Ghettofarmulous
Member
Hi All,
I am into the third day of my first planted tank. Have spent years reading about it and I am in position to join the club. I have planted heavy from the start. My only goal is to maintain it, learn something and hopeful get to a point where I can say its a success but I am mindful there is no real end. I absolutely loved this first plant. It was fantastic and focuses the mind. Im starting this Journal because I know I will run into issues and I hope I can avail of the massive amount of experience on this Forum.
Bits
Flex 57 L
Pressurised Co2 injection in tank diffuser
Stock light
Stock filtration
Surface skimmer running 24/7. Thanks to @Wookii
Tropica Plants
Background
Ludwiga palustris x3
Hydrophila Siamensis 53B x2
Limnophil Sessiliflora x3 (love this plant appearance) as suggested by @hogan53 thanks!
Midground
Bucephalandra sp. Red x3
Anubias Nana x 2
Anubias Gracilis x1
Cryptocoryne Wendtii Tropica x1 XL pot
Cryptocoryn Petchii x2
Java Fern Narrow leaf x1
Foreground
Eleocharis acicularis mini carpet x3
Sagittaria Subulata (planted by mistake in place of Helanthium)
Fauna
Nothing yet but one Betta is on order.
Shrimp and Sails?? to be added.
At the moment I am tuning my flow distribution with a view to optimize Co2 using two drop checkers and checking my pH profile using JBL aquatest kit. So far I have achieved a nice lime green in both DC's and a nice mist in the tank however the stems at the back could do with a better flow at the bottom. I am building a spray bar that I might trail after a couple weeks. I have increased my Co2 feed over three days from 0.5 bps to 1.75 bps by following the pH profile and Co2 mist appearance.
I downloaded the Tropica App and suddenly I find myself following the instructions. Today is day 3 so water change and add snails and shrimp (I have neither yet). Would anyone like to comment on the Tropica Method?
To my surprise the Tropica app says don't use Ferts for a couple weeks. Anyone got an input on that?
Yes, I do have to remove the tank and top shelf to take out the Co2 tank. I have a toddler in the house so this was the safest and most ascetically pleasing way of storing it. Eventually I will paint cylinder black.
Hardscape
Plan I had beside me whilst planting.
Last thing. I ordered all my plants from Andrew at www.guppycentral.ie. He is a breeder of high quality Guppys. If you decide to make any purchase tell him Paul sent you. I have no affiliation with this fellow but check out his site. He is a really great guy to deal with.
Thanks for looking!
Paul
I am into the third day of my first planted tank. Have spent years reading about it and I am in position to join the club. I have planted heavy from the start. My only goal is to maintain it, learn something and hopeful get to a point where I can say its a success but I am mindful there is no real end. I absolutely loved this first plant. It was fantastic and focuses the mind. Im starting this Journal because I know I will run into issues and I hope I can avail of the massive amount of experience on this Forum.
Bits
Flex 57 L
Pressurised Co2 injection in tank diffuser
Stock light
Stock filtration
Surface skimmer running 24/7. Thanks to @Wookii
Tropica Plants
Background
Ludwiga palustris x3
Hydrophila Siamensis 53B x2
Limnophil Sessiliflora x3 (love this plant appearance) as suggested by @hogan53 thanks!
Midground
Bucephalandra sp. Red x3
Anubias Nana x 2
Anubias Gracilis x1
Cryptocoryne Wendtii Tropica x1 XL pot
Cryptocoryn Petchii x2
Java Fern Narrow leaf x1
Foreground
Eleocharis acicularis mini carpet x3
Sagittaria Subulata (planted by mistake in place of Helanthium)
Fauna
Nothing yet but one Betta is on order.
Shrimp and Sails?? to be added.
At the moment I am tuning my flow distribution with a view to optimize Co2 using two drop checkers and checking my pH profile using JBL aquatest kit. So far I have achieved a nice lime green in both DC's and a nice mist in the tank however the stems at the back could do with a better flow at the bottom. I am building a spray bar that I might trail after a couple weeks. I have increased my Co2 feed over three days from 0.5 bps to 1.75 bps by following the pH profile and Co2 mist appearance.
I downloaded the Tropica App and suddenly I find myself following the instructions. Today is day 3 so water change and add snails and shrimp (I have neither yet). Would anyone like to comment on the Tropica Method?
To my surprise the Tropica app says don't use Ferts for a couple weeks. Anyone got an input on that?
Plan I had beside me whilst planting.
Last thing. I ordered all my plants from Andrew at www.guppycentral.ie. He is a breeder of high quality Guppys. If you decide to make any purchase tell him Paul sent you. I have no affiliation with this fellow but check out his site. He is a really great guy to deal with.
Thanks for looking!
Paul