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First scape 60x45x30

Sondrus

Seedling
Joined
19 Sep 2016
Messages
17
Location
Norway
Hi!

Intro

For years I have read journals here at UKAPS and other forums, and I finally have the opportunity to set up a tank myself. I bought the equipment a few years ago, but haven't had the opportunity to set it up before now.

This is my first attempt at creating a planted aquarium. My goal is to be able to balance light and nutrients, and grow healthy plants. I am prepared to fail, and I am kind of expecting to. I hope you guys can help me out when troubles occur. :)

Equipment
Tank: TMC signature 60 cm x 45 cm x 30 cm
Stand: TMC black
Light: Finnex planted + 24/7 cc
Filter: Eheim classic 350 (2215), Eheim filter media
Heater: Eheim aquarium heater, 50 watts
Lily pipes: VIV

Soil

Tropica aquarium soil

Hardscape

Root/branch: Unknown
Stones: Mini landscape or similar

Plants

As I was too impatient to order plants, I bought what i could find at my LFS:
- Bucephalandra sp. 'red'
- Cryptocoryne wendtii 'green'
- Hydrocotyle tripartita
- Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
- Limnophila
- Ludwigia palustris
- Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'
- Microsorum pteropus 'trident'
- Vesicularia ferriei 'Weeping'

I am not sure about the Monte Carlo, but want to give it a try.

Fertilizer
Tropica specialised nutrition

CO2
I will not add CO2 (liquid or gas).

Day 1
Due to bad planning and limited time, the hardscape was a little rushed. I feel like the root is a little misplaced, but this was my best attempt.
Akvarium (Stor).jpg
I also made a huge mistake and poured water too fast into the tank. Some plant were uprooted, some covered in soil, and some covered in black dust. After planting it looked like this:
Akvarium dag 1 (Stor).jpg

Day 3
Added some plants. No noticable growth. I dont see any algea.
Akvarium dag 3.1 (Stor).jpg Akvarium dag 3.2 (Stor).jpg

The light is on 60% power since i don't add CO2 and my tank is shallow. It is on for 10 hours. I plan to dose 2 ml tropica specialised every day. I am excited to see how my tank develops.

I appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Cheers :)
 
Looks good! Consider dosing daily with easy carbo or excel as well, this will help the Monte Carlo especially.
 
Great start IMO, I would consider lowering the photoperiod to 5 or 6 hours and 50% intesity Max whilst the plants adapt to growing underwater and the filter/substrate cycle will have less chance of an algae bloom also 4-6 weeks, then slowly increase;)
 
Thank's for advice guys. :) I feel kinda silly, because I have planned the tank in my head for a long time, and should have spent more time actually setting it up. Impulsive.. :crazy:

Yes, I try to do 3 water changes a week for the first weeks. I will reconsider to use excel etc.

I would consider lowering the photoperiod to 5 or 6 hours and 50% intesity Max whilst the plants adapt to growing underwater and the filter/substrate cycle will have less chance of an algae bloom also 4-6 weeks, then slowly increase

I reduced light period to 6 hours and reduced to 50 % intensity. I have been unsure about what is worse - too much light or too little. I guess its safer to start with less light because of algae :)
 
I reduced light period to 6 hours and reduced to 50 % intensity. I have been unsure about what is worse - too much light or too little. I guess its safer to start with less light because of algae :)

Too much is always the worst :) cleaning up an algae outbreak is much worse than slightly slower growing plants. You can ramp up the brightness after you are properly cycled and the plants are growing well.
 
Hi, time for a small update. Its been 3 weeks. The aquarium now looks like this:
Akvarium 3 uker (Stor).jpg

I can see new growth on almost all plants, which is encouraging.

I still do 50% water changes 2-3 times a week. The lim nophila is growing very fast, and I have cut it back. I will probably replace it in the future. The Monte Carlo seems to be doing OK.
On the next picture you can see some algae. Diatoms?
Akvarium 3  (2) (Stor).jpg

The branch is still floating, which is a little annoying. The stone on top of it casts some shade and looks strange..

All in all I'm happy with the development so far. When I am sure that the tank is cycled, I will add some shrimp. Still a little early to increase photoperiod?
 
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Plants look better already :thumbup:

On the next picture you can see some algae. Diatoms?

Looks like it too me, some is expected whilst cycling the tank, clean up crew should soon sort that out
 
15588437-44F9-4ED3-A248-88E7BC679D84.jpeg
I have also recently set up my first aquascape and did the same as you.
I rushed the hardscape and the plant choice was also what my LFS had (not a lot and not healthy plants)
I already have so many regrets and might opt for a rescape.
Ironically I have been looking for a TMC signature 600 which is planted, Also you have set yours up at a similar time and we have the same light.
I am 16 and have limited funds but got a great deal on the tank and all the equipment £220 on eBay for the lot :) I am going to visit family which live near aquarium gardens soon so will pick up some hardscape and plants.

Keep the uploads up can’t wait to see the progress
 
Hi Jacob,

Sounds like you made a good deal! I like your setup. The background plants and roots go very well together. :)

I picked up some stone here and there. The last ones i bought cost about £ 6 per kilo. Some were more expensive. Unfortunately I have no idea how many kg of stone there is in my tank. The branch were about £ 16.

I live in Norway so the prices might be different. It's usually more expensive over here.:grumpy:

Good luck with your tank!
 
Hi, and thank you. The tank is doing well and is growing in slowly. I will post an update with pictures soon.

I have had no big set backs so far, apart from a shrimp accident. I added 6 Amano shrimp a few says ago. Today I found 2 shrimp on the floor. :arghh: I think yesterday's water change stressed them out, as they swam around the tank like crazy..

If this is gonna be a problem I might stay away from Amanos for this tank.
 
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Time for an update. Things are going well for the most part. The plants are growing in nicely and I am satisfied with the development. No big algae problems so far.
Akvarium 18. august 2019_4 (Stor).jpg

I have done some changes with regards to the light.
50% -> 60% intensity and 6 hours -> 7 hours photo period. It's been running like this for a week and a half.

I do see that the Monte Carlo is struggling a bit. The leaves get red/brown around the edges. Even on pretty new growth in some places. Could it be that the light is too strong for this tank that has no CO2 injection, and that the red/brown stuff is algae? Any advice is appreciated. :)

I introduced a pair of Rams to the tank about a week and a half ago. It didn't take long for them to feel home, and they colored up nicely. A few days ago I bought some Otos.

Akvarium 18. august 2019_3 (Stor).jpg Akvarium 18. august 2019_2 (Stor).jpg Akvarium 18. august 2019_1 (Stor).jpg

This morning I woke up to a nice surprise. THE RAMS HAVE BABIES :D:D. That was unexpected and happened so fast. I guess it was a perfect match! I haven't been able to get a picture yet, as they stay in the most planted area behind the branch. I will do what I can to make them succeed. Should I skip the water changer for a week, not to disturb the family. Or should I change water to ensure good water quality?

Cheers
 
Nice growth, especially without CO2, and congrats to your rams! :D:thumbup:

MC will need time to adapt, I wouldn't be worried yet. Are you using liquid carbon?

You Can still change the water , maybe little less and without doing to much mess ;)
 
Thanks :)

MC will need time to adapt, I wouldn't be worried yet. Are you using liquid carbon?

No, after all that is written about glutaraldehyde I wanted to manage without. But maybe I should try :shy:

You Can still change the water , maybe little less and without doing to much mess ;)

I'll try to be more patient when I pour water into the tank :lol: Got a few photos

Akvarium 18. august 2019_5 (Stor).jpg Akvarium 18. august 2019_6 (Stor).jpg
 
Beautiful shots!

At lean dosage glutaraldehyde isn't so Bad, it Never seems to have botered my livestock but Always better if your plants are ok whitout it. ;)

MC likes ferts in water column, so you Can still dose more P or N if it doesn't get better in a few weeks
 
Hi, small update from me.

The plants are doing well. The MC is still brownish, but at least it's still alive. I have added a few new plants. Still some algae, but I don't mind it. It's becoming clear that the weeping moss (which is not weeping at all) is way too dominating.:banghead:

I have some problems with surface oil, and hoped the lily pipe inlet with surface skimmer would to the job. It turned out to be way too big, but I haven't had time to swap back to the other one.:oops:
5.11.2019 (Stor).jpg 5.11.2019_1 (Stor).jpg 5.11.2019_2 (Stor).jpg

I have been tempted to try a high tech setup.... and yesterday I couldn't resist it any longer. I bought a CO2 tank and and will set it up this weekend. :D


Cheers :)
 
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