just to have something big to mix it up. i have read very mix reviews on the compatibility of the dwarfs, angel or discus. so i would add the big guys much later when i am am comfortable with what is already in place.
thanks for any incite