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Hi there, if it helps I'm same as you, just finishing my nano cyls before switching to Sodastream. Measuring my S/stream bottle and Nano regulator to the top of the bubble counter plus a couple of cms for piping, I reckon 53cms would be about the height. Harry

Apologies to CO2 Supermarket, unlike DPD they actually did reply to me, I just found the email

Just seen this thread. I bought a Chihiros light the other day from a UK supplier, got to say I'm not impressed with the adaptor that came with it either, it's working but I'd one hell of a job pairing the two parts and getting the adaptor to screw fully closed.

I just bought a Nano CO2 set and an adaptor to fit one of my Soda Stream bottles, I find Soda Stream okay for Nano tanks. My gripe with CO2 Supermarket is their carrier DPD delivered to the wrong address. I was fortunately able to track down where they left it and retrieved the parcel ( nigh on...

Hi mate and thank you, I retired at 60 and the only thing I regret is time has flown. I can't do half the things I could in the garden but keeping a planted tank is just another kind of gardening and as long as I don't end up with all the tanks I once had I should be okay at keeping the Mrs sweet.😂

This is my little aquarium as it looks, I've been out of the hobby quite some time but not too bad, I am 81 years young after all but once bitten🤣. I just want something to keep me occupied and trying to do it right but keeping it enjoyable. Thanks for replying guys

Cheers Darrel, there's no breaches reported and ave fig. is 39.1 nitrates. Hardness is reported as Calcium Carbonate 287 mg/l, Calcium 114.8 mg/l, German Hardness 16.303 dH.

Thanks for that Bazz yes I think I am reading what I'd like it to be rather than what it is😉, as I say the strips are not easy to read and the subtle colour changes coupled with the smudges the water can give on them doesn't help. Your figures sound much more plausible,. I'm out on the coast...

I was going to ask the question about high nitrates but found this thread. I just have a 10 gallon tank, running a couple of months. Plants are great (heavily planted) and responding well to the CO2 and after battling algae for the first few weeks I'm struggling to find any at all, water is gin...

Great job.:clap: Love to see these DIY projects as anything to save money these days helps . Harry

I have stayed with Soda stream for many reasons. There should not be any issue with losing gas on installation if done correctly. As has been said, the best way is to tighten up by hand until you feel the resistance of the 'O' ring then just nip up the final turn with the spanner. Using Soda...

I'm with you on Staurogyne Repens Sacha, fast growing, anchors well with a great root system and can be pruned for fun. Harry

Hi Sach, I've had hair algae come and go. I would only worry about it if it really took hold and was clinging to everything. Best IMO is to not tamper too much with CO2 and ferts if these have served you well so far but do lots of water changes, perhaps starting with a huge one say 60-65%. When...

I've just pruned mine down to one leaf so not worth taking a pic right now. I'm in Hospital for an operation Monday so might be out of action a few days at least but I'll try and get a pic at some point and put it on here. Harry.

Hi Dom, you could do as I do and use a Nymphaea Stellata and keep nipping the shoots off. That keeps it nice and compact. Once a leaf gets larger that you want just prune it off. I think you should not let it find the surface of the water. I usually take my shoots off when it is about half way...

Welcome.

Count it's legs. All spiders have eight. They are Arachnids.

Corys are great Jon, they may uproot newly planted carpet plants which are shallow rooted but once the growth is on they are fine. Busy little blighters and clean up uneaten scraps I love them. I like to let my plants grow and the whole eco system run for a good 6 weeks before adding fish. Most...

Well done, it looks great. Harry.

Hi Jon, That's a big tank you've got there, always a challenge as a planted set up but beautiful if you can achieve a nice balance. I will start the ball rolling by suggesting one or two things and then you will get the input of others I'm sure to help you along. First substrate, there are...

Cheers Edvert, sorry for poor pics. I'm trying to get away from that jungle look I had. I like playing around with it, gives me something to do;).

Well you could certainly put together a very nice set up for that kind of money and buy some pretty nice fish to boot!

I've continued to mess around (play) and after 5 months my little 80ltr tanks looks like this. http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=fNkd6hpTbcM%2FbJ0biB5UDIh4l5k2TGxchttp://oi59.tinypic.com/2cfpeyr.jpg

Lovely but I'm afraid at that price it would have to stay in the shop!.:eek:

The best way to distinguish Mopani from bogwood is that mopani is very hard and heavy. It can come with branches (it is a tree after all) though most pieces used for aquarium use tend to be devoid of thinner branches. Apart from being very hard, heavy and dense, it seldom gives of much in the...

Welcome Catherine, looking forward to seeing your pics. Harry.

Your tanks look lovely. The top pic you have just redone and you said you are to trim it later. But the bottom picture to me is beautiful. I only use EI along with CO2 and am happy with that. Lots of water changes and keeping things clean plus not overfeeding the fish is all that needs to be...

Yes I have heard tales of this before. Maybe it matters how the tank is set up too, just a guess, I have quite heavy moss high up so the shrimps tend to colonise that quite a bit. I put 10 Cherry shrimp in mine a couple of months back and now have 50 and counting so of course I can't say with...

Got assassin snails and Cherrys in mine Frenchi and the shrimps clean the snails shells;). Never had a problem even with the tiniest new hatched shrimps. Maybe your CRS are more tasty.:hungry: Harry

Not many replies to this then:) Its a biggy tank you got there, do let us see it as you progress. I would just filter the tank to the parameters you need to turn over the water around the 10 times in an hour which means big filters and maybe power heads. You could use any pump or filter in...

Should be alright left in the packaging depending how they are packed. Why not contact greenmachine to see what they suggest. Plants that are imported are often 3+ days in the box. Harry.

The place to be. Welcome Harry.

I have shrimp ( red cherry) in my tank too, no probs. Using the gel s/glue as I mentioned above, it appears to set even quicker when applied to wet wood, it does set in a minute or two and you can put it straight back in the tank without problems. It's only downside is that the glue sets white...

That's real quality Jimmy:thumbup:

Hi Wallis, Stem plants stay nicer if you carefully lift the whole plant, cut off and discard the roots leaving the top the length you want and replant. You can just trim off the tops in the tank and the part left will sprout again, but that way the plant may soon get woody looking. As for the...

It's all part of the fun:playful:. I have recently taken cuttings from Staurogyne Repens to make a carpet there is frequently one come adrift and stuck in the Koralia. Out with the towel, sleeves up and pop it back in! Once the roots are bigger they'll stay in place I hope. But I have 6...

How big is the bristle nose? they are great at rooting around for scraps while you are in the land of nod:lol: Edit: just seen you said half grown. still, I've known them disturb plants even at around 3". Harry

Looks better without that background, you could always put a plain black one on which really shows off the plants well. Harry.

Hi Frenchi, Whether you use CO2 is up to you. Personally I would always use CO2 on a planted tank but some get away with using liquid carbons. You could leave the tank a few weeks for the plants to establish, that's what I would do, but really it shouldn't matter too much. Plants are often...

I think 'Neoprene' is the best rubber as it has a longer life. Just make sure you get the exact size and it will be fine. It would have to be some pretty weird material for an O ring to affect your aquarium. Harry.

I think it looks nice, the plants are very healthy looking. Maybe let it settle a bit and try some serious trimming. That will let you see the hard scape better and give you a better idea of where you are at. If you get carried away and over trim it's going to grow back anyway and you will be...

Looking forward to seeing the pics:thumbup: Harry

Hi Frenchi, Once you start disturbing the substrate the ammonia levels will be through the roof especially if you have drained the tank down first as I suspect you will. I think it best to bag the fish up first. Having said that I have done similar work and left the fish in and got away with it...

Hi Berti, Have to agree, it would be a shame to come off CO2 after you have spent all the time and money. It's very kind of your supplier to lend you another reg. Leaks can be difficult to find but you must persevere as we all want you to be successful. :) Eliminate as many joins as possible...

Hi Martin, Lots of information on here about water flow (distribution). In every case you are warned against having filter outlets opposing each other. Your outlets need to be on the same wall, flowing in the same direction. I would say it's not essential to have spray bars. Outlets such as...

It does look good doesn't it.:clap: Actually after a water change it is not uncommon to see manic 'pearling'. Most of it is not the plants giving off oxygen via photosynthesis but the new oxygenated water causing oxygen bubbles to stick to the leaves. This usually clears over a period of a few...

Interesting link Darrel.:thumbup:

I just used a sprinkle of peat moss under my substrate for the beneficial bacteria it gives. If you read up some of the posts on here (there was one particular one from Clive which I can't find) they state that as peat moss is carbon , plant matter, use it sparingly as it will eventually break...

Peat moss is usually only used as a light dusting under substrate and too much can cause problems. I would do some research on here before you go ahead. Harry.

Could be Pilea or one of the Dracenas. They are often sold at Lfs but not aquatic and soon wither if kept submersed. Harry.

Well I suppose Clown Loaches and snails are one topic especially if you throw in the word dinner:p so to continue (again with apologies to OP;)) you are so right to bring this up Andy. I suppose we have all bought these fish at some point in our lives at a really attractive 2/3". lots of people...

Those clowns look great Andy.

Hi Hari, don't worry, just aim to keep to the system you have been advised on here. Your fish will eat the critters when you eventually put them in but don't be in too much of a hurry. you should be able to net out a lot of the 'creatures' with a fine net if it bothers you. As Vivian says, it...

Mine wore wet suits and snorkles....just wouldn't go away!:p

You do need to try and get another timer fixed up. CO2 on at least 1 hour BEFORE the lights as ceg4048 has said above. Also it should go OFF 30 minutes to 1 hour before the lights go out. Harry

When I first set mine up I did water changes every day for a month. I still do around 50% water changes twice a week and fortunately have none of the gremlins I used to get on occasions when my tanks weren't kept so clean. It will definitely help Diatoms and Algae.:thumbup: Harry.

Hi Hari, Welcome. You are indeed fortunate to get that reply from Clive (ceg4048) There is absolutely nothing to add and I would advise you to study the advice in his post and try to follow it to the letter, that way you will quickly see the results you are looking for. Good luck. Harry.

Welcome James, just browse the site and ask the questions, it's magic!!!:thumbup:

You don't need the dechlorinator, Some don't even use the stuff with livestock while others swear by it. It can take many months for the tank to mature but I usually find that if I follow Clives advice re CO2 distribution, ferts and lighting the diatoms fade within 6 to 8 weeks. Sometimes sooner.

Well I have always associated lighting with the colour of the plants as explained by Martin as light is a pigment changer even in the colour of human skin! But I would never argue with Clive's reasoning as I have the utmost respect for this guys help and undoubted knowledge and just love to...

High light high tech. Red Plants grown under very high light conditions will require lots of CO2 and fertilisation and will in turn display the bright red you are looking for. However, if under the high light you do not balance the CO2 and fertilisation, algae will have a field day. It's a...

With patience like that you can't help but be successful;) Good luck and keep us up to speed (or date :)) as you progress. Harry

Hi Adrian, welcome. Looking forward to seeing your pics. Fine part of the world there, it's many moons since I stood on Table Mountain looking over your fabulous city. Harry.

Welcome Lee. Harry

Hi Robbie, are you intending to dose dry? I just mix mine up in the bottles they send and dose at the recommended rate of 10 ml per 50 litres roughly. As you say you have 19L you could round that to 25 litres and dose 5 Ml to the tank as per daily instructions on their guide. It's only a guide...

So glad you are doing okay with it, I was wondering how you had got on. Lucky to catch Argos at a time when they offer reductions, the last twice I had to pay £9.99:arghh:. Still, it's not bad as I do get a fair amount of 'life' from a bottle and the plants are doing well.:thumbup: I always keep...

It's a great idea, these are sold by some suppliers under the name of 'substrate holders' and cost an arm and a leg. (well not exactly old bottles but do the same job.:lol:) I bought some really cheap food chopping mats off Ebay and just cut them into strips., also work perfectly well. I love...

Hi Sacha, Tank looks great mate. You could try reducing your light to six hours for a while. Is it a new set up? Diatomic algae can be a problem for the first couple of months. Or, if you have 2 tubes try just taking one reflector off and maybe up the water changes? Good luck, hope it's soon...

Hi Sammy. Sorry to hear of your demise, it can happen to us all, just put it down to experience;). It always pays to rinse the substrate well before you put it in but it should soon settle. You could try gently raking over your sand, this may improve it. It is possible to get more sand or...

Miracle grow in powder form would be both cheaper and give the correct elements for your garden plants. Thing is though you will get better results measuring the amount of feed required into a 2 gallon watering can and just topping up with water??:thumbup:

I bought the Fluval straight scissors which are good for the price but wave scissors are far easier for lawns as they allow you to get the correct angle.

I used to have my own business and have bought and sold Discus frequently. Obviously if the bags could be inflated with oxygen that would be the best option. However in your case I would definitely not be opening the bags and using airstone or heater. My advice would be to at least double bag...

The Crypts ( Cryptocoryne) are the little dark green ones you have tucked under the wood, planted in the substrate left centre. Not sure what variety they are but could be same as mine Cryptocoryne Beckettii 'Petchii' . Having them slightly shaded by the wood and plants above them is no bad...

It looks very nice, coming on a treat. I love the Crypts:). Harry

Asking if you need ferts is a bit like having a pet and asking should I feed it. :)

I saw the pic and thought " Mopani" before I read the text.

Have fun Richard, it's great getting new toys!! Harry

Welcome Vivian, lots of information and help on here. :thumbup: Harry.

Why not contact aquariumplantfooduk our sponsors and buy their Micro solution ( APF Chelated Trace Elements)? It would be difficult for anyone to answer your dosage question without knowing the exact ingredients in JBL Ferropol or BA FlorinMulti. HarryWe replied at the same time Ian, great...

Great idea and you won't get shrimp sucked into the intake too. Harry

Hi Cherry, If it's whirring away but not moving the water I can think of two things I would be checking. Firstly is the impeller stuck (jammed)? secondly I have known impellers to come apart from the magnet in such a way that the magnetic part of the impeller spins but the blades stay still...

That is so reassuring to know.:lol: especially as I've been talking to you the last few days.!! It really isn,t a problem mate, when it comes to running your pump or even your CO2 24/7 some do and some don't. Do what you think works best for your tank. You are certainly right, I used to live in...

I have seen Angels kept with Cardinals but it can't be good practice as when the Angel grows it will readily take small fish. My opinion is that Angels are best in a species tank or kept with larger fishes that are not too boisterous. Harry.

I just love the threadfin rainbows.:thumbup:

Sorry I meant to say I installed an in line switch to make it convenient.

Hi Rob, If you have a lot of this stuff, why not just put some in a bucket ideally next to an outside tap. Cover to black out the light and change the water frequently and brush to get rid of any surface stuff, then when you next do your tank in around a month to 6 weeks you will have ready...

Hi Jordi, It's your choice really, I had a noisy Koralia at one stage ( noisy impeller rather than the noise you get when a bit of plant gets stuck in there) and until I bought a new pump I was switching off over night with no detriment to plants or fish. Since getting my new pump which is now...

Welcome Antonio, Looks nice, post some pics once it has grown on a bit so we can watch it's progress?:thumbup: Harry

Really healthy looking wobbly things, EI doing them the world of good.:lol: Lovely tank mate.:clap: Harry

Hi Karen, In a planted tank you might get away with adding fish early but patience is the key and IMO the best way. Just leave everything, do daily water changes for a couple of weeks and then twice a week after that @ 30%-50%. Feed the plants during this time and keep the lighting low. Start...

Hello John, well we are all learning and I can only relate my own method. I have always attempted to get my CO2 to a maximum acceptable level during daylight hours, once there I aim to keep that level by, as Ian says above leaving the regulator alone. There are of course so many factors which...

But surely there's no bigger waste of CO2 than to run it overnight when your plants no longer need it?

Would the rods and car battery be enough so that you won't need to spend any money on a lighting kit after you've caught the worms.?:playful:

Hi Kirk, well you may be right to the letter mate but I'm far more slap stick than that:) I always use the hot water from the tap, not convinced anything more than minuscule amounts of copper will come from tanks or piping, unless the system isn't often used and water stands for long periods...

Hi Richard, If you have doubts at all about your water quality I would suggest lots of water changes until it settles down. I would do a water change of 30-50% daily if it were mine. As for the otos, I wouldn't use them as a yardstick for your water quality. It is common for otos to live a...

Absolutely, and probably one of the most difficult.:arghh:

^^^what I wanted to say got mixed up in the 'quote' for some reason:D ^^^

Yep!!! I never heard of anyone nicking the SPONGES before:lol::lol: