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Another good method is turn off the lights and co2. Then forget about feeding fish and plants for the week. Resume co2 and lighting on return and restart feeding. I have done this for two weeks in a row with no adverse effects at all.

It was a brilliant tank and accompanying journal! An inspiration to those of us interested in these things!

I currently add Easycarbo in addition to having good levels of Co2 gas. I'm thinking now that I have got the knack of Co2 injected aquariums (in the sense that my plants are very healthy and no algae at all) I'm thinking I can probably quit the Easycarbo addition (fewer chemicals). So the...

But if I do a 'Low tech' setup in the sense i keep the lighting levels low and use simple low light plants would there be any point in me adding Co2? I think that's why Iassume Low tech/light means no Co2 at all.

I found a brilliant tree root which is just crying out to be used, it will mean totally replanting (using the same plants) this setup though.

Have you done a low tech tank before? I think in some ways I might prefer this approach, less kerfuffle! (which might help justify having a larger tank...) One thing I like about the high tech is the large water changes - not doing them - but the benefit of clean water is something that makes...

Yes S.reopens did look very pasty upon return. Probably 40% of the leaves melted too. Once I sorted the Co2 out , then upped the lights it regrew really fast and is now doing very well . I'm sure it would be the same for you assuming your aquarium is Co2 injected? :lol::lol: It did make me...

Just for the record, the above technique worked very well. When I returned - after two weeks of no light, ferts, co2 or fish food - all the fish looked exactly the same as when I left. Most of the plants were fine, the faster growing ones had turned a whitish colour. Anubias actually looked a...

Mmm well it's definitely a 'no go' with the micro worms. They just aren't interested, not sure why, I'm starting to feel quite tempted to have a nibble at them myself - what's wrong with these fish!:) Can you point me to a good one? What did you do then? Just wave a net about in the water...

Had a look, they don't look as though they'll fit. That's excellent, thank Lee. Another thumbs up for Aqua Essentials who offered to replace it for me at no cost, even though it was bought quite a while back. Cannot recommend that shop enough really!

Currently using an adjustable pressure regulator but I've a fault with the solenoid. Can anyone confirm if the TMC twin gauge reg (2 bar fixed pressure) has enough pressure to run a UP inline atomiser and control the bubble rate sufficiently? Thanks Reuben

So I got a culture of micro worms going. But the fish were not interested! Not sure why but the obvious explanation looked like the worms were way too small to be of interest?... Have I got this wrong or do 'smallish' tetras not eat these worms... Perplexed...

Mmm... so I just realised youtube has another library in the edit menu with 150,000 tracks:crazy: I had looked honest:sorry: There isn't a very good way of 'browsing' for suitable music though, so still keen to hear if anyone can help.

Hi all, Hopefully posing in the right section here. I'm looking for a good source of music that can be used (without copyright issues!) with film on youtube. I seem to remember stumbling across a thread ages ago and the topic came up and people mentioned several options. I've had a google...

Thinking ahead... What's best practice when I return, once I do W/C should I restore Co2 to optimum, return to same level of ferts dosing and resume easycarbo, but very slowly increase lighting over a few days? Or do I just put everything (lights included) back as it was and the plants will...

Update time! Have added a new plant didiplis diandra which I got off member Hogan53. It's a lovely plant and is growing pretty fast at the moment, but hasn't got quite as nice a red colour as it did when I got it, though I guess it might as it gets toward the water surface. Anyway photos; I...

:lol: Suppose I asked for that...

Hello, Okay thanks for the advice, I'll do as I'm told then! Well, I could tell you but.......

Okay so I'll be going away for two weeks. Not easy to get anyone to check the tank for me while I'm away so thinking about how I'll play it. My tank is 125L, Co2, EI, and 6ml easycarbo each day at the moment. All the plants are looking really healthy and things are thriving so I'm not keen...

No, not on the plants, but added - oak, beech etc. I see the addition of these get mentioned quite a bit in the species guide on seriously fish, and I quite like the idea and aesthetic of it. It's something I would tend to associate more with the low tech tanks I've seen on here. Has...

Thanks all, I kept the Co2 the same, increased the surface disruption (so a few bubbles formed) and cut the lighting level in half. Fish have been absolutely fine:). Another learning experience via UKAPS!

Hi, Just looking at the 'aquatic plant retailer of the year' and was amazed that Aqua essentials don't seem to have won that yet? (or have they?) I use them a fair bit, and only recently realised just how good they are when I bought a few plants from a couple of other well known retailers...

Thanks, for a superb explanation! Certainly helps decide how to sort the problem when you're given such a comprehensive and logical answer! Cheers!

Thanks all, In terms of surface movement I'll try and up it, though not much scope for this without breaking the surface up (bubbles). So in terms of acclimatising them do I, monitor them when Co2 goes on and once they show signs of affect switch off Co2 then lights - Basically shorten the...

Thanks tim, so presumably there's some physical adaptation going on then?

Hi I purchased 9 Harlequin rasbora at the weekend and although I have not adjusted my Co2, they appear to be having problems with it. The cardinal and black phantom tetra and ottos - which have been in the tank for a year - are all fine and in very good health. The rasboras looked pretty...

looking good rob, and what are the TMC's set at now?

Fluval Roma 125L is 80cm and in budget

Okay, so short update. All running fine, plant growth good, some Anubia have bits of BBA on them, I've cut those leaves away and it isn't spreading. Run both lights at 100% for 8hrs a day now but with a 50min fade in/out. This gives a nice plant growth. Main reason for posting is I've been...

I want one!

Thanks for the input. I did think about trying to resurrect this 'debate' to get a few more opinions, but as I've decided not to bother with the nigh time aeration gave up! Do you think this is why Amano does it? What is the measurable advantage (asAmano sees it) in this case?

Epic post! Quite a roller coaster ride too:lol: The background sounds a laugh:lol: That second to last photo (before the purigen/bleach episode) looks good to me, seems as if you are more or less on track now? However you decide to play it from here, all the best!

Rob - I think this along with the PAR reading I showed you confirms you do not currently have 'high light'. That does not mean you didn't when the diatoms were 'induced'. I thought along the same lines too. I think the way to view it is not that you are trying to kill off the diatom by doing...

Well this makes the most sense to me, just based on what I have been told on here. The first word in that sentence is 'Cause' . I think this is the issue here. All other factors being optimum you can have as much light as you like. When people say 'too much light' they usually mean...

Hi Rob, As you know I have the same tank, and the same lighting, also using UP atomizer for Co2. My EI mix is (into 500ml) 6tsp Kno3, 3tsp kh2po4, 6tsp Mgso4 > I dose 20ml alternate days. I've no idea how 'key' this is but Clive approved this combo. Trace is 2.5tsp into 500ml >20ml dosed...

I like that idea! There was me faffing about wedging it in a rock:rolleyes:

Thanks, is a bit pricey at the moment but I'll be keeping an eye out and will buy asap :)

@ tmiravent Brilliant, and thanks for the link and input. I'll get reading!

Is there a good plant book people can recommend? After something that covers aquatic plants (obviously) with nice photos, both in aquarium and natural settings. Tropica's site is pretty good for this Plants But it's nice to have a book sometimes. Thanks

Nice website.

I heard somewhere that northern China, does have similar woodland to this:) , but I think it was in the context of the fact they are deforesting it:(

Thanks all, Encouraged by peoples enthusiasm here are a few more; the lichens enlarge after rainfall and look quite impressive Typical oak wood habitat This is about 30cm across This is a huge boulder, about 11ft high above ground This species grows in abundance higher up in the trees...

Book looks good! Haven't met him, but have heard about him.

Well my water surface ripples, but doesn't 'break' -i.e. air bubbles don't form. I took aeration to mean adding air bubbles into the tank. Does that add air bubbles then?

Mmm, interesting -seems like a few are doing this then, or is nearly everyone? Be good to get a general concensus.

Isle of Mull, Scottish west coast. Thanks!

Hi, Just thought some folk here might like a few photos from where I live. There are areas of 'Atlantic oak rainforest'. These ancient woodlands get regular rainfall and have a very diverse population of mosses and Lichens. I'm no expert on these things (so don't ask!) but there's some...

Reading some of the info in T. Amano's book, I see a lot of reference to 'Aeration - 14hrs' Presumably overnight. Just wondering what the thinking behind this is/was? Does anyone still do this? Thanks

Not that high! Here's what Sanj said: The one I mentioned has one single grobeam 600. It lights a 76cm x 30cm x 38cm high tank. The PAR readings: Normal position 58cm from substrate: 16-18 micromols 40 cm from substrate: 35 micromols They are not that powerful, but 35 is a good level for...

Hey Henry, well easy to grow is what I'm after at the moment!

Cheers mate. No, actually i cranked them up to 100%:lol: That's not quite how it sounds actually! I did re read advice I got given by Clive, made sure my Co2 was optimal for a couple of weeks, got Sanj to get a PAR reading of these LED's and only THEN, did I adjust! Maybe over cautious...

I bought this plant a couple of months back from AE. I really like the way it has grown and the fish seem to like hanging about it too. The leaves are about 45mm long and 12mm wide, the plant is fairly bushy and dense in its growth, and grows at a nice speed in my tank, not too fast or slow...

Well, things all went a bit wrong, BUT.... I have learned from the experience:rolleyes: . 1st, Diatoms love me and my lights. 2nd, Co2 is the key (again!!) Anyway here's how it's looking; Not how I 'planned' it would look, but I have enjoyed watching it grow, even with a few...

Hi, As a fan of UKAPS I often read around the threads here and came across a link to this video in another thread I found it useful, and was wondering if anyone can give me some more good links/pointers to help me learn more about video making? Where is a good place to get started? I...

How's this one going?

Anyone else got any advice/opinion? Given the above should I increase the lighting or not? Thanks

Hi Tim, actually I did try limnophilia aromatica, the first time round it grew very very slowly and eventually stalled, on my second attempt it melted the day after I added it:eek: I couldn't even get Rotala rotundifolia to work for me! It took about three weeks to change it's leaf structure...

:oops:I know. Now you know what I mean about sounding like a broken record.... Sanj - thanks for the readings, it would seem to confirm that my lighting is low then. Well I do think they are diatoms, yes brown, they scrub off rocks but are a bit tricky to remove from plants without...

Thanks George, though I think Ian was using the 500's (not sure how much difference that makes though). Yes maybe they're not that powerful, but then I'm none the wiser as to why I get such full on diatom problems. I'm beginning to feel like a broken record with my posts about...

Brilliant! That would be very handy if you could. I initially thought they had similar output to T5 tubes, but I seem to have trouble (diatoms) that is usually associated with high level lighting. Can you test them at 100%, 50% and 25% output or do you not have a controller?

Hi TMC Grobeam 600. I have a hi tech 125L with these over and a controller so I can dim them. They seem to be very powerful as far as I can tell. I find that I have to run them at 25% max output or I get diatoms -lots of them. Just interested to know if anyone has done PAR readings on...

not sure whale sharks etc should be in any aquarium though.

Not planted I know, but thought people might like.

Hi Conger Assuming they are a inch or two above the water line, I'd be very cautious if I were you. I use them too, have them 1 inch above the water. In my experience they are very powerful, I find 20% max output to be a good starting point. I know this seems overly cautious to some, but...

Aww... don't spoil the party!

There are photos of the set up in my journal here: Two Islands | UK Aquatic Plant Society

I could upload a photo of the anubias, you can see all the new leaves, because they are a lighter green at first. The flowers are yet to break bud.

Yes, I just recently dropped back from 60% output because I had a wobble with my Co2. I actually tend to get diatom growth whenever I increase the lighting, but never any other form of algae, bit weird. There are photos of the set up in my journal here: Two Islands | UK Aquatic Plant...

2x TMC grobeam 600s (1 inch above surface) set to max at 20% output, tank is 40cm deep. 125L. Lighting on for 8hrs I'm dosing EI Thanks

Hi all, When I read up on this plant (anubias) I tend to get told it is very slow growing as aquatic plants go. My tank is Co2 enriched, with what i think is fairly low lighting, and good flow etc. The thing is the anubias in my tank grow faster that all the other plants I have (except G...

Oh, yes please! How do I arrange payment etc?

Thanks for the info. I just have tetras. I was just wanting to give them something interesting to eat, and presume it is more 'natural' than dry flake. Where do people get the first few Daphinia, microworm ect, to get started from?

Well 'Protip' made me hopeful of some 'titbit' of knowledge, but the 'If you're not Plantbrain stop posting like you are' sounded a bit scary, like someone might be in trouble? Reading through the five pages didn't really enlighten me, and it wasn't the most useful 'Protip' I've been given.

Long overdue an update really, been busy... Well I had a few problems with Co2. UP atomizer kept stopping, so I'd open up the needle valve some more and it would get going again. I'd get it set just right only to find it had stopped again an hour or two later:banghead: One of those...

I keep seeing people mention various ways in which you can 'culture' various small bugs to feed fish. What different types of things are there? Which are the most simple to do? Which are the best/most nutritious for fish? Has this all be covered before (I did search but couldn't find...

Hi all, I know it a bit of personal preference but I have a small group (9)of Black phantom tetra and another (8) of Cardinal tetra at the moment in a 125L. I'm considering adding a third type to the mix. Just wondering what recommendations people have? I want something that goes well...

Is this the weirdest thread in the history of UKAPS then? :)

@ Ceg 4048 Hi mate I don't doubt your expertise on the subject, but why do Tropica - whom I guess must also know a fair bit- advise that some plants in addition to Co2 do indeed need 'high light' to thrive? Have a look at this for instance Tropica UK ny It must be in their interest for...

Hi Rob, Yep tubes removed and two growbeams mounted there instead. As you say, very close to water surface. I was just about to say that Ian Holdich (see previous post) used them too, but I think he had the grobeam 500's not the 600's, and that they were mounted over the tank (higher) on...

Hi Rob I have the same tank and lighting/controller as you. Also a full length spray bar and good flow Co2 etc... My experience with these lights is that despite the rating in watts, theydo seem very powerful to me. I had loads of problems, and I know that the cause cannot be attributed...

Well the red amano is no more:( found it dead today... Wonder why they go red.

Any ideas why this might happen? A quick google around didn't turn up much, but what did come up did not sound good! It's just one individual, the others are still grey/transparent. The pink one is still out and about doing 'shrimp things' and has been pink for about a week. Tank is EI...

Had the 16/22mm UP Atomizer running for about four months. Recently noticed that the gas (bubbles in the tank) keeps dropping off until there is none, (full FE) and I need to crank up the Co2 only to find an hour later there's none coming out again, so I crank it up etc....:banghead: :arghh...

Looking good, could be a real winner once it's planted. Only suggestion would be for you to use some of the coarser/larger sands you have and put the large grained stuff in the back right corner graduating the grain size getting smaller toward the front. I just think this will add more...

I have increased my light intensity to 45% (from 35%) and upped the photo period to 7.5 hrs (from 6):nailbiting: The reason I've done this is because I want faster growth, and all of the plants have now fully transitioned and started growing and old emmersed leaves been removed in pruning...

Doh! That would make sense:) Thanks.

Here's one of the Cherry shrimp too.

Hi I notice when I update my journal it does not appear in the new threads section, but other peoples do. Is there any reason mine does not, and anything I can do to sort it out? Thank you Reuben.

All growing in okay, apart from my P. eustralis which has died off. Not sure why it was a bit shielded from flow and light by the Java fern so I suppose that could be it? The amano shrimp are doing well. The photo below is of one of the crypts. I love this plant, it's looking really nice at...

@JamesD - Thanks very much! Well the order of Amano and Cherry shrimp arrived at lunchtime. I have to say I was very impressed with the appearance of these Amanos! They look far more robust than the last ones I had. I ordered these ones from Freshwater Shrimp, I was amazed to see that a...

Cheers Ady, I think the black phantoms are great, can be a bit grumpy with one another at times though. Mine often do breeding displays, circling the females, swimming side by side etc, but no actual eggs or anything so far. I'm a bit puzzled by the Amano shrimp die off. I suspect it is...

Hope I sized those photos right this time? Also, I will try and get better photos. The tanks looks better in real life - I know that does sound lame!:lol:- than in the photos. The photos above were taken as the lights were dimming out. I love the way the LEDs allow you to set the lighting...

Hello UKAPS folk, Here are a few photos to update. All has been going fairly well, plants doing nicely, no algae apart from a tiny, weeny, smidge of diatom here and there. Also added some shrimp 12 Red cherry and 6 Amano. I was really pleased with the way the add another dynamic to the...

This has piqued my interest! Clive, how long before lights on does your Co2 come on? I suppose if you are doing this water change system regularly you need not bother injecting Co2 before lights on? I do an 80% water change every two days but do it 7hrs before lights on, when I refill I dose...

But will the fish not eat all the offspring! Good tip on the nettles, no shortage in my garden:lol:

Well an update. I added 12 cherry shrimp about a week or so ago. They settled in nicely and I really like them, they add a new aspect to my aquarium, plants, fish, shrimp! What a brilliant hobby this is at times!:) Only thing that was not so good is they are fairly illusive, they spend a...

Thank you very much! I can't make my mind up about the right hand side, i can see that as the left grow in a bit more it's going to look a bit sparse over there. Any suggestions for what might work, do you think using the same stems that are on the left side or a new species? Yes, and the...

The plants are planted into a mix of 75% Flourite dark (like molar clay) and 25% pea gravel. The sand is a mix of fine and coarse grain river sands.

Yes, I think that's correct but for me things seems to grow better using the clay. I was dosing EI before too, so don't think it is nutrient availability but something else.

In my experience it is better not to use a totally inert substrate, I have gone for opted for something similar to moler clay (flourite dark -more expensive than moler clay but hey, I prefer the colour!) The gravel you have looks nice but it might be better if your plants were rooted into...