wanna learn about aquascaping

[kurty]

You can check out some inline diffusers here: http://www.calaqualabs.com/diffusers.html

I need to correct what I said. I meant to say that I have learnt that the most effective CO2 dispersion method is to use a CO2 Reactor. It also means no fine bubbles!


Off the top of my head right now, I cannot think of any creature that will consume rotting leaves. SAEs and Yamatos only consume algae from my understanding.

i see, low tech tank.. hence not going to collect my co2 tank at any moment.

let me test out if seachem excel really rocks..

later i will buy a pack of yamato, testing them out..

maybe this sat, go seaview buy SAE

[limz_777]

excel is used more for the aspect of algae prevention , better to use pressurized co2

[kurty]

excel is used more for the aspect of algae prevention , better to use pressurized co2

pardon me, excel no doubt its for algae prevention.
isn't it like a source of carbon for the plants?

written on the bottle too..

[kurty]

water is much clearer yesterday.

Attachment 43624

[AQMS]

pardon me, excel no doubt its for algae prevention.
isn't it like a source of carbon for the plants?

written on the bottle too..

Excel is a product sold as a CO2 substitute, or supplement, for planted aquariums.
This product provide carbon supply in low light planted aquarium in a low tech non-co2 injection tank.
when used according to directions it show great results. Excel also have an active ingredient listed on the bottle
name glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde is an antimicrobial, bactericide, fungicide, and virucide,
commonly used to sterilize medical instruments and also as a chemical preservative.
According to information found online, glutaraldehyde is toxic to most algae at concentrations of 0.5 – 5.0 ppm.
Fortunately, these levels are not harmful to most aquatic plants and animals. It effect on different forms of algae
is variable, being particularly effective on the fur/hair algae and brush algae, but less against the staghorn algae.
Basically it is also an algaecide. That why most aquarist used you it including me.

[AQMS]

here are some info on glutaraldehyde.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutaraldehyde

[Urban Aquaria]

the leaves are all over the place hence i need something that can eat them. SAE or yamato? possible?

Most types of shrimps will help eat dead leaves, so a group of shrimps in your tank will help with maintenance work.

Yamato/amano shrimps are very efficient due to their larger size (and corresponding larger appetites) but they may also look abit too large in smaller tanks... an alternative is to go for the smaller sized cheap cherry or malayan shrimps which also do the same jobs (just stock more quantity of them to increase their efficiency).

SAE are usually introduced into tanks mainly to help eat BBA and various filamentous algae, they don't eat dead leaves though... but some owners have reported that they may munch on fine leaved plants like mosses. SAE eventually grow to >10+ cm in length, so can get abit oversized for smaller tanks.

[kurty]

Most types of shrimps will help eat dead leaves, so a group of shrimps in your tank will help with maintenance work.

Yamato/amano shrimps are very efficient due to their larger size (and corresponding larger appetites) but they may also look abit too large in smaller tanks... an alternative is to go for the smaller sized cheap cherry or malayan shrimps which also do the same jobs (just stock more quantity of them to increase their efficiency).

SAE are usually introduced into tanks mainly to help eat BBA and various filamentous algae, they don't eat dead leaves though... but some owners have reported that they may munch on fine leaved plants like mosses. SAE eventually grow to >10+ cm in length, so can get abit oversized for smaller tanks.

I do have some cherry shrimps before but it seems my bettas will attack them..
Both tanks got betta, Yeah I did read about sae whereby it turn aggressive as it ages..

Thanks, with your words and experience, I guess yamato is the right choice only.

I went on Monday night, hunting for yamatos..
Search 3 lfs.. doesn't it suppose to be a common shrimps?
Don't they regards as feeders?

[kurty]

Anyway I read your blog and it was written beautifully.

One product that catches my eyes was the surface Skimmer, It's not mandatory but seems to be handy if keeping the water cleaner.

I always wonder why there's a film on my tanks water.

[Urban Aquaria]

I went on Monday night, hunting for yamatos..
Search 3 lfs.. doesn't it suppose to be a common shrimps?
Don't they regards as feeders?

I guess they just happened to be sold out, they are relatively cheap for their size and quite popular amongst planted tank owners, hence usually snapped up quickly.

Not sure about those feeder shrimps, they seem to be a different species, usually referred to as "ghost shrimps"?

Anyway I read your blog and it was written beautifully.

One product that catches my eyes was the surface Skimmer, It's not mandatory but seems to be handy if keeping the water cleaner.

I always wonder why there's a film on my tanks water.

Yeah, surface oil film is very common in planted tanks... its all the combined oily residue from fish food, fertilizers, by-products of plant photosynthesis and organic waste etc. which float and accumulate at the water surface.

Regular weekly water changes usually keep the water surface clear, but if the oil layer gets too much, then a surface skimmer will definitely help alot.

[kurty]

I guess they just happened to be sold out, they are relatively cheap for their size and quite popular amongst planted tank owners, hence usually snapped up quickly.

Not sure about those feeder shrimps, they seem to be a different species, usually referred to as "ghost shrimps"?



Yeah, surface oil film is very common in planted tanks... its all the combined oily residue from fish food, fertilizers, by-products of plant photosynthesis and organic waste etc. which float and accumulate at the water surface.

Regular weekly water changes usually keep the water surface clear, but if the oil layer gets too much, then a surface skimmer will definitely help alot.

I guess I better save time to avoid running around searching for yamato.. just go to seaview to get them since It's pretty near to where I'm stay, 6km.

Like most hobbies, poisonous and come with a price..

Anymore good stuff that plants tank ought to have? Don't say pressurized co2 as my area is really limited. I will try to post a picture of my available space.

For now, I'm keen in keeping the water parameters well

[Urban Aquaria]

Anymore good stuff that plants tank ought to have? Don't say pressurized co2 as my area is really limited. I will try to post a picture of my available space.

Well... for planted tanks, the magic usually happens when 2 things are combined: ADA Amazonia Aquasoil + Co2 Injection.

Seriously though, if you have space for 3 tanks, then you can "make" space for a Co2 tank. Just shift things around to accommodate it. Doesn't have to be where the tanks are, the tubing could also be routed from a short distance away. You can even use a splitter to share one Co2 tank with 3 tanks too.

I have a friend who has such limited space that he even put the Co2 tank under his bedside table, basically sleeping with the solenoid regulator literally next to his head.

[zhaoronglim]

What soil are you using? I saw fishes in your tank already. Water already cycled?

[kurty]

Well... for planted tanks, the magic usually happens when 2 things are combined: ADA Amazonia Aquasoil + Co2 Injection.

Seriously though, if you have space for 3 tanks, then you can "make" space for a Co2 tank. Just shift things around to accommodate it. Doesn't have to be where the tanks are, the tubing could also be routed from a short distance away. You can even use a splitter to share one Co2 tank with 3 tanks too.

I have a friend who has such limited space that he even put the Co2 tank under his bedside table, basically sleeping with the solenoid regulator literally next to his head.

you see for yourself, my house and stuff are all in mini mode.. not much space to play around..

Attachment 43675

What soil are you using? I saw fishes in your tank already. Water already cycled?

none branded, selling $15 for 5kg, but for plants and proclaimed to be balancing PH etc..

the fishes are from a previous tanks, hence had no choice than to relocate them.
i didn't really do cycling.. what i did was to reuse the former water, then additional of new water..
so far, it works

[kurty]

Attachment 43676Attachment 43677

water change on every wednesday,

additional of yamato shrimps, 6 per tank
some star and spiky moss.
DIY

damn, this hobby is as addictive..

[AQMS]

You have a good space for 3ft or 4ft tank complete with cabinet if you stick with one tank.
Or if you prefer smaller tanks you can fit in 6 small tank in the ikea shelf with co2 tank at the corner..
but you have to support the shelf,ikea shelf are not strong nor water resistant.
Poison....

[atolylica]

You could also build a low profile 5-6 feet tank across, below your TV. But you'd have to remove the current display below your TV.

More poison..

[kurty]

You have a good space for 3ft or 4ft tank complete with cabinet if you stick with one tank.
Or if you prefer smaller tanks you can fit in 6 small tank in the ikea shelf with co2 tank at the corner..
but you have to support the shelf,ikea shelf are not strong nor water resistant.
Poison....

Really poisonous thread.. very deadly.. my wife will kill me.. although I must say She too enjoyed the sight of the tanks. Often we will just sit at the center ottoman and stare at the tanks.

Lucky this hobby not that expensive. Till date, I only spend less than $300.

You could also build a low profile 5-6 feet tank across, below your TV. But you'd have to remove the current display below your TV.

More poison..

[zhaoronglim]

haha this hobby can be expensive

[AQMS]

Lucky this hobby not that expensive. Till date, I only spend less than $300.

You just jinx it.... be prepare..