30 Gallon tank started in March of
2001
Additional Pictures and tank description at
30 Gallon
10 Gallon tank started in April of 2001
10 Gallon
29 Gallon started June 24, 2001
29 Gallon
Ten years ago I tried for years to successfully grow plants and failed miserably. There was little information available and what there was I couldn't find. Now virtually everything you need to know can be found on the internet if you know where to look. Therefore, instead of repeating information found elsewhere, I thought it would be useful to provide an extensive listing of links to make it easier for those entering the hobby to find what they need.
I started with a DIY yeast system which worked well but I recently invested in a pressurized system with a 10 LB CO2 cylinder, regulator and needle valve. MY adventures searching for a needle valve are chronicled at Needle Valves . For the output of the needle valve I built a CO2 diffuser which can be found at CO2 Diffuser. While setting up a planted tank at a LFS I found a great way to wash Flourite substrate,
In order to get enough lighting I built a hood and installed compact fluorescents in cheap ceramic sockets. Here are pictures of the hoods for the 10 and 29 gallon. .One of the best places to start is the newsgroup rec.aquaria.freshwater.plants. This newsgroup has been invaluable in helping me start a successful planted aquarium. There is a group of highly dedicated and knowledgeable people that follow this newsgroup and they are always willing to answer your questions. Without their help starting a planted aquarium would have been much more difficult. In particular I would like to thank Chuck Gadd, Wayne Jones, Soren 'Disky' Reinke, Aaron Ivers and the many others for their informative replies to newsgroup questions.
Links
Aquatic Plant Retailers
General Retailers
Big Al's Online (Good prices and service)
Pet Warehouse (Now Drs Foster Smith) (Good prices and service)
That Pet Place That Fish Place (Good prices and service)
Homegrown Hydroponics (PMDD Trace Elements Source)
Mail Order Houses (Ratings of various firms)
CO2 Equipment
Dave Gomberg (CO2 Equipment and TMG)
Rapids Restaurant Foodservice (Inexpensive CO2 cylinders and Regulators are in catalog)
Aqua Botanic-Aquarium Plants and Aquascaping
CO2 Reactors
[The Krib] CO2 & Water Hardness
Manufacturers
LaMotte Company - Aquariums & Fish Farming Testing Products & Information
Reference
[The Krib] Aquatic Plants ( Great Site. A Must Read for the Beginner)
Tropica Aquarium Plants - Species list
Kitty Litter in Los Angeles Different Brands
Control of Algae in Planted Aquaria
A Guide To Equipment, Decor & Aquarium Plants
Kitty Litter in Los Angeles Different Brands
SFBAAPS Reference Setting Up A New Tank by Karen Randall
British Aquatic Resource Center
Aquaria Central - Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fish
Lighting
Herbs Cheap Lighting & Cheap setup
Homepages
Chuck's Aquarium Page (Great page. Loads of information. Must read!)
Hoa G. Nguyen's Freshwater Planted Aquarium Fish, Plants, Tank and Tropical Fishkeeping
Tom Barr, Recommended parameters
Substrates
Steve's Aquatic Plant Resource Page
AQUAZONE - Aquariums and Aquatic Environments
Yeast
clickabrew.com Wine Making Ingredients
Painter Fork The Home Wine making
Brewer's Den Catalogue - Wine Yeast
Alternative Beverage On-Line Catalog
The Home Wine making and Beer Brewing Shop
Miscellaneous
Fish Vet (Computer Program to diagnose fish disease)
Aquarium Frontiers On-Line Aquatic Horticulture
AquaPlant Index and Search & Info
TAPGL (The Aquatic Plant Grower List)
Questions or Comments agags@hotmail.com