ADA Green Cube (3rd attempt)

[Jervis]

Hi guys

It's me again with yet another nano tank to continue my learning journey...

This time round, I've decided to invest a bit more (since I manage to sell off some old marine equipments in another forum) and hopefully I can justify this investment in the coming months.

Always been fascinated by Mr. Amano's step-by-step guide in setting up planted tanks... so decided to follow his footsteps closely this round, instead of playing with sub-standard equipments which have given me some bad experiences lately.



Let's start with some basic specs:
Tank - 30cm ADA Cube Garden
Lighting - 2 x 11W Arcadia Arc Pod
Filter - Eheim ecco 2232 (400l/h) with ADA Lily Pipes
Filter Media (Biological) - ADA Bio Rio, Bamboo Charcoal & Palm Net
CO2 - Pressurized CO2, Dennerle Solenoid & ADA Pollen Glass
Cooler - Dymax Fan
Substrate - ADA Power Sand, Amazonia II Aquas Soil & Powder with Bacter 100, Clear Float & Tourmaline BC

Really look forward to your comments... and do guide me along And please dun tease me about being "deep pocket"... if my pocket is deep enough... I would've gotten a 3ft or 4ft setup

I must say that handling those delicate glassware gives me a very special feeling... never felt before in this hobby (including marine)



Can you guys see the glassware? They are suppose to be invisible u know?

[Jervis]

Actually I must thank 1 person for giving me the inspiration to seriously consider a 1ft cube (which is relatively small even for planted standard). His name is Aw Jie Sheng (from Singapore) and he got an ADA World Ranking 100 in 2006 using his 30x30x30cm tank. I do not know him personally. So, Mr. Aw if you are among us... I salute you

[Jervis]

Also I've decided to seriously look into the heart of the system... which is the filtration. Previously I underestimated the importance of filtration... hence some disappointing results despite spending money on fancy additives and fertilizers.



Filter - Eheim ecco 2232 (400l/h) with ADA Lily Pipes
Using back an existing Eheim ecco. Love the simplicity and self priming... and also the very low 5W consumption.

Filter Media (Biological) - ADA Bio Rio, Bamboo Charcoal & Palm Net
As for media, I will follow the ADA method closely too... they do have convincing write-ups on their products Let's find out if the product claims support the results in the end

Must thank Biotope Aquarium (AMK 1) for their service and their product range. I have never seen so many ADA products on a single shelf before! Although secretly, I was half expecting them to help deliver the heavy soil (just kidding)

I was shocked when I open up the Palm Net box See attached picture. I was dumbstruck for a while actually trying to figure out how to handle it



For those newbies like me who wants to know more about this odd looking filter pad... click HERE

The Palm Net is the first layer... followed by Bio Rio (ADA version of bio rings) and Bamboo Charcoal. I've tried many types of bacteria housing before (during marine time) but this Bio Rio is very light... it is different.



All 3 medias within 2 canister trays. I only use up around 50% of Bamboo Charcoal, 40% of Bio Rio and 30% of Palm Net. These pack sizes are for 3ft setup with matching canister filter.

For Bio Rio, click HERE
For Bamboo Charcoal, click HERE

[xaine]

Wow, impressive stuff you have bought. After seeing the the previous thread, you have glued me on for what you have installed for what you have planned in this new setup.
Nice

[Jervis]

Wow, impressive stuff you have bought. After seeing the the previous thread, you have glued me on for what you have installed for what you have planned in this new setup.
Nice

Perhaps I've joined the bandwagon... but I guess it is an indication that I am taking this hobby seriously... one small step towards the right direction But I did learned a lot in my previous trial and error setups... at least they helped me realize that planted is not easy at all... despite all the myths.

[tcy81]

very nice ADA stuffs.
hope to see your setup soon

[zoombee]

wow your nano setup getting more and more expensive...

this time round is really full ADA

[Jervis]

very nice ADA stuffs.
hope to see your setup soon

Coming up shortly

wow your nano setup getting more and more expensive...

this time round is really full ADA

Too bad I cannot afford ADA lighting fixture... still not happy with mine... any suggestion guys?

[zoombee]

I was shocked when I open up the Palm Net box See attached picture. I was dumbstruck for a while actually trying to figure out how to handle it



For those newbies like me who wants to know more about this odd looking filter pad... click HERE

looks like dried plam tree leaves

[Jervis]

looks like dried plam tree leaves

I believe that's what it is

[Burnz]

Very interesting thread. I have never seen progressive setup of a range of ADA products. Will be watching you Jervis

[Jervis]

Very interesting thread. I have never seen progressive setup of a range of ADA products. Will be watching you Jervis

Alright... let's proceed further shall we?

Since the canister is ready, let's focus on the most important part... the substrate. I only learned the importance of a good substrate recently... in marine setup... sand is sand

ADA style... start with Power Sand S (S for small pack and M for medium pack... I find it quite confusing, thought S & M is different product all together). Decided to only use half a pack (1L) as too much may cause high nutrition in the water demanding for frequent water change at the initial phase.



Next, sprinkle some Bacter 100 based on the recommended dosage. It's quite fun actually



Then sprinkle some Clear Super – feeds nitrifying bacteria from Bacter 100 and keeps water crystal clear... now this part is quite similar to marine.



Later... sprinkle some Tourmaline BC over the mixture.



I feel like I was cooking a pot of curry

Finally, cover the mixture with a few centimeters of Aqua Soil-Amazonia II... flatten and "garnish" with Amazonia II Powder



Created a slope as usual... to further enhance a sense depth.

So much effort (and resources) went into the soil... if the plants don't grow well... I will be very disappointed! But of course there are a lot of other elements that may affect the outcome. Lighting being an obvious one.

[fireblade]

really envy you... not teasing you ...you really show lots of passion in this new hobby!! :>

Will be watching your thread closely!!

[illumnae]

haha wow...big expenditure! all the best for your new setup jervis

[Jervis]

really envy you... not teasing you ...you really show lots of passion in this new hobby!! :>

Will be watching your thread closely!!

If only passion = money spent = success I will try to update daily... do pop by

haha wow...big expenditure! all the best for your new setup jervis

Thanks! Ok let me reveal my desire... I hope I can make it to ADA 2008 on time

[illumnae]

i'll check in daily to see your beautiful scape emerge =)

[Jervis]

i'll check in daily to see your beautiful scape emerge =)

Actually it has already emerged I sorta dump in a lot of plants for the run-in cycle... will update some pix tomorrow

[ct13]

Where did you get this sand flatener from? I thought ADA are all triangle type?

Regards,
Ct

[Jervis]

Where did you get this sand flatener from? I thought ADA are all triangle type?

Regards,
Ct

I actually bought this from NA last time... it's not ADA brand.

[xaine]

Later... sprinkle some Tourmaline BC over the mixture.

I feel like I was cooking a pot of curry

Haha...looks like mixing all the 'spices' to get the right mix for the great "feast" (for the eyes)