Climbitise
Seedling
Hi all
I have just joined the forums but have been browsing for a while and found them extremely informative. Three months ago I decided to take the plunge into planted aquariums with pressurised CO2. I have been gradually cycling the tank using a mature filter which is now removed and my upgraded one while also slowly stocking the tank over 3 months. I carry out regular water changes aiming for 3 x 10% each week, and also clean the filter once every 1-2 weeks. I would say the tank is looking pretty good, for a first aquascape and is moderately planted as there is a lot of area taken up by my bog wood and Dragon Stone but curious to hear other thoughts so have attached some pics for your viewing pleasure. I have also included the entire system spec to provide as much info as possible you may want to get a cup of coffee or tea...
Fish Tank Slideshow by Climbitise | Photobucket
Tank Specs...
Juwel Rio 350 litre
4 x 54 watt Juwel Bulbs
3kg CO2 bottle
TMC Duel Gauge Regulator @ 3bar with Easy Aqua atomiser
Aqua Manta 1500U external filter (1500 L/ph)
Hydor External 300w
Hydor 1600 L/ph wave pump
Newave 2600 L/ph pump
Neutro + nutrients
Neutro Carbon
Tetra Complete Substrate 3 x 5.8 kg
Unipac Congo Aquarium 2-3 mm Gravel 2 bags
Blooma Play Sand 1/2 bag
Tank Parameters...
PH - 6.0 - 6.2
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 30 - 80ppm
Tap Water Parameters...
PH 6 - 6.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm
Tank Stock (Is this over stocked not a problem if it is, just an excuse for another new tank)
1 Moonlight Gourami
1 Whiptail
1 Tiger Pleco L002
6 Otocinclus
6 Emerald Corys
2 Albino Corys
1 Long Finned Blue Ram
18 Cardinal Tetra
12 Harlequin Rasbora
8 Zebra Danios
11 Shrimp (Amano and supposedly Ghost shrimp which I fear are actually red claw macrobrachium)
The problem I am having is that the nitrate levels are never below 30 and gradually creep up to 70-80 when dosing at recommended amount.From what I understand nitrate are not directly harmful to fish until around 100 ppm but I am getting pretty darn close and am worried about sustained exposure for my more sensitive fish e.g ram and whiptail. I suspect that due to having a large number of fish and dosing with all in one nutrient I know contains nitrates my tank has higher levels constantly. I have tried to lower the dosage but have noticed signs of other nutrient deficiencies e.g unhealthy leaves when doing this. I have been trying to locate dried salts for my tank but with no luck. Should I consider moving to something with less or no nitrates like Easy Life Pro Fito and see if this sorts it out (worried about long term cost thou).
Also my only other issue is my PH I understand that the carbonic acid will increase the acidity gradually as I pump the CO2 in but I find in general it edges towards 6. Is there any good way of buffering the PH naturally without the massive increases in hardness seen when using coral gravel in my filter. I also don't really like bottle solutions and avoid where possible and don't like the idea of using PH down.
Overall my baptism in Planted Tanks has been extremely enjoyable and exciting and if I do say so myself pretty successful. I am planning to gradually add more demanding plant species once I get all aspects of my current setup balanced and correct.
Sorry for the huge post figured get all that info in first as a normally see it being requested when left out and hope the pics make the read worth while. If I have missed anything relevant please just ask and I will provide, thank you for reading and for replies in advance.
Thanks
Fraser
I have just joined the forums but have been browsing for a while and found them extremely informative. Three months ago I decided to take the plunge into planted aquariums with pressurised CO2. I have been gradually cycling the tank using a mature filter which is now removed and my upgraded one while also slowly stocking the tank over 3 months. I carry out regular water changes aiming for 3 x 10% each week, and also clean the filter once every 1-2 weeks. I would say the tank is looking pretty good, for a first aquascape and is moderately planted as there is a lot of area taken up by my bog wood and Dragon Stone but curious to hear other thoughts so have attached some pics for your viewing pleasure. I have also included the entire system spec to provide as much info as possible you may want to get a cup of coffee or tea...
Fish Tank Slideshow by Climbitise | Photobucket
Tank Specs...
Juwel Rio 350 litre
4 x 54 watt Juwel Bulbs
3kg CO2 bottle
TMC Duel Gauge Regulator @ 3bar with Easy Aqua atomiser
Aqua Manta 1500U external filter (1500 L/ph)
Hydor External 300w
Hydor 1600 L/ph wave pump
Newave 2600 L/ph pump
Neutro + nutrients
Neutro Carbon
Tetra Complete Substrate 3 x 5.8 kg
Unipac Congo Aquarium 2-3 mm Gravel 2 bags
Blooma Play Sand 1/2 bag
Tank Parameters...
PH - 6.0 - 6.2
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 30 - 80ppm
Tap Water Parameters...
PH 6 - 6.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm
Tank Stock (Is this over stocked not a problem if it is, just an excuse for another new tank)
1 Moonlight Gourami
1 Whiptail
1 Tiger Pleco L002
6 Otocinclus
6 Emerald Corys
2 Albino Corys
1 Long Finned Blue Ram
18 Cardinal Tetra
12 Harlequin Rasbora
8 Zebra Danios
11 Shrimp (Amano and supposedly Ghost shrimp which I fear are actually red claw macrobrachium)
The problem I am having is that the nitrate levels are never below 30 and gradually creep up to 70-80 when dosing at recommended amount.From what I understand nitrate are not directly harmful to fish until around 100 ppm but I am getting pretty darn close and am worried about sustained exposure for my more sensitive fish e.g ram and whiptail. I suspect that due to having a large number of fish and dosing with all in one nutrient I know contains nitrates my tank has higher levels constantly. I have tried to lower the dosage but have noticed signs of other nutrient deficiencies e.g unhealthy leaves when doing this. I have been trying to locate dried salts for my tank but with no luck. Should I consider moving to something with less or no nitrates like Easy Life Pro Fito and see if this sorts it out (worried about long term cost thou).
Also my only other issue is my PH I understand that the carbonic acid will increase the acidity gradually as I pump the CO2 in but I find in general it edges towards 6. Is there any good way of buffering the PH naturally without the massive increases in hardness seen when using coral gravel in my filter. I also don't really like bottle solutions and avoid where possible and don't like the idea of using PH down.
Overall my baptism in Planted Tanks has been extremely enjoyable and exciting and if I do say so myself pretty successful. I am planning to gradually add more demanding plant species once I get all aspects of my current setup balanced and correct.
Sorry for the huge post figured get all that info in first as a normally see it being requested when left out and hope the pics make the read worth while. If I have missed anything relevant please just ask and I will provide, thank you for reading and for replies in advance.
Thanks
Fraser