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Hi, First, the feedback after 22 months of use: I never cleaned the atomizer in those 22 months. It never leaked and I never had to increase my working pressure. The working pressure is near 30 psi (2.0 to 2.1 bar). So, it is important to have a good CO2 circuit to avoid leaking in tube...

No, this needs 2.0 to 2.1 bars to operate, so around 30 PSI. Below that, you'll have all sort of issues you describe. So, you need an adjustable regulator with up to 2.5 bars limit + a very good needle valve to keep a fine tuning with that pressure

Up Atomizer needs 2.0 to 2.1 bars to work (around 30 psi) Yheck if your reg has adjustable working pressure above 2.0 bars, or you're stuck

Yes, and I don't see bubbles unless very close to tank. They are so small... If you see them, then just turn down CO2: spares CO2 and very efficient

Sometimes, misting was shown to be much more efficient than any 100% total dissolution and in most cases leads to much less CO2 use compared to an external reactor

The cheap CO2 Atomizer (external inline ceramic misting, search ebay for it) is an incredible CO2 bomb machine. Anyone should give it a try Sadely, I never could compare it to my external AM1000 on my 230L as I stopped the tank before I start the experiment. Based on what I see in my 12 gal +...

Thanks I hope it will grow slower :-) But, with Eleocharis, even if not trimmed with very high CO2, it didn't show any problems till about 8 months. Trimming the moss is a real pain in the ... though. As mosses sink, it is very hard to get the small debris out of the tank.

Hi, here's the feedback 3 weeks later, with low CO2, less dosing, Riccia was completely rescaped and growed in 2 weeks as in the photo: Also, this is now under lower Co2 (from 48 bpm to only 6 bpm), Waterchange 10% (2-3L) /week (was 60% /week), no more dosing macro, TPN only 1ml /week No...

Re: Dry start: my 11gal nano (Title was: Hardscaping my 2nd Many thanks for all the feedback Tank is still running, so healthy. Since 3 weeks now, I pushed the limits: Co2 moved from 46 bpm to only 6 bpm Waterchange: 10% (2-3L) /week (was 60% /week) No more dosing macro TPN only 1ml /week...

Thank you all for the feedback No problem with nutrients/CO2 as plants are doing very well and no algae. I still do 50-60% WC every week. It is hard to trim it close to the roots. The runners are above the ground often and of different height, so it would end up with many plants cut under the...

Hi In the nano in my signature, I have a nice Eleocharis background going great since 8 months of immersion without any trimming. I only control the new roots so that they don't invade whole tank. It is now becoming too dense and I noticed subtle signs of potential problems due to the density...

Re: Dry start: my 11gal nano (Title was: Hardscaping my 2nd Hi, Here's how it is going now, 7 months after immersion. High CO2, low light and low maintenance really. WC every week, 50% that takes 15mn total because of volume. No syphoning at all (low fish load, many shrimps an snails to do...

Re: Dry start: my 11gal nano (Title was: Hardscaping my 2nd Thank you both for the nice comments. I really love the low maintenance it needs. Low light helps a lot Shrimps do well, RCS breed no problems. CRS on the other hand are another story. I lost 80% of them because of my first calcareous...

Re: Dry start: my 11gal nano (Title was: Hardscaping my 2nd Was bored from P. Helferi in the front and liked a shorter plant, easy to maintain. As my floating riccia that started with 0.5in diameter became a 6in diameter circle shading too much light, I decided to use a riccia carpet Glosso...

Re: Dry start: my 11gal nano (Title was: Hardscaping my 2nd Here's how it grows, 0.9wpg light. Glosso adapted to extreme low light and now grows quickly and responds to trimming by launching many shoots. P. Helferi needs a little more time as I trimmed and replanted it in a more spaced...

No Seachem insists it won't affect KH or GH quiet at all. I'm discussing it now on APC in seachem sponsor subforum. They think I have a bad bag, not sure really since no one before tried what I did. I'll let you know how the discussion goes about it on Seachem but they're showing a good support

I don't think KH and GH will drop even without WC. The soil looks really saturated and leaking tons of Ca and CO3, maybe Mg. In few days, GH and KH raise in my tank. Probably it is the equilibrium between water, soil and plants uptake in my case. I just can't explain why Seachem claims their...

Hi, Facing difficulties to lower my GH and KH in my RCS 45L, I made this test: I filled half of a drink glass with Seachem Flourite Black Sand. Added RO water (KH 0.6) to fill the glass and stir it. After 3 weeks, I tested: KH 5.4 GH 8 :shock: Just shocked. Is this how my tank would go if I...

Thank you George and Matt for answering about photoperiod of 10-12h. I'll try to increase photoperiod progressively if I really need it. Since I succeeded in having my aquariums completely algae free, I never tried anything above 8h

I run them from midday to 8pm, so 8h Anyone running with no algae issues and complete stability on long run for 10-12h/day?

If you see those ppm, it only means water is completely polluted by agriculture leachings in soil In nature, plants take most they need from soil, from their roots

Is Excel safe on mosses, glosso, riccia and ceratophyllum?

Thanks Tom, but still didn't get it all. If ADA AS is not mineralized, then you mean its P and N sources are also organic? N and P are either mineral or organic. So, ADA AS would be organic N and P, coated to lower leaching in water? Also, based on your expierience, which of them will last...

2cm in 8 months :shock: This is sooo sloooow !! I'll have to be patient. Thanks for all the hints. Never thought I could carpet it, but it should take years I imagine About shrimps, I'm also surprised how they do keep a tank clean from any debris or decaying leaves on my nano Many thanks...

Many thanks for confirming the specie Also for the hints on slow growth and how to spread it faster Does the fonatnus attach to wood/rocks with time or it will always need the nylon threads to be kept? Also, any help to make it spread faster? The christmas and weeping moss in the tank are...

Many thanks for clarifying all this really interesting Just one question. ADA AS is mineralized N and P while earthworm castings is organic N and P that needs to be mineralized by bacteria for plants to take it So, at the end, is it really important to add ADA AS to earthworm castings? Which...

Ok, Here's a new photo of tonight Ruler is in cm, not inches So, Fissidens Fontanus in your opinion?

As far as I know, only NPK are considered macro, because needed by plants in important amounts along with CO2 JBL soil doesn't have any macro except K You'll need to dose N and P. Dosing micro in water column will help soil to last longer. Also, when pruning plants you don't burry them often...

Had same issue when I immersed my tank dry started. Most anubias (petite) rotted. Hopefully, mayn survived and some had only a partial rotting of rhizome and leaves. They now all grew back healthy Sometimes it needs some weeks for anubia to adapt on immersion. It will rot, hopefully, many will...

Tom meant soils rich with macro, that is P, N and K JBL soil and ferts don't include N or P, only micro and some K Most plants don't get significant nutrients from leaves, except CO2. Some plants are able to get most of their nutrients from leaves. Dosing water will make nutrients diffuse in...

Sorry for the mistake, I meant in my post the difference between fontanus and zipper, I just miswritten what I meant to say. Anyway, the debate is quiet helpful So, in your opinion, it is especially a question between F. Fontanus US vs Singapore? Maybe I'll post new pics later including the...

What can help distinguish between fissidens and fontanus?

Thanks for the input. It is still alive, not growing much, but looks healty I'll let you know in few weeks how it is turning

Hi, I had to remove the rocks because they were very calcareous and the KH and GH were very unstable Used petrified wood instead. Eleocharis was never trimmed, only delimited to not invade the front. Glosso is growing so slowly, but it roots and grows, very low light doesn't help, but CO2 does...

Just for the feedback of it: it glues the rhizomes great and they don't melt, unlike with the toxic silicone

Hi, Thank you both, I never saw a fissidens before this, indeed :oops: Now, looking on google, it looks like to be Fissidens. So not sure if it is a new specie. Still, if you like, when I have some growth, I can send you a bunch if still interested. PM me in 4-8 weeks to recall me. I'll send...

Hi, I got my hands on a sample of a moss I never saw before that's now in my tank Any help identifying it? It is much more structred then usual mosses I'm used too and leaves are much longer.

Thank you for the advices, Sorry to confuse you. The problem appeared 4 weeks ago, but I didn't care at first. The aspect you see is a week ago Now, plants are turning back green and in these few days I noticed an impressive change since my pic. None of the affected leaves did melt, they're...

Thanks, Anyway, new leaves are now green and old white are getting green too. I tend, in my case, to think that it is CO2/O2 change once submerged. Soil is the same and no deficiencies were present during dry start

GH is 8, I dose EI, that is TPN, NO3, PO4, MgSO4, CaSO4 and K2SO4 Tank was dry started with Flourite Black sand. No deficiencies during dry start, so plants are enough covered from soil (bottom soil is earthworm castings, so enough organic N and P) Once submerged, all new leaves from P...

Hi, On my Nano that I dry started (see signature), the new leaves of P. Helferi were white. They looked healthy though and didn't bother at first. Now, I notice that those white leaves tend to show on the long term signs of weakness/transparency Not all plants are affected, but mainly those...

Putting water without a filter could lead to an algae heaven in 3-5 days, just try it, unless kept completely dim in the dark I also now let my aquaria few months before any fish is added. Shrimps can be added while plants root as they like. My dry start trial, now immersed without any algae...

Hi, Inert or no, no point to add amonia

Hi, Why add any thing at all? It would cycle normally by its own. Also, filter is not what leaks the most normally. But, I don't see a problem in running as you thought. At least, soil and water will start the cycle

Hi, Great tank. Just jumping here about UP CO2 Atomizer: Take a look at the growth of my 45L under only 11W PC-light --> 0.9W/gal total volume and 1.5W/gal real volume (1W for 4L total volume, or 1W for 2.3L real volume) with this diffuser...

Yes, it's amazing how things grow with this light. PC-Light also seems to be much more intense than T8. It is something like T5, so the overall visual aspect is reall great, well enlightened, not dimm In the photos, you see 2 Arcpods of 11w, but only one is On. I started with 2, but growth was...

Hi, Here's how it looks, after 6 weeks of immersion. Clean, no algae, except self limited green hairs on mosses. Only 0.9W/gal total volume (1.5W/gal real volume) . Only one of the 2 Arcpods is On since 4 weeks. The second will be removed. I put some glosso in front right side. Just will wait...

Hi, I'm going to remove the P. Helferi on the right of the gap and fill the front gap + right side of it with glosso. I have the glosso pot laying in my 230L but couldn't find time to do it

In 3 weeks, the thing grew really a lot, only one 11W Arcpod for now, the 2nd is off since 3 weeks. P. Helferi is growing rather fast in a more beautiful submerged form (emersed form is so ugly and unstructered). The Anubia that suffered from submersion is doing fine. R. Wallichii needs a trim...

That diffuser rocks. On my nano, 45L, I'm now at 30 bpm (1/2 bps), dennerle bubble counter, with a nice mist and a yellow tint in my drop checker. Have to back it down to introduce the first invertebraes. It is so tiny that is greatly replaces a big external reactor, yet providing an additional...

This one is incredibly efficient in producing a fine mist http://cgi.ebay.com/UP-CO2-Atomizer-System-for-Plant-Aquarium-12-16mm-Hose_W0QQitemZ370236770101QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5633d4c735 But on high outputs of CO2, you'll have a really too important mist

Many thanks for the nice comments, The moss is what's growing the fastest for now, incredible. In One week, I have about 1-2 cm gowth of the moss R. Wallichii is getting very nice with many collaterals The P. Helferi is having a bad time, it looks like it needs a bit to adapt

Christmas moss on the wood, weeping moss on the small stone on the left. And yes, I think I'll remove those Anubia on the lower wood and enhance the disposition on the right of the tank No algae for now except a BGA (cyano) bloom (didn't clean the soil from organics) that I just finished...

Just didn't get my hands on it easily in fact

Here it is, submerged yesterday, CO2 injected via the UP atomizer system, the mist is incredible and all plants are covered with CO2 microbubbles. In few minutes, the mist looks effective. CO2 injected shots: After CO2 shutdown: Water is crytal clear from startup. The organic layer...

Got a great tech support from them, with also compounds, detailed specs and food safety certifications. It should be ok to glue Anubia, I'll test it next days

Hi, I need to attach some of my anubia to stones, but I can't use a fish nylon threads on those small places. I tried Silicone but all the glued rhizomes did rot :( I couldn't get some Super Glue. I found another option called Orca Underwater Glue...

Here in CH, I get industrial gas at £28 equivalent for a 10Kg cansister. The price difference between refills is very small and it would cost me £26 for a 7.5Kg. So, I would opt for the 10Kg canisters if you have space

No crash, if you know what to do. Plants are established with the roots, soil is cycled, filter also. The only difference will be CO2 and O2: surface movement and good CO2 gasing is the key of success once submerged Ferns can't go on the wood right now, they will need daily or 2x/day misting...

If you use a 10Kg CO2 canister, the time between when pressure starts to drop (end of liquid phase) and the time the canister is really empty can be of up to months depending on your bps. During that time, canister pressure drops and working pressure increases. Through the needle valve, an...

Stop loosing money on crappy regulators. Any one didn't expierience end of canister life, CO2 dumping issues? Go with a dual stage (nothing to do with dual gauge) regulator, at least you'll have piece of mind

Yes, avoid any aquatic brand product. Get your cylinders and regulators from gas companies, it will be so much cheaper. I get a 10Kg CO2 cansiter for the price of a 2Kg one I buy in aquatic shop. Also, for the price of a crappy Dennerle regulator, I get a 2 stage regulator + an Ideal needle valve

I modified the layout mainly by changing the left rock to a shorter one with more surface relief: Anubia roots are heading to the substrate. They don't dry in the moist air and I could remove cotton now: Now, the P. Helferi is showing an interesting move to the emersed less sexy...

Thank you for the feedback, I thought so much abot the slope. The problem is that when I put the substrate, the front layer ended to be too thick. If I need a slope, the back part would have to be too heigh for my taste. Also, it will be problematic to hide my heater with a very high soil in...

I used cotton, it works amazingly Look at my nano post here

Inert substrate :shock: It is a 3 cm layer of earthworm castings, topped with flourite black sand, misted with water fom my EI tank. :) Growth is great, C. Parva and P. Helferi are well established. Eleocharis too, just I still didn't remove the leafs dead when I planted it, due I didn't...

Hi, I modified the rocks and switched the frontest branch of the wood with a smaller and thinner one Anubia nana petite seems to do well

Hi, I just received the reactor. Indeed, it will leak every where. Both extremities are removable, but nothing is done to made them waterproof. I see it like an advantage though, as it can be easily cleaned. Soldering with silicone or some superglue would make it fully waterproof. It will need...

Yes, moss will work great, it was used by others to grow anubia emersed. The problem is that moss will be too large in my tiny place and will shade the C. Parva. What do you think about coir (cocnuts fiber) or cotton?

I think a that the main problem is the size of CO2 bubbles varrying largely from one setup to another. Also the CO2 targets and way to monitor them is not the same for all people Finally, some use 24/24h, others 8h/24, 12h/24, PH meter... But a poll with: how long would your CO2 canister last...

I fuly agree with you. I try to trim regularely to avoid those fluctuations, but I also have to adjust my bps from time to time, sure. I also don't target a number (30ppm), just a general constant trend to the green-yellow in my Co2 drop checker. As I tested many times the whole line for...

The math he made should only depend on bps, so we don't care about plants consumption or anything of what you mentioned. The error in his math is probably due to the bubble size being different from one setup to another. I have a Dennerle bubble counter laying around that specifies its bubble...

:thumbup: Thank you very much. Car gas comparision made the rationale in my mind. I'll go with cheapest source of CO2 By the way, I saw I have a Dennerle bubble counter laying around. It mentions the bubble size in ml and mg of CO2, so easy to estimate CO2 use and compare the deviation. I'll...

I'm still not sure if the impurities are really safe Here are the CO2 samples, from less pure to most pure: KK (99.5% pure), CO2 3.0 (99.9% pure), CO2 4.5 (99.995% pure), Biogon (food quality), no exact data

Hi, I grew my Anubia Nana petite emersed this way, see the rockwool on the wood to keep anubia roots moist: I'm looking to a biodegradable alternative to cover my anubia roots and keep them moist, the time they root in gravel. As they will also root in the wool, I would like something...

1 month later, aquarium is now 2 months old, but Eleocharis is just 3 weeks old So, replaced the tenellus in background with Eleocharis, it is sending shoots every where too, but at least it is taller for my setup. Also, P. Helferi was trimmed And 48h ago, added some Anubia Barteri var...

Fire extinguichers here costs around 300 CHF (173 GBP) :shock: I found industrial CO2 providers that can loan the canisters and filling is in the range you have in UK. There are many CO2 grades though, depending on impurities. They range from 99.9999%, 99.95% and 99.7% purity. Impurities are...

You're theory looks great, but how could you explain that no one here gets his 2Kg CO2 at 2bps above 3 months? Nothing to do with your 7-8 months math

Thank you for the feedback. This sounds bad to me as CO2 turns to be really expensive on the long run if I need 4-6 canisters of 2Kg a year. I Hoped I can manage it to work 5-6 months at 2bps, 8h a day :(

Hi, I use between 1.5-2 bps CO2, 8h a day. My 2Kg (4.4 lb) canister lasted only 2.5 months before I see a drop in canister pressure (meaning end of liquid phase, so only few days autonomy). Is it normal for my bubble rate or it means I have some leaking?

Bad news so :( It could be my last order from any of these asian discounts It leaked in hose inserts or all the stuff leaks from every where?

Thank you superman, I will give a feedback when I receive mine, hopefully by the end of the week. It could run very well with hose clamps (vendor answered me the small version was 12/16mm tubing). Again, I'll just toss some silicone on the CO2 connection to be sure. About suction cups, many...

Hi, For my nano (still emersed setup like a tropical terrarium), I just got some Anubia Bareteri var Nana petite (the very small variaty). I put some plantlets on a branch of my wood, 1-2cm above the soil. Soldered them with some nylon and glued one with some silicone. I'm wondering if the...

These are inline external reactors, not internal. The only thing is I would solder the CO2 inlet with silicone or some super-glue to avoid any leakage. I'll confirm when I receive my pack. Was sent, still waiting

I just ordered the smaller version for my nano. Didn't receive it yet. I won't be playing with it before end september, though. And before, I'll try the atomizer to see if it is ok. If not, I'll give this reactor a try. Unlike the AM1000, the CO2 enters on top. I think it should be modified...

I subscribe to this topic. I found this reg a few days ago, UP taiwan made. I was about to order their 2 gauges one, as I like to know the bottle pressure. But now, they even sell one with a gauge attached Ups, sorry: just saw that your link points already to teh model with solenoid+gauge

Thank you for the feedback, I'll go with 2 of them, for my nano and the 60gal. At least much less expensive than needle wheel pumps, less noisy and no space taken in the tank

This thread comes just on purpose. I was just a about to order one of them for my starting nano and even thought to order one on my 60gal to replace the AM1000. I found an Australian forum where this new device by UP is discussed. Buyers say that at 3bps it will result in a hazy aspect filled...

Hi, Look at my emrsed starting nano topic. I wrote everything about growing them emersed. I'm now growing C. Parva, P. Helferi, E. Tenellus and just started Eleocharis acicularis. P. Helferi grows much faster than in water, C. Parva is very slow, tenellus is crazy fast. Never had any melting...

Hi, Thank you for the feedback on the 2078. It conforts me to know that your gaskets show same quality issues than mine and that they didn't break despite that important bend they show. But, would they last 5-10 years like previous generations? Too early to say indeed I really was disppointed...

They are hard to find, despite being easily bred, despite their beauty, despite their character... for one reason: they're not easy to maintain and will deceive you if you don't respect their needs: large volume, large distance to swim, high GH and PH, excellent oxygenation. They have no place...

@neelhound Thank you, you convinced me the eleocharis road, I'll try to order some of it. I'll keep some tenellus between the rock on the right and glass, it could be easier to control than in the background open area @glenn: sure, I plan to. It's only in the growing emerged phase. Once well...

Some people will tell you they are good in a 80L, in 4-6 family. For me, in a 100L tank, I'll definately go with smaller fish and a larger shoal, much better looking. Remember, like most Autralo-Guinea fish, they are really very very good and fast swimmers. I think 120-150cm is a minimum and a...

Hi and thank you for the comments, Eleocharis is a good option indeed. What about the Blyxa? Do its leaves die quickely like stems, or do they behave like the Echinodorus species?

I kept them a while. In a planted tank, under good conditions, they will display much nicer colours than any photo you see. They are not shy and good shoaling. The display dances are amazing. They originate from fast flowing streams. The key to keep them is perfect water quality, consistent...

Anyone can confirm that all new Pro3e series at least are very frale plastics? I even went yesterday to a local shop and the vendor confirmed the "drop in quality" of this generation. Mine was ordered in Germany. Really, when you try to pull one of the media compartments, the handle and the...

Yes, it's important to keep some openings for gas exchange

I have a 2078 Pro 3e Do you think those slim filter media compartments that bend as you touch them, the lock clips, the over all thikness of the filter is good?? When I pull the filter media compartments, their handle bends and is just about to break, I already broke a lock clip too If you...

I use a plexiglas top, it helps a great The best thing would be someone to level your aquarium. Another alternative is a level controller with automatic refill

Re: Stus Hardscape for Tropica Aquacube Plants can have a hard time to adapt from submerged to emersed state, rather than the opposite. Tom, on the barr forum wrote this method initially growing HC. If you start with submerged form, you'll need frequent misting the first days, than...