DIY Techie

[jeffteo]

New to the planted scene and re-started the fish keeping hobby since July 2010. Kept fish during my sch days but that was just for fun which all died eventually.
Have 3 big turtles that I have kept for years. Oldest is 10+ years old.

Running a bare bottom 60L Hailea F60 tank, courtesy of my cousin Thanks Mark.
He introduced me to this site too but not sure of his nick here.

DIY almost every part of my aquarium from PVC overflow and return pipes to trickle sump filter using a 3 tier plastic drawer. CO2 yeast bottle and CPU fan cooler are some other stuff I did.

Tried nano algae scrubber(ATS) before but decomm it due to space constrain when i got the new tank.

Love the green but dislike the substrate.... Dunno why.... just dun like....

Check out my YouTube channel for my aquarium.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jeffteo80

[vinz]

Welcome onboard!

Just realise that you have a sump filter. You may need to re-engineer it to reduce CO2 lost if you intend to continue using CO2 gas for your tank. I've replied to one of your other threads. There are some resources out in the WWW about sump filters and planted tanks. And I believe a few threads in AQ as well. The basic premise is reduce water splash. On the other hand, the large surfaces of moving water in sump filters is a big CO2 lost factor.

[jeffteo]

I have taken care of the water movement during the design of the return and overflow. In fact water movement was not enough at the surface initially and a thin film is formed. I have to move the internal filter higher up to gently break the surface. The return pipe had since been extended to the bottom with an elbow join to direct the flow across the bare bottom in an attempt to clear the debris collected at low flow already. I am planning to redo the tank into a low light low tech tank after CNY when I get another tank. Will be adding soil to do the Walstead method. Next project will be Nano planted!

[celticfish]

Welcome Jeff!
His nick is kampfer.

[jeffteo]

Thanks. Kampfer is the man! All cousins look up to him as our big brother + fish guru.

[celticfish]

Yes yes he's a good man and one of the cory-fanatics.
He was just telling me yesterday evening about your "fast and furious" return!

You'll find the information in AQ very seachable and well organized.
As technology and know-how improves "new" discussion on "old" topics updates the knowledge base.
So AQ always appreciates "new" enthusiatic hobbyist!

[jeffteo]

Not that furious, need to control if not CO nag. Thinking about it again, last time really "sua ku" about fish keeping and it is really old school back then with no Internet to help or search for resources.

[limz_777]

Not that furious, need to control if not CO nag. Thinking about it again, last time really "sua ku" about fish keeping and it is really old school back then with no Internet to help or search for resources.

no internet days was really trial and error days

[jeffteo]

Totally agreed. Back that, I know nothing about the beneficial bacteria and when I see the fish not doing well, I will change water and wash the whole filter under tap water thinking that the tank is dirty. Never like reading books so never thought of going to the library to research.
Gold fish were keep in small plastic tank that never last more than 1 month. I think my only success is with the Betta fish and now I know why. They are air breather.

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all in AQ who have give me advise or help me one way or another. Reading the post here really teaches me a lot even without asking and many here who inspired me to start a Nano Aquascape tank. A small step at a time and soon, my 2 FT tank will be turned into an Aquascape tank. Got poison deep deep already, maybe a 3FT ADA style tank if possible.

Really got to thank you my cousin for passing his spare tank to me if not I will still be waiting for my uncle to get a spare tank from his company. Almost half year already and still no news....

Time to sleep now and advanced HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR to all AQ folks.
Woohoo, my HC is still green!!!