Arc 35L - Work In Progress

[davemings]

Tank - Arcadia Arc 35 Litre
 
Substrate - Florabase
 
Lighting - Steves Special LED's (5 hours per day)
 
Ferts / Dosing - Dry salts and homemade Liquid carbon - switching to Co2
 
Filtration - Fluval 2 Plus (switching to canister)
 
Initial Plants - Heteranthera Zosterifolia, Alternanthera Rosaefolia Mini, Round Pellia, Willow Moss, Xmas Moss
 
Tankmates - 6 Ember Tetra, 15 Cherry Shrimp, 2 Ottos
 
This was supposed to be a quick project. Due to other things I haven't had the time I wanted to put into this up until now, but hoping to get going in th enext week.
 
Apologees for photo quality. Initial hardscape:
 

 
 
Initial Plants In
 

 
Riccia Pads added for later planting
 

 
 
Growth has been fairly slow. Due to the shrimps I'm using a minimal liquid carbon but I should get around to setting up my CO2 this week. The moss and Riccia are just place holders at the moment, they will be shuffled around once the CO2 is in and the internal filter has gone.
 
Updates and tales of woe to follow

 

[techen]

I quite like this

 

[greenmumma141]

I like this a lot too. The placement of the wood is very natural looking which is always really hard for me to do. nicely done

 

[davemings]

Thanks for the comments.
 
CO2 connected up this morning with glass diffuser. I also have a small Aquagro CO2 reactor that I was thinking of trying when my external filter arrives next week. Not used a reactor before - any opinions would be grateful.
 
Stem plants are growing well and need a trim, the riccia has also grown quite a bit. Noticed lots of baby shrimp this week - so hopefully everyones happy.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Reactors are great but they do slow the filter flow, the UP inlines are much better.

 

[RossC]

Very nice I like it

 

[davemings]

Reactors are great but they do slow the filter flow, the UP inlines are much better.

 
I get what your saying Steve but I might experiment to see what kind of flow drop I get. Do you think they do a better job of dislving the CO2 compared to th UP inlines?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

UP ones are like 100% mate. My new 16/22mm  UP inline just gives a mist in the tank, can't tell its working lol.

 

[davemings]

UP ones are like 100% mate. My new 16/22mm  UP inline just gives a mist in the tank, can't tell its working lol.

I use them on two other tanks and they do do a great job. Is yours the new design with 2 ceramic tubes or the old style?
 
Think I'll decide when the filter shows up.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Mines the single one, works perfect so never saw point in getting something if what I got works.

 

[davemings]

Mines the single one, works perfect so never saw point in getting something if what I got works.

 I've got the older ones too. I've heard mixed reviews on the newer style so want to avoid them.

 

[davemings]

.........................I was thinking of trying when my external filter arrives next week.

 
Well RM have put paid to this. The outlet connector was broken off the filter on arrival

 
So I'm left in limbo. The claims process will take ages, so I might have to pay for the repairs and hope the compensation covers it

 

[davemings]

 
Quick update. External filter and Co2 running. Riccia has grown enough to be a bit more creative with it.
 
The one negative is the worst surface scum I've ever seen on a tank - you can see it around the filter return pipe.

 

[davemings]

I finally gave the reactor a go and fitted it last weekend. Previously this had had leaked but TMC kindly sent me a new seal. Two things of note this week, firstly the growth rate has increased and the tank needs a trim, secondly the surface scum has gone

 

 
The Riccia will be moved onto some small stones next week

 

[blackops]

love it