So..................
After having to take a step back from things and just not being able to commit the time when it was needed I took the drastic decision to rip it all apart and start again.
Opinions and views always more than welcome.
The soil being blown around made me think I would never get the substrate back in place and I was relying on the DSM and the carpet growing in for it to stay where I put it in tthe first place.
Nothing is final and I'd like to have another go at the DSM and see how that works out for me, one better the 'lazy dry start method'
I think it was
@alto that mentioned the soil being too wet before but I can't find the post anywhere and I think the reason for that is me trying to get the soil in the higher areas wet and the water just seeping into the JBL volcano mineral so the lower areas got saturated. I do also have
@alto to thank for pointing me in the direction of the 'LDSM' so thanks for that.
In my opinion the Oase filters are not that great, the pre-filters are not anything like as good in comparison to the the Fluval G-series and the height of the Oase ones makes removing them in the cabinet impossible for most people.
I assume that's why Oase fitted a drawer to stand their filters on in their aquariums which must be a nightmare with hose. I also think the flow is awful and nothing like the advertised maximum flow; maybe even only 50%.
Also thinking about cleaning hoses another couple of (planned) changes;
-inject CO2 straight into the tank if people find it works well or even better? inline CO2 still shoots out bubbles so if I can make in tank work then is it much different?
-use an in tank heater that I know is reliable and should last along with a controller I trust. A little eyesore maybe but the titanium looks quite similar to the planned SS CO2 and dosing pipes - maybe even inlets/outlets.
(Why doesn't anyone manufacture a SS lily pipe; they make roses for watering cans so is there that much difference? Jet pipes are too strong a flow I found)
Changes with planned setup marked with *
Tank:
Aquascaper 900 (unchanged)
Lighting:
Twinstar 900S (unchanged)
*Filtration:
2x Fluval G6
*Heating:
Schego Titanium heater in tank controlled by Elitech ATC 1550
*Co2:
CO2 art Pro Elite regulator connected to fire extinguisher and a stainless steel in tank diffuser
Fertiliser:
All in one EI (unchanged)
Hardscape:
Manzanita fixed to a piece of slate (unchanged)
Substrate:
JBL Volcano mineral (unchanged)
JBL Volcano powder (unchanged)
*Tropica aquarium soil powder
Planting:
*micranthemum monte carlo
The plan now is to have a go at the LDSM using MC alone and after the MC has filled in have a bit more of a think about what I might like to add or change.
I have also changed the general soil level at the front and back a little along with softening the slopes.
Opinions welcome!
1st attempt
2nd attempt