Hi everyone.
It’s been a long time since the transparent tank. So….
Here comes my next proper journal, a few years on. Keeping this mainly to reflect, listen, learn and change what I’m doing. My aim here is to describe what I’ve tried and think about what’s worked or failed.
Have been oh so tempted by a paludarium, but that’s maybe for next time. So for now I’m going for a low maintenance, highly-automated jungle type tank.
I’m thinking bits of wood poking out of lush java ferns and a generally unkempt forest vibe. More plant species than is generally considered good taste. A bit overgrown. That sort of thing.
So, without further wittering:
Stuff.
Custom optiwhite tank 1400mm long x 500mm high x 580mm deep - 406 litres. Deliberately further back than it is tall to give greater depth. I’ve scratched it a bit over the years. Will be a test of my photo editing skills I guess.
Eheim Pro 3E 2078 filter - 1850 lph. Always loved Eheim filters. They never give up. Standard media with purigen added.
Aqua Medic 1000 CO2 reactor with media removed. Seems to do the job just as well without the bioballs though is a bit noisier. Might add an inline venturi loop at some point if I can find a T piece that adapts 16/22 hose to 4mm CO2 pipe anywhere. Suggestions?
Hydor inline heater. Not much to say about that. Take it for granted, would be lost without it.
Marine Colour dosing pump, providing 40ml per day (recommended dose) of Aquarium Plant Food. Starting with an ungainly bit of hose looped into the tank. Want to pop this inline but can’t find the right T-piece (as above) and a bit concerned about pressure - would it work inline?
3.15kg beer gas CO2 bottles with standard eBay regulator. Cheapest I can find in London and London Beer Gas are super reliable. I’ve got two bottles so each one is replaced as soon as it runs out.
UP PH CO2 Controller with CO2 solenoid regulator to maintain constant PH / CO2 level with lime green drop checker. This is a godsend. Keeps CO2 levels totally stable in an attempt to banish BBA but also means I never gas fish these days. Just twist a dial and it gets a bit more CO2.
Hydor Koralia 3200 powerhead in tank - flow rate of 2800 lph. Don’t like them as they’re ugly, but really helps with the flow. Will try taking it out when plants are a bit established and see what happens.
3 * TMC Grobeam 1500 LED tiles and controller. On for 7 hours a day, largely in the night. The tank gets a bit of sun in the morning through the window which is bad but hard to avoid.
3% Gluteraldehyde solution (DIY) for spot dosing
Seachem prime for water changes
Hardscape
Redmoor root
Seiryu stone
Molar clay. This is so much cheaper than other substrate and I’ve always found it works fine with EI dosing. Takes up the nutrients.
Unusual bits
Custom PVC pipes and return. Bent with a pipe bending spring and a paint stripping gun. Very hard to break and very easy to clean. Might move to a glass Lilly pipe one day if I’m feeling flush.
Refills using dedicated thermostatic tap set at 22 degrees with watering can head. This is probably my favourite thing about this tank: super easy to do big water changes.
PH controller for CO2 dosing.
Animals and fish
12 Amano shrimp
12 Otocinclus
5 Crossocheilus siamensis (siamese algae eaters)
Ramshorn snails
[Neon tetras to be added as shoaling fish]
Planting plan
Nothing very inventive. Rotala at the back, java ferns, anubias, crypts and a load of different carpet plants. Going for an untidy, mixed up look. And should help me work out what I can grow successfully. Never had much luck with HC before.
Planting plan by greenink@ukaps, on Flickr
Anywhere that's the theory. Plants arrived yesterday...
It’s been a long time since the transparent tank. So….
Here comes my next proper journal, a few years on. Keeping this mainly to reflect, listen, learn and change what I’m doing. My aim here is to describe what I’ve tried and think about what’s worked or failed.
Have been oh so tempted by a paludarium, but that’s maybe for next time. So for now I’m going for a low maintenance, highly-automated jungle type tank.
I’m thinking bits of wood poking out of lush java ferns and a generally unkempt forest vibe. More plant species than is generally considered good taste. A bit overgrown. That sort of thing.
So, without further wittering:
Stuff.
Custom optiwhite tank 1400mm long x 500mm high x 580mm deep - 406 litres. Deliberately further back than it is tall to give greater depth. I’ve scratched it a bit over the years. Will be a test of my photo editing skills I guess.
Eheim Pro 3E 2078 filter - 1850 lph. Always loved Eheim filters. They never give up. Standard media with purigen added.
Aqua Medic 1000 CO2 reactor with media removed. Seems to do the job just as well without the bioballs though is a bit noisier. Might add an inline venturi loop at some point if I can find a T piece that adapts 16/22 hose to 4mm CO2 pipe anywhere. Suggestions?
Hydor inline heater. Not much to say about that. Take it for granted, would be lost without it.
Marine Colour dosing pump, providing 40ml per day (recommended dose) of Aquarium Plant Food. Starting with an ungainly bit of hose looped into the tank. Want to pop this inline but can’t find the right T-piece (as above) and a bit concerned about pressure - would it work inline?
3.15kg beer gas CO2 bottles with standard eBay regulator. Cheapest I can find in London and London Beer Gas are super reliable. I’ve got two bottles so each one is replaced as soon as it runs out.
UP PH CO2 Controller with CO2 solenoid regulator to maintain constant PH / CO2 level with lime green drop checker. This is a godsend. Keeps CO2 levels totally stable in an attempt to banish BBA but also means I never gas fish these days. Just twist a dial and it gets a bit more CO2.
Hydor Koralia 3200 powerhead in tank - flow rate of 2800 lph. Don’t like them as they’re ugly, but really helps with the flow. Will try taking it out when plants are a bit established and see what happens.
3 * TMC Grobeam 1500 LED tiles and controller. On for 7 hours a day, largely in the night. The tank gets a bit of sun in the morning through the window which is bad but hard to avoid.
3% Gluteraldehyde solution (DIY) for spot dosing
Seachem prime for water changes
Hardscape
Redmoor root
Seiryu stone
Molar clay. This is so much cheaper than other substrate and I’ve always found it works fine with EI dosing. Takes up the nutrients.
Unusual bits
Custom PVC pipes and return. Bent with a pipe bending spring and a paint stripping gun. Very hard to break and very easy to clean. Might move to a glass Lilly pipe one day if I’m feeling flush.
Refills using dedicated thermostatic tap set at 22 degrees with watering can head. This is probably my favourite thing about this tank: super easy to do big water changes.
PH controller for CO2 dosing.
Animals and fish
12 Amano shrimp
12 Otocinclus
5 Crossocheilus siamensis (siamese algae eaters)
Ramshorn snails
[Neon tetras to be added as shoaling fish]
Planting plan
Nothing very inventive. Rotala at the back, java ferns, anubias, crypts and a load of different carpet plants. Going for an untidy, mixed up look. And should help me work out what I can grow successfully. Never had much luck with HC before.
Anywhere that's the theory. Plants arrived yesterday...
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