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Getting started...

Niton

Niton

Member
Joined
30 Jun 2018
Messages
177
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Hi all. I posted my introduction this morning. I was just wondering if any of you can help with a pre installation checklist?
I've bought the tank (newa mirabello 60 t5 lamps) , got some hardscape sorted and I have just got some substrate (ada malayan soil and some power sand and gravel) , oh and pinsers from the green machine sale!
Is there anything obvious that I have missed (other than flora and fauna). I should look into getting before dry fitting the tank and moving on to planting? Ideally taking advantage of the green machine sale!
I'm going to be doing a low maintenance non co2 tank a la George's YouTube play list. I'll create a journal thread once all the bits and pieces are delivered and will try to keep the questions in there!
 
You mentioned coastal stone - this can be quite heavily salted depending on stone & location - I'd throughly pressure wash & soak with daily water changes (for a week or so) before using ...

ADA Malaya is a relatively soft substrate, so treat very gently to prevent "mudding"
- suss out your hardscape using sand or other pseudo-substrate, taking photos etc so that you can then replicate in one go in the Malaya
- plant in slightly damp or dry soil (you can see both options online in videos - Jurijs mit JS always plants dry, George Farmer does both, Aqua Green uses the damp method)
- don't frequently adjust/move plants (in soil) (as may release soil fines into water column - add 3-4x dose of Prime if this happens as ammonia etc can be released)

Expect ammonia release from any ADA soil - TGM should have an idea of what to expect with Malaya - so daily water changes for the first weeks (until ammonia begins to decrease), then gradually tapering water changes to once weekly
Return to daily water change/maintenance if algae outbreak

One issue with this tank (& mentioned by George) is the twin T5s are positioned such that light is directed at front of tank, and further blocked from tank back by the ballast position, so consider this in your planting design
 
Thanks for the advice. How should I test for ammonia levels?
I've just grabbed a couple of things today based on some suggestions...


I am a noob to all this and want to make sure that I start the tank in a good way to get the most out of it.
I'll probably create a new journal thread once everything is delivered and put some hardscape and planting ideas in there.
One thing is the tank will be viewed on both sides as I'm placing it in an old serving hatch between a dining room and lounge! So I'll be planning quite a central scape, hopefully that means the lights may be OK. If not I'll likely follow George's example with an led beam.
 
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