Tim.jp
Member
The aim of this project was to have an unheated tank on a south facing balcony and gradually introduce warmer water species as the year progressed. The essential ingredient of rice seedlings was to be added in June if obtainable. I've been keeping notes, but only got round to posting now it is half way through. Anyway, there have been some unresolved issues, so comments that help me improve next year will be much appreciated.
Roughly speaking, the cold Stage 1 is from the end of March to the end of May, during which time a few cold water plants will be added while the setup matures.
Stage 2 is June, July (and September) when temperatures are naturally in the comfortable range for tropical species. Stage 3 is August when high water temperatures could be a problem.
The normal monthly temperatures in Celsius for where I live in Kanagawa Prefecture are as follows:
March 9 average; 5 low; 13 high
April 14 average; 10 low; 19 high
May 18 average; 15 low; 22 high
June 21 average; 19 low; 25 high
July 25 average; 22 low; 29 high
August 27 average; 24 low; 31 high
September 23 average; 21 low; 27 high
October 18 average; 15 low; 22 high
November 13 average; 10 low; 17 high
From previous experience, having a tank in direct sunlight results in maximum water temperatures of about 3 or 4 degrees above daily air temperature highs, so August could be a problem!
Equipment:
Substrate: 50/50 ADA Amazonia/Akadama
Lighting: Natural sunlight only (south facing balcony)
Heating: None
Cooler: None
Fertilizer: All in one liquid fertilizer (no CO2)
Filter: Eheim Ecco 2236
Stand: These stands are NOT recommended for aquarium. I only use them outside where it isn’t the end of the world if they are not up to the job.
Roughly speaking, the cold Stage 1 is from the end of March to the end of May, during which time a few cold water plants will be added while the setup matures.
Stage 2 is June, July (and September) when temperatures are naturally in the comfortable range for tropical species. Stage 3 is August when high water temperatures could be a problem.
The normal monthly temperatures in Celsius for where I live in Kanagawa Prefecture are as follows:
March 9 average; 5 low; 13 high
April 14 average; 10 low; 19 high
May 18 average; 15 low; 22 high
June 21 average; 19 low; 25 high
July 25 average; 22 low; 29 high
August 27 average; 24 low; 31 high
September 23 average; 21 low; 27 high
October 18 average; 15 low; 22 high
November 13 average; 10 low; 17 high
From previous experience, having a tank in direct sunlight results in maximum water temperatures of about 3 or 4 degrees above daily air temperature highs, so August could be a problem!
Equipment:
Substrate: 50/50 ADA Amazonia/Akadama
Lighting: Natural sunlight only (south facing balcony)
Heating: None
Cooler: None
Fertilizer: All in one liquid fertilizer (no CO2)
Filter: Eheim Ecco 2236
Stand: These stands are NOT recommended for aquarium. I only use them outside where it isn’t the end of the world if they are not up to the job.