Million's Planted Nano

[Million]

Interesting lil plattie experiment there! Nature vs. nurture in your very own habitat.

With the bulbs, i'll try burning them in more. I bought them new, so I don't think age would be causing it

 

[Themuleous]

Nice set up like the lighting. I have to say though that the optimat co2 system is quite honestly, crap. Ok its more hassle but a nutrafin kit is far superior. If you get the chance get one and ditch the optimat, you'll not regret it and the plants will thanks you.

Sam

 

[Million]

Nice set up like the lighting. I have to say though that the optimat co2 system is quite honestly, crap. Ok its more hassle but a nutrafin kit is far superior. If you get the chance get one and ditch the optimat, you'll not regret it and the plants will thanks you.

Sam

Thanks for the comment.
Why is it that you think the optimat system is so bad? I would be willing to change given good reason, but i'm quite new to the planted tank tech stuff, so don't know much about CO2 injection.

Also, I spoke to the lightbulb company and they are sending me replacements, so fingers crossed

 

[Themuleous]

The problem with it is that you have no control over how much co2 is added to the tank, you have to be there everyday to refill it (co2 stability is very important in preventing algae in tanks), its expensive compared to the nutrafin yeast co2, which is far superior. Its also ugly IMHO, but that's a personally thing.

All it all, I would never recommend any got one.

Sam

 

[Million]

The problem with it is that you have no control over how much co2 is added to the tank, you have to be there everyday to refill it (co2 stability is very important in preventing algae in tanks), its expensive compared to the nutrafin yeast co2, which is far superior. Its also ugly IMHO, but that's a personally thing.

All it all, I would never recommend any got one.

Sam

Hmm, ok. I'll see how I go with it, and I can always replace it if it gives me trouble.

My replacement lightbulbs arrived today, and fingers crossed they seem to be working - happy moss!

 

[Million]

Well, all three of the new bulbs flicker too not happy at all.

I'm going to try emailing the company one more time, and specifically ask if they will wrap the bulbs in bubble wrap and take the time to put a 'fragile' sticker on them (surprising they don't eh?), see if that works.

 

[aaronnorth]

are you sure it isnt the ballasts that is faulty??

 

[Million]

are you sure it isnt the ballasts that is faulty??

No, but there is evidence to suggest to me that it isn't.
1. the original bulbs work fine, just the new ones that flicker
2. the problem is in both lights, not just one

I don't know for sure, but just suspect that it is the bulbs

 

[Million]

I've ordered 10 anubias bateri var. nana from Thailand, off eBay, as my LFS don't have any and I want lots. 5 exams down, 4 to go, then i'm done for the summer... I can't bloody wait, this has been the most stressful week i've ever had to endure!

 

[aaronnorth]

How much did that cost if you dont mind me asking?

I have loads of exams left I have done 6 this week (1 tommorow - 2.5 hour media ) and these are just mock. Then my proper GCSE's - about another 10 in June.

 

[Million]

How much did that cost if you dont mind me asking?

I have loads of exams left I have done 6 this week (1 tommorow - 2.5 hour media ) and these are just mock. Then my proper GCSE's - about another 10 in June.

They were £17.49 posted, for 10 rhizomes with 6-7 leaves each.
Linky:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-Plants-Anub...Q2em118Q2el1247

I'm glad someone else feels my pain exam-wise - I'm doing my intermediate bachelor of medicine, equivalent of 9 A levels in a week!

 

[aaronnorth]

Wow, i'll have to get some of them, very cheap, let me know on the condition of them etc.

 

[Million]

OK, well in the process of cycling my nano, i've got BGA infection. It's beginning to blanket the java moss that I was so happy to get growing well, so i'm going to show it who's boss! The double edged blade, is that i've been neglecting my tank as i'm doing exams at the moment, but because i'm a medical student, i've been able to get hold of IV preparation erythromycin, which will kill BGA and preserve the majority of good bacteria.

This is the dosing regime I found on the web, which I will be using:

Day 1.
Add 2.5 mg/L erythromycin. If you have a protein skimmer, turn it off. I believe it will inactive a lot of the antibiotic through coprecipitation with protein. It will, however, be very usefull later.

Day 2.
Add 2.5 mg/L erythromycin.

Day 3.
Now you should see a lot of dead blue-green bacteria floating around in the tank. Increase filtration (a second mechanical filter if possible) to get rid of it. If you have a protein skimmer, turn it on. The critical thing now is to get rid of as much protein (dead bacteria) as possible to avoid a peak of ammonia.

Day 4.
Most blue-green bacteria should be dead by now. Try to clean out as much as possible of the dead stuff. I use a jet stream of water from the outlet of a canister filter to remove
it from plants and decorations. Combined with the second mechanical filter, this works fine for me. Let the filter work for a couple of hours then make a 50% water change. Add 2.5
mg/L erythromycin.

Day 5-7.
Wash the mechanical filter at least once a day. Keep check on ammonia and nitrite but do not change any water unless absolutely necessary. The extra filter can be removed as soon as the water clears up.

Day 8.
Make a 30% water change. Add 1 mg/L erythromycin.

From now on, resume your normal maintenance.

The concentration I use is in theory a bit high and getting up where it should starts having an effect also on G(-) bacteria. When I started using erythromycin I had problems using lower concentrations in the tank. It was not very effective. It might be time to check it again.

INFO FROM HERE: [URL="http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/cyanobacteria.html#5"]http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/cyanobacteria.html#5[/URL]

Now, to work out the dosing...

 

[Million]

Last exam tomorrow, then i'm free to play fishkeeper all I want!

 

[Million]

Exams are finished!

So, my anubias arrived from Thailand, and i'm very pleased with it. I spent 3 hours adding it to my tanks
Here's a pic of it in my nano:

The BGA is gone, but unfortunately the erythromycin dosing has set back my cycle
Oh well, can't win em all eh.

Here are some pics of my other tank (Rekord 120) after refurb: