My Jewel Lido 120

[Riley]

I have kept fresh water tropical for many years, usually with artificial plants, I have decided to try planted.
My substrate is gravel, I have 3 plants an Anubis a Echindorus phyton and one I can’t remember but my lfs suggested.
I started on seperate threads but it was suggested I do a journal so here goes,
I have attached a photo of my tank and already had advice about a good plant food and where to get plants,
My tank has a Roman theme .
I will post when I add something new, any advice will be grateful
Regards

 

[Cazza]

Gotta love a Juwel Lido! What have you got in the filter? Standard stuff?

 

[Riley]

Yes but with Biohome Plus media from filter pro

 

[Riley]

Another view of my tank

 

[Riley]

this is my latest addition attached to a piece of wood

 

[Riley]

Up to date photo

 

[Riley]

Still work in progress but coming along, (Feb 25)
Floating plants thanks to fellow members
Water around hear is Hard.

 

[Riley]

I’m looking at getting a test kit I’ve seen various sets ,any recommendations ?
Thanks

 

[Connswater]

test kit

Lots of folks here aren't that keen on testing, and actually, for very good reasons. However, if you want to get a grip on the water chemistry, and I'm no chemist, I've a few 'sort of' faux pas here to prove it, I've found the API reagent drop, test tube tests, pretty 'believable'. Some dip tests with strips and especially with download camera readings, have frankly, been bonkers in the suggested results. If I have a problem I do like to know if Nitrate or KH has gone too high, as for GH, irrelevant most of the time. Phosphate should be low, but not zero, and pH is nice to know, especially if using CO2 with an in-tank, lagging indicator. Chlorine, Ammonia and Nitrite - well in an established planted tank, with treated tap water at water changes, and a mature filter, they should not be a problem.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Lots of folks here aren't that keen on testing, and actually, for very good reasons.

I think we all agree that it would be nice to know the water chemistry of our tanks, and it is possible, it just takes a lot of time and money. A spirit thermometer, drop checker, conductivity meter and dissolved oxygen meter all are pretty accurate, and only the DO meter is prohibitively expensive.

I've found the API reagent drop, test tube tests, pretty 'believable'.

Semi-titrimetric tests are usually better and the JBL low range test for phosphate is one I believe works quite well.

Cheers Darrel

 

[Riley]

New plants added, slowly wining battle with thread algae, floating pants from the generosity of fellow members.

 

[Riley]

Has anyone experience with Water Sprite ?

 

[hypnogogia]

Has anyone experience with Water Sprite ?

Yes, great as a floating plant at startup. Grows like a weed.

 

[Riley]

This is my sons tank I also look after, have just done a water change and add plants I received from fellow members.
It’s a Oase 75 ltr, with a few platys,guppy and bronze Cory