Hello UKAPS,
A Journal was suggested, so here it is. Hopefully it will be of some interest. I know writing up my experiences is going to help me pass the time until I can start planting. The subject name is because when the lights are off my kid's think it looks like a TV and when they're on it looks like a nature programme.
NB This is my 2nd forum / post, for any subject, so please forgive me if I mess up (the 1st one's in the introductions - I copied most of my initial post to here, as it seemed a good starting point).
I've been planning for a planted tank for about 10 years, even building a dedicated room to house all the equipment etc. My tanks to date have relied on plastic plants, following earlier failed experiements with the real thing.
At the end of last year I decided to bite the bullet and with the ok from my better half I started to research and plan my installation. I read anything I could get my hands on, spoke to several shops / suppliers and trawled through the internet. I eventually chose to go down the High Tech Route and will probably try EI dosing. I received my tank and sump about 2 weeks ago and have now got it up and running, to the point where I can now order the plants ready for planting next week end.
The tank (custom built by Aquarium Manufacturing Ltd) is really well made and they exactly matched and helped with the design. I know it was a bit complicated but I'm really pleased with how it has all worked out in practice - I didn't want any equipment visible in the tank at all, open top, minimal bracing for easy access and and a few other personal preferences. It can only be viewed from the front from the adjacent room and has a water depth of 750mm. The volume without the sump is getting on for 500L. Overflow weirs siphon into the sump filter via an adapted drain design that I found on the internet. I supplemented the new filter media with some from an existing tank and added a load of old tank water. Water turnover is just over 3500L / Hr, silent and with barely a ripple.
At the moment it's running without lighting or CO2, as instructed by James at "The Green Machine" (really, really helpful). The substrate is a mixture of Tropica substrate with a layer of Zambezi sand (some from an established tank), capped with various gravels and deep pockets of ADA aquasoil (Malaya), a couple of big pieces of Bogwood (soaked for months) and rocks from a local stone merchant.
The only real cock up so far was when I was connecting up the UV sterilizer (very late at night) and decided to cut of the funny looking Euro plug so I could put on a proper British one, a very short while later I realised that this was mean't to plug into a ballast (wasn't in the box). Luckily Maidenhead Aquatics customer service is exemplary and they got me a replacement FOC a few days later.
I'm going to add another pump, to up the flow rate a bit more.
I have ordered the plants today and they're due next week, so I can plant next weekend. A week later I'm going to add Ottos and shrimps. I do have a vague plan for initial lighting periods and ferts.
Any feedback will be really appreciated, as I know next to nothing about the actual planting aspect, other than what I've been told or read about. One thing I have learn't, is that working from above and at the back of the tank isn't that easy when deciding where to put things or how they are gong to look from the front - I must have walked miles so far.
Regards,
Mat
Here is a photo of the "Bare Bones" (Coke can is to give some idea of the size). I've spent some considerable time with my pet rocks and sticks, trying to imagine what it could look like once it's planted and as it grows. I'm happy with it at the moment but I'm sure I will keep tweaking it.
and one of the tank room.
A Journal was suggested, so here it is. Hopefully it will be of some interest. I know writing up my experiences is going to help me pass the time until I can start planting. The subject name is because when the lights are off my kid's think it looks like a TV and when they're on it looks like a nature programme.
NB This is my 2nd forum / post, for any subject, so please forgive me if I mess up (the 1st one's in the introductions - I copied most of my initial post to here, as it seemed a good starting point).
I've been planning for a planted tank for about 10 years, even building a dedicated room to house all the equipment etc. My tanks to date have relied on plastic plants, following earlier failed experiements with the real thing.
At the end of last year I decided to bite the bullet and with the ok from my better half I started to research and plan my installation. I read anything I could get my hands on, spoke to several shops / suppliers and trawled through the internet. I eventually chose to go down the High Tech Route and will probably try EI dosing. I received my tank and sump about 2 weeks ago and have now got it up and running, to the point where I can now order the plants ready for planting next week end.
The tank (custom built by Aquarium Manufacturing Ltd) is really well made and they exactly matched and helped with the design. I know it was a bit complicated but I'm really pleased with how it has all worked out in practice - I didn't want any equipment visible in the tank at all, open top, minimal bracing for easy access and and a few other personal preferences. It can only be viewed from the front from the adjacent room and has a water depth of 750mm. The volume without the sump is getting on for 500L. Overflow weirs siphon into the sump filter via an adapted drain design that I found on the internet. I supplemented the new filter media with some from an existing tank and added a load of old tank water. Water turnover is just over 3500L / Hr, silent and with barely a ripple.
At the moment it's running without lighting or CO2, as instructed by James at "The Green Machine" (really, really helpful). The substrate is a mixture of Tropica substrate with a layer of Zambezi sand (some from an established tank), capped with various gravels and deep pockets of ADA aquasoil (Malaya), a couple of big pieces of Bogwood (soaked for months) and rocks from a local stone merchant.
The only real cock up so far was when I was connecting up the UV sterilizer (very late at night) and decided to cut of the funny looking Euro plug so I could put on a proper British one, a very short while later I realised that this was mean't to plug into a ballast (wasn't in the box). Luckily Maidenhead Aquatics customer service is exemplary and they got me a replacement FOC a few days later.
I'm going to add another pump, to up the flow rate a bit more.
I have ordered the plants today and they're due next week, so I can plant next weekend. A week later I'm going to add Ottos and shrimps. I do have a vague plan for initial lighting periods and ferts.
Any feedback will be really appreciated, as I know next to nothing about the actual planting aspect, other than what I've been told or read about. One thing I have learn't, is that working from above and at the back of the tank isn't that easy when deciding where to put things or how they are gong to look from the front - I must have walked miles so far.
Regards,
Mat
Here is a photo of the "Bare Bones" (Coke can is to give some idea of the size). I've spent some considerable time with my pet rocks and sticks, trying to imagine what it could look like once it's planted and as it grows. I'm happy with it at the moment but I'm sure I will keep tweaking it.
and one of the tank room.
