Hello UKAPS.
After a few years off I’m about to get back into the hobby. My history in aquascaping could be summarised as ‘algae growing expert’. I hope that some discussion will set me off on the right path, and hugely appreciate people’s help to produce a tank I can be happy with, for once! Queries are underlined.
My goal is a low maintenance low tech scape with only shrimp and plants:
Tank
NACD Optiwhite 56 litres 45x35x35cm custom size due for delivery 12th May
Filter
Eheim Professional 4+ 350T rated 1050 LPH - all my tanks in the past had low flow issues, I’m hoping this will negate the issue. It’s been decades since I’ve set up a tank without a mature filter, which products would you recommend? I still have some ADA Green Bacter, is that useful?
Lighting
Super fish Aquacube 9watt to begin with. Considering Kessil A80 Tuna sun but I don’t know HOW dimmable the unit is? For example can I run it at 10% power if need be? Or does it come on at 50%? I did email Kessil about this and got nowhere. The last thing I want is to drive it too hard with too much light.
CO2 / Excel etc
None
Other
Twinstar M5 - Hell yes I will spend £120 on something if it stops some algae.
Surface skimmer made shrimp safe. Considering ADA Vuppa 2
Plants
Bolbitis - I have never had this not die on me. But it’s my favourite plant by a mile so I will keep on trying. Tips? I have London tap water FYI.
Java Fern
Mosses
Anubius
Crypts - recommendations?
Stems - at least initially, not fussed what
I will be buying Tropica 1 2 grow where I can. For plants unavailable in this format, how can I absolutely 100% ensure that I do not introduce pest snails into my aquarium? I have read that potassium permanganate dipping is ineffective against snail eggs. How do people ensure no snail eggs?
Substrate
Florabase - I think that’s the one I have. I’ve got loads of it unused, I know it has nutrients in it anyway.
ADA Xingu
Hardscape
Wood - where can I buy individual pieces online? The ones on thegreenmachine look pretty poor at the moment.
Rocks - got lots from previous.
Fertilisation Regime / Method
I could definitely use some advice here. I still have a bunch of dry KNO3, K2PO4? & trace elements mix from Aqua Essentials that I bought many years ago (maybe 10 years ago). Are these still any good? Still considered best option? I used to use Tom Barr’s modified EI method without water changes and skipping dosing to reset the tank every few weeks.
Please recommend the best / easiest product/s to buy and method? I don’t know what’s changed in the time I’ve been out of the hobby.
Fingers crossed this journal will show a nice scape in future rather than begging for algae solutions.
Cheers,
Paul.
After a few years off I’m about to get back into the hobby. My history in aquascaping could be summarised as ‘algae growing expert’. I hope that some discussion will set me off on the right path, and hugely appreciate people’s help to produce a tank I can be happy with, for once! Queries are underlined.
My goal is a low maintenance low tech scape with only shrimp and plants:
Tank
NACD Optiwhite 56 litres 45x35x35cm custom size due for delivery 12th May
Filter
Eheim Professional 4+ 350T rated 1050 LPH - all my tanks in the past had low flow issues, I’m hoping this will negate the issue. It’s been decades since I’ve set up a tank without a mature filter, which products would you recommend? I still have some ADA Green Bacter, is that useful?
Lighting
Super fish Aquacube 9watt to begin with. Considering Kessil A80 Tuna sun but I don’t know HOW dimmable the unit is? For example can I run it at 10% power if need be? Or does it come on at 50%? I did email Kessil about this and got nowhere. The last thing I want is to drive it too hard with too much light.
CO2 / Excel etc
None
Other
Twinstar M5 - Hell yes I will spend £120 on something if it stops some algae.
Surface skimmer made shrimp safe. Considering ADA Vuppa 2
Plants
Bolbitis - I have never had this not die on me. But it’s my favourite plant by a mile so I will keep on trying. Tips? I have London tap water FYI.
Java Fern
Mosses
Anubius
Crypts - recommendations?
Stems - at least initially, not fussed what
I will be buying Tropica 1 2 grow where I can. For plants unavailable in this format, how can I absolutely 100% ensure that I do not introduce pest snails into my aquarium? I have read that potassium permanganate dipping is ineffective against snail eggs. How do people ensure no snail eggs?
Substrate
Florabase - I think that’s the one I have. I’ve got loads of it unused, I know it has nutrients in it anyway.
ADA Xingu
Hardscape
Wood - where can I buy individual pieces online? The ones on thegreenmachine look pretty poor at the moment.
Rocks - got lots from previous.
Fertilisation Regime / Method
I could definitely use some advice here. I still have a bunch of dry KNO3, K2PO4? & trace elements mix from Aqua Essentials that I bought many years ago (maybe 10 years ago). Are these still any good? Still considered best option? I used to use Tom Barr’s modified EI method without water changes and skipping dosing to reset the tank every few weeks.
Please recommend the best / easiest product/s to buy and method? I don’t know what’s changed in the time I’ve been out of the hobby.
Fingers crossed this journal will show a nice scape in future rather than begging for algae solutions.
Cheers,
Paul.