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Post by nocturnalflower on Nov 27, 2019 22:24:46 GMT -5
I'm sharing this post to show how much a planted tank can progress in just three months! I'm hoping it will help inspire anyone who is just getting into planted tanks! (Substrate: flourite dark, light: finnex planted plus 24/7 set at 60%, filter: eheim 2026 canister) Day 1: 5 weeks: 6 weeks 7 weeks: 2 months: 3 months:
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Post by Crazygar on Nov 28, 2019 9:57:18 GMT -5
Very nice tank and let me welcome you to the Forum. Your tank has loads of promise, I really like picture #4.
Gary
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Post by nocturnalflower on Nov 28, 2019 14:25:15 GMT -5
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Post by Crazygar on Nov 28, 2019 15:03:28 GMT -5
I've had a heater malfunction as well, a long time ago, but you'll never forget it. Good to see that you aren't discouraged.
Gary
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Post by nocturnalflower on Nov 28, 2019 17:00:38 GMT -5
Lol... Well, if I'm completely honest, I am a bit discouraged. But I figure I'll just keep up with basic maintenance, let the plants grow in a bit, and wait for inspiration to strike again.
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Post by Crazygar on Nov 28, 2019 18:59:21 GMT -5
Look at it as an opportunity to do a rescape. Bad things will happen, it's how you deal with it.
Gary
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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Nov 29, 2019 21:00:35 GMT -5
The three month progression of your tank is really inspiring . To bad it crashed but I’m sure it will rebound. Nice job
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Post by gabor129 on Nov 30, 2019 6:35:21 GMT -5
Lol... Well, if I'm completely honest, I am a bit discouraged. But I figure I'll just keep up with basic maintenance, let the plants grow in a bit, and wait for inspiration to strike again. You should not be discouraged. You did a great job first time around. Like Gary said, this is just an opportunity to create something even nicer....
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 5, 2020 21:13:07 GMT -5
How goes the tank? Haven't seen an update for a while?
Gary
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Post by nocturnalflower on Feb 6, 2020 23:18:56 GMT -5
How goes the tank? Haven't seen an update for a while? Gary Oh it's a jumbled mess right now! I've just been focused on getting the plants to grow back and getting the algae under control. I'm not happy with the state it's in currently, but now that I've got the co2 set up, I'm hoping to be reinspired! Here are a few pics showing the sad state of things., lol! (You can see how everything is covered in fuzz)
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Post by phish on Feb 6, 2020 23:33:04 GMT -5
Wow, I can't even grow java moss or java fern.
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 7, 2020 7:31:29 GMT -5
That algae can be taken care of. Green Fuzz is relished by many algae eaters but it also highlights a massive imbalance in the tank. Here are some questions:
How long is your photoperiod? Do you dose Plant Ferts? If yes, what type and intervals. Do you dose Flourish Excel? If yes, what interval. You said your CO2 is setup? Are you already injecting into the tank? If so, how? What are you using for a diffuser? Algae eaters in the tank? What are they? Water flow. Is is circulating around the tank and no dead spots?
Looking at the pictures, you need some serious fast growers and lots of them in there!
Before doing a rescape I would suggest take care of your current problem. Yes, injecting CO2 will help a lot. One trick is plant mass. The more plants you have, the more they outcompete algae(s) for nutrients.
My trick, 1 hour before lights on, the CO2 goes on. An hour before lights off, the CO2 goes off. The hour before is to saturate the water with CO2 so when the lights go on, the plants can start up taking it immediately without waiting. The hour before lights off, is to shutoff the CO2 to ensure that when it hits (dark, my lights ramp up/down) darkness there is more O2 in the water.
As for inspiration, go on the Plantedtank.net (I'm pretty active there as well), Barreport, AGA, The Green Machine and any aquarium Mr. Amano has designed.
Look at the tank journals, videos, pictures. Pun totally intended, immerse yourself. I do this as well. Its especially nice at the end of the night. The Green Machine has awesome build videos.
Another trick I used to employ is building a scale model (using cardboard for imaginary tank walls) and place your hardscape items in the way you want. It gives you the opportunity to arrange freely without disturbing the tank and is a great way to figure out "what you want".
I can guide you through this, no problem.
Gary
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Post by nocturnalflower on Feb 7, 2020 10:46:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the detailed response Gary! Yes, the tank was (is?) definitely imbalanced. The heater malfunction sure did throw it for a loop. There was a lot of plant die off that messed things up. Massive melts and lots of dead plant matter.
Here are the answers to your questions:
My photo period is from 3-10pm. There is also indirect light from the window. (unavoidable).
My light is a 'finnex planted plus 24/7' running white at 70% (approx. 25 Par at the substrate) and a bit of red and blue for colour (negligible par). I will increase this in the future now that I have the pressurized co2. I had diy yeast before this.
I dose with Tropica Premium Nutrition once a week or so with the occasional addition of iron.
I have used Excel in the past, but it melted a few of my plants so I stopped.
Co2 has been running for a few days now. (Thanks Les!) It comes on an hour before the lights come on. It turns off an hour before the lights go off. The drop checker is bright green during that time.
Algae eater is a red bristle nose pleco. (Thanks Gabe!). Ottos don't last long in my tank for some reason... But I may try some again.
Water circulation is provided by my ehiem pro 2 2026. This is the only circulation currently, but I do have a few power heads left over from my saltwater setup and an eheim surface skimmer I could add if needed. I'm trying to keep the tank quiet. I think I will add the surface skimmer and point the output down into what I suspect is a slightly dead area.
I can't afford to buy any more plants, but there are a few fast growers in there that I will continue to propagate untill I have some more plant mass. My silly angel keeps eating the new growth which is not helping!
I have never had a very specific visual plan for the scape of this tank. I simply add and move things in a way that feels balanced and natural to me as things grow in. However I love George Farmers style and would like to emulate many of his tanks. Hardscape is expensive. I have pieces of driftwood that I ordered on 'wish', lol and a rock I found in my garden. I absolutely love all of the sites you mentioned, and frequent them regularly. I find it helps me destress and I really enjoy reading people's journals and watching them on youtube. Green Aqua is one of my favourite channels. I'm going to check out the Green Machine channel that you mentioned.
Thanks for all the support and tips! I look forward to chatting more at the meeting on Sunday! Find me, because I'm not sure who you are! ... Did you present the new website last month...was that you?
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 7, 2020 15:56:30 GMT -5
Yes, that was me. I'll put in a more in depth response this evening, I've noticed a few things from just reading this over. Tonight..
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 7, 2020 21:40:42 GMT -5
My photo period is from 3-10pm. There is also indirect light from the window. (unavoidable).
My light is a 'finnex planted plus 24/7' running white at 70% (approx. 25 Par at the substrate) and a bit of red and blue for colour (negligible par). I will increase this in the future now that I have the pressurized co2. I had diy yeast before this.
Ah, this could have been a part of the problem. DIY Yeast is ok for smaller tanks, the problem being it is horribly inconsistent, believe it or not, inconsistent CO2 Levels can contribute to algae. Algae is an opportunist.
Your Photoperiod is fine but the whole Window thing may be also helping fuel the algae. Technically you are getting indirect light + photoperiod. How long does the light hit the tank?
Pressurized CO2 is a start, but a piece of a larger puzzle. Possibly all that dead matter would have spiked things for a little while. When was the last time you cleaned your filtration?
I dose with Tropica Premium Nutrition once a week or so with the occasional addition of iron.
I have used Excel in the past, but it melted a few of my plants so I stopped.
Specialised Nutrition is added each week when the water is changed. The pump bottle dispenses 2 mL per push.
We recommend 6 mL (3 pumps) per 50 L water weekly. However, we recommended that this is set in accordance with plant requirements. Specialised Nutrition contains, in addition to micro-nutrients, all essential macro-nutrients. The fertiliser is particularly suitable where plants display a lack of nutrition. However note that if algae growth starts, Specialised Nutrition will promote this growth.
Specialised Nutrition contains nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Dosage must therefore be adapted to plant absorption rates, to avoid undesirable algae growth. Where signs of algae growth develop, reduce the dosage by 50% and increase water changing frequency by 50%. Changing the water not only reduces the concentration of nutrients in the water, but also removes algae spores, remnants and other accumulated elements from the aquarium water.
Right from Tropica themselves. Did you ever see this about the dosing?
Stop the occasional dosing of Iron for a little while. When you start CO2 injection full time, I use an Modified "EI" approach. I dose Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Flourish Excel Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday nothing. Sunday 50% water change and tank maintenance. Repeat. Works great, but it took me a while to fine tune it.
Fertilizing without CO2 or with inconsistent CO2 can cause algae. What size are your water changes? As stated, I do 50%. While 50% is no problem for a small tank such as mine, when you are talking 30 and above, it can be labor intensive.
Excel is an essentially an Algaecide. I use it Monday through Friday. It melts Vals and Marimo Balls (technically algae balls). If your plants were melting with Excel dosing, I believe they were on the way out already. Which plants melted?
Co2 has been running for a few days now. (Thanks Les!) It comes on an hour before the lights come on. It turns off an hour before the lights go off. The drop checker is bright green during that time.
Awesome! Never used a drop checker, but green is good. If things are working leave it. Are the plants pearling yet?
I push a lot of CO2 into my little tank. I had it just below the stress out level for the fish. Make a mark on your Regulator showing where you have the Needle valve. If for whatever reason something happens, you can always come back to the mark. I have three, 3 = No Fish, 2 = Fish, 1 = Respite (I bumped the needle valve one time and had to back off on CO2 until things normalized).
With the CO2Art, they are incredibly well worth the money you paid for it. An investment for the tank and your peace of mind.
Algae eater is a red bristle nose pleco. (Thanks Gabe!). Ottos don't last long in my tank for some reason... But I may try some again.
Otocinclus would enjoy all that algae. Otos like things "just right". Always buy 4 - 5 days after they land their fish shipment. This will eliminate the dead and dying. What's left are the hardy ones. Acclimatize for about 30 minutes. Otos like "mature" tanks with loads of food. They will eat specific algaes but not others.
Petsmart at Walker Crossing used to land on Tuesday, if they still do, buy your Otos on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Find out when the shipment arrived and add days accordingly.
Bristlenose are good but they can get large and accidently uproot plants. Give and take in the regard.
Water circulation is provided by my ehiem pro 2 2026. This is the only circulation currently, but I do have a few power heads left over from my saltwater setup and an eheim surface skimmer I could add if needed. I'm trying to keep the tank quiet. I think I will add the surface skimmer and point the output down into what I suspect is a slightly dead area.
Yes, quiet is king. Something I'll never skimp on. I'm going to ask a silly question, how large is the tank in gallons? I can't seem to find where you mentioned the total gallons.
The Eheim Pro 2 is a good filter, just remember to take out the cardboard and you'll have no issues.
Dead areas in the Aquarium are never good (having owned a SW tank you know this) as it lets gunk accumulate. You can check for dead spot simply by placing flaked food in the said area and watch it's movement. If it just floats to the substrate, yes, dead spot. If it moves sluggishly to the substrate, dead spot, if it wizzes away, good.
This will save you setting up a piece of equipment first without testing if it's needed.
One more thing, are you using Tap Water? If so, this is definitely fueling your problem. The water around this area is high in Phosphates.
I can't afford to buy any more plants, but there are a few fast growers in there that I will continue to propagate untill I have some more plant mass. My silly angel keeps eating the new growth which is not helping!
Angel eating the new growth is not surprising. Can you place the cuttings somewhere else to grow out a bit before replanting? This might help things out if you give some of the plants a chance to grow. The Hygrophila especially. Frogbit is a surprisingly good nutrient sink as well. Easier to remove as well, not like it's evil cousin Duckweed (definitely do not ever put this in your tank).
Lord knows how many nice Blyxa daughter plants I throw away on a weekly basis or be overrun. Sadly, your Angel would mow it down to nubs and eventually kill it. For some reason, Angels have a penchant for being not so plant friendly. But its such a nice fish, I'd hate to see you give it up. It's the focal point of the tank. Maybe another grow out area (can be jars if need be) for plant cuttings and do massive plantings to compensate for it's appetite.
The Angel will continue to nibble on plants, but if you have enough, the possible damage is negligible. Right now, your tank is literally in the middle, one way things go good, the other way, it's going south in a hurry.
I have never had a very specific visual plan for the scape of this tank. I simply add and move things in a way that feels balanced and natural to me as things grow in. However I love George Farmers style and would like to emulate many of his tanks. Hardscape is expensive. I have pieces of driftwood that I ordered on 'wish', lol and a rock I found in my garden. I absolutely love all of the sites you mentioned, and frequent them regularly. I find it helps me destress and I really enjoy reading people's journals and watching them on youtube. Green Aqua is one of my favourite channels. I'm going to check out the Green Machine channel that you mentioned.
As I've stated before, Picture #4 on the original post you did was my favorite. In my opinion, your tank was at it's best at that picture. It would be nice to see that return. With CO2 you can do so much more, but it's best to get it back in shape before messing around with layout, but it's ok to think about the future as well.
Each tank is an expression of the individual whom created it. I state this over and over again.
George Farmer, meh, I'm not really a fan of his work. I find it a bit contrived and he tries too hard to emulate others. He really has no sense of design other than what he's seen done before. I've never seen him venture outside of his comfort zone. Watch enough of his videos you'll see what I mean.
Hardscape can be, I used to check the Farmers fields in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in late spring. They always made piles at the side of the road. It was a help yourself scenario. I find AquaMania has good prices. I love Seiryu Stone so I always home in on this (which reminds me..)
Exotic and interesting pieces of wood, that's the difficult part. It can be expensive but when you do finally get it, it's inspiration time.
Green Aqua, I watch them as well, with volume down. Sometimes, I'd rather just watch and listen to my music then listen to what they are doing. They have wonderful tanks though. I plan to make a quick visit (thinking at least half a day) to the Green Machine this summer when I am in England. I'm going to encase my Credit Card in 4" Polymer to resist buying anything.
Watch the Amano SUMIDA Aquarium Series on Youtube. Unbelievable!
Thanks for all the support and tips! I look forward to chatting more at the meeting on Sunday! Find me, because I'm not sure who you are! ... Did you present the new website last month...was that you?
Not a problem. Helping is what it's all about. There is no point to knowledge if you cannot share it. Its nice to see the Society getting Green. Yes Les, I'm serving up a large piece of Crow Pie for myself, can I at least nuke it?
(for those you that don't know what I am talking about, I said something way back at first few Executive Meetings I attended about the state of Planted Tank hobbyists in the Area. How this area has always lacked and always will. Recent events are proving me wrong. Good)
Gary
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