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Hi A week in the mature filter should do it for the sponges.Also mature leaf litter and presoaked wood will have bacterial colonies already established. As for your slow growing plants you can possibly add some Floaters too to do the heavy lifting till system starts running on 100%. Of coarse...

Hi out of curiosity can you please share pic of this moss please Regards Konstantin

Welcome to the community. Great looking tanks 👌

Hi I have grown it in ADA system CO2 tank with Easycarbo (x5 -x8) the recommended dose and it didn't care(Was actually strongest growing plant in the tank) If a plant dislikes the Easycarbo(or similar products)it is usually displayed with melt being rapid or in a week or two. +1 for being a...

Hi Blyxa japonica ((In bright locations will show brown(red) hues Cryptocoryne albida brown (this one when in not very bright spot has nice green hues to it) Regards Konstantin

Hi I will personally try to increase plant mass first before going the CO2 route as I didn't see any CO2 demanding plans on your list in previous posts.The tank is relatively new and not very densely planted. Its early days yet and you haven't really given it a chance. Some floating plants...

Hi +1 for Altum angels. Here is an old Pic from The Green Machine of their Cryptocoryne heavy Altum setup for inspiration Regards Konstantin

Hi Sorry to bother you when you have your hands full with the house move and Im gutted you had aphid infestation too. My experience with Albida brown and Lutea hobbit is more or less same when I had them in propagator(Strong plants achieved but not much different from grown submerged with good...

Hi @Wookii How is the setup getting on? Regards Konstantin

Hi @shangman For good quality food with garlic content I can recommend "New Life Spectrum Thera +A" It comes in granules from 0.5mm upwards.Im not sure if they do flakes tbh but may do. Those foods are really well balanced and very good quality. As for medicating food.Medicating frozen...

Hi and welcome to the community. If this is the 23l tank from your other post I will suggest to swap the Amano shrimp for Cherry shrimp.Amanos get quite large and need a roomier tank(I always had problems with them escaping smaller tanks than 60l in volume) You are correct about the Aponogeton...

Hi Following this thread and hope you will get to the bottom of it and resolve it soon. Just my 2 cents. During my latest ich attack on my newly purchased SAP Puffers (They seem to get it almost 100% when you buy (move) them)that took absolutely ages to sort out and the real game changer was...

Hi The Panacur treatment worked and haven't seen any more after that. Regards Konstantin

Hi and welcome to the community. Light choice is dependent on the goals you have for your tank.It matters if you plan on CO2 injection and what plant species you will be growing. I am not using the above mentioned led lights but Im running my low tech 100l ( 40cm high) no CO2 tank with 2 T8...

Hi Have you moved any plants between the tanks. I had babies appearing in new tanks with just plants in. Regards Konstantin

Hi I have been buying (exchanging) plants trough the post for years now and don't really see issues with it.As long as you buy from a reputable place and opt for suitable delivery method you will be ok.If you are UK based I could vouch for Aquarium Gardens.They know what they are doing and have...

Hi Unfortunately the changes you made will require a little time to have effect as the plants will need to adapt to those.Keep removing the debris you see and stick to your maintenance. If you are in UK PM me your details and I will send you some floating plants and whatever I can trim out of...

Hi I keep SAP Puffers and they like flow so my tanks are quite turbulent. Never bothered my plants tbh. I understand that you are frustrated atm and doubt everything but more likely is that your troubles are due to immature substrate lacking microbal colonies, low or fluctuating CO2 and strong...

Hi Im not using the Oase 350 but your flow seems good to me and not too strong at all. Have in mind that once plants grow in they will reduce the flow a little too. Regards Konstantin

Hi can you post a video of the full front of the tank? Regards Konstantin

Hi Looks good. Make sure you plug sponges,filter wool or smaller graded gravels in the gaps between the stones near your sand area or aquasoil will spill and you will be trying to separate it forever from the sand and mostly fail at the end 😉 Regards Konstantin

Hi I had a tank with similar stock and without any fish. Ramshorn snails Bladder snails Asellus aquaticus Crangonyx pseudogracilis ( type of safe scuds to have in tank as Gammarus sp may be ricky) Californian black worms. It was active ,robust and healthy tank. I definitely saw the benefits...

Hi keep us updated.By sharing what changes you are making and loads of pics others will be able to help and give you guidance. There is nothing to be ashamed from in how your tank is looking now.Everyone needs to start somewhere and things not always go to plan. Regards Konstantin

Hi Its not unusual invitro plants to melt in new setup with aquasoil. Two weeks sounds about right for their small reserves to get depleted and melt to occur. How often do you change water. It is recommended in initial days of the setup to change water 50 %+ daily .Did you have seeded filter...

Hi If you are that set of rearranging it. You can syphon the aquasoil out with a hose,drain the water out of it(with minimal stirring) and then scoop it and place it wherever you need it while water level is low.Then fill up and you are done.You may have to follow with few large water changes...

Hi +1 for the biggest size you can get. I am very fonnd of small fish in bigger numbers in large tanks . It leaves you more options in future in case you change your mind about stocking and layout. You can sneak the smaller tanks later.lol Regards Konstantin

Hi I have used/use the product and haven't seen any ill effects on live stock.I had Pseudomugil furcatus spawn and hatch in tank x5 the dose in past(2009) too. However I am not aware if anything changed in regards of its composition over the years and it depends how(where)you dose it in the...

Welcome

Hi With Limnobium you can just cut the roots clean off if they are algae infested instead of throwing them out.They sprout new ones rather quickly. Unfortunately you have too many variables to play with to find the culprit for your issues. Main ones being unknown CO2 levels,high temperature ...

Hi I use it in my Tarantula enclosures. It seems good enough. Its not too fine all arround and has some clay like bits and small stones in it.It comes moist in the bag. You always give me ideas on here and I have empty tanks in storage. 😆 Regards Konstantin

Hi think he uses these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COARSE-FILTER-FOAM-BLOCKS-6-8-10-12-SIZES-Drilled-30mm-hole-Pond-Media-/192125124703?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 Regards Konstantin

Hi you can buy coarser sponges and that will solve the problem rather than buy new filter.20 ppi sponge should be good.Look into pond predrilled sponge blocks. @dw1305 posted recently about them Regards Konstantin

Hi Dean P@H have it. I use it in my large tank and my bonsai trees. Holds shape very well but is a bit coarse . Thats the one. Kaizen bonsai used to have danish pink (Moler clay different name ) with smaller grain but not sure if its in stock now or what is the price . Its under media straight...

Double post sr My Internet connection is playing with me

Hi Nice start. You want to pull that java fern out of substrate and attach it to the wood.It likes good flow through the roots and will rot when planted in substrate. Regards Konstantin

Hi good advice above. You have low plant mass and high light. Provably where your issues come from. Increased maintenance will make major difference and floating plants are your best friend. The OP is using Tropica specialised fertilizer. Thats a complete fertilizer and don't need suplementing...

Hi there Looks like Diatoms and BBA. Please provide more details. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/please-read-the-guidelines-for-plant-help.60671/ Regards Konstantin

I will suggest to fill tank and see if you happy with it.Other option is film background on outside if you plan one may camouflage it too

Hi the silicone should come off pretty easy with razor blade type scraper.You may see some residue while tank is dry but is pretty unnoticeable once tank is full. You can see here where tank had a divider right in middle After I removed it you can see where silicone has been more on back as...

Hi The clay from P@H doesn't have any scent in it. I am pretty sure its only moler clay without additional additives.It needs good rinse as there is a bit of dust tho Regards Konstantin

Hi Both TCN complete and Tropica specialised are all in one complete fertilizer that contain everything needed for plants growth . It may be costly compared to using dry salts on larger tanks but they will do the job and you can't go wrong with them. Regards Konstantin

Hi Tbh it looks like your left and right sides are two completely different tanks.Nothing wrong with having different texture stones if you like the look but I will recommend to add some more wood to the left side to try to blend both sides together. Regards Konstantin

Hi Cool hobbies everyone. My other passion is keeping spiders(Tarantulas in particular).Currently have about 50 ish with varying sizes from couple of cm in Diagonal leg span to 9 inch my bigger girls. I am keeping mainly New world species that don't have medically significant venom and most...

Hi Yes I see how critters going towards the surface can be a sign of sth worrying in the tank.But mine never went to the top really. They do come on the sides even if it was close to substrate level only and Im sure not all of them as population was huge. I guess benefits of forums is you can...

Hi there. Lovely update. Glad things are working out for you even if its not as fast as you wish ;) Do not worry about the snails.If you are talking about the Malaysian trumpets they do come up during the night.They have always done this in my tanks regardless of them being low or high tech its...

Thanks for your thoughts. Tbh that is what I think too but thought to post to solidify it as my aproach to keeping planted tanks is rather unscientific and as I said am winging it really and while some of the information on here has made its way into my head and have seen the benefits of...

Hi you will need to rinse it as has quite a bit of dust Best in sieve under running water in smaller batches without stirring it till water runsvoff clear Regards Konstantin

Hi appreciate your imput. In the case mine has been in the tank for few years now.It is the new growth that im bothered about.The plant seems to go though good and bad periods overal with pretty constant dosing and tank conditions . Anyone that uses Tropica specialised and doesn't mind sharing...

Hi Its attached to hardscape in various places and heights but some have contact with the substrate(In particular some of the moler clay) I know what you are saying. Although I haven't noticed that with Bolbitis or Java ferns I have observed better growth on Anubias and Bucephalandra when you...

Hi all I am running a mature well planted 120 ish litters low tech tank. Dimensions 80x35x45H in cm. Tank is few years old. Filtration :JBL CrtistalProfi 1501 with sponge prefilter cleaned weekly. Filter clean every 6 ish months .Eheim surface skimmer. CO2 :None Lights.2 x60cm T8 18w 6500K...

Hi I had this issue in the past too. Found out the hard way that amanos due to their size prefer larger tanks and are unsuitable for nano sizes.My tank was mature so doubt is water chemistry. I will suggest to go with Neocardina and Cardina shrimps or get a lid for the full size of the tank (no...

Hi @NorthernDan moler clay(Danish pink) will not turn to mush it retains shape indefinitely. My is been in tank for over couple of years now.No break down and no dust. Akadama(different product used in past)on other side is softer and that can potentially break down but I have not used...

Hi You can apply more glue and sprinkle some dry aquasoil on it to cover it .Or just moss(other epiphytes )them bits once in the tank. Regards Konstantin

Hi @Hufsa looking great. Can't wait to see it growing in.Please keep them updates and pics comming. I have suggestion if you worried about the invitro plants.I am using a root stimulator that helps them to develop good root systems quickly as some invitro pots lack those.The product also...

Hi if you have a good relationship with the place that sold it to you or if they have decent customer service it may be worth to drop them a message to let them know.You may be able to get some sort of compensation/ voucher as the product is not as described while may still be usable. It...

Hi I see that you have nearly full spray bar at the back.Most floating plants don't like being mangled about in high flow.Is your flow pushing them under water or you have calm spots they can settle in.I use fishing line tied to two small airline suckers just below water level to section my...

Hi Just a little warning. I will swap the Monoselium Tenerum for Riccardia chamedryfolia as that stuff grows fast and attaches to anything. Im forever plucking it out of my low tech.Its all over the wood,in my ferns ,buces and anubias. Riccardia does the same but is more compact and not so...

Hi Setup looks great. Can't wait to see hardscape and plants in it. Subscribed ;) Regards Konstantin

Hi You probably have hit a bad batch. There are few people in past complaining of Amazonia turning to dust. It is normal to have some but yours seems excessive. Usually it keeps its shape quite well for years. Regards Konstantin

Hi The Narrow fern will get too large for the tank. I will recommend to go for Microsorum pettite instead. Another good plant is Hygrophila araguaia. It blends well arround hardscape and is easy to be kept compact. You can have a look at @Ady34 latest 90cm how it looks grown in. Cryptocoryne...

Hi that will do the job. The stems advice is for a different scenario when you plant from the get go without dark start but can be applied to your setup later when you finish the dark start and plant the tank.Having fast growing plants will help for the system to mature and balance itself.You...

Hi The amount of free Ammonia is not very relevant if the bacteria is oxygen limited . The bacterial growth and nitrification are Oxygen dependent processes and you can throw as much food for the bacteria as you want or try to increase metabolic rates by increasing temperature but if you...

Hi all As promised a little update on the little nano too. As per other tank not much happening here too. Unlike the improvement on the large tank here the diatoms are in full swing .The good news is there is plenty of food and the limpets and snails are breeding like rabbits.Added one Horned...

Hi Answered your pm. As suggested there please start a journal of your tank with lots of info and pictures and I and other members will help you out as much as we can. Regards Konstantin

Hi Not sure about Fluval filters but I run JBL CrtistalProfi 1500 on my 100l ish(Never bothered to measure it properly as came as freebie from uncles garden.lol)Fluval tank and it does the job very good Regards Konstantin

Hi Tbh I have dosed the tank for 4 weeks with quite large doses in the first week.It is massive help to battle BBA but haven't seen any massive growth response from the plants and the Buces didn't like it at all.I am confident that If I hadn't stopped all buces would have been lost as there...

Welcome to Ukaps. What plants you are thinking of growing. Only asking as in CO2 injected tank while the CO2 is beneficial to plant growth it is difficult to get it right without prior experience more in tank your size.Have you considered to start low and slow and once you gain a little...

Hi all A little post maintenance update. The large tank is doing relatively well. Not much happening being low tech but there is some growth present. Couple of weeks ago stopped dosing the Easycarbo as the Buces in the tank didn't like it and started throwing leaves, some roots melted too...

Hi Do not worry about temperature. Keep it in the normal for the future system range.You want more oxygen to speed up the process not temperature increase. Regards Konstantin

Hi no stirring or you will break down the aquasoil ;) My idea was to add some oxygen to it. Anyway its not a biggie Regards Konstantin

Hi Maybe try glueing/tying ( I prefer tying than glueing moss tbh)some on little pieces of gravel(stone you use in tank) and stick or tuck those in crevices on or arround the rock in question. It should spread onto the rock in time. Regards Konstantin

Hi there. Iam a slow burner tank lover and you are my new planted tank hero.lol Well done. Regards Konstantin

Hi you can try to brush some off using a vial and soft small paint brush for drawing and put them in smaller tank or floating fry basket with airstone to create gentle movement .Have a look for any eggs on leaves too they will be easy to move as just snip the leaves off. If successful the lil...

Yes you can do that if sand is the look you are after or just aqua soil on top....I personally tend to plant very heavy so no open spaces for sand. Can't help it ,just keep sticking plants in whereever I can fit.lol Regards Konstantin

Hi yes complete fertilizer will contain NPK, Mg and all traces. Good example is Tropica Specialised fertilizer but thats costly. You can easily mix your own ferts using dry salts like many of us here do. Its pretty easy and very cost effective. Regards Konstantin

HI Loving the setup. Hopefully it will do a good job. Regards Konstantin

Hi I like to use moler clay as a bulk to build my substrate instead of gravel ,it yields good results and doesn't break down. You can mix it with aquasoil too if you want or put some (light sprinkle)Osmocote under it to give it some nutrients.It is light and will find its way up if you don't...

Hi I know what you saying in regards of cost.I am always doing low budget tanks due to my circumstances. On your latest pic plants don't look too bad tbh. The Pogostemon is really one of my favourite plants due to its ease of care. I can't grow all plants I want in my systems and have 3 strike...

Welcome to Ukaps. One at the neighbours too... part made me laugh. How I never thought about that.lol Regards Konstantin

Hi thanks for the information and the pics. Will you be able to post few full frontal tank shots too so we can see how your equipment is rigged. CO2 in large tank is not easy to master as distribution is more challenging. Im not CO2 user atm so will leave that for others to advise you on. You...

Hi I will personally wait as it will be easier to fiddle with the hardscape as it will be easier with dry soil.Otherwise no issues to fill and drain as it suits you. Regards Konstantin

Hi Will you please provide more info on your system. Filtration,When Co2 comes on/off,when your lights come on /off,how you maintain the tank,what fertilizers you are using and how much/when you dosing, what critters are in there.Post loads of pics(videos). Having hard water on its own its not...

Hi If you have chance to put airstone or small power head to move the water in the buckets you are soaking the aquasoil will be very beneficial Regards Konstantin

Hi you are lifting the outflow not the intake I hope. If you lift the intake filter will suck air and thats not good This bit you lifting up. Regards Konstantin

Hi I find skimmers very beneficial. If you don't want to lift the lily pipe so it breaks the surface I will definitely consider getting one. I cannot stress enough how important is to ensure good oxygen levels in new setups while your microbal colonies are establishing. The dust is probably...

Hi Lift the filter a lil to ripple the surface while adjust the CO2 to be stable. You can add air stone during lights out period to break the surface film.Or lift the filter further to break surface but will be tricky to get it down in exactly same place when CO2 is on so you have stable CO2...

Hi Adam Do you have any update on the tank? How you are getting on? Regards Konstantin

Hi it should be ok. Just monitor the plants below it.If for some reason you get brown edges(wilt)close it a bit more.The thing with gasses is they always find their way in and out. You have chosen a little more challenging plants for propagation but tbh growing things emersed its really easy...

Hi they are using misters as they operate on large scale(whole greenhouses).The small propagators(aka plastic box with lid) we use does not require such manipulation as they maintain high humidity when closed due to the volume of saturated with water growing media. I prefer light permanent...

Hi I have one of the betta duo tanks with sump in back.While the filtration has a large volume the design is extremely uneffective in taking out mulm due to the intake being high and in only one one compartment. In the second compartment is always debris being wafted about. Even with devider...

Hi I don't have much going atm but following my earlier post.Below is a small 8oz pot with Monte carlo I am keeping.It is started 4 ish weeks ago with 3 small stems with 3-4 leaves on them. Anyway Monte carlo is a weed emersed but the pics will give you idea about moisture levels.As seen there...

Hi I used to get similar slime in my setup. Best course of action is to dry the substrate in order to keep it check. Tbh I never had any standing water at all in my setup.I rarely misted and any water in the undertray was discarded after misting. Think in the lines of damp house plant pot...

Hi have a read here and the links included https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/is-expensive-bio-media-worth-it.67468/ Regards Konstantin

Hi no snail will ever outcompete shrimp for food.Not in a milion years. Have you noticed any shrimp babies in the tank.Maybe yours are not breeding properly and thats why you are seeing population decline.The adults don't live forever you know ;) Regards Konstantin

Hi I used to get discolouration when I used to add Potassium sorbate and Ascorbic acid too. Stopped and my Macro mixes are clear again for months. Regards Konstantin

Hi I actually love the bladder snails (or any snails). I find them less robust than ramshorn snails and a great addition to small tanks. If you have population explosions you most likely are having too large of a food source in the tank. On the other hand once you make up your mind in regards...

Hi pics are quite unclear so can't really comment on the algae but I will really be careful with Easycarbo as rapid melt on plants and their roots is often a result of misuse of such products in high concentration .I haven't really seen such plant melt due to algae yet in my experience. Do...

Hi Haven't heard of anyone having success with this plant under water.It seems its trying to push new growth but the leaves never actually develop past the twiggy stage. It grows well emersed in a tub on lava rock with some water on bottom on windowsill Regards Konstantin

Hi Monte Carlo Hygrophila "Araguaia " Riccardia Cryptocoryne parva Hemianthus micranthemoides .... are good option too. Regards Konstantin

Hi Its not too late yet.Your plants are all attached to hardscape. It seems you can take hardscape out and redo the substrate bagging the aquasoil in filter bags or just cap everything with thicker layer of sand.As is new setup it won't be a biggie to disturb it all. Regards Konstantin