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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Oct 3, 2018 13:10:32 GMT -5
How did you handle water changes without altering the PH to much ?
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 3, 2018 13:24:53 GMT -5
At the time I was in Saskatoon I had a reservoir with premixed, preheated water to draw from. This was because of the Grand scale water changes (sometimes 50%) and size of the tank which was 70GAL.
In this tank, smaller more frequent changes using pretreated Tap Water.
Setting up a reservoir for such a small tank seems pointless. Water is closer to neutral in the area.
Gary
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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Oct 3, 2018 14:04:49 GMT -5
Thanks Gary . Very interesting thread and am always looking for updates as you go along .
One more question, where did you find the peat pucks ?
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 3, 2018 15:18:48 GMT -5
I originally purchased them in Walmart in Winnipeg in 2016. They come in a tray used to jump start seedlings before transplanting outdoors. On occasion I've been known to grow Crypts in these just because I can. I chose these specifically, as; 1) I don't need a lot. This tray had 10, I am down to 7, I bought this in 2016 2) 100% Natural Peat. No additives or chemicals 3) Easy to keep in Ziplock bags to keep them "fresh" 4) If you are bored, you can grow a few Aquarium plants emersed in these. Keep in tray, keep pucks damp... harvest of plants... doesn't take up too much space For a smaller tank, this is a lifetime supply, for a larger tank, I've used whole trays before. Gary
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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Oct 3, 2018 16:10:58 GMT -5
Thanks again , looks like there readily available. Googled them and found them on Amazon as well as Home Depot to name just a couple of places .
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Post by gabor129 on Oct 3, 2018 17:53:53 GMT -5
Great write up Gary!
How dark do you want your buce plant to be? I mean there is the red buce dark, and there is the Dark Achilles dark! Red buce is not hard to find, however Dark Achilles, or more commonly known as Dark Skeleton Buce, is very hard to find!
Actually there is a guy in Whitby, who is usually selling buce on kijiji, he might have one you like. I know he had Skeleton King which is also very rare. Not sure if it was the dark or the green thought! He will ship too, if I remember correctly. Also there is BucePlant.com not sure if they ship to Canada....
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 3, 2018 19:18:22 GMT -5
Thanks Les, and yeah, they are just about anywhere that sells Plants/Seeds. Home Depot, Lowes and Menard's year round.
Gabe, I will definitely look them up. Just want a different darker, more olive Green to accent the different types of Green that are going to be in the tank. Thinking about it, I should have named the tank "The Emerald Isle", as I also come to decision -- I am swapping Red for Green.
Staurogyne repens would be a easier gradual plant between Dwarf Baby's Years and Blyxa. Somehow I think the red, would be a little too flashy for my tastes, maybe some other project. Could make another tank and call it "Red Light District" using only red plants... hmmm...
I am going to wander through that website and see what type of Buce I want. Don't want anything too special...
Gary
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Post by gabor129 on Oct 3, 2018 20:00:39 GMT -5
Competed to baby years and blyxa, buce is a painfully slow growing plant! You going to be trimming quite a bit to keep the tank proportional.
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 4, 2018 7:25:27 GMT -5
Well I have found that Bucephalandra Kedagang Original fits the bill. It's unfortunate that Angelfins has neither Blyxa or this Buce. plant. As for trimming, that's a no issue for me Gabe, I still have all my Aquascaping tools here.
Here is the final plant list;
Bucephalandra Kedagang Original (attached to wood and rocks)
Blyxa japonica (Background) Staurogyne repens (Transitional) Hemianthus callitrichoides (Foreground)
I have narrowed down my filtration choices to either the Finnex PX-360 or the Dennerle Scaper Flow. Both have good qualities about them, my only hesitation with the Dennerle is the massive white clips which attach the filter to the tank and the fact, you can not switch out the intake for a glass lily pipe.
With the Finnex I can retrofit the inflow and outflow and still hang it off the tank. Both Filtration units have their pros and cons, its deciding which one.
I am still hunting for Grey Rocks. I might go for a wander along the shoreline and see if I can find what I am looking for Locally. No need hunting high and low when we are surrounded here.
My next tasks (in order) are;
1. CO2 Setup 2. Heating
I am going to use both Finnex Planted Plus Fugeray lights on the tank. They are great lights, only disappointing feature is that the Moonlight is on the same circuit as the main lights, which is a pain, as I like to keep the Moonlights on from time to time.
Both lights will provide not only enough light to grow plants but possibly double as a tanning bed.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 4, 2018 20:43:25 GMT -5
Well, I think I've figured out the CO2. I want something that will last a bit and still not be a pain in the backside. This kit seems to have it; www.bigalspets.com/ca/ista-co2-aluminum-cylinder-set-professional.htmlNow it's time to read up on what other's think on this and see what experiences others have had. Personally, the CO2 Injection side of planted tanks has come along way, I might not even have to consider dosing Excel though Macros I would still do. Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 5, 2018 7:57:11 GMT -5
I found many good reviews regarding this setup. Since I will be using it on a smaller system, I might get a good run out of one tank of CO2 with this system. Though I am considering, if I do purchase this kit, that I will buy an extra pre-filled Cylinder, this way, I can swap out old for new and recharge without having the tank skip a beat for Co2 injection.
To refill it, any place that recharges Paintball Guns, which, I would have to search locally, assuming there is any left in the area.
Also, most reviews state to change out the external bubble counter for an internal, in tank, Diffuser/Counter for peace of mind due to reports of leaks on the external units.
I've also found it much cheaper, at least 100 less at other online vendors from Canada. Amazing, this setup in the US is $99.00, Canada, 249.00. Hyperinflation!
Hopefully the new Trade Agreement that President Trump setup will help reduce costs somewhat. Already, we can now bring back 150 in goods as opposed to 20 (what a joke).
I like the fact it comes with Solenoid so it can shut off with the lights at night. Remember, Plants produce Co2 at night.
Figured out the lighting (at least initially);
Light Set 1 - 12hrs Light Set 2 - 8hrs
Light Set 2 will turn on 2hrs after the main lights, and shut off 2hrs before the main lights. Giving the tank mega-wattage for 8hrs a day. Of course this will be the initial cycle, I'm liable to tweak in the sweet spot as the tank responds and changes.
Is it me or is setting up the best part of any Aquarium?
Gary
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Post by gabor129 on Oct 5, 2018 15:28:39 GMT -5
Gary, I'm enjoying reading about your plans for the setup! I can just picture your excitement as you piece together all the parts!
The scuba diving place on Lauzon fills paintball canisters. Also the fire extinguisher place on Hawthorn might as well! Also you can try some micro brewery might be able to do it as well! Just a few ideas off the top of my head!
The light schedule seems ok, but you will need to fertilize to keep the algae at bay. Next to make those plants eat up everything before algae gets a foothold!
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 5, 2018 19:43:09 GMT -5
Of course Gabe, I maintain a good dosing routine, though during my absences I might have to devise a more, automatic method. For now, I have all my ferts still here. Since most (with the exception of two) are all in Powder Form and sealed well (also in Ziplock bags) I have a jump start.
When I grow plants emersed like I plan to do when things are at the stage, I usually mix in ferts with the water I spray on the plants.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Oct 7, 2018 7:53:11 GMT -5
One part of my methods to success is using API First Layer Pure Laterite. I checked ALL Petsmart (where you used to get it from) locations in Windsor and nada. Seriously? When did this fall out of favor? This is where I used to buy it from... years ago... like 2014...
This is crucial for any planted tank success as it's a whopping amount of Iron, which most plants seek. The small 20oz box would be perfect.
I will go back to Aqua Mania (when there for my first time yesterday, picked up some Seiryu Stones) and will check out Sam's Pampered Pets to see if it's there.
Going to "PlastiDip" by background today. Once this is complete, I can start the hardscaping and possibly get to emersed growth shortly.
For Heater, I have decided on the Hydor, 15W, Preset (77F) submersible heater. It will be not an eyesore in the tank which is the goal. So, that takes care of all the equipment except... filtration.
I sway towards the Finnex, see something else yet come back. I think I might just get the Finnex (as I can hang off the back of the tank) and call it a day. This way, I have all my equipment together.
So if anyone reading this has some laterite hanging around, I'd gladly buy 2 Cup Fulls off you. As I've stated, this is a crucial part of my setup.
Gary
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Post by gabor129 on Oct 7, 2018 9:22:49 GMT -5
If you can not find laterite locally Amazon.ca has it.
I was wondering how long does laterite last? I mean for someone like me who likes cryptocorine sp. plants which are extremely iron dependent, and very heavy root feeders, it is very important to have it available for uptake. I personally use Fluorite Red, for this purpose, however I can not find the time it takes to exhaust all the iron from it.
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