Cooper2085's New Tank Journal

[Cooper2085]

Hit another barrier. The Arcadia plastic screws just don't do the job in this wooden hood. I'm going to try and get some tiny stainless steel self tapping screws which should do the job.

 

[Cooper2085]

Hopefully these show how black the water is!

 

[KkAaNnEe]

LOL! whats the ph in comparison??

 

[Cooper2085]

PH is between 6.5 and 7.5 while tap water is between 7 and 7.5.

I'm surprised actually!

 

[KkAaNnEe]

PH is between 6.5 and 7.5 while tap water is between 7 and 7.5.

I'm surprised actually!

Wow, I thought it would come out with more difference than that. Just goes to show that it probably has a smaller effect than we think.

 

[Cooper2085]

Yeah it really was a surprise! I'm wondering now if it is just dirt turning the water hopefully some more water changes will clear it up

I found a great and fast way to empty the tank though, I hook up a 15 meter piece of tubing to the outlet of my external filter and run it into the bath. Turn it on and voila! Emptys very quick

 

[jamesmacc]

Yeah it really was a surprise! I'm wondering now if it is just dirt turning the water hopefully some more water changes will clear it up

I found a great and fast way to empty the tank though, I hook up a 15 meter piece of tubing to the outlet of my external filter and run it into the bath. Turn it on and voila! Emptys very quick

i was thinking about the other day, i bet its alot faster than a normal hose siphon

 

[Cooper2085]

It really does work a treat. Il take a few pics during the next 50% change tomorrow.

I'm going to try and find a way to weigh down the heaters so I feel more secure about them not popping out of their holders. They are only attached by 1 or 2 suction cups because the gap they are down is very tight and I struggle to get my hands down it!

The water is now clearing up, I'm hoping by Sunday I can add the Co2 kit and the lights will all be hooked up!

 

[minnnt]

Holey moley! That is proper black

Glad it's clearing.

 

[Tizer]

#93###, thats darker than my coffee.

 

[Cooper2085]

Lights are now on! Seems a little dark in the corners, may try and rectify that. Using 4 x 14k marine white arcadia lamps. Getting a seperate light controller for a blue bulb.

 

[OBIE1]

Looking good, have you considered using led for blue light?

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/372221-led-recommendations/

 

[Cooper2085]

I did consider it, however I could only find 12" readily available and they were £20 a pop. Iv now been and bought a 3rd Arcadia double light unit, and the blue light is in now which is nice.

Iv actually been working alot on this over the last few days, il upload a few pics later but all being well I should be able to add the fish in the next few days.

 

[OBIE1]

Cool look forward to the next pics

 

[Cooper2085]

So finally pulled my finger out!

Full tank shot;

Close up of plants;

Blue light;

It may not look like alot has changed but its took some real effort to get up and running.

The Fx5 outlet is in the same position pushing water from left to right with a slight upwards direction causing plenty of surface movement. The other filter outlet is now on the middle bracer bar aiming from left to right with a slight down direction so as to not create a fast flowing river! There is now a Co2 diffuser in the bottom left of the tank which is circulated around the tank using a 3000l p/h power head. The water is much clearer now but will still require regular changing.

I managed to plant the tank using a pair of Dernelle tweezers which are about 18" in length, i was dreading it but the tweezers were great and planting was easy. Iv started with just 3 plants to get a feel for the whole scape, i have a stem plant a grass and a carpet. Im not adding any fish just yet as i want to get a feel for the look of the tank and plants and see what i want to do.

The thing that has shocked me now is that the tank seems so much smaller than it did empty! I wonder how much volume there actually is of water in the tank and how many fish it will really hold......