Been keeping fishes since I was a little kid, but had always been keeping predatory fishes. After decomming my last predatory, this 6x2x2 has been pretty much in transition. This week, I decided to tear it down and make it into a planted. As the tank is right in front of my bed, it seemed like a good idea to wake up to some nature
Here's my list of equipment to get some feedback:
CO2- Am thinking of going low tech, as I dun like the idea of refilling a co2 tank, however, I would be dosing seachem excel daily.
Substrate- as of now is crushed coral chip. Have been having it in the tank forever, and clearing it all is back breaking. Would there be any forseeable problems in future?
Filteration- Not intending to have any. Recently, I havent been sleeping well due to sounds in my room, especially the flowing from the overflow conpartment. As my fauna will be very low, is it ok to go filterless?
Lights- am currently running a total of 65w in led lights.
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uploadfromtaptalk1439570142436.jpg
Here's the scape that I did 2 nights ago, inspired by some of the late Takeshi Amano setups. Hardscape is from my stash of driftwood and rocks that I accumulated over the years where I scaped my monster tanks.
Please suggest some background plants and comments for improvements please
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Am also toying with the idea of adding some normal plant ferts in the background for stem plants... Is this recommended or are there any possible problems?
The focus of this tank would be the plants not the fishes, though I've had previous experience of successfully breeding cherry shrimp with them as a base, so they should be livestock safe
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Here's the list of plants that I'm intending to add tomorrow.
Fore and mid ground
1. Windelov
2. H. Pinatifida
3. H. Difformis
4. H. Tripartita
5. A. Nana gold
6. A. Nana petite
7. E. Tennelus(or is s. Sabulata or c.parva better)
8. Java moss
9. Bolbitis Heudelotti
10. A. Rosefolia
11. H. Zosterifolia
12. S. Wildenowii
Background
1. Probably looking at V.nana or long hairgrass
Please share if there are any issues with the combination of equipment and plants. Did research on plant types but I'm sure experienced bros can give more insight
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It is a 622 right? just to confirm...and it is right in front on your bed? That is a huge bedroom you have...
first issue is the Co2,by dosing excel you will used a lot of it and it will be very costly. I suggest you use co2 tank.
second issue is the coral chips,it will drive up your PH KH and also GH. Some flora and fauna do not like it,you will definately have issues.
Third issue is filtration,it is definitely a must in my book,it clean,cultivate good bacteria and provide flow and circulation in the tank which is good to transport liquid fert and co2.
From first to third issues,it will cause a domino effect negatively in the tank.
Yes, Its a 622.. My room isnt big, its just the tank, my bed and a very narrow tv console and tv. Only 1 feet of standing space in front of the tank... haha...
Had done some extensive reading before replying, here are my gatherings. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
1. co2 tank
( For low tech setups done by D.Walstad and T.Barr, there has been little to no dosing of co2 for tanks with low lights. Plants I have chosen are lowlight plants, and from the research, I've gathered that co2 increases the growth rate of the plants, and without just means slower growth, which I am quite ok with. Dosing of excel is only on a supplementary basis)
2. Coral Chip/sand has a effective life of ~6 months, after which the ability to increase kH, gH and in turn pH is significantly reduced.
(The coral sand that I have is at least 2 years old. With that, the ability to buffer should be significantly reduced. I've had aros, rays and other softer water loving fish inside with minimal problems. That said, I should probably test the parameters, but based on the previous experience and the above assumption on effective light, I believe my pH, gH and kH levels are not too extreme.)
3. Biological Filteration
( Coral sand is very porous and has quite a large surface area for growth and cultivation of BB, same for DW as well. As such, wouldnt the addition of a highly effective biological system lower nitrate levels and compete with the plants for it? I might add a small pump inside for circulation though.)
These are just my gatherings and thoughts after reading up, not very sure if they are right, so please chime in in possible, would like to learn as much as I can.
Thanks!!
Beauty is everywhere, but have you seen it?
Hope this site helps:
http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/00388Shrimp.pdf
The only con I can think of is can't stir up the substrate once completed. Else it will be kinda messy with some potting soil on the substrate while some flooding and those particles might end up choking the filter. Dry start will be better so as to let the roots establish so you won't encounter the plants coming out of the substrate and later you have problem replanting it.
Hey Bern C, thanks for the link... Still contemplating if I should, dun want green water problems... Haha
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So I just tested my pH and my kH using the API test kit, pH is at ~7.6 and my kH is at 17+ppm... Would there be any problems?
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^_^ No problem~ With some fast growing plants, probably it will help to solve the new tank syndrome.Originally Posted by dff
XD Now I am kinda interested in Tom barr method.. using peat moss instead of potting soil. It's much less messy but potting mix has some minerals in it. But I am worried peat moss will lower the ph + when it starts to decompose the more acidic it will be unless plants grow fast enough to absorb the co2??
Maybe for bigger thank... can try using containers to act like plant pots so it will be less messier and make it much easier for rescaping?
For water parameter... some plants prefer soft water while some hard water.
Hey Bern, instead of peat moss, I think sphagnum moss is a good alternative... Supposedly more resistant to mold and other stuff when decomposing, and I dun think is as powerful in lowering pH. First thought was to use pots actually, but the thought of having to hide each and everyone is already another headache... Hahaha
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In my opinion, ur setup will invite algae to grow and such a large tank without water movements adds to the problem
Oh... I will look into sphagnum moss. XD Not much knowledge in gardening. Gotta do some reading. Thinking of starting my first Tom Barr tank. @__@ My previous walstad tank really a headache when I decomm it.
Maybe you can try using Tom Barr method on containers with low height for background plants since the background will probably be elevated so easier to hide the container in the substrate? XD But I think will problem with too much of hardscape.
https://youtu.be/ods6AZ40mjU
Here's a vid of my tank at the moment. Havent added the CO2, but I do see growth... Which is good
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