Resetting 120

[FrannyB]

I am excited about the Dutch aquascaping contest so I decided to use the 120. if it doesn't pan out, I'll go for a 29 gal.

Anyway, I finally got that humongous rock out of the tank. Miracle in itself. The helferi was already there. The v. nana is coming back along with the crispus.

Exchanged both tanks at Roberts today. (Got nice new shiny ones. )

I've been buying plants from TPT and got a bunch at our auction. I think I now have too many... For now, the plan is to try to be successful at growing plants to see how they grow and which species to use for the contest.

Stats:
Original Aquasoil
Eheim 2217 and Marineland 360
C02 with reactor 1bps
AH T5's 10,000k 8 x 40 watts 3" above tank - 8hrs

Will be purchasing dry ferts for EI dosing, but for right now I'm using up the Seachem samples collected from the meetings.

Planned dosing regime: (will double it for 120 to start)
50% H20 change-weekly
3/4 Tsp-KN03 3x a week
3/16 Tsp-KH2P04 3x a week
1 Tsp-GH booster once a week
15ml 3/16Tsp-Trace 3x a week
Optional
4-8ml-Fe/Iron 3x a week

Questions:
Should I get root tabs for the substrate?
Should I adjust the lighting to a lower level since wpg is now old school?
Should I put in more plants?

All help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


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[FrannyB]

I bought a Hydor Koralia. It's huge, too. When I install it, I'll move the intakes to the same side with the output hoses, the koralia, and the heater.

BTW, there are no fish in this tank. I spent a few hours catching snails to help the asassins (sp).

[ddavila06]

wow, you came back with a vengance! it looks really green! how about some colors? i know there are stems out there that have gorgeous red/orange etc.. but im really good at killing stems so i don't keep any lol. great job, let it grow some =D

[krisw]

Looks like a great start, Franny! Most of your plants seem to be water column feeders, and since you're planning on dosing anyways, you don't need to add any root tabs. That said, you won't hurt anything by doing so if you think a particular plant needs an extra kick.

As for the lighting, if you're getting good growth with your 8hour regimen now, why change anything? The main reason to reduce the lighting is if you can't get your dosing in-line with the lighting, and algae creeps in. So, if you see large algae blooms, then consider dialing back the lighting. If your lights run from multiple ballasts, you can always stagger them, so all eight bulbs are only on midday.

Do you like the AH Supply T5s? You're the first person I know who's tried them. They looked nice at the AGA convention where I first saw them.

Let it grow -- good luck!

[FrannyB]

Thanks Kris. I like the lights, except for the replacement cost I cranked up the C02. Since the aquasoil is 2yrs old, I'm leaning towards root tabs.

Still tinkering with the light duration and going for the midday blast.

Updates to come.

[DonkeyFish]

Love seeing that tank on here with updates... Like coming full circle since the meeting at your house when Luis did the scaping demo keep up the good work!

[FrannyB]

Thanks Jen.

Oh, Kris, I bought the lights from catalina.

[FrannyB]

Blyxa's not looking so good.





Algae

[Cristy Keister]

Is that the hard crusty algae on the glass? If so, you may need to add more phosphate.

[krisw]

Agreed with Cristy...

Scrap the glass, do a water change, and start dosing just a tiny amount of phosphate every other day.

If you're already dosing phosphate, then just add a little bit more than you were.

After a week or two, if you no longer have this type of algae on your glass, continue with the new fertilizer levels.

If you start seeing other types of algae emerge, let us know, and we can go from there.

Looking at it, I'm guessing that you haven't started dosing anything yet, right?