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The Start of Reck's Journey into Planted Tanks: Aug 2012 - Aug 2014

44529 Views 136 Replies 40 Participants Last post by  Reckon, 
Reckon
3
Or is it more like an addiction?
I picked up my interest in aquariums from my father who kept koi for as long as I remember.
He could never plant it though because they kept tearing up whatever he put in there.
So, when he gave me a 20gal 2 years ago I promsied myself to set up a planted tank that I've always wanted.
Unfortunately, the tank stayed pretty bare for a while as I had other things on my plate.

Water Vertebrate Plant Fish supply Organism


Yes, I know the blue gravel is awful.

2.5 weeks ago I went to the local pet store to buy an algea eater (flying fox). My wife convinced me to buy one that was on his own in a completely bare tank. I thought to myself though that my tank wasn't that much better. I guess it's time to give in to the addiction!

First thing I did: bought some plants (thanks Ben Liem and Kim). But then they won't do so great without a better light. Dang, I gotta buy a light (thanks Charles from Canadian Aquatics).
1 week later: shoot light is not enough, still some browning. Bought some ferts, started dosing Flourish and Excel.
1.5 weeks later: ok, plants are doing a bit better, fish seem to be happy. I think I want to see if I can decor the tank a bit. Went and found some wood and rocks from a nearby river.


2.5 weeks later: bah, I need to get better substrate (can't stand the blue gravel anyways), time for a full on reno. Picked up a 10gal (thanks gneufeld) so the fish can have a place to stay while I tear up their old home. I've always wanted shrimp anyways. Started my first dose of potassium since a few leaves on long plant in the back left kept yellowing. I also added a root tab underneath it.


Also bought a used Rena Xp2 on the same day as picking up the tank.

Next on my mind is the substrate. I started a thread in the plants/fert/algae section: http://www.bcaquaria.com/forum/plants-algae-ferts-ei-co2-lighting-13/florabase-vs-florite-vs-amazonia-aqua-30923/#post249939
I am seriously considering the DIY route. It is much cheaper and really more than anything else I'm curious on seeing for myself how successful it can be. I just have to keep an eye on the water conditions and fish while they're in there.
Also there's co2.... argh the addiction.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I really like the plant in the back left but I just isn't holding up in the tank.
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Reckon
8
Red50 Update April 21

Added a huge Koralia 3 for more water movement - it's a bit too big... Perhaps someone has a Koralia 2 they aren't using I can buy?
Did several water changes in a span of a week, cleaned out my filters, and aggressively dosed Metricide (35mL every 2 days). Made a big difference to the fuzz algae I was fighting. None of my plants melted.

Moved a bunch of plants around to get a better dutch look. Hopefully there's a bit more contrast with textures.

New plant in the middle: Rotala Macrandra Japan Red, hopefully it stays red.

Hope you guys like it.









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Reckon, looking amazing as usual. I may have to make the trek out to Maple Ridge some day! I ordered a couple Koralia Nanos for my two tanks but haven't picked them up from Point Roberts yet. Hoping they're they right strength for my tanks.

I'm also currently having an issue with fuzz algae as well; might have to do the same treatment as you. Where did you get your Metricide from?
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Reckon
I got my metricde from Regency Medical in Burnaby. Definitely be meticulous with cleaning your filters. I slacked off on mine but the difference was very noticeable once I cleaned it. Fuzz algae was down 80% within 2-3 days.
I think I had cleaned it around Christmas time, so 4 months is too long to leave it, even if it's relatively large for the tank.

Which Koralia nanos did you get? the 425?
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P
Can I ask a question about the wood and rocks 'from a nearby river'? I get the rocks, pretty easy to clean and stuff, but how did you deal with the wood and making it safe for your tank? I'm interested because I live near lots of rivers/lakes and have considered using local materials, but am concerned about pests and toxins and such leaching out into my tank. Thanks for the info.
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randylahey
Oh lawson, you should have asked earlier. I have a spare nano 425 kicking around. It seems everyone is going for a "dutchier" look. I just spent the last week moving everything around, clumping everything tighter and making it so there is green between every red. It really helps every species "pop". How did you fit those lagenandras in there? Talk about a fat guy in a little coat!

Anthony, metricide can be purchased at:
Regency Medical Supplies
4437 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1J3
(604) 434-1383
It was about $38 I think for a gallon jug.

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Reckon
Hey Greg,
Thanks for asking. I have a Nano 425, it's in my 8gal Riparium :) Perhaps a little overkill there too haha.
I'll probably try a Koralia 2 eventually though.
Yup. Every trim I clump and move a few plants around. I'm feeling tired of doing tank work now but I think I'll have to move the Ludwigia red to the left of the stump and the ovalis to the right. Ovalis blends too much with P. Sao Paolo and sp. Red too much with Glandulosa.
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Reckon
pandamom said:
Can I ask a question about the wood and rocks 'from a nearby river'? I get the rocks, pretty easy to clean and stuff, but how did you deal with the wood and making it safe for your tank? I'm interested because I live near lots of rivers/lakes and have considered using local materials, but am concerned about pests and toxins and such leaching out into my tank. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Hi Pandamom. I've tried a couple pieces of wood from local lakes (I think technically it's illegal to take home rocks and wood from parks?) but I've had all sorts of weird stuff show up in my tanks shortly after: fresh water limpets, worms, damselfly larvae... I would definitely soak anything you bring home in some bleach or H2O2.
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P
Yeah, it is illegal to take from parks… Interesting about the stuff showing up in your tanks - some of it would be good for the fish, but some of it definitely would be a hassle. So, soak it for 24 hours in a bleach solution, then in freshwater with Prime or something like that in it? Maybe when our warmer weather comes too a sun bleach after as well? Thanks for the input, have wanted to try this for a while but no courage… LOL. I have a creek that runs right through the corner of my yard - stickleback and new this year, coho!! Thanks for the advice.
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Reckon said:
I got my metricde from Regency Medical in Burnaby. Definitely be meticulous with cleaning your filters. I slacked off on mine but the difference was very noticeable once I cleaned it. Fuzz algae was down 80% within 2-3 days.
I think I had cleaned it around Christmas time, so 4 months is too long to leave it, even if it's relatively large for the tank.

Which Koralia nanos did you get? the 425?
Click to expand...
I got the 225 for my 12g long and 425 for my 26g. Hoping it's just right but I guess we will see. Will probably pick up Thursday or Friday.

What process do you use to clean your filters? I cleaned the Eheim 2213 on the 12g long once after about 2 months but I basically just dunked the filter basket in tank water. I didn't empty the media from the basket which I think I might do next time. My tubes are getting a bit nasty too. Probably need to get one of those tube cleaner gadgets.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
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Reckon
opt-e said:
I got the 225 for my 12g long and 425 for my 26g. Hoping it's just right but I guess we will see. Will probably pick up Thursday or Friday.

What process do you use to clean your filters? I cleaned the Eheim 2213 on the 12g long once after about 2 months but I basically just dunked the filter basket in tank water. I didn't empty the media from the basket which I think I might do next time. My tubes are getting a bit nasty too. Probably need to get one of those tube cleaner gadgets.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yup. Let me know about the 225 for the 12g long, I suspect with a 3' footprint, you may need the 425.

I empty the media into a bucket then run tank water through it (via water change) until the water runs clear. I scrub the sponges under tap water until I get rid of all the gunk.

I find I can't clean the tubes all the way. My gadget is only a couple feet long?
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greenfin
Reckon your texture combo is terrific. Aren't plants amazing with their differences? The red pops among the green and each little area of plantings is something to study. I couldn't figure out how many different species you have in there! Love how all the groupings compliment each other for one nice whole tank look.

Are you hoping the extra water movement keeps algae at bay?

I think it's time for me to try a metricide week to keep some wee clumps of BBA from spreading.

Your tanks are a joy!
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Bobsidd
Hi Lawson,

That Rotala macrandra japan red is unbelievable. Hope it stays that vibrant for you. And grows like a weed.

Is this the tank that houses your ammania bonsai or is it some place else? Thought I saw some to the left of the neon in the fourth picture. But am far from sure that that is what it is.

Stunning tank mate!
Rob
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Reckon
greenfin said:
Reckon your texture combo is terrific. Aren't plants amazing with their differences? The red pops among the green and each little area of plantings is something to study. I couldn't figure out how many different species you have in there! Love how all the groupings compliment each other for one nice whole tank look.

Are you hoping the extra water movement keeps algae at bay?

I think it's time for me to try a metricide week to keep some wee clumps of BBA from spreading.

Your tanks are a joy!
Click to expand...
Thanks! It takes a while to learn how to get plants to grow while minimizing algae. Then how to get a dutch scape to look nice. It's been a real learning experience but I encourage planted tank enthusiasts to be patient and really keep at it. Next step for me is probably some sort of Iwagumi scape, then afterwards a Nature scape. There is still lots of learning from this 50gal has some ways to go still. Maybe I should be cutting down on species, there are 25 in the 50gal. Probably can come down to 20...

Bobsidd said:
Hi Lawson,

That Rotala macrandra japan red is unbelievable. Hope it stays that vibrant for you. And grows like a weed.

Is this the tank that houses your ammania bonsai or is it some place else? Thought I saw some to the left of the neon in the fourth picture. But am far from sure that that is what it is.

Stunning tank mate!
Rob
Click to expand...
Yah, I was very surprised by how vibrant it is. Only Ludwigia red compares in color.
Yup that's Ammania Bonsai in the 4th picture. I took it intentionally so there's no confusion on what it's supposed to look. It is a pretty tough plant to keep though. The bottom of the stems tend to melt. I started with about 3 stems last fall, and I currently only have 6.
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Reckon said:
Yup. Let me know about the 225 for the 12g long, I suspect with a 3' footprint, you may need the 425.

I empty the media into a bucket then run tank water through it (via water change) until the water runs clear. I scrub the sponges under tap water until I get rid of all the gunk.

I find I can't clean the tubes all the way. My gadget is only a couple feet long?
Click to expand...
I just added the 225 into my 12g long last night. I would say the flow is just right in combination with the output from my Ehaim 2213. I put a 425 into my 26g and it I would say it is perfect there. Would definitely be too much for the 12g.

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Reckon
I think for the most part I'm going to retire this thread. Instead I'll be adding updates to new separate journals for my 30 and 50s.

The 30 gal thread is up and can be found here: http://www.bcaquaria.com/forum/tank-journals-16/recks-30gal-high-tech-104001/

The 50 gal thread will be going up shortly.

Still, feel free to add comments regarding the challenges, quirks, passion, and commitments related to getting involved with planted tanks.
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Reckon said:
The 50 gal thread will be going up shortly.
Click to expand...
I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for this one!
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Reckon
opt-e said:
I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for this one!
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Since someone showed that he cares ;)

The 50 gal thread is up and can be found here: http://www.bcaquaria.com/forum/tank-journals-16/recks-50-gal-high-tech-105201/#post761321
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