Rob P
Member
- Joined
- 13 Oct 2013
- Messages
- 785
As a newb to planted tanks with what i consider an experimental tank (as in it's been my 1st hi tech effort), when you have what appears to be a good set up with good flow, good co2, good ferts, good light and it all appears to be in balance - plants are healthy, pearling & growing rampantly and you have zero algae/issues, is there a next step?
I mean my TMC Grobeams are on for like 6.5hrs or so at 90% and i'm not inclined to change it (would only have it coming on earlier if anything and I wouldn't be home anyway), but is there any benefit increasing photo period for example?
Maintenance is quite managable, weekly big water change, glass & equipment clean and then trimming.
I guess what i'm saying is i've spent lots of time (and money!) learning and implementing the fundamentals of a high energy tank and seem to have achieved success. I have a new tank in the wings that i'll attempt a decent scape in but that won't be ready to start for a couple more months (and the thought scares me!
).
Should I just rest on my laurels, enjoy the tank developing as is and be ready to transfer what i've learned and achieved to the new tank (that will inevitably create new challenges), or is there 'something else' I could be doing in the meantime to better prepare for the next instalment? After all, i'd rather practice in the experimental tank than the next one
Sorry for what seems a silly question!
I mean my TMC Grobeams are on for like 6.5hrs or so at 90% and i'm not inclined to change it (would only have it coming on earlier if anything and I wouldn't be home anyway), but is there any benefit increasing photo period for example?
Maintenance is quite managable, weekly big water change, glass & equipment clean and then trimming.
I guess what i'm saying is i've spent lots of time (and money!) learning and implementing the fundamentals of a high energy tank and seem to have achieved success. I have a new tank in the wings that i'll attempt a decent scape in but that won't be ready to start for a couple more months (and the thought scares me!
).Should I just rest on my laurels, enjoy the tank developing as is and be ready to transfer what i've learned and achieved to the new tank (that will inevitably create new challenges), or is there 'something else' I could be doing in the meantime to better prepare for the next instalment? After all, i'd rather practice in the experimental tank than the next one
Sorry for what seems a silly question!
It's hard to explain the difference in feeling of a couple of months ago (a horrible brown tank and hours of weekly maintenance) to just seeing super healthy plants and a fresh looking (pathetically scaped!!) tank. I guess a few people know the feeling 
