Another newbie with 2ft planted intentions

[exo]

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear is normal as I was getting worried that I'm doing some thing wrong which cause the persistent nitrate lvl even after WC

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[jackychun]

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear is normal as I was getting worried that I'm doing some thing wrong which cause the persistent nitrate lvl even after WC

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Ya bro. As long as you can see the fishes and shrimps are happy inside the tank, no sight of stress, I think that would be alright.

[Urban Aquaria]

Note that 25% water change only removes 25% of anything. So if you initially measure nitrates at 20ppm, after 25% water change it'll just drop to 15ppm... still within the 10-20ppm range, hence the subsequent test results will still be orangy, thats why there isn't much noticeable change in color.

If you want to see a more significant drop in nitrate level after a water change, then have to do much larger water change amounts, like 50% or 75%.

[exo]

Thanks UA. Was just thinking to keep it as close to 0ppm as much as possible... not gona do huge water change. If the tank is alright.. I'm alright..
Now thinking how to rescape to a sand bank at front without draining and removing livestock...

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[Urban Aquaria]

Well, 0ppm nitrates is good for fish-only or shrimp-only tanks... but for planted tanks you would usually want to maintain 10-20ppm of nitrates as a constant source of nutrients, otherwise if it bottoms out your plants will start becoming stunted and deteriorate due to nitrogen deficiency, then you'll have to trim all the dead leaves, dose more ferts and then wait for the plants to recover again.

To create a sand bank, just switch off the filter, slowly remove the plants in front, then slot a plastic sheet as barrier into the soil (it will stay there to create a retaining wall separating the soil and sand). Use a long hose to slowly siphon out the soil in front, then refill the front area with a thin layer of sand. If you do the process slowly, it should not disrupt the tank environment too much.

[exo]

Thanks UA... wat is there that you do not know. ..lol

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[exo]

@Urban Aquaria
Wouldn't the retaining wall collapse once the soil is removed at the front?


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[Urban Aquaria]

@Urban Aquaria
Wouldn't the retaining wall collapse once the soil is removed at the front?

Yeah... thats the tricky bit. So far i've only done it in a tank with shallow soil depth so the plastic barrier was able to hold up until i added in the sand, but if your soil depth is high, maybe have to try putting in some temporary rocks to line it as extra support?

Perhaps those in the forum with civil engineering or landscaping expertise can chip in to give some pro advice.

[Realcaster]

I made barrier/walls from stainless steel mesh. You can buy stainless steel mesh of the various grit size at kelantan lane and very cheaply. Just buy 1 feet and it is 1.2 meter wide. Cut, bent or form to the shape you want and have it inserted into the substrate. Then you can start removing the substrate you don't want and the wall will not collapse. Subsequently pour in the sand. You need to buy a pair of stainless steel cutter that is less than $5 to cut the stainless steel mesh. I will whatsapp you the details.

its not good for me to post the address here, because nobody will buy stainless steel mesh from LFS anymore

[exo]

Something I just observed while tank watching.. plant in photosynthesis with constant stream of o2 bubbles produced from the leaf
https://youtu.be/k3KY9FADFjo


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[aquaticlover]

Something I just observed while tank watching.. plant in photosynthesis with constant stream of o2 bubbles produced from the leaf
https://youtu.be/k3KY9FADFjo


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this was due to a cut or break on the leaf or stem.

[exo]

Really? OK. Learnt something new today... so it's like a broken pipe..

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[jackychun]

Something I just observed while tank watching.. plant in photosynthesis with constant stream of o2 bubbles produced from the leaf
https://youtu.be/k3KY9FADFjo


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Your tank looks good and healthy bro! That is good feeling seeing "pearling" from plants. And I saw Rummynose, too!

[jackychun]

Really? OK. Learnt something new today... so it's like a broken pipe..

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I saw it sometimes at my tank, too. Difficult to define where was the bubbles come from. But it is nice too watch.

[fatKillies]

Nice tank!

[exo]

Your tank looks good and healthy bro! That is good feeling seeing "pearling" from plants. And I saw Rummynose, too!

After some trial and tribulations costing half my livestock to be wiped out overnight. I think I finally got it right.

The episode of a broken co2 reactor costed me some 10 coloured shrimps, 11 Yamato, 3 cardinals and 5 platinum rummies.

I suspect the catastrophic event happened after a new CO2 reactor was replaced, needle valve on solenoid was left unchecked, resulting in too high concentration of CO2 in the day which was carried forward into the night. With that I suspect the livestock died in their sleep... curiosuly they were all found dead in a single spot.

All water parameters were tested fine. So it was definitely not a qns of water quality.
In any case, since that day till now, there have been no casualties except 2 rummies that was already weak when bought.. died after 2 days in the tank.. no sign of it being sick from LFS to transport to acclimation drip till 1st 48hrs in tank.

Apart from the above bitching.
All plants are growing really well. new shoots, runners and leaves are seen everyday. Algae are kept in check by Team Yamato, glass are done by Team Oto L183.






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[exo]

Nice tank!

Thanks! For a better view...
uploadfromtaptalk1462198877904.jpguploadfromtaptalk1462198892052.jpguploadfromtaptalk1462198914539.jpg

Taken less then 5 min ago

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[jackychun]

After some trial and tribulations costing half my livestock to be wiped out overnight. I think I finally got it right.

The episode of a broken co2 reactor costed me some 10 coloured shrimps, 11 Yamato, 3 cardinals and 5 platinum rummies.

I suspect the catastrophic event happened after a new CO2 reactor was replaced, needle valve on solenoid was left unchecked, resulting in too high concentration of CO2 in the day which was carried forward into the night. With that I suspect the livestock died in their sleep... curiosuly they were all found dead in a single spot.

All water parameters were tested fine. So it was definitely not a qns of water quality.
In any case, since that day till now, there have been no casualties except 2 rummies that was already weak when bought.. died after 2 days in the tank.. no sign of it being sick from LFS to transport to acclimation drip till 1st 48hrs in tank.

Apart from the above bitching.
All plants are growing really well. new shoots, runners and leaves are seen everyday. Algae are kept in check by Team Yamato, glass are done by Team Oto L183.






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Oh no. So sad to hear that. But good that things are in order now.

[exo]

And so I have yet another issue with my set up.... uploadfromtaptalk1462412622921.jpg

Back flow from reactor will not clear. Have already tried the following:
Increasing output of CO2 to try flushing the water back - failed
Removing tube on counter side, using a tooth pick to check if the valve would release - yes will release and water will drip out, but once assembled.. the flow of co2 is still stuck.
I'm seducing the either I have a faulty valve or my co2 pressure not enough?

Check valve is of ANS brand.

I know I should try replacing the check valve to isolate the problem but that is the last thing I want to do. The last time I had this issue... I broke 2 reactors and now this happens again...

Just want to know if any of u here had this problem before and how was it solved once and for all...

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[fireblade]

looks at the arrow your connection is correct.
the worry here is maybe the sticker is pasted wrongly, thus the no flow?
have you tried reverse the connection and see if it works?

And so I have yet another issue with my set up.... uploadfromtaptalk1462412622921.jpg

Back flow from reactor will not clear. Have already tried the following:
Increasing output of CO2 to try flushing the water back - failed
Removing tube on counter side, using a tooth pick to check if the valve would release - yes will release and water will drip out, but once assembled.. the flow of co2 is still stuck.
I'm seducing the either I have a faulty valve or my co2 pressure not enough?

Check valve is of ANS brand.

I know I should try replacing the check valve to isolate the problem but that is the last thing I want to do. The last time I had this issue... I broke 2 reactors and now this happens again...

Just want to know if any of u here had this problem before and how was it solved once and for all...

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