From High Tech to Low tech

[AquaObsession]

Hi all,

Just want to ask what are the necessary steps to convert a high tech planted tank to a low tech tank?

Currently I have a planted tank, with java fern, java moss, vallisneria, balansea and some crypts, running on 2*36watts ( with back side of tank facing window, hence exposed to much glare, though no direct strong sun rays), Co2 pressurized cylinder, reactor, chiller (25-27), lighting period 10 hrs daily, ada soil with powersand ( had to use them from previous setup although not many of my plants are planted), Eheim 2026, NO3, PO4, seachem flourish, seachem flourish, size 3*1.5*1.5 feet.

I am most likely to convert it to a low tech tank when I move out of campus. By that I mean no Co2, no frequent water change, less ferts as I want slower growth to fit my new time schedule.

Just wondering if there are any important steps in this process, e.g. initial lighting hours, water change frequency, etc. I do not want to run the risk of having bba, or other algae all over the tank.

Christophe

[GaspingGurami]

Done that with my 1ft cube, same substrate and plant combo as yours, but I also had hairgrass, Hottonia, MM and HC.

Initially, when I turned off the gas, the plants had withdrawal symptoms. The hairgrass and HC took the beating first. Then the MM and Hottonia also started to melt. Water got cloudy and generally things got ugly. I learnt my mistake: turning off the filter.

Here's what I did:
1) Turn off filter so as to minimise CO2 loss (Thought it was a good idea at first as plants were doing great, and the filter was hardly circulating water, being choked from neglect)
2) Reduce lighting from 1x18W + 1x13W PL to 1x13W PL
3) Turn off CO2, do a large 50% water change

Result:
lack of circulation + plants' adjustment to the gas withdrawal served a lethal combination to water fouling up.

Action taken:
Washed filter, turned on all the lamps, plants bounced back after 2 weeks. BBA started to grow, but as the filter slowly choked up, less surface gas exchange made it better for the plants and growth exploded. Did 1 trim and the BBA almost disappeared from sight except for hard to reach areas.

Introduced 5 yamato shrimps, and bye bye BBA.

Current routine and observations:
I realised I couldn't take the second 18W lamp off for my tank. But perhaps it's because the lamps are old. HC didn't make it CO2-less. They're growing, but as a floating plant. Hottonia and MM grew small and compact. The Hottonia leaves are also very small, but not so green so I got tired of them and removed them.

Crypts and the rest of the plants are doing fine.

I encourage you to try it. It is really a lot less work. Weekly, a few drops of fert, if I forget, no problem. Daily top up and water change when it gets too yellow for my taste (normally around 3 months). I stopped trimming. Instead, I remove whole plantlets when the Val nana get too dense. Same with the hairgrass. It gives me even longer rest from trimming. ( I noticed the more I trim, the more I had to trim as the plants multiply faster)