Kenneth's ADA Cube Journal

[oblivion]

Should i use carbon to absorb the nutrients?

good idea?

some people do use carbon in their filters to help at the initial stage,
then remove it after about a month or two once things stabilise
i suppose it works although i don;t have much experience with using carbon myself

personally i prefer not to add anything extra to the tank unless necessary
i'll rather tweak and play around with the lighting & nutrients

[Jervis]

Should i use carbon to absorb the nutrients?

good idea?

Personally... no harm especially for the first 2 weeks

[ADA SG]

Hi Kenneth,

Due to the ammonia levels released in the beginning of the setup using ADA soil, it is recommended that NA Carbon is used to remove a portion of the ammonia which is not utilised by the plants or bacteria in the system in the initial setup period.

As we know that ammonia is the number one reason for algae growth, ammonia levels must be controlled.

You can then replace NA Carbon after 2 weeks to a month with more filter media like Bio-Rio to increase the biological filtration and bacteria count in your system.

If you choose not to use carbon in the system, increased frequency of your water change is recommended. This again is targeted at removing excess ammonia from the system to prevent excess algae growth.

[Panut]

Hi Kenneth,

Due to the ammonia levels released in the beginning of the setup using ADA soil, it is recommended that NA Carbon is used to remove a portion of the ammonia which is not utilised by the plants or bacteria in the system in the initial setup period.

As we know that ammonia is the number one reason for algae growth, ammonia levels must be controlled.

You can then replace NA Carbon after 2 weeks to a month with more filter media like Bio-Rio to increase the biological filtration and bacteria count in your system.

If you choose not to use carbon in the system, increased frequency of your water change is recommended. This again is targeted at removing excess ammonia from the system to prevent excess algae growth.

thanks. can i place the carbon in the tank itself inside a net? Because i am not willing to open the filter and cause a mess..

[Panut]

Here is the pictures of the wood that i've managed to buy as promised




Is the wood chio?

[Jervis]

Not bad at all! Although the lower trunk a bit too thick for a 1ft

[Panut]

Did a 60% water change yesterday, and gave the dwarf Hairgrass a big haircut, so now they look like little stumps






The two fishes that have been inside for cycling are doing extremely well. I can't believe they are greedier than me

[Panut]

Not bad at all! Although the lower trunk a bit too thick for a 1ft

hehe. It was the best i could find (so far)

[tcy81]

I would suggest putting it in the filter, so that absortion will be 24hrs not for temporary only.
If not you can perform 2 times 50% water change per week.

[PlAnTaNoOb]

Here is the pictures of the wood that i've managed to buy as promised




Is the wood chio?

Very nice wood. But if it doesn't fit, you might have to cut off a branch. Just on Tuesday, I had to saw off part of my nice piece of wood, and to my horror, it still doesn't fit nicely. Promptly grabbed one branch and snapped it off. The feel of the wood breaking is heart wrenching I tell you.

[Jervis]

Perhaps you wanna give ADA Bamboo Charcoal a try... it can be placed inside your canister and doesn't require removal after 2 weeks. Of course, you can find alternative bamboo charcoal too as suggested by other hobbyists

[Verminator]

I think its a fabulous piece of wood. Depending on size of the tank you may be able to bury the base in the substrate? Therefore reducing the heigh slightly, Would be a terrible shame to break this piece though, its truely a great shape. If it doesnt fit i'd buy another piece perhaps and use this elsewhere.

[Panut]

Yes i will bury the base

i am thinking of taking out the Hairgrass, take out the soil, and add this:
http://www.mizuworld.com/index.php?t...etail&pid=1312

After which Tie weeping moss to the centre of the wood, put the wood in, then the soil, then ADA amazonia powder. Lastly replant the Jap hairgrass and take the Eleocharis vivipara out of the pot and plant it behind the wood.

any suggestions?

[tcy81]

yes adding Bacter 100, Super Clear & tourmaline BC would really be good.
If you dont mind the hassle of taking out everything.
and if you didnt have ADA powersand, you may want to consider adding it also.
I using them, works well for my tank.

[Panut]

UPDATES!!

Exactly after a week of cycling with only Jap hairgrass and a pot of Eleocharis vivipara, i have placed another order from mizuworld to deliver the following:

- Aqua Soil - Amazonia Type II Powder (3L)
- Dazs CO2 Set - J Pipe
- Dazs CO2 Set - U Pipe
- Dazs CO2 Set - L Pipe
- 2 pots of Tonina fluviatilis
- Anubias barteri var nana 'Petite'
- 2 portions of Vesicularia montagne (Christmas Moss)
- Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow'

Had to empty all the water, remove the jap HG, add in new substrate(for higher level and a slope effect), tied the driftwood with christmas moss and narrow leaf java ferns, etc etc. I must say it is indeed a back-breaking process. anyone willing to give me a massage?


Anyway, here are the pictures of the tank after the rescape:




Lets take a look at my Tonina fluviatilis





I am quite happy with this initial result, and believe that this tank has tremendous potential to mature into a beautiful tank.

[Panut]

Once this tank is fully grown, say in a month? I will be selling this entire set, to embark on a new experience Unless someone wants it the way it is now

[Jervis]

Selling the whole setup after 1 month? I think you need 2 to 3 months to see full result

[Panut]

2-3 months then

[Jervis]

Nice Tonina fluviatilis but I find it a bit wasted hidden behind the wood. Any possibility of moving it to the left side? You can plant some Rotala behind the wood

[oblivion]

why not reuse the tank and equipments for a new 1 foot setup next time round?