Brad's 40cm Cube

[Ash_bash]

Maybe drop your light intensity with the shorter photoperiod and slowly ramp it back up when things have settled in and started to grow, I read somewhere on this forum recently that it can take up to 6 weeks for plants to switch to there immersed form. It suggested running it as low as 25% of the full intensity untill stuff has started growing

 

[Brad123]

Maybe drop your light intensity with the shorter photoperiod and slowly ramp it back up when things have settled in and started to grow, I read somewhere on this forum recently that it can take up to 6 weeks for plants to switch to there immersed form. It suggested running it as low as 25% of the full intensity untill stuff has started growing

Will give this a go. Its on a 6 hour photo period at the moment will drop the lights down 2 and see how it goes.

 

[Brad123]

Just got home from work turn the light down 2 so now 3 from full power can't tell if the plants are growing can see some of the monte carlo plants are melting the rest look fine.
Took some pis not the best

Just wish I could see some growth beside algae

 

[Brad123]

Day 6 what the tank looks like.

The drop checker is blue because it fell off so topped it back up

 

[Brad123]

Was going to be doing 50% water change a week have decided to do 50% daily for a bit to see how it goes.

 

[ScaperJoe]

Was going to be doing 50% water change a week have decided to do 50% daily for a bit to see how it goes.

Definitely agree with daily water changes at the outset. It’s that hard work at the beginning that will pay dividends later on 😁👍 good luck Brad!

 

[Danlacey1988]

This is amazing I really wish I had the skills to make such a diy tank I wouldn't even know where to start
Looks great though can't wait to see it when the plants grow
What fish are you thinking of stocking in the tank?

 

[Brad123]

Definitely agree with daily water changes at the outset. It’s that hard work at the beginning that will pay dividends later on 😁👍 good luck Brad!

Yes should had starter form day 1.

This is amazing I really wish I had the skills to make such a diy tank I wouldn't even know where to start
Looks great though can't wait to see it when the plants grow
What fish are you thinking of stocking in the tank?

Thank you. Not to sure what fish I'm going to get. Am going to get cherry shrimp still looking what i want my daughter might have a say what fish to get.

 

[Brad123]

Just done a water change took this pic. All looking OK so far. Should I clean the filter sponge it got all the bits of plants not to sure.

 

[Brad123]

All going well sofar can see new growth in some plants. Doing 50% water change daily. Got green algae nothing a toothbrush can't get rid of. Regulator got lost a new 1 is on the way hope its not a month away.
Friday will be 2 weeks

 

[Brad123]

I’ve been thinking about tank cycle and come across this thread a very interesting read.
Thread 'Do I need to cycle a planted tank'
Do I need to cycle a planted tank

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I’ve been thinking about tank cycle and come across this thread a very interesting read.
Thread 'Do I need to cycle a planted tank'

I think it is still an interesting read.

I actually started writing the <"cycling posts ~20 years ago">, before the discovery of <"Ammonia Oxidising Archaea"> and <"COMAMMOX Nitrospira">. It would be fair to say that they weren't always <"very well received at the time">, but I think they have <"gained traction over the intervening period"> on some forums (<"but not all">)

Have you seen <"Dr Timothy Hovanec's comments about Bacterial supplements">?

cheers Darrel

 

[Brad123]

Thanks Darrel for the link have started reading Dr Timothy Hovanec's comments about Bacterial supplements . I watch a few video on youtube cant remember who about waiting for the plants to start growing before adding live stock and thought thats a good plan. It make good scene to me as well. See you said wait about 6 weeks before adding live stock.

I was thinking for starting after 4 weeks. But waiting for the CO2 regulator to turn up looks like i going to have to wait bit longer.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I watch a few video on youtube cant remember who about waiting for the plants to start growing before adding live stock and thought thats a good plan. It make good scene to me as well. See you said wait about 6 weeks before adding live stock.

I was thinking for starting after 4 weeks.

I'm a <"pretty cautious person">, which is why I've said "six weeks". There isn't really a set amount of time, as soon as you have plenty of plants, and they <"are in active growth">, you can add your livestock.

The only proviso to this would be if you use an <"ammonia rich active substrate">, where I really would wait at least six weeks, and probably longer.

cheers Darrel

 

[Brad123]

The only proviso to this would be if you use an <"ammonia rich active substrate">, where I really would wait at least six weeks, and probably longer.

Never thought of that thanks makes sense. Will look into the substrate I'm using to see if it leaches ammonia.
Have not got any test kits as yet. Was hoping to learn how to read the plants.

 

[Brad123]

Just done a water change have got quite a bit of algae not to sure should i trim them or not plants are growing nicely

 

[Brad123]

Gave the plant a small trim then did a water change tank looks good very happy with it

 

[Brad123]

Today got the old dosing pump out of the shed gave it a clean and calibrated. Will be dosing 2ml every second day. Could not get it to do 1ml. Also thinking of going over to EI dry salts method after the tropica specialised nutrition is finished.

Still no regulator can't fault the company I bought it from they given me 20 % refund and sending me another 1 but 20 days to wait. Money is tight so happy days.
DIY co2 is working well.

 

[Brad123]

The sugar and yeast co2 was working OK but I like to play so made the DIY Co2 using citric acid and bicarbonte of soda. Have a bit more control now got a needle valve and some pressure as well.

 

[Brad123]

Tank just over 4 weeks and have got algae all over doing water change every second day turn lights down 1 co2 about 1.5 bubble per second. Got a few red and orange shrimp today to try and help. The pet shop did have some otocinclus fish they looked healthy and were eating might get some next week. Lights are on for 6 hours