Greetings from across the pond.
I have learned so much from and enjoyed reading journals on this forum. As a member of multiple aquatic plant forums, I have consistently impressed by what UKAPS members are doing. Since I have learned so much from the work of others, I felt compelled to start this journal about my ADA 60H 45. Hopefully it may be helpful or at least enjoyable to read when it all goes south in a month. After months of saving up and planning, I finally got everything together this weekend.
I have taken as my starting point the layouts from Aqua Journal 111, with some modifications. I highly recommend checking out that issue.
The goal is to have a tank that is lush but not a giant headache (finger's crossed). That means mostly plants with mid to low light requirements.
Without further ado, the requisite lists:
Hardware:
ADA 60H 45 tank
ADA Solar I MH light fixture and stand
Eheim 2215 and ADA lily pipes
GLA Primo CO2 system
Waterplant inline CO2 diffuser
Hydor 200W heater (not yet attached -- one benefit of Florida living)
Custom stand by local carpenter
Hardscape/Layout Materials:
Aquasoil Amazonia I (regular and powder)
Power Sand Special
Penac W and P, Tourmaline additives
Orinoco Decorative "Forest" Sand
ADA Horn Wood
Various stones
Plants:
Needle Leaf Java Fern
Anubias Nana Petite
Bolbitis
Flame Moss
Cryptocorne Balansae
Cryptocoryne Wendtii (brown and green)
Vallisneria nana
Cyperus Helferi
Most of the plant list was stolen directly from the Aqua Journal 111 tanks, but I added the Cyperus Helferi because I couldn't resist. Let's hope that I can keep the gigantic plants I received alive.
The tank was planted on the 14th, so I am in the middle of the first week, with its attendant 50% daily water changes and 6 hour photo periods (I plan on keeping the 6 hour period for the first month). CO2 is running only when the lights are on, but the drop checker is mostly yellow, so the inline diffuser appears to be working nicely.
In creating the layout, I found the Amano presentation from the 2008 AGA conference to be invaluable. It is otherwise difficult to get a good handle on the use of the various substrate elements. That video is worth the price of joining the AGA.
Some photos:
Installing the brackets for the Solar I in my cabinet.
Close up of the brackets (I was impressed by their quality, which is why I took a photo of them). Alert to novices (like me), the brackets are not identical. The bottom one is narrower as it cradles the pole. Look at them before you rush to screw them in.
Tank being fit on top of the stand. No, the fixture did not end up being that far off of the top of the tank. I did, however, locate it at 40 cm, which should be close enough to allow good growth without creating a problem.
Phone Camera shot of the Horn Wood. Since it is a new kind of ADA driftwood, I thought it may be of interest to some. I was very impressed. It is hard as a rock and is a nice color. Note, however, it does release tannins. My water is definitely yellow.
Substrate and sand in place.
Wood in place.
Planting.
Tank full and running.
I will try to get better, more detailed photos, this week, though I can't promise the photographic excellence of so many members of the UKAPS.
Thanks for looking.
I have learned so much from and enjoyed reading journals on this forum. As a member of multiple aquatic plant forums, I have consistently impressed by what UKAPS members are doing. Since I have learned so much from the work of others, I felt compelled to start this journal about my ADA 60H 45. Hopefully it may be helpful or at least enjoyable to read when it all goes south in a month. After months of saving up and planning, I finally got everything together this weekend.
I have taken as my starting point the layouts from Aqua Journal 111, with some modifications. I highly recommend checking out that issue.
The goal is to have a tank that is lush but not a giant headache (finger's crossed). That means mostly plants with mid to low light requirements.
Without further ado, the requisite lists:
Hardware:
ADA 60H 45 tank
ADA Solar I MH light fixture and stand
Eheim 2215 and ADA lily pipes
GLA Primo CO2 system
Waterplant inline CO2 diffuser
Hydor 200W heater (not yet attached -- one benefit of Florida living)
Custom stand by local carpenter
Hardscape/Layout Materials:
Aquasoil Amazonia I (regular and powder)
Power Sand Special
Penac W and P, Tourmaline additives
Orinoco Decorative "Forest" Sand
ADA Horn Wood
Various stones
Plants:
Needle Leaf Java Fern
Anubias Nana Petite
Bolbitis
Flame Moss
Cryptocorne Balansae
Cryptocoryne Wendtii (brown and green)
Vallisneria nana
Cyperus Helferi
Most of the plant list was stolen directly from the Aqua Journal 111 tanks, but I added the Cyperus Helferi because I couldn't resist. Let's hope that I can keep the gigantic plants I received alive.
The tank was planted on the 14th, so I am in the middle of the first week, with its attendant 50% daily water changes and 6 hour photo periods (I plan on keeping the 6 hour period for the first month). CO2 is running only when the lights are on, but the drop checker is mostly yellow, so the inline diffuser appears to be working nicely.
In creating the layout, I found the Amano presentation from the 2008 AGA conference to be invaluable. It is otherwise difficult to get a good handle on the use of the various substrate elements. That video is worth the price of joining the AGA.
Some photos:
Installing the brackets for the Solar I in my cabinet.
Close up of the brackets (I was impressed by their quality, which is why I took a photo of them). Alert to novices (like me), the brackets are not identical. The bottom one is narrower as it cradles the pole. Look at them before you rush to screw them in.
Tank being fit on top of the stand. No, the fixture did not end up being that far off of the top of the tank. I did, however, locate it at 40 cm, which should be close enough to allow good growth without creating a problem.
Phone Camera shot of the Horn Wood. Since it is a new kind of ADA driftwood, I thought it may be of interest to some. I was very impressed. It is hard as a rock and is a nice color. Note, however, it does release tannins. My water is definitely yellow.
Substrate and sand in place.
Wood in place.
Planting.
Tank full and running.
I will try to get better, more detailed photos, this week, though I can't promise the photographic excellence of so many members of the UKAPS.
Thanks for looking.