On 20 Oct 2003 16:10:07 -0700, wrote:

TANK
i have a tank that is 48" (long)X 18"(wide)x24" (deep) = 90 gallons
base foot print 48"x18"=864 square inches
LIGHT
i have sofar bought a Compact Fluorescent 4x65watt (6700 k)total 260 watts
see below
http://www.esuweb.com/new_site/ccc_53116
i am hopeing that that is enought light.( 260watts / 90 = 2.88 watt per gal)
SUBSTRATE

2x7kg (15.4 ibs) flourite= 14 kgs (30.8 lbs)
coverage recommended is 1kg (2lbs)per 31"sq
therfore 864/31=28 kg i have about half recommended amount
http://www.seachem.com/seachemframeset.html

also i have
3x5.4kg(12lbs) flora base=16.2kg they also recommed 2" deep
(and should ont be rinsed????)
http://www.redseafish.com/Product.as...D=33&proID=115

ok now my questions
i think my lighting is ok i have not considered plants yet i will make
then match to light

florabase recommendes a ugf should i add??
i have one lying around just need new up tubes and powerheads
should flora base go ontop or under flourite???
i was thinking of sloping gravel from back (high) to front (low)??
other filter will be hagen canister 304
and maybe one other if i can get one at vancouver aquatic hobbyist club sale
for cheap
http://www.fishopolis.com/vahc/auction2003.html
should i also add under gravel heater???
i would much like to here your thoughts
thanks les
As far as UGF go I had one in my 55 a few years ago and I can
report that I had explosive plant growth for a while till the plate
got plugged up with roots then major decline of plants. This was
followed by sand without UGF-not good as sand that was supposed
to be non-calcerous was. Latest version has Flourite substrate and
under gravel cable heating.- the tank is stable and most everything is
growing well. CO2,MH lighting and trickle filter for filter (all
homemade except lights ( 2 Corallife 175w pendants-)