I have a 90 G Oceanic bow front tank with a bio ball filter . I am switching to a Ehiem 2075 canister filter mainly to get rid of water noise and I would like to switch to live plants from fake ones . In my tank now I have 1 large angel , 2 Gouramis, 3 tetras, 6 plattys a 12 " pleco and my Corys keep multiplying I now have 5 of them. I have had the tank for about 4 years and the current fish for about 7 months. My main question is what is the propper way to switch to live plants ? Will doing so harm my fish I have now ? and I would like to add a few more smaller fish for color should I get a larger filter than the 2075 for the amount of fish and plants ? I thank everyone for there help !

Switching just really comes down to 2 things....what type of substrate do you currently have and what type of light?

I have the 2075 on my 75g. Good filter.

You'll probably find your water quality will improve with live plants! (They're fun!)

When switching filters, make sure to put the old filter media in the new filter to minimize the chance that the tank goes into a Cycle.

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I am going to upgrade my lighting also I just do not know to what yet . My curent substrate is just the light blue store bought when I got the tank. So when I change to live plants I was going to change the substrate so except for the fish I will have a new tank and that is what I am worried about !

Do not try to put old filter media in an Eheim filter. Just stick it inside the tank if you want to use it.

Easiest way would be to let both filters run together for about 3 weeks then remove the old one. The new one would be seeded that way.

I would wait till both filters run a couple of weeks before changing out substrate. When your ready to switch out substrate, put all the fish into a couple of new buckets or tubs, drain the tank remove gravel. Leave mulm on the bottom as it will help with transition. Add new substrate, add water, dechlorinate turn on filter. Soon as temp is up it should be ready for the fish.

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I agree with above.The filters will do better if you run the two side by side for a few weeks.

What types of plants are you thinking of?Depending on those will determine if you need a high output light or not.If you want low tech then go low light with anubias,crypts,java fern and moss and a few simple stem plants.

Also the type of plants will determine the substrate,but I personally like eco complete as a plant substrate.

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Is that a 48" inch tank? Will you be going with pressurized CO2? Choice of light will usually determine that.

How far do you want to take it?

Yes it is a 48" tank . I do not intend on using CO2 . I do not intend on going overboard but I was looking at lights and they seem to be a major expense !

You can get buy with a shop light at walmart.

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SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html