Squirrel's 72 Gallon Planted Tank

[lljdma06]

Wow! That was detailed. Do you have a done tank shot? You must be tired.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Ok, here are a few shots (below.) The water is still a little hazy but getting clearer every day.

Llj – I know you recommended against getting the Rotala and the Zosterifolia at the start – but gosh, they were so inexpensive, I couldn’t resist. The Rotala was only $1.59 and the Zosterifolia was only $1.99! But I did get lots of anacharis and it’s already grown two inches in one week.

The Zosterifolia (stargrass) suffered the most from being shipped in sub-freezing temperatures – but it’s recovering nicely and is already starting to get bushy. It’s also grown quite a few water roots.

The Rotala Wallichii is doing nicely, too. It has developed some lovely bright pink tips. I love the Diandra - very cool plant.

I look forward to the plants growing taller. Everything looks so short right now.

Without dosing any ferts, the water tests at 10ppm for nitrate and .50ppm for phosphate. I upped the bubble count on the CO2 to 1 bubble per second and the pH is still 6.4. I may try going a little higher. I’m wondering if I should have two diffusers due to the size of the tank. Maybe it would disperse more evenly throughout the tank?

I still have "arranging" to do. I'd like the plants to settle in for a bit before I start moving things around. I also need to be thinking what to put in place of the anacharis down the road. I like how it's dark green and would like something with a similar color.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Just a quick update --

Anacharis is definitely a fast growing plant - I've already trimmed 5-6 inches off as it's reached the top of the tank. At some point, I'll need to replace it. But it actually adds a nice spot of dark green right now and helps to keep the algae at bay.

I had to trim the tops off of the stargrass, too, and replant them. This is the only plant that had a bit of trouble with shipping. I think it got too cold. But, it's recovering nicely.

I took out most of the hair grass and left a few random strands. The Rotala is doing really well. The pink is amazing!

Last but not least - I ordered an ADA pollen glass beetle! I don't think the ladder disperses the CO2 very well in a tank this size . Speaking of CO2, how long does a 5 pound tank of CO2 usually last? I've been running it at approx. 1 bubble per second and it's been 11 months on the same tank.

That's it for now -- I'll post more pics this weekend -- sondra

 

[Themuleous]

What!?!?! an ADA beetle! I want one, I want one! No fair! Just don't drop it!

A 5lb cylinder could last ages, my 500g lasted 3 months at 1bps, guess its a case of wait and see!

Sam

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

No dropping it, is right! I think I would probably cry. I was concerned that my CO2 tank would be running out soon so I picked up another to have ready. Well, I totally spaced and picked up a 10 lb cylinder instead of 5 - so I guess I 'll have enough CO2 until the cows come home.

This morning (Saturday) I upgraded the filtration. I was running an Eheim 2026 and an Eheim 2213. I replaced the 2213 with another 2026. I have great circulation all throughout the tank now.

Here's one pic only as the battery just died. I'll try for a full tank shot once the battery recharges.

This is two weeks after the rescaping.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Ok, here they are:

Upgraded filtration

Full tank - or as close to full tank as I can get.

Sideview -- sorry about the "ghosts".

Right side of tank. I thinned the Diandra today and moved some near the back.

Nymphaea stellata

The Hemianthus micranthemoides is behaving more like a ground cover - which is ok but not what I had originally planned. Also, I wish the rotala and the lily were not right next to each other. I need to work some "green" in between them. Thanks for looking -- any comments or suggestions are welcome!

 

[cheesy feet]

Nice tank.You have the most expensive set up i have ever seen!!¬ (with filters co2 etc)

 

[Themuleous]

Whats the algae like in the tank? Like the double filters, Ill have two if not three when I get my new tank later this year.

Sam

 

[shell4375]

Great Tank
Love the plants especially ground cover at the front.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Whats the algae like in the tank? Like the double filters, Ill have two if not three when I get my new tank later this year.

Sam

So far, algae is limited to what grows on the glass. Plus the old parts of the Marsilea -- the original four-leafed lobes -- have a little as they stopped growing and sent out new single lobed plantlets. I've just been cutting the old leaves off. I have 6 otos and a BN plec who have been doing a great job of tending to the plants!

Yes, more filters the better!! I have a big fish load which is why I went with the double filters. I realize from an aesthetic (spelling?) perspective, I probably have too many fish for a planted tank -- but I love my fish and I can't bear to give them up just to make the tank look more pleasing...

What I've also noticed with a bigger fish load is that the nitrate stays pretty constant at 10ppm -- especially since I don't have java ferns anymore. Seems I've read they are nitrate-hogs (jimboo, maybe mentioned this?) I haven't figured out the fertilization regimine yet. Red plants need more iron, right? At this point, the nitrate and phosphate tests have been coming in consistantly at 10ppm and .50ppm respectively. Should these levels be higher?

And -- thank you shell 4375 and cheesy feet! (Cheesy feet -- hope you are out getting your new tank right now!)

--sondra

 

[Themuleous]

All sounds good re the NO3 and PO4 levels, i tend to keep mine at 2ppm PO4 and 20ppm NO3, for high light tanks its best to have more than less really as although the water contains free NO3 and PO4 during high light conditions the higher concentrates help them take it up easier, well that's what I understand anyway. But the Japanese aquascapers tend to run a leaner water column, but they all use ADA aquasoil for the substrate which is full of nutrients.

Yes red plants need more iron, rust is red right? What is rust -> iron oxide, plants are red cos of the colour of the iron in them

I'm with you on the fish front I like have lots, sod it if it makes the tank look less in keeping with the 'planted' ethos. Gonna be a massive shoal in my new 100g when I get it hopefully later this year.

Sam

 

[SuperColey1]

I'm with you there as well.

1.5 x the recommende inch per gallon, but I think they look great with the plants.

Can't imagine being as intersted in an empty tank with just plants.

(Don't you think its great hey. The fish cost a few pounds, going planted costs hundreds, or at least so far it has for me. but you'd always sacrifice the plants to save the fish)

p.s. Tank is looking great, but beware the Myacca. I though it looked great for its first month, then it just started getting weaker and weaker until I pulled it out. might've ben my low light even though it was directly under the brightest spot. Cool looking plant though

Andy

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

(Don't you think its great hey. The fish cost a few pounds, going planted costs hundreds, or at least so far it has for me. but you'd always sacrifice the plants to save the fish)

Andy

So true! And the fish are a lot easier to care for, too!

Thanks for the heads up on the Mayaca --- I've not ever seen or had it until now. It caught my eye because it was green and had the furry texture I was looking for. If by chance it ends up crap -- hmmm...what else could I use in its place? Myriophyllum?

-sondra

 

[SuperColey1]

mine was under 1.25WPG and also had 4 plecs rummaging around the base, although it was the danios favoutite place to be, they danced in and out of each stem.

I dont know wether it was the low light or the continual movement that made them go bad but I yanked them out anyway. was sick of getting a floppy bit of plant mixed in with the Riccia floating.

Might try it again whent my new bulb arives.

Andy

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

The pollen beetle arrived today! The people at ADG are great to deal with -- honest and very helpful.

I have it situated in the left rear corner. Seems like a good spot -- as I can see the bubbles being dispersed all throughout the tank.

Now I need to get the fert. schedule nailed down. Plants are all doing very well except the zosterifolia. I don't think it ever recovered from the very cold day it was shipped. I did manage to save a few stems though. The egeria grows about two inches every day so I'm having to trim it 2-3 times a week. I also thinned out the rotala wallichii as there was too much red (pink) in the scape.

Will post updated pics later this week.