Major Rescaping, Advice needed.

[qqiangq]

Hi AQ!, it has been 6 months since I started Aquascaping.
Here's a picture of my tank!
20140306_220710.jpg

It was a up and down ride for my doing my first tank. Do gain some experience and knowledge over this few months but still I felt like I have more to learn...
I have failed 2 times trying to plant HC, 1 time for Hairgrass and my Repens ain't doing well as well...

My tank stats are:
Tank Size: 36cm x 22cm x 26cm Gush Crystal Garden
Substrate: Borneowild Shrimp Soil
Filter System: Totto Perfect Filter (SS)
Lighting: Up Aqua Z-Series Pro LED Z-12 (36cm)
Light Duration: 5-6 hours
Carbon Supplement: Seachem Flourish Excel
Fertilizer: Sera Daydrops & NPKdrops
Water Change Regime: 20% Weekly

I was advice to use the Shrimp Soil but I wasn't satisfied with the result it gave. After weeks I was told by another Scaper that Shrimp Soil isn't meant for planting and he suggested me to use root tabs to enhance the soil nutrient. I used Borneowild Boost A, I do see that my plants growing but it's way to slow... The Hairgrass in my picture was planted about 3 months back and it isn't spreading at all.
Also, my tank had been infested by spot algaes and BBA which spreads to my repen and HG as well. Do managed to remove those BBA but there is still 1 or 2 spots on my HG and Repens sometimes.

After weeks of thinking through I decided to re-scape and make some changes.

My plans are:
1: Changing the Substrate to ADA Amazonia (Powder)
2: Adding few more rocks + tying my Christmass moss to a Driftwood.
3: Getting new batch of Hairgrass and Repens.

So I was wondering if I change my substrate, will my plants do better and how long does it take to cycle? Also do I need to get a CO2 systerm going? since my plants ain't CO2 demanding.

Need some advice from you guys and feel free to comment.

Thanks!

[Urban Aquaria]

ADA Amazonia aquasoil will provide more than enough nutrients to boost your plant growth significantly during the initial grow-out period, so it's a good choice if you plan to re-scape.

If your current tank is already cycled, the filter's seasoned bio-media should be able to jump start and greatly accelerate the cycling process in your re-scraped tank, so it might only take 1-2 weeks to resume the full cycle (compared to re-starting with a brand new tank and filter).

Do install Co2 injection if possible, it'll solve the carbon limitation and enable the plants to maximize their utilization of the lights and nutrients. It will definitely encourage much better and faster growth in your hairgrass and repens.

[ckaidi]

I failed with HC and Japanese Hairgrass too. Suspected my soil not deep enough and led light not strong enough too. But however I managed to grow glosso with Excel. Look pretty nice too can consider and my shrimps love them

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[thebaldingaquarist]

i think your plan is very sound. you have the equipment, initiative, experience... just do it!

your questions,
cycling time will be significantly reduced. if you keep up with initial water changes, i would even go as far as telling you to bring in your fauna after the first week, when ammonia is 0ppm. speaking of which, when you rescape, shift your fauna out into another place with the filter running there...

CO2. Yes. need. your plant mass in your current tank already warrants need for Co2 in my noob opinion, probably start with 1bps through a good ceramic diffuser, 5 hours daily..

soil, you won't go wrong with ADA powder.


others:
don't worry about algae, once the balance is right in the tank and the plants have adapted to the constant environment.. the algae won't stand a chance.

[qqiangq]

ADA Amazonia aquasoil will provide more than enough nutrients to boost your plant growth significantly during the initial grow-out period, so it's a good choice if you plan to re-scape.

If your current tank is already cycled, the filter's seasoned bio-media should be able to jump start and greatly accelerate the cycling process in your re-scraped tank, so it might only take 1-2 weeks to resume the full cycle (compared to re-starting with a brand new tank and filter).

Do install Co2 injection if possible, it'll solve the carbon limitation and enable the plants to maximize their utilization of the lights and nutrients. It will definitely encourage much better and faster growth in your hairgrass and repens.

Thank Urban Aquaria for you words, was a fan of your works of art! Your HC DSM is what inspired me as well.
I still have few questions in doubt though, cos I kind of run low on budget after setting up this tank and can't really afford CO2 System atm. By any chance you have experience with Hairgrass spreading without the need of CO2 injection? Thats my priority though, always wanted a nice carpet. I can see my Repens growing well so I have no worries.
Also do you know what causes those green spot algae on the glass? I can't really get rid of them after manually removing once a month...
And if I plant Hydrocotyle Tripartita, will it do well in my new scape?

Pardon me for my tons of questions... Really wanna hear from an expert and get it right this time.

i think your plan is very sound. you have the equipment, initiative, experience... just do it!

your questions,
cycling time will be significantly reduced. if you keep up with initial water changes, i would even go as far as telling you to bring in your fauna after the first week, when ammonia is 0ppm. speaking of which, when you rescape, shift your fauna out into another place with the filter running there...

CO2. Yes. need. your plant mass in your current tank already warrants need for Co2 in my noob opinion, probably start with 1bps through a good ceramic diffuser, 5 hours daily..

soil, you won't go wrong with ADA powder.


others:
don't worry about algae, once the balance is right in the tank and the plants have adapted to the constant environment.. the algae won't stand a chance.

Hi Erctheanda! Just a few questions I'm curious about.
From what you say about bring in my fauna after the first week, you mean I only plant my plants after first week of cycling?
Also what you mean by shirting my fauna out into another place? you mean the outflow was blocked?

About the water change, do I still save up some of my current tank water and add them in with new water when i rescape? Cos it worries me if there's algae spores in those water which will cause me algaes problem. Still trying to learn more about keeping balance though.

Lasty I wanna keep low on cost atm... I still can get a DIY CO2 running through a glass diffuser do you think that will help for the first few weeks of setting up? and after that I will keep it low-tech.

[Urban Aquaria]

Hairgrass can grow without Co2 injection (as with most plants), just at a much slower rate... its growth will just be measured in months (instead of weeks). Excel will help but still not as quick as with Co2 injection.

Green spot algae (GSA) on glass is common in most tanks, they tend to grow on surfaces that are exposed to too much direct light, but if you only need to scrape it off once a month (not like every week), then i guess its considered okay.

Hydrocotyle Tripartita is a nice plant to add to a tank, its growth rate will depend on the balance of light, Co2 and nutrients. It does need to be trimmed and shaped regularly to keep the growth compact though.

DIY Co2 injection can be used (its still better than no CO2 injection), but do monitor the Co2 levels closely to ensure that it is consistent, as inconsistent Co2 will also induce algae problems.

[qqiangq]

Hairgrass can grow without Co2 injection (as with most plants), just at a much slower rate... its growth will just be measured in months (instead of weeks). Excel will help but still not as quick as with Co2 injection.

DIY Co2 injection can be used (its still better than no CO2 injection), but do monitor the Co2 levels closely to ensure that it is consistent, as inconsistent Co2 will also induce algae problems.

Measured in months?!?! That disappoints me a bit... My current HG was planted 3 months ago and there is still no runner... I guess this is mainly due to substrate problem isn't it?
I successfully kept a constant level of CO2 using DIY method before so that shouldn't be a problem, but how long you suggest me to run it? any specific time like during photoperiod?

[thebaldingaquarist]

hi qqiangq,

what i meant was to take out thefishes and other animals and house them in a separate tank or pail when you do the rescape.

in that separate tank or pail, run your filter so that the bacteria is still active.

then,
when you are done removing the soil and replacing it, planting and scaping stuff.. flood the tank (if not doing DSM).. then put back your filter only.

then follow the instructions for the ada soil for water change.. if i recall correctly.. i think its 50% water change after the first 24hrs, then another 30% after 48hrs and another 30% after 96 hrs...

after the 7th day, measure your ammonia, if 0ppm, move the fishes back into the tank. wahlah, done.

[qqiangq]

hi qqiangq,

what i meant was to take out thefishes and other animals and house them in a separate tank or pail when you do the rescape.

in that separate tank or pail, run your filter so that the bacteria is still active.

then,
when you are done removing the soil and replacing it, planting and scaping stuff.. flood the tank (if not doing DSM).. then put back your filter only.

then follow the instructions for the ada soil for water change.. if i recall correctly.. i think its 50% water change after the first 24hrs, then another 30% after 48hrs and another 30% after 96 hrs...

after the 7th day, measure your ammonia, if 0ppm, move the fishes back into the tank. wahlah, done.

Hi Erctheanda! Thanks for the advice I did some research and do know it leeches lots of ammonia I will take note of that.
Thanks for the instructions as well, will follow closely for sure!

By the way I can just use the Powder type will do right? since it's a small tank. Cos from what I heard it's suppose to be layered over the normal type.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Yes. Can just use powder type. Have fun!

[Urban Aquaria]

Measured in months?!?! That disappoints me a bit... My current HG was planted 3 months ago and there is still no runner... I guess this is mainly due to substrate problem isn't it?
I successfully kept a constant level of CO2 using DIY method before so that shouldn't be a problem, but how long you suggest me to run it? any specific time like during photoperiod?

For most tanks, slow plant growth is due to lack of nutrients or lack of Co2 (while light is often too much in comparison)... those are the 2 things that tend to be deficient and restrict plant growth, so adding nutrients and Co2 will unlock the growth limitations.

Actually, even if the substrate doesn't have enough nutrients, it can be substituted with dosing fertilizers in the water column, or better still, insert fertilizer tabs or sticks into the substrate to directly provide the plant roots with nutrients they need. Even ADA aquasoil will need to be rejuvenated with bottom fertilizers after a certain period of usage. Thats also how tanks that use inert sand or gravel can still be able to grow rooted plants well too.

If you can keep the DIY Co2 consistent, i guess you could start it like 1 hour before lights on and stop it 1 hour before lights off (have to adjust it accordingly to find the best configuration), though i've not heard anyone been able to use an electronic solenoid regulator on DIY Co2, so you'll have to manually switch it on and off, which can be quite tedious. The other option is to let it run 24/7 but at low injection rate... though you'll need to monitor it closely to avoid excessive Co2 levels building up (especially during the night time) and gassing the livestock.

[qqiangq]

For most tanks, slow plant growth is due to lack of nutrients or lack of Co2 (while light is often too much in comparison)... those are the 2 things that tend to be deficient and restrict plant growth, so adding nutrients and Co2 will unlock the growth limitations.

Actually, even if the substrate doesn't have enough nutrients, it can be substituted with dosing fertilizers in the water column, or better still, insert fertilizer tabs or sticks into the substrate to directly provide the plant roots with nutrients they need. Even ADA aquasoil will need to be rejuvenated with bottom fertilizers after a certain period of usage. Thats also how tanks that use inert sand or gravel can still be able to grow rooted plants well too.

If you can keep the DIY Co2 consistent, i guess you could start it like 1 hour before lights on and stop it 1 hour before lights off (have to adjust it accordingly to find the best configuration), though i've not heard anyone been able to use an electronic solenoid regulator on DIY Co2, so you'll have to manually switch it on and off, which can be quite tedious. The other option is to let it run 24/7 but at low injection rate... though you'll need to monitor it closely to avoid excessive Co2 levels building up (especially during the night time) and gassing the livestock.

So what I'm missing out in the equation is CO2 I guess... Is there any cheap CO2 system that is available in the market first hand you recommend?
I did saw the ANS CO2 Bundle Set Basic, trying to save for it. Is that system good? Or should I go for the Electronic Solenoid ones? which is a bit OP for me...

[Urban Aquaria]

So what I'm missing out in the equation is CO2 I guess... Is there any cheap CO2 system that is available in the market first hand you recommend?
I did saw the ANS CO2 Bundle Set Basic, trying to save for it. Is that system good? Or should I go for the Electronic Solenoid ones? which is a bit OP for me...

Most of the full complete brand new CO2 sets with solenoid regulator i've seen add up to around $180-$200. Used sets in good working condition are worth looking out for, those can save you a fair bit of cash.

The ANS CO2 Bundle Set Basic only comes with a manual regulator, so you have to physically switch it on and off everyday... it'll be better to just pay abit more and get the set with solenoid regulator then everything will be fully automated.

[qqiangq]

Most of the full complete brand new CO2 sets with solenoid regulator i've seen add up to around $180-$200. Used sets in good working condition are worth looking out for, those can save you a fair bit of cash.

The ANS CO2 Bundle Set Basic only comes with a manual regulator, so you have to physically switch it on and off everyday... it'll be better to just pay abit more and get the set with solenoid regulator then everything will be fully automated.

In this case I think I will get the Solenoid Regulator instead. Thanks for the info, will do some hunting at the market place.

[Urban Aquaria]

In this case I think I will get the Solenoid Regulator instead. Thanks for the info, will do some hunting at the market place.

Note that the $180+ price of a full complete Co2 tank and solenoid regulator set that i mentioned includes all the additional items like bubble counter, Co2 tubing, check valve and diffuser (which can add up to another $30-$40 if you get them separately), so you have to also factor in the cost of those items if you are looking to buy a new or 2nd hand used Co2 tank and regulator individually on their own.

For reference, here is an example of a full complete Co2 system package with all the items included:

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ystem-on-promo

If the overall cost of buying used items individually adds up to almost the same as buying a brand new full packaged set... then it might be better to just go for the brand new packaged set with everything included.

[qqiangq]

Note that the $180+ price of a full complete Co2 tank and solenoid regulator set that i mentioned includes all the additional items like bubble counter, Co2 tubing, check valve and diffuser (which can add up to another $30-$40 if you get them separately), so you have to also factor in the cost of those items if you are looking to buy a new or 2nd hand used Co2 tank and regulator individually on their own.

For reference, here is an example of a full complete Co2 system package with all the items included:

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ystem-on-promo

If the overall cost of buying used items individually adds up to almost the same as buying a brand new full packaged set... then it might be better to just go for the brand new packaged set with everything included.

Thanks a lot for the info, most probably will get the set from east ocean as it's looks and sounds promising.
At the mean time I will see how my tank goes after setting up while saving up some cash.

[Urban Aquaria]

Btw, your PM box is full. Can't reply to your message.

[qqiangq]

It has been a month since I did a major re-scape. Just wanna do some update on my progress and share my little success so far!
But first of all I wanna thank those AQ member who gave me valuable advice especially @tatguy & @Urban Aquaria

Here's my new stats:
Tank Size: 36cm x 22cm x 26cm Gush Crystal Garden
Substrate: ADA Amazonia (Powder Type) & JBL Florapol (As Base Substrate)
Filter System: Totto Perfect Filter (SS)
Lighting: Up Aqua Z-Series Pro LED Z-12 (36cm)
Light Duration: 6-8 hours
Carbon Supplement: Seachem Flourish Excel
Fertilizer: Seachem Flourish & Potassium
Water Change Regime: 30% Weekly

This is a picture as at Day 1 after set-up!
1.jpg

This is a picture taken on Day 30, May 3rd.
2.jpg

I can finally see my Hairgrass sending runners after a week! Was hoping to see this result since I started my Planted Aquarium 7 months back~ and I'm very please with the result since it is a low tech tank.
My Repens were doing great as well and those Christmas Moss went berserk!

Hope my little journal/Updates help those who just started Planted Aquarium like me! Never give up!

[thebaldingaquarist]

wow. nice repens! very good progress.

[blu3her0]

Definitely a successful tank there!


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