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I guess they do. Probably the wood is totally matured so it realeases some kind of organic matter. I guess that's what is happening to mine. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

After almost 3 months: Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Just to post an update Now I can say that HC was melting due to transitioning to immersed form and I guess also dur to ammonia peaks from the new setup (mainly from substrate). Now, after 2 months it is thriving and spreading really well. So, for the future readers of this post: check water...

Yeah I agree with you. These creatures (whether snails or ostracodas) evolved there for a reason. They are eating something I can't see on driftwood and probably this would turn into organic matter and amonia. I will give nature a chance and let things evolve for now. If it turns into an...

Thanks Edvet real nice and clean alternative! I will use it when snails get bigger. And still better because I dont want to use chemicals for this. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I got the visible snails off on yesterday WC. Guess it was something around a hundred. I can't take off the driftwood for cleaning or it would destroy the scape. It is partially buried in the substrate and is holding it. And as I read around here clown loaches would be nice to eat snails but...

Today I noticed there were a lot of white little spots laying on the driftwood of my planted tank. At first I thought this could be some kind of mold but no, paying closer attention I noticed some of them were moving! They appear only on the driftwood and no where else in the tank. I'm afraid...

Wow looks nice... You see there are a lot of different approaches to filtration, fertilization and so on.. each one has its pro and cons. Whether this Dr is right or wrong he deserves my respect since he put his hands on and is searching new ways to maintain a closed system. Hopefully there...

Yeah.. his tone is like preventing the next big plague to hit humanity. But instead of rats, MCs are the root cause of it. [emoji44][emoji44][emoji44] Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

FYI The guy who made this video, Dr Kevin Novak, published another one to respond the critics he received on the first video. Basically what he says is that mc will work as a filter but we wont be able to clean it as we do with our mechanical filters to avoid nitrite and nitrate build up. He...

Thanks for the comments guys. I also thought it was crazy to take off the hole carpet the way he did. I will keep my carpet clean and trimmed. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey guys, Just saw this video on youtube and it worried me a little since I'm growing a mixed carpet of monte carlo and hc. Did this ever happened to you? I guess maybe this guy should have trimmed the carpet more often and don't let it get too thick. Cheers Sent from my SM-G935F using...

Yeah I agree. There are many approaches that work well. Just by looking at your tank I have no doubt this method delivers great results. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I see. I'm going to dose a little bit less nitrates and phosphates each week and watch how plants react. I don't think all plants will do well with 0 phosphates and nitrates since they are known important macronutrients. Maybe you have some of these nutrients in your tap water. Anyway I...

Beautiful scape! Love the way you put things together. I have some supposedly red plants in my tank that haven't become red yet. I'm dosing EI standard way (20 ppm of NO3). You said red plants must have lower N to show its colors. In your approach what would be the approximate N concentration...

I got it. So is it possible to have hi levels of CO2 and oxygen at the same time? One does not "degass" the other from the water? I mean, turning the air pump at night will only raise oxygen levels and won't decrease CO2. Actually it will drop less right? Because there will be more CO2...

Today I monitored ph changes during the day. But since I was not confident my ph meter was calibrated (just bought it) I did this using ph 4 and 6.8 solutions. And as I was suspecting it was not well calibrated. It was reading lower values than it should. In the end the readings showed me...

I really like this idea Silviu. I did not know plants consume CO2 during night time. Do you use or have ever used this method on your tanks? I thought only O2 was needed at night. I've been turning on O2 pump at night, to degass CO2 and have higher O2 levels. Do you think it may be a bad...

Yeah Silviu, that would be a good option to keep constant ph level, but I really don't want to leave CO2 turned on all the time. I've bought a timer and a solenoid valve for this purpose. Besides my cylinder is not too big, so I would have to fill it more often too. For now I will keep watching...

Sorry for my bad english Clive.. What I meant was that before CO2 reactor goes on the ph is 7.4. It turns on 2 hours before lights to make sure dropchecker is light green/yellow when the lights go on. When the lights go off ph is 6.0. So there is a drop of 1.4 degrees. I've built a Cerges...

Hey guys, just to give you an update. I took off the hc, rinsed to eliminate dead leaves and roots and replanted them. Now the aspect is so much better and new leaves are growing already. I finally was able to properly mesure ph (digital meter arrived yesterday). I guess during photoperiod...

If you need 2.4g for 100 litres or 26.4 US Gal So 2.4g / 26.4 = 0.09g for 1 US Gal So 0.09g x 10 = 0.9g for 10 US Gal Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

OMG I'm stunned by gow cool that palludarium that inspired you is. There is even a canary in the package! I'm definitely following you on this project. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[emoji108][emoji106][emoji106] Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey Silviu yes I moved the pump a little upwards and the flow got slower. It was almost a hurricane indeed. The good thing is none of the bushes was taken by the water stream. It a sign the roots are fixing to the substrate. Isn't it? Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I won't Chubbs! Brazilian are known for not giving up on things. Wich is a lie but I feel good saying this. Lol Anyway, I'm doing everything to save HC. Started using airpump last night to make sure they are "breathing" O2. Regarding the reactor I made a Cerges reactor with 1 inch pipes...

Alright.. today I made 4dKH solution for the dropchecker. Tested it and ok, it's between 3.5 and 4dKH. Good enough I guess. I also bought an ammonia test and I expected it would show me high levels since the tank is cycling and the filter and media are new. But the results were higher then I...

It is yellow the whole photoperiod. And no, I couldn't find 4dKH water yet, so I used tank water. Guess I'll have to DIY that. RO water + NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate). Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Thanks Konsa. I'll try to do that. My scenario is the same you had there. But for now just HC and Monte Carlo (less then HC) are showing these symptoms. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Good to know Konsa. What is the idea behind this? Plants consume oxygen at night and there were insuficient flow on the surface to help with gas exchange? What if I increase surface agitation? That would be easy for me with those fx6 nozzles. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey Clive, yes I guess this is CO2 distribution issues as well, and maybe other variables at the same time. Dropchecker is yellow during light period since I don't have live stock yet. But regarding the flow I won't be able to change the tubing position at this moment. The cabinet opening for...

Understood, thanks Clive! I won't use K2SO4 then. Just increase a little on KNO3. Regarding the plant readings I'll have to learn on the fly, asking, making mistakes and so on. But I'll get there. Cheers Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Nice! Thanks for the advice. I'll adopt this method! I'll follow you on that thread. Cheers Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Really nice Silviu! I guess I'll try this method too. Have you already moved some of these plants to your tank? How are they doing? Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Alright then. I'll give them one more week. If they dont react I'll take it off and try to get healthier HCs. If everything goes wrong at least they will deliver some organic material to the bacteria colony in formation inside the canister hehehe So your approach is to keep them emersed for a...

I see... I sould have done something similar I guess. But do you think I should wait to see if they react or rip them off and start over with a new HC batch? Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Yes they started browning right after flooding the tank. Maybe it's a sum of many factors: unhealthy plant, tansition from emersed to submerged, bad flow, etc. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Yeah... too bad I guess it was grown emersed. Actually it was very green when I got them. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

What do you use for the dropchecker solution? Tank water or 4dKh RO water? Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey friends, My tank is only 6 days old and I haven't done DSM. CO2 at full throttle dopchecker yellow during light period. I made some ajustments on the flow, besides 2 end nozze from FX6 I installed a Chinese koralia at the center back of the tank to increase flow directly into HC. Light...

Thanks a lot John. I'll read this carefully! Hope some day I have the chance and knowledge to beat some newbies a**es around here. LOL Just kidding. I'm here to learn, just that. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey Clive Thanks for your reply. I read this forum a lot for a long time and your posts are the ones I pay attention the most. By the way the thread "EI Dosing using dry salts" was the one that encouraged me to dose EI in my tank. I alredy got that there's no need to be exact on EI. And...

Yeah... here in Brazil most of them arrive at fish stores in a very bad shape, starving and weak. Some die in LFS but most part go to recently flooded tanks with lots of amonia, CO2 and unstable ph. I'm planning to have a group of them in my planted tank also. But I'll wait until the tank...

Very nice idea WhiteBloke! I'm tired to see people treating ottos just like a janitor algae eater fish and not giving them the proper attention they deserve regarding their health and comfort. I'll be watching you on this project! Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hello friends, here is an update of how things are doing here... After 5 days, the plants in general are growing fine, I guess they are adapting to under water life, since most of them were grown emersed. I'm running 5 hours light period, and dimmed down the lights to 70%. Since I don't have...

Well, after the initial lack of phosphate in my brain :rage:, follow the correct values: So there are still one answer pending: - Am I correct adding K2SO4 to the solution to reach K target? Most of the EI recipes I see doesn't mention K2SO4, but I guess it will be necessary to achieve 30 ppm.

OMG I can't believe I did that :banghead: Feeling dumb right now. Thanks John, and sorry for wasting your time.

Yes.. sure I put in litres. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey guys, how are you? I'm starting to dose EI on my tank and got a little confused using Rotala Butterfly calculator. My tank has 180 liters (49 gallons), but I considered only 126 liters (70%), since it has a very high slope, a lot of substrate, woods and stones. To get the results I...

I guess I will leave it open for now. I like how it looks this way. But yeah nice to know there are alternatives to prevent fish jumping if I need to. I also like very much black neons. I had some of them in another tank. The are very sociable indeed. I will seriously consider adding them to...

Thanks Silviu, yeah I guess a group of neon fishes would look very nice! Since it's the first rimless tank I have I'm a little concerned about fishes jumping out... is there any tip to avoid this besides keeping the water parameters at good levels? Anyway, I have to do a research about it...

Hey UKAPs, I'm starting a new tank after a few years away from the hobby. I hope you like it and mainly that you help me with your precious advises! [emoji16] Tank dimentions: 90cmx45cmx45cm Filtration: Fluval FX6 CO2: CO2 cylinder with a Cerges reactor Lights: Ecoxotic e-series Fert...

Thanks Clive I really appreciate your help. I will keep it for future reference. Since I was having too much difficulty to find these specific fert brands or the ones I found were sold only in huge packages I ended up deciding to buy Nutritrace CSM + Boron from aquariumfertilizer.com. in the...

Maybe this happens for USA shippings. I tried to put 1 more tracemix on the shopping cart and the shipping cost duplicated. Anyway, I'm still happy with the price. The other macronutrients I already have them. Bought on a chemical products store in a very good price. So I'm ready to go...

Very nice!! The tracemix + shipping will cost me USD 33. Converting to brazilian reais I could buy 2 Flourish Trace with only 250ml each. 1lb or 450mg is a lot of trace.. it will last for a long time. I will take this without second thought! Thanks again AverageWhiteBloke! Cheers Sent...

I agree with you. Good cost benefit there. That might be a good alternative. I'm going to ask for a quote. What exact product did you get? Plantex CSM+B? I have to check though if it is possible to import ferts as a final customer. Maybe there are some barriers due to agriculture protection and...

Yes the same guy, but I found a specific study regarding liquid fertilization for hydroponics. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Thank you Clive, I will keep searching using these parameters as a benchmark. I found a hydroponics study showing some of the fertilizers found around here. Most of them have more than 0.2% Cu. The one that has 0.03% Cu would be great but I couldn't find it anywhere. Anyway... if my search...

I found another micro compound wich has 0,5% of copper (chelated) but only 3,4% of Iron. What do you think abou this? Magnesium; 1,1% Boron ; 0,85 % Copper (Cu-EDTA); 0,5% Iron (Fe-EDTA) ; 3,4 % Manganese (Mn-EDTA) ; 3,2% Molibdenium ; 0,05% Zinc ; 4,2%

Hey Edvet, actually I live in the south of Brazil, very (very) far away from the tropical forests. But I've been to Bonito two years ago. It is a city in Mato Grosso state, west of Brazil, nearby Pantanal. There I had the chance to dive in crystal water small rivers full of plants and fishes...

Hello UKAPs, I'm starting a new tank and I'm gathering chemicals to dose EI. Got everything but I haven't found CSM+B it here where Iive (Curitiba/Brazil). What I found is a micronutrients compound mainly used in hydroponics called Conmicros Std. As you can see it has everything CSM+B has...

Yes sure she does, otherwise I wouldn't be here to tell the story! Lol Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Actually it was free of cost. Got it from my girlfriend's drawer... Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey Nigel, I've recently used crushed gravel (very small pieces) stuck into a women pantyhose. Seemed to work fine. I haven't flushed the tank yet... but certainly I've saved a lot of substrate. Cheers Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Thanks Odogg, there will be a journal soon. I've just ordered some monte carlo to start the planting. Cheers. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Final and definitive layout.... it was really fun doing this but if I don't stop I will keep changing things forever lol. Time to plant, I will create a journal for this soon. Cheers! Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hey everyone, There you go the pics after I made the final changes on the layout. I drilled some stones to get smaller pieces and used them to give a more natural aspect and also to delineate the pathway. I thought about spreading those small pieces in other areas of the tank but since it...

Hey guys, I'm really sorry. I just realized this topic should be under Aquascaping, right? It's not a journal YET. Can any moderator move it there please? thanks. Gabriel

I guess you've got point there Keith. And I completely agree with you on smashing some rocks, great idea... it will sure bring a natural feel to the tank. I appreciate your insights Keith! Cheers! Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Thanks for your time and suggestions Keith! I really like the changes you mentioned! I'm concerned about giving some more perspective to this tank. And positioning the bigger stone to the front might work. Doing this I'll be able to position the driftwood diagonally from the back right to the...

Thanks for your comments Dantrasy! I will try to move the big rock to the front as you mentioned and see how it looks. My idea is to use moss on the arch and in some other parts of the driftwood. Haven't decided yet what kind of moss though. After I make the changes on the layout I will post...

Hey guys, I couldn't find big stones for a iwagumi so I gathered some wood I had and made this. It's kind of a nature scape. I'm planning to plant every space on it. Carpet on the front and middle areas and taller plants on the back. What do you think? Cheers Sent from my SM-G935F using...

Thanks for your comments Nigel! You are totally right on the size of the rocks. It will be so much more proportional to the size of the tank. I'll try to find bigger rocks around on local fish stores... Not an easy task though. Here at my town there are only a couple fish stores I could find...

Hey guys, I've been working on this layout for my 90P recently. What do you think about it? These stones were in a smaller tank I had, so I think maybe I should get bigger ones for this tank. Cheers! Enviado de meu SM-G935F usando Tapatalk

Hi Rich As Darrel said, probably the intake rate of your plants is lower than the nutrients available (main principle of EI!) and it is causing the GH/KH to raise... but, besides that, I woudnt rely too much on test kits... Recently I've almost gone crazy testing a homemade 4dkh reference...

Hadnt thought that way... so obvious :oops: :? You are right Peter, so I wont have to trash any of my inaccurate tests anymore!! :mrgreen: thanks

Havent found it around here yet... looked for this solution at chemist's shops, aquarium stores, etc.. but no lucky. i'd rather stay away from this world Peter... I'll keep trying to get access to the buying 4dk solution world! :lol:

What great scapes you built there Stefano! Basil and Antibodi impressed me. I'm inspired by your tanks, congratulations! cheers Gabriel Basso

Hi, I made a Drop Checker solution with Deionized Water and Sodium Bicarbonate. The procedure was to add a small amount of NaHCO3, shake it and test with Sera KH test kit until I got 4 dKH. The curious thing is that after all done I made a second test using Hagen test kit and the outcome was...

My vote goes for silica sand for swimming pool filters, it cheap, clean and you'll find it in many different grain sizes and colors. I personally use it and had no problems. The only thing I made to prevent any kind of contamination or mold was boiling it into a metal bucket before I put it in...

Got it Clive. :thumbup: After your explanation it seems quite simple and obvious! About the extra powder consuption during the first couple months... Guess I got ferts enough at least for the next 5 years! wont be a problem :lol: Thank you again mate.

Ok Clive, good to know I'm on the right path... I'll do as you say: keep lights low, lots of wcs and concentrate on CO2 and flow. I've just bought 2 sunsun 3000 L/h... there's gonna be a lot of testing here to find out a perfect position for the pumps.. maybe 6000 L/h plus Fluval will be too...

Hi there everyone, For the last 2 months I've been studying and learning a lot with the forum threads about EI and since then many questions have been answered... but the more I learn, the more I realize I know nothing and more and more questions arise everyday. So, now I guess it's time to...

Hi Matt! Wow, thought I was ok with 10x :shock:! I have a submersible pump that is not in use... maybe it'll help to increase the flow. I agree that all this water flow and movement help to spread CO2 to every point of the tank but how about the fishes? They will have to swim against the stream...

Hi Mark, This is a DIY CO2 Project that some friends in Brazil are using with success. I've tested it once and IMO is cleaner and more efficient than using yeast. Let me try to explain in a few words how it works. To make it happen we use 3 bottles conected by a hose (b1 to b2, b2 to b3 and...

Hi CEG, I got the point and totally agree with you. I'm planning to use Chemical CO2 only for a couple of months while I manage to buy an used extinguisher and the rest of the equipments at ebay. More than the incomparable performance and constant CO2 flow, with gas injection running I'll get...

Thanks for the welcome CEG! Wow :shock: !! I've just realized how much ignorant I am when talking about lighting... Those links were very useful, I found some top class information there! Guess I'm starting to see the light now :lol: just starting... But, back to my tank: I'll follow your...

Hello UKAPS friends, Congratulation you have one of the best planted forums I've seen so far! This is my first topic here and I'm sure I have a lot to learn with you. Sorry for my english, it´s not my native language (I'm from Brazil). I'm starting a new planted tank project. Its a 120 l...

Hi James, great post, really useful! I liked 880 + 840 the most, but I'm concerned about the color temperature (K) of the 840: 4000K. Shouldn't it have more than 6500K to benefit plants??? Maybe the color temperature gets balanced with the 880 and 840 together (4000 + 8000 / 2 = 6000)... I...