Update of hk75's 4ft tank

[hk75]

Hi all,

Just a update of my 7 days old tank. Most of the moss turn brown and crypts melted, downoi melted and disappear. Probably due to the water condition and temp. Was using a fan to cool down the temp.

First few days water was cloudy, suddenly it clear up. Bought some platy and oto to test water. Hopefully Mr alage do not visit me. Currently only on 5 x 55w T5 HO for 6 hours daily.

Comments for improvement are appreciated. Sorry for the lousy photo, was using my phone camera.

[illumnae]

just a note, downoi is notorious for not doing well in ada soil...i've heard you need to be really careful when planting them, only letting the root be in the soil and no part of the stem can be in. maybe that's why they melted?

[shrimp999]

What's your tank temperature? I know a bro here succesfully cultivated downoi using ADA africana with 30 degree Celcius.

[hk75]

my ard 29 deg.

What's your tank temperature? I know a bro here succesfully cultivated downoi using ADA africana with 30 degree Celcius.

[illumnae]

i think africana might be ok for downoi as it's very poorr in nutrients...i've heard lapis sand is perfect for growing downoi so there's a parallel there...it might be the nutrient rich amazonia that's giving problems with downoi?

i'm not sure here as all i have is 2nd hand information...i'll have 1st hand information soon with downoi in Gex (arguably similar to ada amazonia) but till then it might be better if the experts step out and clarify for us

[ranmasatome]

i see you bought a nice piece of wood from Eco-culture?? the shape looks terribly familiar..haha..

Anyway, africana is the same as amazonia.. only differs in colour. Its not nutrients that melt the downoi..its acidity of the soils. Cultivation of Downoi is very possible in ADA soil..you just have to do it in a slightly different way.

[hk75]

I think the previous owner bought from eco. I bough it 2nd hand. probably the same pcs you saw. Can let us know the way to plant?

Bought some yamatos last nite, this morning wake up 7 passed away. Do not know the water parameter, but my oto and platy still surviving. Tank has been cycle for 7 days.

i see you bought a nice piece of wood from Eco-culture?? the shape looks terribly familiar..haha..

Anyway, africana is the same as amazonia.. only differs in colour. Its not nutrients that melt the downoi..its acidity of the soils. Cultivation of Downoi is very possible in ADA soil..you just have to do it in a slightly different way.

[ranmasatome]

refer to post #2.. plant only roots in ADA soil..no stem. They will propagate on their own.

[Magnum-]

I think the previous owner bought from eco. I bough it 2nd hand. probably the same pcs you saw. Can let us know the way to plant?

Bought some yamatos last nite, this morning wake up 7 passed away. Do not know the water parameter, but my oto and platy still surviving. Tank has been cycle for 7 days.

7 Days is insufficient, probably still in the ammonia stage, which explains the death of your Yamatos. I suggest you buy some test kits as it will come in most useful when setting up your tank and in doing it right the first time. One way to speed up the nitrogen cycle is to add commercial ready beneficial bacteria or you can do fishless cycling. I find it much faster using a dead market prawn to produce sufficient ammonia to cultivate the beneficial bacteria.

Good luck!

[PLee]

if you are using ada ammozonia you might need to cycle the tank a little bit longer

[hk75]

Hi All,

An update of my 1 month old 4footer. Plant growing well especially the various crypts and glosso crawling around. Too bad, green dust agales also form up on the glass and rocks, Am battling with it. Comments are welcome.

[zenscape]

Great to see that your tank is swinging alive and kicking I like the left side of the tank. Consider keeping right side plain?

[o2bubble]

Bro, am good to see your tank setup nicely! Btw, if you need more ADA driftwood, can always contact me Me doing some rescaping work soon

Btw, best to leave the right side plain, if not the tank will appear smaller. Just my 2-cents worth

[hk75]

zenscape, o2bubble,

yup, keeping it plain on the right side.

[crazzz]

Good Job...
Glad that it turn out well...

[hk75]

Hi All,
An update of my tank and discus.

[Shadow]

very nice, plant grow nicely

[Aquaculture]

Whao! It has grown out really nice.

[o2bubble]

very good!

[ranmasatome]

Hey this has turned out nciely hasn't it..

PErhaps try to use some taller plants on the back of the left side??