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@Urbanaquaria Will the high flow rates affect co2 concentration in the small tank? I'm using a normal glass co2 diffuser with a pressurised tank.
Aesthetics-wise, a canister filter like the Eheim 2211 would be better, you can hide it away and use glass lily pipes (wouldn't see a large bulky hang-on filter in the background), and canister filters have much more filtration volume.Originally Posted by gregyeoh
You could also look at getting a 2213 for better flow and circulation, then install double taps to adjust and fine-tune the output flow rate lower if required (easier to tune flow lower rather than getting stuck with not enough flow).
For 1ft cube tanks, either use the nano glass lily pipe or the glass spin pipe (the circular loop outflow is designed for smaller tanks to maintain high flow rate yet prevent washing machine effect).
@Urbanaquaria Will the high flow rates affect co2 concentration in the small tank? I'm using a normal glass co2 diffuser with a pressurised tank.
The key is to adjust the output position so that there isn't too much splashing and surface agitation during the active Co2 injection and photoperiod (a gentle ripple on the water surface is sufficient). If you are using lily pipes, just position the outflow pipe below the water surface and the surface agitation will naturally be low (even though the flow rate may be high).
Higher flow rates are always better for planted tanks, more circulation helps to distribute the Co2 around to all the aquarium plants more effectively... what you'd be worried about is not enough flow and low circulation which creates problematic dead spots.
I learned something about flow rates & CO2 retention. Thanks UA
Sorry for the late update, been busy serving NS!
I planted the Utricularia Graminifolia (UG) and did a DSM for about 10 days to allow the roots to grow, and because I could not monitor the water parameters if I filled the tank. Found some small bits of white fungus that looked like spider web and removed the affected patches. Fungus growth is most likely caused by too much moisture in the tank, because I did not remove all the nutrient agar completely, or a combination of both. The tank glass walls were frosted with condensation indicating that humidity was too high so I removed half the glad wrap covering the tank to allow it to air overnight. Looking forward to filling the tank!
Immediately after planting:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1398884327.568823.jpg
10 Days after planting and removing bits of fungus infested UG:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1398884565.259971.jpg
Just replying here as your PM box is full... if you are going for a 2211 and the flow is too strong, just install a single or double tap on the outflow hose to control the flow rate. You can also use wider mouth lily pipe outflow to diffuse the flow too.
You can also get the "spin" lily pipe design, which allows you to use the max flow rate yet not turn the tank into washing machine... here is what it looks like:
Photo from Google images.
I've used a VIV brand spin lily pipe with 500 l/ph Eheim Ecco Pro 130 canister filter in a 1ft cube tank and even at max flow rate the plants and fishes were okay.
Cool!
Pardon my ignorance, but why don't u just try submerged if you are planning to use CO2?
Why go thru the trouble of DSM?
Since there are no fishes involved, from my poor knowledge, I do not really think water parameters will affect much unless your pH is really off?
Seems that you will avoid far more problems if you just do the submerged method.
Roots can grow too in submerged, just make sure to plant them well with tweezers so it will not float up
Again, just my humble opinions as I'm not qualified myself LOL
But glad to see good progress in your tank!
@Low Tech Tan: The 3 things I'm concerned with are UG uprooting, algae and transitioning from emersed to submersed state.
If I can closely monitor the tank, I can just replant the UG if it happens to uproot. Furthermore, doing a DSM would ensure that the UG has rooted well into the substrate to prevent uprooting when the tank is filled.
The second is that I can adjust CO2 levels, photoperiod and fertilisation according to how the UG is doing and algae growth. One of the main advantages of doing DSM in general is not having to worry about algae.
Finally allowing the UG to establish itself in the Aquasoil before filling the tank may help ease the transition to submerged form as there is more biomass. I will be blasting CO2 too when I fill the tank, to minimise any melting.
Last edited by gregyeoh; 1st May 2014 at 16:06.
Oic.
I have no experience with UG, so you may know better regarding uprooting. I have not tried DSM before, but I know that planting glosso submersed is painstaking haha. Gloss one by one....phew...most troublesome planting i ever did! Eventually some would uproot (not many until it creates a visible empty patch) because of fishes disturbing the soil/plants in my case
I didn't know it helps algae, because I had thought as long as there the UG is damp, algae can grow....like algae growing on damp walls on interior/exterior of buildings.
"Finally allowing the UG to establish itself in the Aquasoil before filling the tank may help ease the transition to submerged form as there is more biomass." - This theory is out of my depth (I'm shallow lol) from my limited knowledge and experience.
I wish you success with this method bro!
Can't decide between these lily pipe sets from Cal Aqua, Viv and Gush. Opinions?
Cal Aqua X1/F1 set:
http://www.aquaculturesg.com/product/370/pic_1.jpg
http://www.gcshop-sg.com/product_vie...&stm=-1&dsct=0
Viv Lily inflow/outflow:
http://www.eastoceansg.com/images/VI...LOW%2013MM.jpg
http://www.eastoceansg.com/images/VI...LOW%2013MM.jpg
http://www.eastoceansg.com/viv-lily-...mm-p-1229.html
http://www.eastoceansg.com/viv-lily-...mm-p-1231.html
Viv Violet outflow:
http://aquascapedepot.com/wp-content...scapeDepot.jpg
GUSH oPollen mini 13 with gNano III:
http://www.aquaculturesg.com/product/2681/pic_1.jpg
http://www.fishybusiness.com.sg/CMS/...20lll%2013.jpg
http://www.gcshop-sg.com/product_vie...&stm=-1&dsct=0
Last edited by gregyeoh; 1st May 2014 at 22:52.
Yup, used one tub
The Cal Aqua, VIV Lily or Violet outflows would extend too far into your 1ft cube tank (around 1/3-1/2 into the tank width), so it'll look and function abit oddly.
The best lily pipe outflow for your tank would be the gUSH oPollen mini 13, as its design hugs much closer to the side of the tank.
Any of the inflow pipes will work, so can just mix and match.
Btw, do consider the spin pipe if you can find it (not sure if East Ocean still sells the VIV version), it works the best with 1ft cube tanks.
Urban: Would the unadjusted flow of the eheim 2211 be too strong for a 30cm and would the viv spin pipe reduce flow too low? I understand high flow is beneficial for plant growth.
Depends on how you pack the media and how you position the outflow... just have to adjust and see.
The 2211 might be abit low in initial overall flow though (especially over time as the media clogs up), maybe look at 2213 or higher, then use double taps to adjust the flow lower if necessary. Its easier to start with a higher flow filter then have the option of adjusting the flow lower or higher, rather than using a lower flow filter and get stuck with low flow.
In terms of flow, its more of the actual circulation that matters in a planted tank, what you want is water to circulate to as many plants as possible to transport nutrients and Co2 and prevent dead-spots. Large and long tanks need alot of flow to get current to the other side and back... on the other hand, your tank is only 1ft in length so there isn't much distance for the flow to cover before it reaches the opposite glass and then down to the substrate anyways.
So the key is to have high flow rate (with more media volume and better filtration) but moderate the actual current so that the plants are not constantly buffeted or uprooted.
The VIV spin pipe actually does create a forward flow and circulation but it cuts down higher flow to more reasonable movement rate as the water spins one round within the glass ring before exiting. So if you are going for say a 2211, then use lily pipe, if you are going for 2213 or higher, then go for spin pipe.
Last edited by Urban Aquaria; 3rd May 2014 at 13:57.
Thanks for the prompt reply Urban! I'll post updates soon
Bro,
This is the Gush oPollen mini 13 and gNano III 13, suit perfectly for a Nano tank if you are looking for a lily glass.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1399108695.476451.jpg
You may also consider the gNano 13 if there is any slope. The height is 15cm where gNano III is 22cm.
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