40 years and still going………. But only just!!
Around 40 years ago I moved into my present house and built an aquarium into an alcove of the lounge. At the beginning of this year (2016) the lights stopped working and when I removed the lights and controller to find out why, I discovered that the tank had developed a very slight leak that had been dripping onto the metal stand. It must have been going on for some time as the stand, in one corner, was very rusty. Having recently inherited some money I decided that after 40 years of running a very low tech aquarium with no CO2, no fertilisation, and only a gravel substrate it was time move into the high tech world.
I recently joined the UKaps and after asking advice regarding dosing pumps from one member he suggested that I should write a journal of my progression. He went on to say that he had and received invaluable advice from the more experience members of the society which saved him making some fundamental mistakes.
Below is a picture of my old tank which was all hand made followed by a picture of my new tank which I purchased from the local Maidenhead Aquatics. It’s an Aqua Oak 100cm two door limited edition. I chose this because it is a slim line version (35cm) and fits into the alcove where the original tank was.
and the new one.
Next the equipment.
As already mention the tank is a special edition ‘slim line’ tank from Aqua Oak.
Filteration
Aquamanta EFX 300 external filter with spray bar which I have extended to cover the full length of the tank.
Lighting
2 x TMC Aqua Ray Grobeam 1500 Ultima tiles.
Aqua Ray lighting controller
CO2
CO2 Art dual stage regulator & solenoid with precision SMC valve. UP inline atomiser on return hose.
Substrate
ADA Power Sand.
ADA Bacter 100 and Clear Super
ADA Amazonia.
Fertilisation and delivery
Self mixed EI quantities.
Kamoer 3 channel auto dosing pump.
Air Pump
Eheim 100
The next stage to follow…….Fitting it all together.
Around 40 years ago I moved into my present house and built an aquarium into an alcove of the lounge. At the beginning of this year (2016) the lights stopped working and when I removed the lights and controller to find out why, I discovered that the tank had developed a very slight leak that had been dripping onto the metal stand. It must have been going on for some time as the stand, in one corner, was very rusty. Having recently inherited some money I decided that after 40 years of running a very low tech aquarium with no CO2, no fertilisation, and only a gravel substrate it was time move into the high tech world.
I recently joined the UKaps and after asking advice regarding dosing pumps from one member he suggested that I should write a journal of my progression. He went on to say that he had and received invaluable advice from the more experience members of the society which saved him making some fundamental mistakes.
Below is a picture of my old tank which was all hand made followed by a picture of my new tank which I purchased from the local Maidenhead Aquatics. It’s an Aqua Oak 100cm two door limited edition. I chose this because it is a slim line version (35cm) and fits into the alcove where the original tank was.
and the new one.
Next the equipment.
As already mention the tank is a special edition ‘slim line’ tank from Aqua Oak.
Filteration
Aquamanta EFX 300 external filter with spray bar which I have extended to cover the full length of the tank.
Lighting
2 x TMC Aqua Ray Grobeam 1500 Ultima tiles.
Aqua Ray lighting controller
CO2
CO2 Art dual stage regulator & solenoid with precision SMC valve. UP inline atomiser on return hose.
Substrate
ADA Power Sand.
ADA Bacter 100 and Clear Super
ADA Amazonia.
Fertilisation and delivery
Self mixed EI quantities.
Kamoer 3 channel auto dosing pump.
Air Pump
Eheim 100
The next stage to follow…….Fitting it all together.