Noobs Ltlb 10

[Steve H.]

Drop checker is not working due to the fact I got the wrong info on making the 4dKH solution.

http/www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=178491

This recipe I actually tested, and is the real deal. We'll see what the morning brings.

I added a 2nd bottle to the Co2 system today. It only brought my bubble count from 1 every 3 seconds to 1 every 2 seconds.
I am super curious as to how much I am getting into the water column.

 

[Steve H.]

This looks a little too close to yellow to me. I will wait an extra day next bottle change.

First I have to determine duration.

Can anyone tell me how long the solution can stay in the drop checker?
I mean will it go back and forth between colors depending on the co2 levels?
or, do I have to start fresh for each reading/test?

 

[Steve H.]

Rebounding nicely after my hatchet job

I think I may have the DIY co2 dialed in, and developed a schedule for adding fresh bottles in order to keep co2 at optimum levels. I think I may start backing off the Excel.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I leave the solution in mine from water change to water change. About a week then. I forgot last time though so it's been in 2 weeks.

*drop checker*

 

[Steve H.]

5th month!

Things are just about on auto pilot. There had not been much need to fiddle with anything. Algae is 98% non-existent, and every plant in the tank has been healthy and strong.
I even may have figured out my enemy...dwarf sag. I started dosing Flourish Iron on the day I dose my trace, and the sag is responding positively. Not completely full yet, but I'm not seeing any melt which I usually do when it gets to this size it is now.

A happy tank right now.

 

[Steve H.]

Update:

Still a happy tank at the moment. Just over 2 weeks since my last update, and all is going as smooth as then.

I really like the "path" effect that is developing, and it looks like it is disappearing into the dark woods. I wish I could say I planned this, but its actually just a happy accident. But, now that I see it developing I am going to try to make it stand out a bit more.

 

[Steve H.]

 

[crismeza]

i really loved your journal, the way your "noob" tank changed its nice

i think your plants need a trimming imo, i'm a noob for planted tanks too, so.. XD

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks!
Lol trimming is not my strong suit...obviously.

The first picture is what the tank looked like after returning from a 3 week vacation,
The following 2 pictures are what it looks like now after what I thought was a major trimming.

Hahahaha...I need to develop pruning skills.

However, I did purposely leave the Flame Moss and Xmas Moss bushy and full in the hopes that I can get my CPD's to breed.

 

[Steve H.]

Decided it was time to start changing this tank up. I felt the H. difformus, although a strong and fast grower, was just to big for this tank. I felt I had it positioned well, but left the scape feeling crowded. So, today I pulled it all.

I repositioned the flame moss from front to back.

I think I like we're this might be going

 

[Steve H.]

Pictures are ok...but videos are fun!
Gives it a little more depth.
Just a little snippet of this tank after the messing around.


http/i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh523/stever42/CE6BB55F-897D-4AE0-A583-47677FC8DB88-996-0000018ADB3E69B6.mp4