L_Plates Juwel Rio 240 - Cycle and Design Log

[George Farmer]

...i really like the look of 'Glossostigma elatinoides' (sp). It says the plant is easy to grow and maintain, would this be correct ?

It's one of the more demanding plants available, but made much easier by the widely available decent equipment and modern growing techniques.

You need good light, good CO2 levels/distribution and good nutrients (ideally from substrate and water column). If your conditions are appropriate then it's a weed and requires regular thinning to prevent die-off.

If you can grow a tight carpet then you can pretty much grow anything.

 

[bigmatt]

LFS plants are generally a bit more expensive

I think you'll find it's the other way around, when comparing to the likes of the green machine. If you hunt, you'll find some great LFS selling good quality plants at sometimes, half the price.

Was thinking more about plantedtanks than TGM! Was making a general statement based on my local experience! Maybe i'm just unlucky with the plants my LFSs stock, but they're usually pricey and kept badly, so unless you get there s the delivery arrives plants are abit manky and not in thebest of health, and of course you do not get the choice!
Matt

 

[L_Plates]

If you're waiting to plant it's worth ordering online from a specialist supplier. TGM and AE have a very good reputation and i personally use http://www.plantedtanks.co.uk - live near him so can pick up and his plants are of the very highest quality. Also keep an eye out on here when you get more than 25 posts and can access the for sale section. Plants from members tend to be AMAZING quality very cheap!
LFS plants are generally a bit more expensive and not in so good a condition!
Hope this helps
Matt

I would have to agree about ordering online i got my moss from AE, im just looking for an excuse to get out of DIY by visiting the store hehe.

Cheers
Alan

 

[L_Plates]

Hi Alan,

I see listed in the setup section at the begining of the thread you list the temp of the tank as 28 degree cel - Is this not a bit to high, generally speaking - perhaps a more experienced member could comment on this?

Hello Greenjar, yes the temp is a little high but this is only for during the cycle as it helps with the growth of bacteria on the bio media. When the cycle is oveer i will set back to 25-26.

Alan

 

[L_Plates]

...i really like the look of 'Glossostigma elatinoides' (sp). It says the plant is easy to grow and maintain, would this be correct ?

It's one of the more demanding plants available, but made much easier by the widely available decent equipment and modern growing techniques.

You need good light, good CO2 levels/distribution and good nutrients (ideally from substrate and water column). If your conditions are appropriate then it's a weed and requires regular thinning to prevent die-off.

If you can grow a tight carpet then you can pretty much grow anything.

Im trying to avoid using compressed co2 and just use the dosing of Co2 via Flourish or by using the EI mix. So i swould need a carpet plant that would be ok with this. Any ideas ?

If needed i would lokk into the Yeast Co2 as that cheap but the money towards the kits is just a little high atm.

 

[L_Plates]

Daliy Test
Day 23, 25th April 2011 - 16:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

Ok what i have on my plant list as of today is:

Carpet / Foreground
Glossostigma elatinoides
http://www.aquascapingworld.com/plantpe ... item_id=55

Eleocharis Acicularis (Hair Grass)
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -2649.html

Vesicularia Dubyana (Java Moss) Bunch
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -2816.html

Mid Ground
Bolbitus Heudelotii
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -2962.html

Lobelia Cardinalis
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -5446.html

Background
Rotala Rotundifolia
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -4510.html

Echinodorus Decumbens
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -4509.html

How does it look ? Good or Bad

Cheers
Alan

 

[L_Plates]

Just though of another question, would you recommend i had a powerhead in the tank to help with the flow ?

If so any recommendations ?

Cheers
Alan

 

[bigmatt]

to grow glosso you're going to need carbon - either liquid or pressurised! I like dwarf hairgrass and echinodorus tennelus carpets and both can be grown without carbon. Hope this helps, Matt

 

[L_Plates]

to grow glosso you're going to need carbon - either liquid or pressurised! I like dwarf hairgrass and echinodorus tennelus carpets and both can be grown without carbon. Hope this helps, Matt

I have Flourish Excel ready to go so that is the carbon sorted phew

 

[L_Plates]

Day 24, 26th April 2011 - 16:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: Off the Scale, Nitrates: 5ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

Come on Nitrite time to drop !

 

[L_Plates]

Movement on the Nitrate and Nitrite levels at last

Day 31, 3rd May 2011 - 17:30: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: 2.00, Nitrates: 80ppm, Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

 

[Johno2090]

Carpet / Foreground

Eleocharis Acicularis (Hair Grass)
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquafle ... -2649.html

This is more a mid/background plant you want something like E. Parva for a foreground grass. Look for my journal and you can see what it looks like. Called windswept 55g on the journals.

 

[L_Plates]

Cheers Johno i will have a look.

 

[L_Plates]

Day 32, 4th May 2011 - 19:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, PH: 7.6, Nitrite: 0, Nitrates: 80ppm Redosed ammonia to 3ppm

Now to test every 12hrs for 0 in ammonia and nitrite.

 

[L_Plates]

Day 35, 7th May 2011 - 07:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, Nitrite: 0.25
Day 35, 7th May 2011 - 19:00: Nitrite: 0ppm, Redosed ammonia to 4ppm

Nearly there on the 12 hour tests.

 

[bigmatt]

day 35 and still no planting ... I'm far too impatient for this cycling business! I'd have had it built and stripped down twice by now! Matt

 

[ceg4048]

ay 35, 7th May 2011 - 07:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, Nitrite: 0.25
Day 35, 7th May 2011 - 19:00: Nitrite: 0ppm, Redosed ammonia to 4ppm

Nearly there on the 12 hour tests.

Knock...knock...knock...The Matrix has you Neo...

Cheers,

 

[L_Plates]

All still looking good, been on 0 ammonia and nitrate on the 12 hour test for the past 3 day. Saturday could be fish time!

Plants and decor have been ordered

 

[L_Plates]

Day 40, 12th May 2011 - 07:00: Ammonia: 0ppm, Nitrite: 0
Day 40, 12th May 2011 - 19:00: Redosed ammonia to 4ppm

This will be my last dosing as its fish on Saturday. Cycle Complete

 

[L_Plates]

Hello Everyone little update for you. Cycle is complete so i have just finished setting up the DIY Yeast Co2 and planting. I am looking at the right hand side being the planted area and having the right hand side open for the fish to dart about. The plants on the right are just spare at the moment.

Stocking ideas
12 - 14 Harlequin Rasboras (or similar)

6 Corydoras Sterbais (Maybe Peppered)

4 Bolivian Rams (2 male 2 female)

12 Tiger Barbs or 12 five banded barbs

4 Hillstream Loaches (Sewellia lineolata)

2 - 4 Assassin Snails (worried about gravel)

Plants Used
Java Moss
Sagittaria subulata
Bacopa australis
Eleocharis parvula
Echinodorus bleheri
Anubias
Java Fern

I am looking into having a larger red plant at the back left to break up the green so i have left space there for this at a later date. Also plenty of room left in the tank to tweak

Images and video below On the video you will see how i managed to diffuse the co2 into the water.

Images

Video
http://youtu.be/xNDWCmWQvZc