Just Before I Make A Potentially Expensive Mess

[Phoenixfish]

Hello folks,

I would like to restart my 125 lt/34 US gal freshwater tank because due to other commitments my tank has gone from barely noticeable pest snail and algae levels to fully blown explosion in the space of a few months.
I plan to basically remove the gravel and décor scrub the tank down and replace it with new untainted substrate and wood.
Now I was looking into purchasing some ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia (type 1), I was thinking around 12-15lts should hopefully cover a 3ft tank ( 81 x 36 x 50 cm/31.9 x 14.2 x 19.7") and at £12.99 per 3lt pack from Aquaessentals I don’t think its too unreasonable but i maybe considerbly out.
Does 4-5 bags sound about right?

I suppose my main concern is I’ve managed to get quite bad algae with just plain gravel thus adding nutrient rich substrate is ringing one or two alarm bells (I meant to source some ottos, adds to list of to do) .

Also this tank wont be that high Tec with no Fert dosing and no CO2 (possible diy fermentation and liquid ferts at a later date like I used to) and 2.1 watts per gallon.
I suppose you could say im banking on the ADA aqua soil to support the plants at least for the few months.

A second question is sourcing some interesting wood type’s im not after bogwood or manopi wood,
Im interested in things like redmoor, ADA’s driftwood that they don’t seem to sell at least not any more. Also mangrove roots might be quite good as well. You get the idea. Anybody have any idea where I can source some in the UK?
similar to this (example of ADA driftwood and Redmoor from aquaessentials)


Worth giving ago? Or complete waste of time and disaster waiting to happen?
What ever the outcome im going to replace the stuff anyway because im sick of seeing the snails (and yes ive tried every chemical, biological clown loachs, plecs etc or manual techniques I could think of but ive now got 1000’s im seriously)


Regards
Phoenixfish

Edit: for estimated amounts and extra details
second Edit: after reading in more depth about the different types im alittle worred also with the intial NH3/4 spike often seen with Amazonia and was wondering becasue im already going to add this to an aready existing tank, would periodic multiple water changed help curb this pottential issue if i were to go down this root? the filter is an Ehiem extrnal 2215 at 620l/h which is rated for larger tanks so hopefully be able to cope with the etxra but i was also thinking of getting a second one but thats by the by

 

[lisa_perry75]

If you are having that many problems with the tank atm maybe a strip down in a good idea. Get a big container and put in the fish, add the heater and filter to this. Empty the tank and give it a good clean perhaps, throw away the current substrate. You can even put it in the bath and use the shower to thoroughly clean it. Some points you made (numbers not relavent to your numbering system)

1) 2.1 wpg is high-tech and over the threshold meaning you will need to add pressurised CO2.
2) Ada AS is good stuff but theres 9L bag, you probably need 2 of these
3) Get the extra 2215 10x tank turnover recommended
4) Aquaessentials sell redwood, some Maidenhead Aquatics do and some other LFS's do.

High levels of nutrients does not cause algae. Ammonia can lead to algae, which can be prevented with water changes every few days for a few weeks after adding the aqua soil. This may seem excessive and boring but aqua soil is damn good substrate. The aim is to highly plant the tank from the off >70% of the substrate planted, which will deter the plants.

If you lower the light then you won't need to add pressurised CO2 but you could use 2 x yeast based systems and/or flourish excel. For ferts you can use Tropica plant nutrition+ which contains all the micro and macro elements you need. You will need to dose though. You can't live without eating and plants can't live without food. Algae will thrive in this case.

Lisa

 

[aaronnorth]

In a well established tank, keep an eye out on your fish but your filter should help keep the ammonia down, definitley get the 2 x 9l bags, it works out loads cheaper, it will be worth the wait until they get it in stock, if you email them asking them to send you an email of when new stock arrives, they should be able to notify you.

 

[Phoenixfish]

Thank you lisa for the reply,
well i could cut down the light relativly easily that was just that maximum light the tank could take i have 2 24watt ballasts and could mix and match different bulbs to suit (with in reason and Kelvin colour).
yes i noticed the 9lt bags after the 3rd or 4rth edit but unfortunatly are out of stock so ill contact aquaessentials to see when they next get any in stock.

Yes its funny how once you go into marine set ups (ive a small reef set up as well) you notice how little turn over your fresh water tank has so i think ill purchase a second exsternal im currently checking ebay for filters.

i do actually have a few bottles of florish Excel and the other bottle in the range from when i used to dose,

well i was thinking of getting hold of a large amount of stem plants to toss in there to begin with to try and out compete the plants. saying this i could purchase my plants and keep them in a seperate container and mass plant the tank with "choice" plants to begin with.

Edit: oops aaronnorth slipped a reply in whilst i was typing, thanks again for the reply, and ive just emailed Aquaessentials regarding the delivery date of a couple of 9lt bags.

regards
Phoenixfish

Second Edit: just placed an order in for a second Eheim 2215, £57 (payed £110 for my first one 18 months ago *rolleyes* including double taps (AKA SUPER EXSPENCIVE LIFE SAVERS) media and delivery which should be here by next Thursday at the latest

 

[lisa_perry75]

If you've got a 4 x 24 w light unit, why don't you got high-tech? Its going to cost around £80 for a Fire extinguisher, minor money for dry ferts. Depends if you're up for the maintenence???

 

[Phoenixfish]

If you've got a 4 x 24 w light unit, why don't you got high-tech? Its going to cost around £80 for a Fire extinguisher, minor money for dry ferts. Depends if you're up for the maintenence???

Unfortunately I'm still living at my mums house (I'm 18 dint worry) and shes not soo hot on Pressurized CO2 so that kinda blows that out of the water,
i did have DIY 3 2lt fermentation kits but it was a bit of a pain refilling ht me every few days.but i mayset that up something bigger dependent on how i feel alittle later on. i dont have much time at the moment so I'm keeping things low maintenance for the next couple of moths because of Exams, but I'm sick of snails everywhere and if I'm going to replace the lot i though i might as well do it properly this time round.

Edit:Aqua essentials got back to me today saying that they will have more 9lt bags in mid april whihc absolutly sucks i may do soem maths and see how much id have to pay extra if i were to buy 1 9lt and 3 3lt bags and if its worth the extra cost, i want to get it done this easter ideally

Also my additional Eheim 2215 will be here tuesday at the earliest constidering its bank holidays etc.

is it possible to order direct from ADA Euro? i checked their site, see prices but see no way of actually paying for it, also i wonder how much shipping would cost

 

[Cerbios]

A lot of articles ive read suggest a layer of plaint soil between two layers of sand or pea gravel might be a cheeper option then covering whole tank with expensive growing soil.

 

[SexyFishKeeper]

I'm at a similar place to what you are/was.

I'm looking to get the full ADA substrate system including the Powersand Special along with the ADA Aquasoil Malaya but will be adding a pressurised CO2 system.

I should just bite the bullet and do it, but I want to be 100% sure that the ADA system will be the best option. Specially when I have a current pH in the tank of 6.0 and it's going to be about £300 (aka 120 beer tokens!)

The worst thing is going to be selecting the plants from the Tropica catelogue, there's so many to choose from!