Need help to determine feasibility

**thebaldingaquarist** · 24th Jun 2011, 09:56

Hi all, I will be running a low tech tank with the following specs

DIY CO2

No chiller (expect water to hover around 28-29 degrees.

2X1X1 feet non glass tank

HOF (M size)

Substrate is Aquabasis plus 5L and ADA+GEX soil mix

lighting is 55W PL, Photoperiod will be 8 hrs (4hrs lighted, 2 hrs break, 4hrs lighted)

Fert regime- tentative-
lushgro aqua (mon, wed, sat),
lushgro micros (wed, sun),
Phosphates (from KH2PO4) (tues, thurs, sat) forgot about the ppm, later will go check.

weekly water change 10%

Looking to grow a rockscape with the following
background
Rotala rotundifolia (cover up rear)
Didiplis Diandra (middle hope to get round bush)

mid ground
Micranthemum micranthemoides(side of rocks to the rear)
Pogostemon helferi (side of rocks to the front)

foreground
Glosso
Hemianthus callitrichoides

Is it feasible?

**eviltrain** · 24th Jun 2011, 10:29

hee hee, just my 2 cents from my experience

DIY CO2 : not encouraged because of inconsistent bubble count.

No chiller : you can get a fan, but be prepare to top up regularly

2X1X1 feet non glass tank : just get a full glass tank from ocean free, cheap cheap 20-25 dollar nia. it looks nicer than those acrylic tank,a bit more scratch resistant too.

HOF (M size). : i will get the GEX HOF Slim L size if i were you.

Substrate is Aquabasis plus 5L and ADA+GEX soil mix : as long as the soil is not expired ( used more than 2 years ) shouldn't be a problem

lighting is 55W PL, Photoperiod will be 8 hrs (4hrs lighted, 2 hrs break, 4hrs lighted) : good way to prevent algae, but the heat from the PL light may heat up your tank water.

Fert regime- tentative-
lushgro aqua (mon, wed, sat),
lushgro micros (wed, sun),
Phosphates (from KH2PO4) (tues, thurs, sat) forgot about the ppm, later will go check. : looks ok for me

weekly water change 10% : for planted tank, you can do up to 50% if you do not have any sensitive fauna like CRS.

Looking to grow a rockscape with the following
background
Rotala rotundifolia (cover up rear) : whole row on the back?
Didiplis Diandra (middle hope to get round bush) : you have to trim it frequently to make it looks round.

mid ground
Micranthemum micranthemoides(side of rocks to the rear) : i worry that the plant will cover your rocks in no time.
Pogostemon helferi (side of rocks to the front) : may grow taller than your rocks too.

foreground
Glosso : should be okay
Hemianthus callitrichoides : a bit difficut as they need cooler water to grow well

Is it feasible? you can try to keep you plants selection limited to 3. too much maybe messy and don't really suits rockscape theme.

have you selected your rocks for your rockscape?

**thebaldingaquarist** · 24th Jun 2011, 10:39

Hi eviltrain,
Thanks for the reply.
For the tank, i have a few 2ft.. want to make use of it. Its quite clear. (actually on the tank, there are jap words saying its a glass tank. I think otherwise...)

Realised I did not put in the fauna:

cheery shrimp : 25
Yamatos : maybe 2 if i can grab from my other tank..
nerite snails : 2
male endlers : 2

I have not chosen the rocks yet. but most likely it will be black rocks (those for fountain use) or the ones found in the link (all rights to original author)
http://e.maivoo.com/english.vietnamn...48-312-530.jpg

Also dunno where to find the rocks.. sigh..

Rock scape will do some experimenting and post pics once i get the rocks.
From your advice, this is the revised listing

background
Rotala rotundifolia (cover up rear where the didiplis does not cover.)
Didiplis Diandra (rear-middle hope to get round bush)

mid ground
Micranthemum micranthemoides(side of rocks to the rear)

foreground
Glosso

Any other advice?

**thebaldingaquarist** · 24th Jun 2011, 10:42

double post.. sorry

**eviltrain** · 24th Jun 2011, 10:54

hmm. if i were you, i will try to get the rocks first. play around with the positioning of the rocks while the soil are still try. from what i see, this should be your first rock scape right?

you can try to use my old rockscape as reference. hee hee
Iwagumi "Serene"

another note about CO2, better to invest on 1 with electrical solenoid. there are some bro selling in the market place at low price. i once used DIY co2 too but give up due to the problems it give.

**thebaldingaquarist** · 24th Jun 2011, 11:20

Thanks for the reply.

Will drop down to seaview this weekend to see the rocks.

For the CO2, i have some space constraints and electrical concerns. Hence considering between a very small CO2 tank or several bottles of DIY.. leaning towards DIY because of cost.
Or maybe even drop CO2... and then lowering the lights and ferts accordingly.

Thanks.

**eviltrain** · 24th Jun 2011, 11:46

if you stay in the east side, i can give you a nurfin DIY CO2 bottle for free. i got a few set with me. contact me at 8338 0543

**thebaldingaquarist** · 24th Jun 2011, 14:30

Originally Posted by eviltrain

if you stay in the east side, i can give you a nurfin DIY CO2 bottle for free. i got a few set with me. contact me at 8338 0543

Thanks bro for the generosity!
Will drop you a SMS if i drop by the east!

Still looking for Rocks though. probably go by seaview this weekend.

**eviltrain** · 24th Jun 2011, 14:37

hee hee, no problem la. better then you DIY soda bottles and have alot of problems like leaking. good luck at your rock searching~

**felix_fx2** · 24th Jun 2011, 16:29

you forget the smelly water from DIY Co2 if it leaks or worse EXPLOE.

**felix_fx2** · 24th Jun 2011, 16:39

DIY CO2

No chiller - Use ANS Fan 120mm it is below $25 , abit noisy but powerful.

2X1X1 feet non glass tank - NISSO/FivePlan tanks not much price differences in price to ocean free 2 feet tanks. (Plus the notorious fact the bracing may hinder you from placing your lighting.

HOF (M size) - do you mean GEX? their SLIM model is in trend now.

Substrate is Aquabasis plus 5L and ADA+GEX soil mix

lighting is 55W PL, Photoperiod will be 8 hrs (4hrs lighted, 2 hrs break, 4hrs lighted) - suggest you can go ahead T5 lighting, you can use the non HO (High Output types) and save eletric bill

Fert regime- tentative- no experience with lushgro. can't comment

weekly water change 10%

Floura: Good luck with plant and rock hunt. you may have to tranvel a few times to get them.

foreground: Glosso lower demanding plant compared to HC. if your lighting is strong and have good amount of C02 in water glosso will grow nice and compact.

**thebaldingaquarist** · 24th Jun 2011, 17:28

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

DIY CO2

No chiller - Use ANS Fan 120mm it is below $25 , abit noisy but powerful.

2X1X1 feet non glass tank - NISSO/FivePlan tanks not much price differences in price to ocean free 2 feet tanks. (Plus the notorious fact the bracing may hinder you from placing your lighting.

HOF (M size) - do you mean GEX? their SLIM model is in trend now.

Substrate is Aquabasis plus 5L and ADA+GEX soil mix

lighting is 55W PL, Photoperiod will be 8 hrs (4hrs lighted, 2 hrs break, 4hrs lighted) - suggest you can go ahead T5 lighting, you can use the non HO (High Output types) and save eletric bill

Fert regime- tentative- no experience with lushgro. can't comment

weekly water change 10%

Floura: Good luck with plant and rock hunt. you may have to tranvel a few times to get them.

foreground: Glosso lower demanding plant compared to HC. if your lighting is strong and have good amount of C02 in water glosso will grow nice and compact.

Thanks for the reply.
I know where to get the plants (except for didiplis)
the rock hunt is a problem for me. advise from a fren is that may have to bring along a spray bottle to see how they are wet.

For the lighting, i have installed the lighting and yes, it does have a problem with the bracing. luckily was able to still mount it on securely.