First Planted tank

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M

mrfuzz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 31, 2008
206
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Florida
Here are some pics of my first planted tank.. Taken with Iphone.

Suggestions? I just introduced some new plants on Thursday.. Hoping they do well

Setup:

38 Gallon bow front
Coralife 30" T5 Fixture
bulbs 1x 10,000K & 6700K (62Watts) ALSO 18 Watt 6700 bulb.
Co2 injection
Weekly Dosing: 2xFlorish, 1xPotassium, 1xNitrogen, 2xIron.
Aquaclear 70 w. custom media.

I'm not sure how good the Co2 is doing, i still need a drop checker? Alot of the bubbles go towards the top of tank, they get pushed down by the current from the HOB.

PICS:

img0585f.jpg


img0587d.jpg



older pic:
img0555yi.jpg
 
I attached my airline to a powerhead, but you can put the co2 line into you hob filter to try and get more of the co2 dissolved.. Some people like co2 ladders, but I think they look like sunkin ships.

The tank looks great so far. Keep up the good work.
 
I run diy, and dont use a drop checker.

I have no ideas where my values are at, but keep tinkering lights and your co2 until you get good pearling.

I have a regimen now that is hard to beat, keeping me algae free, and my plants happy.
 
Gotcha,

I seem to have an alga problem myself. I've added more plants though recently, hopefully this will help.

I was also feeding 2x per day. I have now stopped and going to not feed for two days, then only feed 1x per day. (hopefully this will help).

I had my co2 difusser sitting under the filter intake... seemed to not help.

Although, When I was diffusing using a wooden airstone.. I was getting pearling on my Green Mysis plants - plants were right now to the airstone though.

photo period is ~8hrs


When I use adjustment knob on the Co2 regulator - makes no change in the pressure etc. (although I can fine tune output via needle valve)
 
Co2 once dialed into an established aquarium will keep algae to a minimum.

I have gotten away with stocking some pretty nasty plants, and the co2 just stops them dead in their tracks.

If you arent using excel, you might want to start. It will help ease you into the co2 algae-less zone in my mind.

It will help supplement your DIY, and actually is an algacide.
 
FLESHY

thanks for the info.

I picked up a bottle of Florish Excel last night..

please note, I am also injecting CO2(NOT DIY). Using 2.5LB tank with aqualife co2 regulator.

Im also waiting for my co2 indicator - to check the levels. Could be too little or too much co2, I have no idea. From there im sure I could get it fine tuned?

co2 diffused from the glass diffuser are NOT that small when i turn up the bubble rate
 
mrfuzz;4762524; said:
FLESHY

thanks for the info.

I picked up a bottle of Florish Excel last night..

please note, I am also injecting CO2(NOT DIY). Using 2.5LB tank with aqualife co2 regulator.

Im also waiting for my co2 indicator - to check the levels. Could be too little or too much co2, I have no idea. From there im sure I could get it fine tuned?

co2 diffused from the glass diffuser are NOT that small when i turn up the bubble rate
Click to expand...

No worries mate.

Glass diffusers tend not to work well when under high pressure.

Most people dont recommend diffusing that way unless you have a very high quality diffuser.

When I was running 2x 2L DIY CO2 with bi-weekly mix changes to one or the other, it was too much pressure, and my bubbles were too large with my glass diffuser.

You might need to turn your bubble count down to get smaller bubbles and the full effect of your co2 in tank.
 
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