Noobs Ltlb 10

[Steve H.]

Thanks Biulu! Yes you are right...not going to lie there is only about 5" of work space above the tank. Enough to get my hand in and out.

In order to fix this flaw I'm going to buy a drawer kit from Home Depot, and attach it to a platform shelf to sit the tank on. I only need it to pull out about 6-8" to do maintenance. Hopefully I can find something to hold the weight.

Then I can attach a lighting system directly to the stand under the top shelf.

Still a work in progress.

That sounds like a good idea! What about installing the same system that they use in cabinets that hold televisions? You know, you can also draw them forward out of the cabinet but only partially.

PERFECT!!! Great Suggestion!! Thank you!

 

[Steve H.]

Update:

I think I will soon be graduating to the pruning and grooming level of my planting education.
Getting jungley in there.

 

[minnnt]

Looks great!!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hi just read through your thread, tank is looking great! Well done!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about co2 myself, I'm kind of tempted by the DIY system

 

[Llegmore]

Another newcomer to your thread here. The tank's really developed. It looks brill

 

[Steve H.]

Looks great!!

Thanks Minnt! She is really starting to develop. After only 2 weeks my ceramic diffuser clogged, and I have temporarily replaced it with an airstone for now.
You had mentioned you run the air hose into your filter. Do you think you are getting a good CO2 ratio into your water column?

Hi just read through your thread, tank is looking great! Well done!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about co2 myself, I'm kind of tempted by the DIY system

Thank you SO much!
I started the DIY co2 in hopes to get away from Excel as the only form of algae control. I still have a bit of GSA, but I'll take the rapid growth rate I am getting.
Funny...I started this wanting to do a low tech Walstad tank, but here I am EI dosing and using CO2.

I saw your python, and if you can build that a DIY CO2 is even easier. Super Cooley has a really good thread in the resource center where he applies a 2 or 3 bottle yeast system. He makes great points about using a DIY system, and how to maintain a steady supply of CO2. I just got my gang connections, and will be expanding my little contraption after the current yeast cycle has ended.

Another newcomer to your thread here. The tank's really developed. It looks brill

Thank you Llegmore! Pretty soon we will see if I can prune this thing without butchering it!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Thanks! I'll try and look that up! I would have been happy with liquid carbon but Flourish Excel caused a major melt of my giant vallis (I was warned it would happen

) so I've ordered some EasyCarbo as some have had success using it with vallis in the tank, if that fails I'm going to have to look at the DIY co2 because I've got no cash for a proper one! lol and also, I want to spend my money on things like fish and plants and stuff!

 

[Steve H.]

Just over 4 months....time for a trim

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Woah! Haha yep I think so

 

[Steve H.]

Ya.....so even with my $18 Fluval scissors I found out I'm not so good at pruning.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Maybe the pruning is harder then the growing. Post pics please Everyone learns on this forum.

 

[Steve H.]

It is a much needed thin out, and I did have a plan in mind for each plant.
First pruning:

I thinned out the Wisteria, but left some of the height. Once it roots I'll be able to do some of my "chop stick" grooming to get it into shape.
I also thinned the crypt spiralis quite a bit. For some reason this was the only plant in the tank with signs of GSA My hopes here is that it will grow thicker, and encourage more runners.

I kind of butchered the crypt back to about the size it was when I first got it. I'm also looking to see if I can get this a little more compact due to the small tank size.

I only took out the old growth from the bottom here...hope the leaves on this eventually lay down again as the center grows.

The bright spot...HC is finally running!!! It's been hanging in there for awhile, but now its anchored and spreading quickly!!
Also, really liking how the flame moss is developing.

 

[Llegmore]

Looking good. Awesome for a first trim.

 

[Steve H.]

Another DIY moment for the Noobs...

With the yeast co2 system going I figured it would probably be a good idea to get somewhat of a baseline reading of where it's at before I expand it to a 3 bottle system.

I made this using a medicine spoon that I found in my kids bathroom, and a blow torch. Made the 4dKH solution using distilled water and baking soda. Krazy glued a suction cup I had, and in literally 10 minutes I had a drop checker!

Although, its not going to win any beauty contests...

Hope it works!

 

[Steve H.]

Looking good. Awesome for a first trim.

Thank you! Hope I didn't kill anything.