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something bigger, now a riparium w/ krib fry
- Thread starter DeadFish
- Start date
DeadFish
Member
Thanks! Thoroughly impressed with the Week aqua - great color rendering, nearly on par with T5s.
Looking good my friend
Shlitz or Bud?
DeadFish
Member
Thanks, Bazz.
Neither. I gave up the beer for good last year - other than an occasional Guinness. Now it's either Rye or Irish.
DeadFish
Member
Thoroughly impressed that I haven’t yet gone more than a few weeks without forgetting to update this. It’s in grow out mode and I’ve since started dosing APT 3 which seems to have perked things up. No idea why, but most of the Ludwigia white has gone to the grave. It was fine and growing, albeit rather slowly. After I did the partial rescape, it just never went back to growing, so I’m thinking I have some sort of CO2 vacuum where it was placed, or due to shading, it was wasn’t getting enough light, which is the most plausible idea. Hoping to get my hands on some L. Meta next weekend at a swap - haven’t grown it in a long time, so we’ll see if I’m up to the task. Otherwise, just letting all the stem groups thicken up and grow out.
We were very fortunate to be in a position to buy a house, and within about a month of looking, we managed to find one. Keys will be in hand 4/15, so I have quite the move ahead of me. Had I considered this only a month or so sooner, I likely wouldn’t have set this up yet. So, here’s to a whole day spent getting this moved across the city. This will be fun.
I have some better photos on my mirrorless to upload later. Forgot to download them to my phone. This photo is from 2/27 post trim. Excuse the mess, we’ve started packing and I don’t know where to put anything in my already cramped house.
We were very fortunate to be in a position to buy a house, and within about a month of looking, we managed to find one. Keys will be in hand 4/15, so I have quite the move ahead of me. Had I considered this only a month or so sooner, I likely wouldn’t have set this up yet. So, here’s to a whole day spent getting this moved across the city. This will be fun.
I have some better photos on my mirrorless to upload later. Forgot to download them to my phone. This photo is from 2/27 post trim. Excuse the mess, we’ve started packing and I don’t know where to put anything in my already cramped house.
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DeadFish
Member
Finally, through many little re-scapes, I’ve settled on a layout that I feel is the most pleasing within the general constraints of the scape. I haven’t wanted to make any major changes and just wanted to kind of roll with it until I re-scape at the end of summer. However, I have to move this entire thing across the city in two and a half weeks. Any pointers? Ha. Should I break it all down or try to keep it all in place w/ plastic wrap on the top? Luckily I have a whole day to do it. My plan was to try to remove the fish and get them into a bucket with an aerator, drain all the water (trying to keep about 1/2 the water,) move, refill, and hope all goes well and I don’t knock things terribly out of balance. I’m hoping it’s a smooth transition - I haven’t had more than inconsistent, very little filamentous algae on the sand bed and occasionally on some old leaves. I attribute this to the couple times I forgot to turn the gas back on after a WC. Otherwise, not a speck of algae to be seen. I could probably go a month without cleaning the glass and not notice much difference. Here’s to hoping it remains easy and low maintenance post moving. View attachment IMG_3715.jpegView attachment IMG_3720.jpeg
Imran #786
Member
One more focal point to jut outa the tank somewhere in the middle
DeadFish
Member
Well, after an eventful couple weeks, we’ve finally moved and the tank is in its final place for a long, long time. Remind me to never move a running tank again - it was a huge inconvenience at best. Ha. But, it’s done, and nothing died. I’d be neglecting trimming the past few weeks so I basically had to rip all the stems up and thin them out. Things are settling in again and hoping to avoid any mini cycles or further disruptions. Luckily, we found out our tap TDS comes out at 30ppm. I’m going to keep using RO for the most part, but good to know it’s very soft in a pinch. Once things fill back in I’ll get some better photos - still need to do another water change to get some dust off the plants 
hydrophyte
Member
- Joined
- 22 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 1,073
Congratulations for the new home!
Tank is looking great!
Tank is looking great!
At least your membrane will have a good lifespan.
DeadFish
Member
Thank you! Hoping this is the last move for at least a few years. Tank is doing okay, but my negligence allowed a lot shading - I hacked it back aggressively to give everything a bit more light. Fingers crossed.
Here's to hoping - I made it about a year on the last one w/ water coming in at 360 ppm!
DeadFish
Member
I swear, it is always something in this hobby.
I looked in my cabinet to check my top off reservoir and noticed my pH controller was reading 6.3. This was well into the PP, so it should have been down at 5.5. Checked the pressure gauge on my regulator and saw it was reading 0 or close to it. Went to turn the knob so I could remove my regulator, and low and behold, it was tight. So, somewhere in the move I guess I forgot to reopen the tank. Oooops. Kind of explains the rather poor growth and little bit of filamentous algae I've seen pop up the last few days.
Just curious, how long do you get out your CO2 tank? I've been running the same 9 kg tank since December. I feel it getting close to the end, but who knows. The investment in a large tank is so worth it - 2.2 had to be filled every two months on my 60cm. 5 mos (who knows how long) on this 9kg tank (and 90cm aquarium) is well worth the inconvenience of filling the tank as well as the cost to refill. I've already paid for it in savings, especially as my local place charges $18 for a 2.2 fill and $24 for a 9. Don't get me started on the fuel my Toyota drinks to get there.
Another benefit is the pH controller. For the first seven years I was in this hobby I relied upon a DC and pH profiles. I never had much issue, but it did require occasional adjustments and certainly more attention, especially at the beginning of a set up. Spending $100 on a pH controller has made my life immensely easier. Set it and forget it, just recalibrate every few months. It uses less gas and keeps things nice and stable. While an investment, I think definitely a nice tool, especially for beginners, who are delving into CO2. There is inherent value in learning to tinker, create pH profiles, etc., but it makes the world much, much easier.
For someone who travels very frequently, spends a lot of time in the backcountry, and weeks away from home, certain pieces of kit make this hobby immensely more convenient. Hell, I spend less than an hour a week maintaining my tank. I can leave for a month and not bat an eye thanks to ATO, doser, and pH controller. While I hate the extra equipment and the upfront expense, it is well worth it in the long run.
And for anyone who might be new to the hobby and wondering if more expensive equipment is worth it, I say: Buy once, cry once (or twice).
I looked in my cabinet to check my top off reservoir and noticed my pH controller was reading 6.3. This was well into the PP, so it should have been down at 5.5. Checked the pressure gauge on my regulator and saw it was reading 0 or close to it. Went to turn the knob so I could remove my regulator, and low and behold, it was tight. So, somewhere in the move I guess I forgot to reopen the tank. Oooops. Kind of explains the rather poor growth and little bit of filamentous algae I've seen pop up the last few days.
Just curious, how long do you get out your CO2 tank? I've been running the same 9 kg tank since December. I feel it getting close to the end, but who knows. The investment in a large tank is so worth it - 2.2 had to be filled every two months on my 60cm. 5 mos (who knows how long) on this 9kg tank (and 90cm aquarium) is well worth the inconvenience of filling the tank as well as the cost to refill. I've already paid for it in savings, especially as my local place charges $18 for a 2.2 fill and $24 for a 9. Don't get me started on the fuel my Toyota drinks to get there.
Another benefit is the pH controller. For the first seven years I was in this hobby I relied upon a DC and pH profiles. I never had much issue, but it did require occasional adjustments and certainly more attention, especially at the beginning of a set up. Spending $100 on a pH controller has made my life immensely easier. Set it and forget it, just recalibrate every few months. It uses less gas and keeps things nice and stable. While an investment, I think definitely a nice tool, especially for beginners, who are delving into CO2. There is inherent value in learning to tinker, create pH profiles, etc., but it makes the world much, much easier.
For someone who travels very frequently, spends a lot of time in the backcountry, and weeks away from home, certain pieces of kit make this hobby immensely more convenient. Hell, I spend less than an hour a week maintaining my tank. I can leave for a month and not bat an eye thanks to ATO, doser, and pH controller. While I hate the extra equipment and the upfront expense, it is well worth it in the long run.
And for anyone who might be new to the hobby and wondering if more expensive equipment is worth it, I say: Buy once, cry once (or twice).
DeadFish
Member
Curious if someone can lend a hand in figuring this out - After I moved the tank, things were fine for a few days, aside from forgetting to turn on the CO2. I had turned on the CO2 and thought I was out of the woods, but turns out I'm not. There has been a bit of die back and things generally are not the happiest. Could be worse, but could certainly be better. Here is my main question - This tank has pretty consistently run at a pH of 6.5, dropping to 5.5 with CO2. My pH probe is currently reading 5.2 after degassing overnight. What in the hell is causing it to be so low? kH out of the tap is 2, tank kH is somewhere between 0-1 per API test. I have recalibrated the probe multiple times, tried a new probe (first was a yr and a half old), and cross checked my probe values with our lab probe. It's not the probe. My thought is that during this transition plants were significantly shocked and all but stopped growing - this is true from a qualitative standpoint, at least. They're beginning to come back a bit, but is my assumption reasonable that their dismal photosynthetic rate and CO2 uptake inhibition is keeping the pH so low? IE, no growth = little CO2 uptake = more co2 remaining in the water column. I run a ton of flow and great surface agitation through this tank, so I know that gas exchange is not a problem. My source water tests about 6.6. I'm in the process of transitioning the entire tank back to tap as it's so soft that I see no point of RO waste water right now, so it's somewhere in the ballpark of 3/4 tap, 1/4 RO.
This is perplexing me, and it's a shame. This tank was running so smoothly prior to the move, but such is life. I've ordered some more plants to try to get some healthier specimens in to try to rejuvenate the tank. I also cannot stand the Pinnatifida anymore, so I'm replacing most of it with trident java. I've ordered a bunch of anubias and some bolbitis, and some stems. I plan to transition to more of a traditional nature scape with a smaller number of species.
This is perplexing me, and it's a shame. This tank was running so smoothly prior to the move, but such is life. I've ordered some more plants to try to get some healthier specimens in to try to rejuvenate the tank. I also cannot stand the Pinnatifida anymore, so I'm replacing most of it with trident java. I've ordered a bunch of anubias and some bolbitis, and some stems. I plan to transition to more of a traditional nature scape with a smaller number of species.
DeadFish
Member
And to follow up, I did place an order for some more plants - some of which I already have, but wanted to add more of. Ordered from Aquarium Plant Factory, and for any of the U.S. members haven't before, they ship great plants at great prices. There is always a buy 2 get 1 free running. Put in an order for:
Crypt Parva
Crypt Green Gecko
P. Helferi (2)
Buce Alamanda Dark
Buce Rainbow Marble
Buce Giant
R. Rotundifolia
R. Macrandra
Anubias Bonsai (3)
Anubias Nana (3)
Anubias Nana Petite
Anubias Barteri Petite Coin
Probably ordered too much, but anything over $100 gets free shipping, so why pay the $20. I typically gift trimmings to students in class who have their own tanks, so this time they might get some fresh plants.
Crypt Parva
Crypt Green Gecko
P. Helferi (2)
Buce Alamanda Dark
Buce Rainbow Marble
Buce Giant
R. Rotundifolia
R. Macrandra
Anubias Bonsai (3)
Anubias Nana (3)
Anubias Nana Petite
Anubias Barteri Petite Coin
Probably ordered too much, but anything over $100 gets free shipping, so why pay the $20. I typically gift trimmings to students in class who have their own tanks, so this time they might get some fresh plants.
DeadFish
Member
Plants are waiting at my door - luckily a nice day here so no temp concerns. Over the weekend I pulled some things out and opened up the scape a little bit. pH is slowly rising and seemingly equilibrating since I’ve upped the light a bit. Running it at about 70% now. Removed the background and cleaned up some plants. Have some filamentous diatoms, presumably from a mini cycle during the move. Posting this as a before photo, we’ll see how it progresses in a month or so. 
True, there is always something going on... That is why we probably love our hobby so much 🙂
Could be that you have a small drawback with your plants due to to forgetting to turn on the co2. What could it be else.
Anyways, just wanted to say that i like your tank a lot. Really cool scape
Could be that you have a small drawback with your plants due to to forgetting to turn on the co2. What could it be else.
Anyways, just wanted to say that i like your tank a lot. Really cool scape
DeadFish
Member
Thank you - it's far from a showstopper, but always gives me something to tinker with.True, there is always something going on... That is why we probably love our hobby so much 🙂
Could be that you have a small drawback with your plants due to to forgetting to turn on the co2. What could it be else.
Anyways, just wanted to say that i like your tank a lot. Really cool scape
That's what I'm thinking, and it seems to be true from the trends I've been seeing. pH seems to be rising a little bit each day.
DeadFish
Member
I’ve had worse (and better) months in the tank world, but things are turning the corner finally. My hypothesis was correct - after increasing the light, plants are metabolizing much more CO2 and pH is stabilizing. Move in crypt and Buce melt appears to have tapered off. Pearling is persistent and growth forms of R. Wallichi and R. Blood Red have never been better. I hear my solenoid click on far more often.
I paid off some largish debts this month and decided to invest in a new CO2 control unit. When I bought my pH controller, I had bought the Milwaukee unit with limited low range - ignorantly. I had been trying to trick the calibration, but it never worked 100% as it should. However, given the extent of my travel, I decided to go with the CoralVue Hydros Unit. It’s a pricy piece of kit at $450 USD, but the piece of mind, convenience, and control is worth it - or, at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself. It’s incredible accurate and allows me to adjust CO2 On/Off by 0.01 units, maintaining an incredibly consistent [CO2]. It also has modes you can create, so I have a WC mode that kills the filter, heater, CO2, and ATO. No more unplugging (and forgetting to plug back in) wires for WCs. All in all, it’s fantastic. The modularity is wonderful as well and I’ll eventually transition the ATO and doser to the hydros add-ons. Luckily the add-ons are not super expensive and the wireless power strips are only $60 vs. $6,000 for the Neptune analogue. It will be a cool system to expand, and given that I only have one tank, I don’t mind spending a little money on it. I will finally break out the good camera after a couple trims and once things are in proper shape.
How nice it is to be 26 with no kids. Told my fiancé we don’t need any kids - my tank is is still cheaper.
I paid off some largish debts this month and decided to invest in a new CO2 control unit. When I bought my pH controller, I had bought the Milwaukee unit with limited low range - ignorantly. I had been trying to trick the calibration, but it never worked 100% as it should. However, given the extent of my travel, I decided to go with the CoralVue Hydros Unit. It’s a pricy piece of kit at $450 USD, but the piece of mind, convenience, and control is worth it - or, at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself. It’s incredible accurate and allows me to adjust CO2 On/Off by 0.01 units, maintaining an incredibly consistent [CO2]. It also has modes you can create, so I have a WC mode that kills the filter, heater, CO2, and ATO. No more unplugging (and forgetting to plug back in) wires for WCs. All in all, it’s fantastic. The modularity is wonderful as well and I’ll eventually transition the ATO and doser to the hydros add-ons. Luckily the add-ons are not super expensive and the wireless power strips are only $60 vs. $6,000 for the Neptune analogue. It will be a cool system to expand, and given that I only have one tank, I don’t mind spending a little money on it. I will finally break out the good camera after a couple trims and once things are in proper shape.
How nice it is to be 26 with no kids. Told my fiancé we don’t need any kids - my tank is is still cheaper.
Tim Harrison
Member
Looking great, well done 🙂
DeadFish
Member
Bit of time since the last update. We’ve been on the road for four weeks and are currently en route home from OR to PA - about a 40 hour drive all in one shot. Besides big trims in between, tank has been on autopilot and doing well. Anubias and Buce have taken some hits w/ the hot weather we’ve had. We only have AC on our second floor and we had three weeks of horrible heat, unit just couldn’t keep up like normal. Hopefully at the end of summer they’ll start to come back. My brother is feeding fish and sent me this. Needs some shaping and carpet needs a whack, but not bad for being gone for a month. Excited to get it back to 100% and grab some better photos.
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