My 1st Tank Journal

**Panther** · 12th Jul 2011, 10:31

This is my first time having a tank journal as well, hope to share and learn from everyone albeit a very simple setup. Let's start:

My equipment consists of 1 small tank (30cm x 20cm x 25cm), a 2 x 9w 1ft light set and 1 Boyu SP-602E Submersible Filter.

Decided to go with Iwagumi layout, attempting only with 3 rocks (Sanzon Iwagumi) mainly what i have left over from a long time back and did not go acquire any new ones.

Did a rough arrangement of how I think I may want the formation to be with the limited rocks I have first.

Got a bag a new GEX soil and lava rock chips to act as filter media and also to prop up the base.

The lava rock chips out of the bag.

This is how the arrangement looks after pushing the lava rock chips inwards so it wouldn't appear at the sides of the tank.

The height of the lava rock chips is about 2-3cm.

Lastly, the soil slopes from a 4cm height from the front to about 12cm at the back.

The hardware is the easy part, now with the plants.

I initially intended to only use 1 type of plant which is Hemianthus Callitrichoides (Cuba) or commonly known as HC. I have failed twice with this plant always having it die or melt off even after a very good start. After seeking guidance from a friend from another forum, I decided to make another attempt at it.

Later, decided that I wanted to add some background to the scape but did not want high light plants or plants that will grow tall quickly so eventually decided on mini-xmas moss. To keep them down, I tied them to some small left-over lava rocks instead of wire mesh to give them a more natural look upon grow out.

The lava rocks act as support to the big rocks as well.

Finally...and let there be lights!

All comments are welcome

**limz_777** · 12th Jul 2011, 14:23

you might want to try using a external filter to reduce heat

**Panther** · 12th Jul 2011, 15:15

Originally Posted by limz_777

you might want to try using a external filter to reduce heat

Do you mean for example the Hang-on-back filters? I thought about it but thinking the water agitation would result in CO2 loss from the tank. Furthermore the internal filter would help circulate the water better for the excel, ferts and trace dosing.

**Panther** · 16th Jul 2011, 13:30

Here's an update to the plants' growth.

Day 3
Noted some HC has started to melt. So far have only dosed Seachem Excel but no ferts yet.

Day 5
Some HC has indeed melted with stems disappearing, but other parts seem to show HC growth as the picture below.

I have started to inject CO2 gas and dosed NPK,
Full Tank shot

Please advise if it is normal to have the HC melt first and can I expect the growth to come after they have melted or is this the sign that the growing of HC is not successful.

**zonkkie** · 16th Jul 2011, 14:46

its normal for HC to melt especially if the batch you got was grown emersed.

**Fishy Business** · 18th Jul 2011, 01:50

The way your HC grow, are showing signs that light is not sufficient. I love growing HC a lot when i was in this hobby. Maybe i should start again.

**Navanod** · 18th Jul 2011, 10:14

Originally Posted by Fishy Business

The way your HC grow, are showing signs that light is not sufficient. I love growing HC a lot when i was in this hobby. Maybe i should start again.

Growing HC is fun. Trimming HC is not fun. Hahaha!

**Panther** · 18th Jul 2011, 10:30

Originally Posted by zonkkie

its normal for HC to melt especially if the batch you got was grown emersed.

This is comforting. I'll monitor if there's any growth after this melting phase then.

Originally Posted by Fishy Business

The way your HC grow, are showing signs that light is not sufficient. I love growing HC a lot when i was in this hobby. Maybe i should start again.

Originally Posted by Navanod

Growing HC is fun. Trimming HC is not fun. Hahaha!

The HC looks to be long and straight because i had planted the long strands vertically into the soil. From my observation, there is no real growth (spreading of roots) of the HC yet. I'm using 2 x 9W for this tank. By WPG, it's more than 3 WPG as the volume of the tank is less than 4G.

Ya, I like HC but have not had any success so far but not giving up and still trying to achieve success growing it. I'll get to the trimming part after success is achieved.

**blue33** · 18th Jul 2011, 12:43

FYI WPG doesnt apply below 2ft tank. You need at least 24w to get your plant kicking.

**Panther** · 18th Jul 2011, 14:58

Originally Posted by blue33

FYI WPG doesnt apply below 2ft tank. You need at least 24w to get your plant kicking.

Woops!

But my tank top can hardly take another light set.
I thought there is the "low-tech" way of growing HC? Theoretically if my light is not as strong but if my CO2 is over-dosed and I'm also dosing NPK using EI method, the plants should still do well (despite slower growth rate and maybe not as bright), correct?

Please advise how I should tweek my setup.

**blue33** · 18th Jul 2011, 16:05

When you raise your lighting power, you also at the same time raise the water temperature, so you need to find way to cool down your water temperature. Water temperature is a killing of planted tank setup, imagine a bowl of warm veg soups.

Some people may object this but you'll face more problem if the water temperature is high compare to cooler water temperature which gives you lesser problem.

just my 0.002cts

**Panther** · 18th Jul 2011, 17:25

Originally Posted by blue33

When you raise your lighting power, you also at the same time raise the water temperature, so you need to find way to cool down your water temperature. Water temperature is a killing of planted tank setup, imagine a bowl of warm veg soups.

Some people may object this but you'll face more problem if the water temperature is high compare to cooler water temperature which gives you lesser problem.

just my 0.002cts

Ok, got your 0.002 cents

The most is I can add a fan to bring the temp down a bit, the most i top up water more frequently. I don't have a chiller for this tank and I think it's too small for using a chiller anyway. I did suspect this as a factor, but other than this, anything else?

Maybe I'll add a fan first then see if things improve.....

**Fishy Business** · 19th Jul 2011, 02:02

Originally Posted by Panther

Ok, got your 0.002 cents

The most is I can add a fan to bring the temp down a bit, the most i top up water more frequently. I don't have a chiller for this tank and I think it's too small for using a chiller anyway. I did suspect this as a factor, but other than this, anything else?

Maybe I'll add a fan first then see if things improve.....

Yes, you can add a fan and that helps too. Also the atmosphere in your house.
Try to keep out of places which are warm. Since the tank is small, it would be easy to move around.
The smaller the tank, the faster it can cool and also the faster it can warm up.
So do take note!