Karacticus
Member
Hello, everyone!
I've taken a big dive back into the world of tropical fish keeping, but this time round I intend to focus more heavily on plants for what I hope will be a jungle type aquascape with South American fish species. Many years go I used to keep various tropical fish - from community species to cichlids - and my first job was in a tropical fish house, so I know a little bit but things have moved on and I have lots of questions! I plan to start a journal to show my progress and hopefully get some tips along the way.
I'm gradually puling together the things I need and have got the following:
D-D Aqua-Pro 1200 (300 litres)
Chihiros WRGB2 Pro
Oase BioMaster 850
I am planning to have CO2 injection, so happy to hear any recommendations or advice. I have also got a fantastic bit of wood as a start for my hardscape. Planning to have aqua soil in mesh bags beneath sand and stone substrate - I want to try and make it look lush and natural and hopefully a focal point for my living room. I will start to read the forums, but my early questions are:
1) What liquid fertiliser might I need for the early stages, as I plan to stock gradually (once everything is in balance) - Tropica do two types, so do I need both or just one?
2) I live in Bristol where the water is very hard and nitrates are, I think, quite high at around 20mgNO3/l. I really don't fancy the faff of RO, so will this be manageable with additives within a heavily planted tank with good filtration?
3) Finally, I want to upgrade the biological media (sponge) in the filter. There seem to be lots of options - I was thinking ceramic rings, but should I be considering anything more fancy?
Apologies if this isn't the right place to ask questions - and I will obviously try searching the forums.
Anyway, this is probably too long for a first 'hello' so I will stop now!
Regards
Mark
PS: I will be dipping in and out, so I might not always respond straight away.
I've taken a big dive back into the world of tropical fish keeping, but this time round I intend to focus more heavily on plants for what I hope will be a jungle type aquascape with South American fish species. Many years go I used to keep various tropical fish - from community species to cichlids - and my first job was in a tropical fish house, so I know a little bit but things have moved on and I have lots of questions! I plan to start a journal to show my progress and hopefully get some tips along the way.
I'm gradually puling together the things I need and have got the following:
D-D Aqua-Pro 1200 (300 litres)
Chihiros WRGB2 Pro
Oase BioMaster 850
I am planning to have CO2 injection, so happy to hear any recommendations or advice. I have also got a fantastic bit of wood as a start for my hardscape. Planning to have aqua soil in mesh bags beneath sand and stone substrate - I want to try and make it look lush and natural and hopefully a focal point for my living room. I will start to read the forums, but my early questions are:
1) What liquid fertiliser might I need for the early stages, as I plan to stock gradually (once everything is in balance) - Tropica do two types, so do I need both or just one?
2) I live in Bristol where the water is very hard and nitrates are, I think, quite high at around 20mgNO3/l. I really don't fancy the faff of RO, so will this be manageable with additives within a heavily planted tank with good filtration?
3) Finally, I want to upgrade the biological media (sponge) in the filter. There seem to be lots of options - I was thinking ceramic rings, but should I be considering anything more fancy?
Apologies if this isn't the right place to ask questions - and I will obviously try searching the forums.
Anyway, this is probably too long for a first 'hello' so I will stop now!
Regards
Mark
PS: I will be dipping in and out, so I might not always respond straight away.
Lovely piece of wood.
