First aquarium in 10 years

[Chriseb1]

Decided 6 months ago I wanted to get an aquarium for the front room, after lots of research and the fact in the opposite alcove I have bioactive crested gecko vivariums I started to plan my first aquascape. Aquarium size dictated by alcove size and I decided I wanted to go high tech and automate as much as I could the research and shopping began.
Finally today I have it planted, I’m happy with the majority of my placements but the hygrophila on the right side I’m struggling to find a home for, any suggestions ?
I do plan on adding to the scape with more Buce when I see ones I want

 

[G mac]

You've done a great job, looks good and will most likely look even better once established.

 

[Chriseb1]

Thank you @G mac it’s been really enjoyable and I look forward to it growing in, I’m thinking maybe 4 weeks then fish. Going to use the time to dial in the CO2 not sure if I have made a mistake but going down the ph control route, light set to 20%, 6 hours a day

 

[FrozenShivers]

Great effort, looks really nice - no doubt it will look even better once it's matured some. Are you trying to say you're using a PH controller for the CO2? Don't see much wrong with that, though I haven't used one myself. The drop checker should give you a solid indicator if you're around 30PPM, if that's your target PPM, just remember it will be a couple of hours delay to real time.

 

[Chriseb1]

Yes I’m using an EHEIM ph controller also got a drop checker in the aquarium, ph controller is well off at the minute so I’ll recalibrate. Test kit reading PH between 7 and 7.5 but EHEIM probe reading 6.6 even though co2 is off.

 

[Nuno da Silva]

Hi Chriseb1,

The tank looks very promissing! Would you share your setup details? I love your Kessil lights.

 

[Chriseb1]

@Nuno da Silva sorry for the late reply, below are the details of the hardware:

EHEIM Clearscape 175
EHEIM professional 5e 700
EHEIM Reflex UV500
EHEIM Thermocontrol e+ 150 watt x2
EHEIM Skim 350
EHEIM ph controller
Kessil A360x
Kessil spectral x controller
Tunze Osmolator 3 nano and 15 litre container
Co2 Art pro se regulator with inline diffuser
Aquavitro filter pipes
Aquavitro sentia dosers x4Still need to finish organising the cupboard
I no longer use the EHEIM ph controller instead i use the simple drop checker for dosing CO2 and I have added an air pump to run in the hours the CO2 is off. I’m thinking of changing my lights to either 1 x AI Hydra with 2 x Blades for extra light or EcoTech Radion

 

[Nuno da Silva]

Very nice setup!
Two questions: why did you stop using the pH controller for the CO2 injection? And do you feel the Kessil is not strong enough?

 

[Chriseb1]

I have soft water with a ph of 6.5 and kh of 3, the EHEIM controller want go lower than 6 and when injecting co2 the drop checker is a nice green and the ph is 5.7 If you have a higher PH then worth it.
The Kessil are strong and a good light but with a spot light in the centre I’m getting a lot dark areas which is limiting, thinking of trying the mix of spot and strip lights with Aqua Illumination.

 

[hydrophyte]

Nice setup! Looking forward to updates.

 

[Bradders]

I decided I wanted to go high tech and automate as much as I could

You certainly did that! Its like NASA in that cupboard! Looking likes its going to be a great setup.

1. It looks like (if i am following the pipes properly) you opted to have the inline diffuser before the UV. Why was that?
2. How is the EHEIM with the WiFi? I have heard that an update had caused issues with it (priming) but was hoping it is now sorted as have been sniffing around. 😀And how are you generally finding the EHEIM overall?

 

[Chriseb1]

@Bradders when doing research people where suggesting putting the inline diffuser as close to the filter outlet to allow maximum diffusion before returning to the tank to help minimise micro bubbles although I still get them, I am tempted to get a reactor to help with this.
Love the quality of EHEIM equipment and have used it previously as for WiFi connectivity
the filter and ph controller have never been an issue and the filter is excellent but heaters are a pain in the blahblahblahblah with disconnecting and then not being able to reconnect.
If you want to automate I think the Apex Neptune or GHL Profilix offer better solutions and I will be looking at these in the future

 

[Chriseb1]

Having some algae issues at the minute but posted in the algae forum for advice, on a positive note decided to treat myself to a Neptune Apex and a titanium heater.

 

[Chriseb1]

Tank has been up and running nearly 4 months now and progressing well, had a few issues with algae but nothing a hydrogen peroxide solution didn't solve and now I have dialled back feeding seems to be doing better.

Heavily stocked fish wise including:
Pair of Koi angels
German Blue Rams
Harlequin Rasboras
Polar Parrot
Electric Blue Acara
Black phantom Tetra
Kohaku Swordtails
Leopard frog pleco
Honeycomb bristle nose
And more but no aggression issues also added Neptune Apex and love the functionality and control that brings