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Hi Michael , All old soil was removed and tank was cleaned down and rinsed , I use glasgarten environment and it hasn't leeched ammonia. Tank is well oxygenated with x2 sponge filters and plenty of floating plants and movement. I feed a variety also, bacter ae/spinach/ qual drop breed/vital...

Hi all, For a while now i've been having issue's with my crystal reds dying off. Water parameters seem ok. I use RO Water and qual drop gh + lc. TDS - 107 gH - 6 kH- 0/1 Not sure what's going on, had the tank running for almost two years now, last year was a success and managed to breed a few...

Thank you for your reply. Would you suggest 442 or KCI, unfortunately this is all new to me and I thought it was going to be straight forward .

KCl: Potassium Chloride is the international standard to calibrate instruments that measure conductivity. The COM-100 is factory calibrated with a 1413 micro-seimens solution is the default mode is EC-KCl. 442TM: Developed by the Myron L Company, 442TM simulates the properties of natural...

Hi all, For the last few months I've been using hm digital com 100 to test my tds in my caridina tank . I've been having a few issues with the tank lately and decided to investigate . All other parameters are within spec and I use ro water with gh+ . I've looked more into my tds meter and...

Hi all, Was wondering if i could see your java fern scapes? I'm looking to go low tech with some nice drift wood, with some java fern attached to it along with dwarf sag . Thanks.

Yes I've just realised I can wipe off the brown diatoms . I thought it was the leaves themselfs turning brown . It's a cardina shrimp tank , there is 11 is there so far . I'm waiting on them to nature and start breeding . What advice would you give me ? I've reduced the lighting down to 6...

At least 2/3 months now . I don't think it's diatoms , I'm not sure if my plants are dying due to something . It's not as if I'm giving them strong light and it's only on for 8 hours . The root balls have macro and micro nutrients , I've placed 5 around the tank but I was experiencing brown...

Hi all, I'm struggling with my shrimp tank and keeping the algae down . Tank 60l Glassgarten enviorment soil Mini pat filter with double sponge. Chihiros 2ft light on the 2nd setting. No co2 Fertilizer clay balls in the substrate I'm struggling battling with algae . The leaves seem to be...

Hi all, I've been suffering from some BBA in my cardina shrimp tank for a few months now. It's not overly bad but its starting to grow more and more. Break down of my tank, 60Litre Tank Chihiros 2ft Led light ( Set on 3 of 7) 1xsponge filter Pat mini attached to a double sponge filter. 50w...

I'm just wanting to get an idea of what substrate everyone uses to buffer there crystal red shrimp tanks I've researched about them and there seems to be different opinions. Thanks .

So i recently bought a second hand clear seal tank and when i was moving it the top trimming, which is removable came off. I then noticed there seems to be a crack just above the brace. I don't think it was due to stress i think its been knocked or bashed some how. Do you think the tank is...

I've kind of messed it up. everything is level although on one side the supports arent touching the top and bottom. there is a slight rock when i move it myself back and forth(side to side is fine). Other than that its all level, i know screws can hold alot of weight and i know its only 38...

So i'm wondering if i need to put a center brace in on my diy stand? It works out to be around 38 gallons . I've seen a few people with tanks 55+ gallon and they dont have a center brace. the king of diy, his tanks are around 120g? with the new stands he built there isn't any center brace and...

I understand what you mean . What would you advise me to do about the lighting situation ? Just to increase the period for now ?

So would you advise me running my light for 10-12 hours for the extra photo period until my new light arrives ? Are you saying having a more intense light with a high plant base would stop algae or reduce the affects? I'm guessing ferts would have to be on the medium to high side for an...

So nothing seems to be working. After decreasing my light there seemed to be an outburst of brown algae, which makes me think that low lighting is probably the cause of my plants not doing as well as i hoped? The s repens are not looking healthy and seem to be dying off. Also my rota hasn't...

I do but i've just recently added frogbit, I've had duckweed+ salvinia but due to my current they keep tumbling under the water so i'm changing them out for something bigger. I will have to wait a week or so for them to adjust. I am tempted to add co2 to this aquarium. I have co2 running in my...

Hi all, I started a low tech planted tank a month ago. I went from 2x10w led to a 20w led . I was having issues with the bottom of the leaves dying off so i have cut that down to 6 hours . I seem to still be having issues and as said before i think its too much light. Thats what was...

Could anyone possibly give me an ID on this plant . I seen it on a Facebook group I'm in and love the look of it . Thanks.

Ok I can cut down the lighting if need be I have 2x10w lights that are alot dimmer than the 20w or should I stick with the light and reduce the photo period ? Should I also increase fert dosing X2 week to help combat the deficiency? By more and large do you mean starting at 6 hours and slowing...

3/4 weeks now. 8 hours which I'm thinking of extending due to it being a low tech tank. TNC Complete once a week . Once a week just now as it's newly established. No co2. I'm going low tech .

Sorry it must have auto corrected . 1800 lumens , I also have two 10w 1000 lumens I could connect to further it to 3800 altogether . Not sure if they would be too much for a low tech tank ? I tried to get better pictures .

So I'll give you a run down of the tank . Going for a low tech tank. 60l - 24x12x12 Lighting - 20w 9000lumen floodlight ( roughly 8 inches above the water line) Substrate - ocean free aqua gro. Filter - aqual 400l/h connected to a sponge filter. I've having issues with the bottom of my plants...

I'm looking to start a carpet and I've heard this seems to be easy to carpet and it's hardy. I have a low tech tank with aquarium soil . I've tried to find it online but can't seem to find it . If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great .

I'm guessing since it's filled the chamber you've not had an issue with it ? Also did you soak it for 2 days in water ?

I've had that before on an old one not sure why that happens . So your able to achieve enough co2 in your tank with the JBL inline diffuser?

I've come to an end with my co2 and I'm just going to give in and get an inline co2. The problem is I can't find any apart from the JBL 19/25mm inline co2 atomizer. The reviews for JBL seem to be a hit or a miss. Does anyone know of any other brands?

The pH was around 7.0/7.2 after a water change . It's currently around 7.8. I have crystal red shrimp which I recently got so I'm worried of the pH getting to high .

So I've noticed my ph is beginning to creep up since I've done a water change . From my understanding shouldn't surface agitation cause the pH to lower or is it because the gas exchange from the sponge filter would drive the H up due to the co2 in the water being displaced? I have a new filter...

So I gave up trying to run a bazooka atomizer in my tank as I would need an extra powerhead to disperse the co2 . I may try this again at some point . I've hooked an internal pump(rated at 1200l/h) in my aquarium with the max mix reactor . I'm still getting visable bubbles coming from the...

Yes I recently just got one . Done a 50% water change today on the tank . Tap water is around 136 . The tank itself at this moment without any added ferts is 268. That's roughly after 4 hours of letting the tank settle . I'll record my findings in the morning and at night time . I understand...

Thank you . I've read up on it and will keep an eye on things. The problem is I'm still having an issue with foaming and the bubbles not breaking down . Not sure what else to do . I've maybe done 3/4 water changes and still no progress.

Looking for advice on my tank and some plants. So i've tore down and moved my tank around . As you can see from the picture I have a few bits of Java fern and I want this to be the center piece . My question is does the java fern piece look fine there or should I move it into the middle ...

So you determine your plants needs by the duckweed index ? I'll have a look at this . Is it possible with TNC ? I understand what your saying . I will split up the plants into single stems allowing them to receive more light rather than being bunched up . Yes I have an extra powerhead...

Sorry forgot to say it does smell more like a wet damp Smell more than anything . I done a water change today and will give it 2/3 days for the next one .

Thank you . I will read it just now . The other thing is I have aquatic soil which I know will supply the plants with nutrients I'm going for a fairly low tech . I am going to wait 3/4 weeks but would it be a good idea to do TNC complete once a week? Would I need liquid co2 to help with the...

It is heavily planted . Each clump of stem plants has roughly 5/6 in each they are just more compact and smaller . It's an already seeded filter so I'm hoping it's not going to take long . I'll pop to my local fish store tomorrow I've had some Elodea before . So your saying X2 water change a...

Thank you both for your replies . Would you say it would give off a smell as well ? It's a fairly noticeable smell coming off of it . I've done one water change so far. The only issue is I've never cycled soil before . Do I just continue running the filtration system until I have zero ammonia...

I know new soil substrates give off ammonia and that's the case with me. I'm measuring this at 1ppm . Only just added the soil yesterday . It's a seeded sponge filter but I'm experiencing alot of bubbles on the surface of the water . Nothing like I'm use to with my sponge filter . Is this...

So I reacaped my 60l tank . I'm looking for tips and your opinion on what looks better, either the floodlights 2x10w or the led unit not sure on the the wattage. I need to cut the legs of the wood down but I was just messing around . Also the cable ties on the lights will be removed and it...

So I bought som ocean free aqua gro soil . It arrives but was under the name TNA. Was just wondering if anyone has ever heard of this soil ? I can't find much about it apart from it's Chinese .

I'm worried if I go 2x20w there will be a big algae built up . I know increasing the distance from the water level will help reduce this . Do you have a link to the products?

So you would advise 2x10w?

I've been looking into this for a while now . I have a 2x1x1 tank . Holds about 60l and I'm thinking of doing a low tech set up . The problem I've got is the chihiros would take over 4 weeks to get here if I ordered one . My question is would it be better to go with a single 20w or 2x10w all...

When creating your soil substrate did you always mineralise the soil ? I unfortunately don't have the space or weather for it to dry ? Would adding the soil in the tank then adding water to dampen the soil . Then I would add a cap of unipac black sand about an inch on top? I also hear of...

Do you have any photos of your scapes with soil? I've read your article many times and I'm fascinated with soil tanks . I think it's just taking the jump and doing it.

You've had good success with potting soil ? Have your tanks been low tech + high tech with soil ? I might look to make soil into a high tech tank of anything goes well.

Well I have now come to the conclusion that I'm either going for John innes no 3 or tropica soil (not the powder). My only fear with either of these is that I have a bad breakout of algae or the John innes breaks through the cap. I'm probably going to run a 20w 6500k floodlight if the light I...

Well with it being a low tech tank I was going to dose TNC complete once a week maybe even more if I seen any defiances. So being a rookie to this what are the tried and tested methods that don't break the bank ? I've read about aquatic soil and then capping it with sand. I have some...

So I have a planted tank already . It's just black sanda I've had poor performance with plants mostly stems. I'm looking to try a low tech planted tank with flourite black on my 60l just as a tester and if everything goes well transition it into my 140l. I want more of an understand of how it...

I use to feed them courgette but not I just fees them algae Waffers. Feel like I might need to start adding them back in . I could but I'm just worried about the fish jumping out when I'm not here . I don't but I have then at work . I'm going to take a sample to the local fish store and see...

As you can see if you look at the background the light dispersion . Yet again as soon I take off my cover my plants start to petal .

I do have bn plecs. Not seen them feeding on the plants but it could be happening at night time when I don't see them . Well I think your right on the light spread . The issue I have is I use 10mm polycarbonate on top of my tank . I think the light is refracted rather than going straight down...

I'm currently moving my bubble counter around to see if there is any dead spots . I'm going to trim the sessiliflora today and replant . Would you suggest upping my lighting as I currently have it on a decreased setting and increase my macro nutrients or should I do one at a time and watch how...

Thanks all for the information . I currently use an all pond solution 1000l/h . The filter has dropped off over the past year and I am looking at replacing it with an eheim 2217 at the end of the month . I'm hoping with my new filter at the end of the month I'll attach my inline atomizer...

My current set up is, 40 gallon tank Pressurised co2( drop checker is always like green). Running ei dosing. I'm currently having an issue with a few things in my tank. I apologise for the picture quality my phone seems to be changing the colour of the picture. The first problem is my...