New Tank - Hi Tech Iwagumi

[84Reasons]

Hi All, please let me know if this is the wrong area for this post.
I'm starting a new tank after a few years hiatus. I've run a few aquascapes for myself and others with varying levels of success.
I've decided to go with an Iwagumi layout, I know this is very tough to achieve (creating a carpet, fighting off algae to name a few) however I'm up for the challenge.
I'm mainly after some tips and advice regarding dosage, growth and water parameters. As I've not been in the space for a bit I'm not up to date on what's best.
I've already done a bit of research and my product selection is based on this, however a few bits are hard to find specifics on hence the post.

Initially this is what I have currently and what I'm planning on getting:
Have:
ADA Cube 30x60 w/cabinet
co2 Dosing system (need to buy diffuser)
OASE Biomaster Thermo 250
Twinstar LED 300e

Planning to get:

• APT1 Bought
• APT START Bought
• APT JAZZ Bought
• ADA Amazonia 9L
• Hardscape
• A carpeting plant

I'm going to be following the 2hr aquarist dark start method. I bought APT1 for algae control initially as it is without nitrates and phosphates, additionally I have read for tanks with low planting compared to fish its best to keep dosing with a fertiliser like this.
APT Start as I've read it helps with nutrients at startup, and APT JAZZ for 6 months or so down the line.
Theres a few other bits and bobs I randomly need to get however thats the gist. My main questions are:

- Is Amazonia the best substrate? I understand it leeches a lot of ammonia however I will be dark starting the tank and wont be even planting until its cycled.

- Which carpeting plant should I choose and what are the best tips for growth on this e.g. co2 dosing, light etc? I'm interested in all but the hardest variants to grow, however from the information I have found its hard to choose one.

- I haven't tested my tap water yet (which I will use) however in my area the water is listed as very hard (no surprise there) I don't know if this measurement helps but from our water supplier this is what I get:

20.53

English / clark degrees

Will I need to soften the water at all? Additionally, what water conditioner is recommended these days?

- Is there a good kit I can buy for water testing, would be good to get PH and hardness, as well as ammonia so I know when the tank is cycled. I understand the Soil will affect PH so it would be useful to know how the ADA soil will do this too.

Happy to provide any information I may have missed.

 

[Little]

One of the more experienced members can advise, but I think 9l of soil is probably too much for a 30cm cube. Some people like to use gravel in bags to build hight and get a smaller bag of soil. If your not getting heavy root feeders I don’t think you need a ton of soil.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Well done for re-starting.

- I haven't tested my tap water yet (which I will use) however in my area the water is listed as very hard (no surprise there) I don't know if this measurement helps but from our water supplier this is what I get:

20.53

English / clark degrees

That is about 17 dGH (and 17 dKH), the calculation is here <"Hardness convertor">, but basically most of us in <"southern central England, the SE and E. Anglia"> will have similar water hardness.

Will I need to soften the water at all?

You can mix in <"RO or rainwater">. I use about 10% tap water in the winter and 100% rainwater in the summer, when it picks up some limy dust from the atmosphere.

- Is there a good kit I can buy for water testing, would be good to get PH and hardness, as well as ammonia so I know when the tank is cycled.

For accurate pH measurement? You ideally need a pH meter with "2 point calibration", but they aren't cheap. You will have a <"drop checker">? and that should be as useful. Test kits <"aren't really my field">, you can get an ion selective electrode for <"TAN">, but again a lot of money for something that isn't going to tell you anything <"you don't already know">.

I understand the Soil will affect PH so it would be useful to know how the ADA soil will do this too.

It won't after your dark start, I think <"all the ion exchange sites"> in the ADA soil will be filled with calcium (Ca++) and bicarbonate ions (2HCO3-) from the tap water.

cheers Darrel

 

[Cornelius]

I once made a small tutorial on how to make a Hi Tech Iwagumi
Maybe it is useful for you, as a guide and to check your approach?

 

[84Reasons]

Thanks all, I won't worry about a test kit then other than ammonia maybe.

Would it be bad to only use tap water? Should I worry about pH?
Are there any carpeting plants worth considering over other or are all okay? Just want something that is manageable to maintain.

Are there any good water conditioners or are these not needed?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

... Would it be bad to only use tap water? Should I worry about pH?

A lot of people use hard tap water, it does limit what you can grow, but many plants don't care or do better in hard water. If you look at a chalk stream it has plenty of plants in it. Same with pH, it is going to be ~ pH 8, but so is a chalk stream. CO2 injection will help.

Cheers Darrel

 

[84Reasons]

Thanks Darrell, does it limit any carpeting plants as that's all I'll need?