1st time Rockscape+HC

[felix_fx2]

Tank 3L x 1.5w x 1.5H
Lighting: Aquazonic T5HO 39w x4. (i changed after DSM failed as their old tubes, thanks shadow for that good wakeup)
Substrate: Ada2 9Litre x 3
Rock type: i have no clue, so guys can advice since rockscape is new to me
Filtration: Canister CF-1200
Filtration Media: Many cheap CR, some Mr Aqua from previous setup.
Flora, HC, stragone sp (will add along the way just at this point of posting 3 stalks)
Fauna: Red platy juvenile, Cherry shrimp, 1 Malayan Shrimp

Initial Purchase (March 2011)
Note: UGF is used in case i break my tank and cheat height by 1cm


Adding the substrate


Add rocks


Didn't finish till what i liked and decided to plant what i have and use what i have.


At this point, 90% HC died as i left them outside the house.
Planted the measly bit and spray some water over the substrate, this was my 1st mistake thinking their like glosso.

[diazman]

wah bro, solid, im camping here for pictures. haha

[felix_fx2]

After some 1 month decide to buy more HC.
Rooted them lightly (yes lightly), and my light this point are very old lights over 1 year old. my 2nd and most silly mistake.




This is what happen after 1 month.


<----- this is what i was thinking everyday for few months to come.
I simply just open up the dsm and water plant everyday.

[felix_fx2]

wah bro, solid, im camping here for pictures. haha

still early to say that, never add Co2 to enrich water. It's like slow as hell now.
imagine my "sian-ness" comparing everyday to outside tanks LOL

[Shadow]

you are using two different rocks. should use the same rocks and I think the rocks is to small.

[felix_fx2]

Between May-Aug, i left tank 80% that way.
Bought HC and Dry planted in pots (yes i am meow meow save money farmer lol)
I know it is kind of OT, but here it goes.


My endless HC supply in Daiso pots



My "Plantation" HC_pot1, Glosso, Bacropa, HC_pot2 (in order left to right.


Following months is all adding and trying to get them to Dry start without covering the tank (yes i admit not very good, 1st time must try and burn to learn)

Picture almost giving up DSM and adding the Glosso. (can see the pot farmer felix harvested?)
(i have not belive my T5 needed to change at this point)

[felix_fx2]

you are using two different rocks. should use the same rocks and I think the rocks is to small.

i cannot find any i like same type at 1 LFS.
Anyway, 1st try i never intend to achieve anything with the amount of rocks i have.

next time go LFS must have some rock staring. going to buy Ikea salma box to fill up slowly.

[felix_fx2]

After my all my deliberation, and sound acvice from shadow.
I bought 2 tubes followed by 2 more 1 month later (at this point it is already November)

i didn't take any clear FTS so no pics.
the following will be when i can no longer wait and decided to flood slowlly using pressure spray bottle. Very very slow flooding cause still deciding Co2 or not.
(how to keep waiting when my outdoor tank i changed already few times by now. i given myself to learn HC using 1 year... time is almost up)

got see any cloud ?

More flooding the day after (Added frogbits and sponge filter cause my finger itchy)


more flooding the next 3 days down (2 pictures), can see the initial cloud at this point.

[felix_fx2]

Finally decided to go Non enriched tank till january and see how it goes.
Went C328 and buy some new large CR and arrange.

2 week after Cycling start with red platy, my ramhorn army, 1 horn snail & 1 very good yamato shrimp which help me uproot so many HC. ( i read an advice from shadow to someone else not to add shrimp. alas i learn this mistake the cruel way again )




Moving my outflow to the rear last week
Have added in a pack of 50 cherries from C328 also, and yes cherries also uproot HC.
Moved another horned snail in and started to swap the older red platy with new borns from outside.



Anyone would have noticed, HC is "GOD DAMM SLOW" without Co2 enriched waters.



I will not start HC DSM w/o propper change in all my stuff... very much regret.
wasted alot of time.
The only 2 reasons to start flood is due to some HC already taking root (around 20-30% and i got a farm outside plus i will restart the tank around march-april (very likely Co2 and submerged growth the next try) 12Months spend 3 months taking dreadful mistakes again and again.

BTW, the cool December is making the water very nice. High@28 [email protected] [email protected] (or maybe the newly bought digital thermometer spoilt? those glass ones stays at 27 when digital showing 26.5)

[diazman]

the glass thermometer have slower responsive rate compared to the digital one bro. i got a tiny one in my tank brought from daiso keep showing 30C

[felix_fx2]

the glass thermometer have slower responsive rate compared to the digital one bro. i got a tiny one in my tank brought from daiso keep showing 30C

Just now my when i water my plants with the outside tank water... the digital was 25C while glass was 27C... abit cannot digest. and their not fan cooled worse thing

[diazman]

Just now my when i water my plants with the outside tank water... the digital was 25C while glass was 27C... abit cannot digest. and their not fan cooled worse thing

the glass mercury have slow reaction time against temperature. i always stayed away from it lol

[felix_fx2]

the glass mercury have slow reaction time against temperature. i always stayed away from it lol

It is so cheap. Most of my large tanks have

[dkk08]

Wow Felix what substrate are you using for the dry start?

[felix_fx2]

Wow Felix what substrate are you using for the dry start?

Hi DES, ada2 Amazonia lo.
1st try this, not very favorable result as the old tubes err more then 1 year old.

[jamesneo]

[QUOTE=felix_fx2;632037]Between May-Aug, i left tank 80% that way.
Bought HC and Dry planted in pots (yes i am meow meow save money farmer lol)
I know it is kind of OT, but here it goes.


My endless HC supply in Daiso pots



My "Plantation" HC_pot1, Glosso, Bacropa, HC_pot2 (in order left to right.



Very interesting. What soil did you use in the Daiso pots ? Can see that the glosso is growing very well.
Does the soil need to be water everyday? If not how do you keep it moist?

[Thirteen]

your glossa farm is magnificent, im so tempted to start one!

[limz_777]

a good start, will you be adding bigger rocks for more impact?

[edw7636]

So tempted to start one but rocks hunting really takes times and usually expensive

[felix_fx2]

[QUOTE=jamesneo;632103]

Between May-Aug, i left tank 80% that way.
Bought HC and Dry planted in pots (yes i am meow meow save money farmer lol)
I know it is kind of OT, but here it goes.


My endless HC supply in Daiso pots



My "Plantation" HC_pot1, Glosso, Bacropa, HC_pot2 (in order left to right.



Very interesting. What soil did you use in the Daiso pots ? Can see that the glosso is growing very well.
Does the soil need to be water everyday? If not how do you keep it moist?

I use Normal potting soil. Every morning and evening I will water using outside tank water.

Glosso can do very well, far better then hc can.