Sophos9 - Planted Tank Journal

[JamieH]

keep it up.... it's looking GREAT

 

[sophos9]

keep it up.... it's looking GREAT

Hi... Thanks!

As promised, some more pix



Added this fella from my other tank (trimmed it as it had a small amount of algae) - Not sure what it is but its roots are massive and it grows well fast in bad light and no CO2. Also added a valis from the other tank.



Here is a side view of the tank, no great shakes...

The bow front Vision is difficult to get pictures of

 

[sophos9]

After lots of playing around, the CO2 diffuser is releasing directly into the filter inlet stream. Looking at the spray bar, there is no evidence of anything coming out in bubble form - must be mixing with the water!!

 

[cleekdaFish]

nice job , my tank is crap

 

[sophos9]

nice job , my tank is crap

Dude, sure its not that bad....

Anyway, one more front photo, this will be used to compare plant growth

 

[SuperColey1]

Nice tanl Sophos. You gonna plant a bit more, seems a bit sparse so far, and they do say fill it up with fast growers first, thats what I did anyway. I am in the process now of swopping the fast weeds for fast plants.

Also The gap in your background, Are you planning a plant to block the view to it? I can suggest a fiew giant Hygros. I got them in my cheapo collectiona dn they will grow until the hit the top, then cut the stem where it reaches the surface and it starts off filling out. Really fast grower.

I enjoyed reading through your journal as well. keep the good work up. Looking forward to seeing it with a few more plants in.

Andy

 

[sophos9]

Hey mate, am looking at fast growers as you posted! Yep, I'm going to get something to hide it and look to plant at least 50% of the substrate THEN upgrade the lighting!

Cheers for the vote! Will post up as things change....

 

[SuperColey1]

Hey mate, am looking at fast growers as you posted! Yep, I'm going to get something to hide it and look to plant at least 50% of the substrate THEN upgrade the lighting!
Cheers for the vote! Will post up as things change....

I only started my planted 1 month ago, but followed advice from others including George about planting 75% of the substrate with a lot of fast growers to avoid algae issues. Seems to have worked a treat.

 

[cleekdaFish]

dont need 75% fast grower..just cover ur tank like 75%-80% , well wat do I know , my tank is still crap...

 

[sophos9]

So I done the 24hr PH test

Sample left out for 24hours - PH 7.8
Sample out of tank - PH 7

So I guess I'm getting close to 30ppm?

 

[Dave Spencer]

So I done the 24hr PH test

Sample left out for 24hours - PH 7.8
Sample out of tank - PH 7

So I guess I'm getting close to 30ppm?

That is quite a good result, at least you know you are not far off.

Any bogwood you have in the tank will make a difference to the reading, bringing your pH down a little. Just adjust your BPS up slightly and you will be just about there.

 

[sophos9]

Roger that!

Lights and CO2 are off now so will adjust it up a touch tomorrow.... Hope I remember what way to turn it

 

[sophos9]

Got home today and found a present.... An external heater and some Seachem Flourish!



Have attached it now so no more thermostat in the tank, lovely

 

[sophos9]

Checked PH again today using the 24hr PH check and got a 0.8 difference again. I've notched up the CO2 very slightly and will stop playing now....

 

[sophos9]

Now I've been monitoring ammonia and nitrites, initially when kick started the cycle I saw a 0.25 ammonia spike and there has been nothing since.

I've used about 50% water from my other tank, anyone any ideas on when I can move a couple of BN plecs in?