Reply With Quote
I don't know what soil it is... But it is a used soil.. Would cycling still be as long?
if you are using ADA aquasoil, there are plenty of ammonia to start-up the cycle, you just need to add beneficial bacteria colony to speed it up.
I don't know what soil it is... But it is a used soil.. Would cycling still be as long?
Hmmm, that's the tricky bit... since you are using unknown soil, it'll be more difficult to predict the progress of your tank cycle.Originally Posted by Ahxren
I guess you'll just have keep testing the water parameters and track the progress over the next few weeks.
Used soil is something I will avoid for a planted aquarium. For one, you never know what kind of algae you'll be introducing. Although for a terrarium or emersed set up, I think it will be more viable and very cost saving.
Hmmmm Cause this is my first try, so I didn't want to incur too much cost. so I tried to be as cost savy as possible. There are snails inside(from the moss) and they seem to be doing pretty find. Can I use them as an indicator on whether my tank is ready?
P.S. If the HC do melt.. What other carpet would be easy to grow? I heard of riccia but don't like them. Mini fissiden? Would that be alright?
Snails are not really reliable as an indication of water quality, they are usually seen as pests (best to remove as many as possible else they start to reproduce rapidly and overrun the tank).. you should still use a test kit to make sure the tank is fully cycled and everything is in order before introducing fishes and shrimps.
I guess in the future, its better to just get good quality well-known soil substrate from the start... a 9kg pack of ADA Amazonia soil is only $40+ and you'll get a much better and more predictable start (you can also buy the smaller packs for less too).
As for carpet plants, you could try hairgrass... though it also needs good lighting and nutrients to grow.
Fissidens could actually be viable too, but so far i've only seen them grow into a carpet using dry start method (ie. grind or chop them up into small bits, then spread on the substrate, cover the tank, blast light and let them root and grow in slightly moist soil for a few weeks before flooding the tank). I'm also thinking of trying out that method for another new tank too.
Mini fissiden are slow growing. And they are more expensive compare to other aquatic plants. Have you consider using moss instead. The display tank at clementi polyart uses moss as carpet. It is quite stunning you can go and have a look and since c328 is nearby and a new fish shop has open too. Worth to take a look.
Inspired by AmanoLimited by Yusof Ishak
Yeah, if I am going to change my carpet to fissiden, I'll do the DSM. I don't want to use moss cause I already am using moss for my tree...
Btw, what is the hairgrass I am using? Is it japanese? And my grasses are turning a little yellow with some moss-like-frond sticking on it..
I guess you have to see how they grow. If they grow vertically and straight, then they should be normal hairgrass... if they curve downwards like hoops, then they are probably japanese hairgrass.Btw, what is the hairgrass I am using? Is it japanese? And my grasses are turning a little yellow with some moss-like-frond sticking on it..
The moss-like fronds on them might be bits of moss from your bogwood tree that somehow detached and got stuck on the hairgrass. Moss can often drift around and then end up sticking and growing on all sorts of plants and equipment.
I'm gonna do a little update on my tank! It's been DAY 12 of my 1 feet tank, and I have some good news and bad news..
Well, I've been using CO2 tablet bought from C328. Only to read online saying it's useless..
Bad news:
Firstly, those long hairgrass are turning yellow and collecting some brown algae..
I do see my HC floating up or some turning a little transparent..
Good news:
My dull green to almost yellow spiky moss has changed it's colour! Turning into bright green, growing out new fronds and branches! WOOHOO!
On the other hand of my hair grass, I realized they are spreading out more, there are single hair growing away from the crowded grass area.
Can see from the side of he main plot!
AND, this is really weird, but I take it as a good news. There is an unknown species of plant growing out from the soil, it doesn't resembles hairgrass, moss or even HC definitely, lets call it U1. Maybe someone could identify this for me?
I know there is a piece of moss on it, removed the moss already.
Some more hair grass outliers. The shortest plant is U1.
Last edited by Shadow; 19th Mar 2013 at 14:05.
OH! 1 more thing! This is not confirmed yet, however. I did see some pearling like phenomenon by my moss. it happened last night. But when I check it out this morning, its gone. I'm 70% sure its pearling as I did not do any water change and my HOB filter is away from the moss, so don't think it's just trapped air bubble from filter! Will monitor again!
How do I fix the pictures again? Anyone?
U1 might be japonica...
Any idea what type of aqua soil are you using? From the look of the picture, it seems like it is normal garden soil. (Please correct me if I am wrong). In addition, may I know your light and CO2 routine? It seems like there is not enough light. CO2 and lightning has to go hand-in-hand. It is necessary for the plant to undergo photosynthesis which will allow it to turn lush and green.
I agree with Cherabin. I would avoid used soil also, especially if it wasn't from my own previous tank set-up. I think it's a case of new hobby syndrome, whereby you try to find cheaper alternatives but in the end, you will have to agree that some things are worth paying. Like for me, I couldn't bear to part with my money for an Eheim. Bought all those lousy brands and in the end, I still got an Eheim after paying way more than I should for all the crappy filters. Anyway, I feel the CO2 tablets are useless. I would prefer Seachem Excel, if I wanted to keep it low tech. Good luck though!
Well, my light routine is every morning about 8-9am till night 11pm? Is that too long? For CO2, I only put in ocean free tablet once a day. Please advice on what I should and should not do!
Alright, I'll keep that in mind. If I ever rescape, I wouldn't reuse the soil. =) No, the soil is aqua soil, I got it from a fellow AQ member here. Well, I didn't know about the seachem excel thing at first. But I think I would get it soon.
Thanks man! I'll continue to take photo and can ask you guys again. anyway, is it normal to have foreign plants to be in your tank?
Hi Ahxren, daily light routine for 10 hours are way too much. Perhaps you can get yourself a timer and try to lower down your light routine to 6-7 hours. In addition, you might want to try liquid CO2 instead of tablet. Seachem Excel is recommended by most bro here.
Thanks man! Noted! I'll change the routine! As for the Excel, I'll get it ASAP! Roughly how much is 1?Hi Ahxren, daily light routine for 10 hours are way too much. Perhaps you can get yourself a timer and try to lower down your light routine to 6-7 hours. In addition, you might want to try liquid CO2 instead of tablet. Seachem Excel is recommended by most bro here.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks