I'm looking to start a new 29 gallon tank. Im looking to learn as much as i can about everything i need to know before i start. I think i would really like to have a planted tank, but i have no clue where to start with what type of base(sand or gravel) i need to have for the plants to take root in as well as lighting. and my grandma was telling me i need to be cautious as to what type of fish i can have in the tank that wont eat my plants. If yall could help me to get started on my project i'd be very grateful.

try a beaslbob build.

for substrate use 1" peat moss, 1" play sand, 1" pc select.

fill the tank with anacharis, vals, small potted types and some amazon swords.

Setup it up then let it set for a week.

then add 1 fish (male platty)

wait one week with no food being added.

the stock up the tank and start feeding 1 flake per day for a few weeks.

just to be clear, no filter, no circulation, no air stones, no water changes.

Just the tank, subsrate, plants, and fish.


my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

Im looking into the beaslbob build, but what are other types of builds i can look into? Idealy i was wanting a filtered, very clear water build. Im not being ignorant i promise im just trying to research!

Thanks alot!

I used Eco-Complete, which is a little spendy, but worth it. I've been pretty happy with and so are my plants. Use lots of stem plants...like wisteria and some swords. My tank is heavily planted and over the course of the first few day I was able to add 7 lemon tetras. A week later added 6 oto cats...a week after that added 11 amano shrimp and a mystery snail. Up to this point I've had no ammonia spikes, and after 3 weeks started getting nitrates...this week I added 3 Bolivian Rams. The tetras are so happy they are breeding like rabbits...I think I've had 2 or 3 different spawns due to the different sizes of the fry. I've got about a dozen in another tank

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20 gallon long:Amazon Swords, Ruffle Swords, Red Flame Swords, Fanwort, Wisteria,8 Lemon tetras,
6 otos, 11 Amano shrimp, 3 mystery snails, 3 Bolivian Rams, 3 black skirt tetra and 2-3 lemon tetra fry
10 gallon: 30 lemon tetra fry, give or take...1 gallon Anubias, Fish: 1 betta

For the substrate, I've got two options... I'm running both. In a 155G, I'm running pool filter sand about 2.5 inches deep, in another 155G I'm using a clay-based product purchased from Tractor Supply. (Safe-T-Sorb)... The 2nd product is used in garages to sop up oil spills and such. The pfs is $10.00 for 50lbs., the clay is $5.00 for 40lbs.
The pfs is sieved to a size of .45 - .55 mm which eliminates compaction like what happens with playground sand (inconsistent granule size). It is also very easy to vacuum. The python will pick up some of the sand but after a rise of 4-5 inches, it falls back to the bottom. Initial use requires only a slight rinsing.
The STS provides a very natural look. It's a hassle to rinse for first use but my plants love it!..
I'm a big fan of Vals, crypts, swords. My vals multiply like crazy via bottom runners. My crypts aren't as prolific. I'm told to add fert tabs.
Good luck with your build!. Bill in Va.

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12 Tanks, 900 gallons. Discus/Angels/Malawi/Lake Victorias. Just added a 135 & 2 - 29's..