The 20g reef tank I used for quarantine was not making me happy. The creatures inside were cool, but they were cryptic. So you never saw them. I decided to replace it with a 75g tropical planted aquarium. The goal for this aquarium was to have a low maintenance, fully planted system with many peaceful small schooling fish, no CO2, no fertilizer, low light but very green and serene look. I know there are several plant species that are low maintenance and that will do the job.

Tank

The tank is a 75g (284ℓ) Marineland glass aquarium only, with a stand I picked up from Pisces in Calgary. I did not opt for the kit as I wanted to use different equipment.

Mechanical Filtration

I am using the Fluval 407 Canister filter with default media bags and sponges. The flow rate is set to medium.

Chemical Filtration

Inside the canister filter is some activated charcoal bags. I also added two bags of Rowaphos.

Biological Filtration

See section on mechanical filtration. The ceramic noodles act as host for bacteria. So too does the various sponges in the filter.

Heating/Cooling

A 250W heater placed in the rear of the tank, horizontally, provides heating for the aquarium. I do not have anything for cooling.

Additives/Fertilizer/CO₂

I am not using any CO₂ or fertilizer other than Equilibrium that I mix with my RO water.

Flow

The sole source of flow is the canister filter.

Lights

I have the Fluval Plant 3.0 Bluetooth LED, 46W (1100mm). It is set to about 70%.

Automation

There is no automation other than the LED strip that follows a 08:30 - 16:30 photo period, and the surface skimmer that comes on intermittently to skim the surface.

Substrate / Decor

The substrate consists of a layer of Peter's Genesis Aqua Soil, topped with a semi-fine (0.5 - 1.5mm) sand. I also decorated some spots with larger pebbles.

I buried fertilizer pills in several spots in the substrate.

There are several pieces of wood and rocks to help complete the decor.

Water Parameters

Measured: 19 May '25

Feeding

I alternate between frozen bloodworms, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and various dry pellets. I also feed some algae and meaty wafers from time to time. For the shrimp, I will sometimes use a shrimp lollipop or shrimp pellets. The fish are fed daily.

Maintenance / Supplements

I do water changes once every two weeks, about 30%. I use RO water that has not gone through the DI stage, then remineralized with Equilibrium.

Power Backup

I have a small battery based backup device that can power the Fluval canister filter for about 9 hours in the event of a power failure.