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Nigel's Iwagumi 128L

So far no 'real' problems keeping the lights higher than normal and the co2 relative high to avoid algae. SAM_1678.JPG SAM_1685.JPG SAM_1688.JPG
 
Bought 50-60 rcs for 20 euros to make a good start in my Iwagumi. Most of them are still small. Some will stay in the small tank for 'better' breeding as in more stable water parameters due no Co2. Java Moss wil later be added on the piece of fake wood to give them a better environment. Thinking about to let like 20 in the 6g and 40 in the 34g. Tank is still cycling so for now they will be all in the 6g.

Will try some crs later If the tank is running Well.
 

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Monte carlo has been doing really well. Carpet is getting there :). Much better than in my 25L. Probably due smaller clumps and maybe RGB led instead of a desk lamp. Hair grass also sending a few runners in such a short time. The plants look a bit washed out hopefully this will be less when I lower my lighting. The white stripe will also be gone then but I'm carefull with the lighting. Keeping it at 7 hours and lowering the lights every week like 5cm.

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Every day more monte carlo is melting.
Tried to trim some but pretty hard with all the healthy leaves around it. Same for dhg belem.

Anyways a 14 day update for who is interested. (lights are some lower) Colors are still washed out. Does this lighting suck? CRI 80 and 6800k, 3200 lumens. Might get a chihiros a801 or something if it will be better. I wanted to buy the SB reef box basic 16" but it was to heavy for my aluminium stand.
 
Hi
Dont think is a light issue.I had Monte carlo in full shade growing slow but bright and well.Its a new tank.Give it time to establish without moving the plants too much.Is your CO2 in check cant see dropchecker in.
If there is put it low, an inch of substrate to get reading there.Do I use any ferts as you have tissue culture plants and they dont have much reserve in them.The pale look may be from the colour temperature of your light( mine is 6500 and it does give a yellow appearance a bit) or magnesium if your water is soft ish.If U add some epsom salt the plants should green up quick as is mobile element.
Regards Konsa
 
Hi
Dont think is a light issue.I had Monte carlo in full shade growing slow but bright and well.Its a new tank.Give it time to establish without moving the plants too much.Is your CO2 in check cant see dropchecker in.
If there is put it low, an inch of substrate to get reading there.Do I use any ferts as you have tissue culture plants and they dont have much reserve in them.The pale look may be from the colour temperature of your light( mine is 6500 and it does give a yellow appearance a bit) or magnesium if your water is soft ish.If U add some epsom salt the plants should green up quick as is mobile element.
Regards Konsa

Yeah might give it time... But also my stones are little bit washed out IMO. I have a drop checker hanging between the lily pipes. I can only hang it on the top of the aquarium. My water is relative hard. I am dosing tropica specialised fertiliser 5ml per 100L (same as George farmer)
 

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Hi I dont really like them hang on dropcheckers as CO 2 being gas is constantly trying to escape and it should be a bit more concentrated near the surface that may give falce reading espesially with low surface agitation. But thats just my opinion.I like the standart ones as I can take readings on different spots depending on hardscape and water sirculation .You shold be fine with amazonia +tropica specialised for an iwagumi layout ferts wise.I am not familiar with your light unit so cant advice on that matter but it is personal preference what colour temperature we have.You say Monte carlo is melting.Is it going sludge like from roots up it may be lack of oxygen in substrate and an airstone may help on lights off untill the bacteria establish properly.
Btw on the video all looks sound to me.
Regards Konsa
 
Hi I dont really like them hang on dropcheckers as CO 2 being gas is constantly trying to escape and it should be a bit more concentrated near the surface that may give falce reading espesially with low surface agitation. But thats just my opinion.I like the standart ones as I can take readings on different spots depending on hardscape and water sirculation .You shold be fine with amazonia +tropica specialised for an iwagumi layout ferts wise.I am not familiar with your light unit so cant advice on that matter but it is personal preference what colour temperature we have.You say Monte carlo is melting.Is it going sludge like from roots up it may be lack of oxygen in substrate and an airstone may help on lights off untill the bacteria establish properly.
Btw on the video all looks sound to me.
Regards Konsa

Might buy another drop checker. The monte carlo isn't floating but leaves are turning brownish/ transparant. This light unit has 6800k and my previous desk lamp had 6500k, but the difference is big for the eye. The height might also be a factor. Current BPS is 6. I know bubble counters are different but still my bps seems high. Probably my high kh and flow is a factor in this (for not turning very yellow drop checker). Nitrite was off the chart but now for 3 days at 0,05 ppm it's staying stable doing nothing. Guess I just have to be patient.
 
Lights are lowered background is better now.

More patches of dhg belem and monte carlo melting every day. If it keeps going I might buy a pot of dhg belem and place it in the front between the monte carlo. So It looks more natural as in mixing. Can't wait to add the amano's to clean the diatoms and eating dead leaves. Some DHG belem is standing up maybe they didn't had enough light at the start (with the lights relative high).

Day 14
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That's OK then. But when you introduce fish later. There will be more waste and more chance of algae. Anyway, I would wait and see because Amano Shrimp are not cheap.
 
That's OK then. But when you introduce fish later. There will be more waste and more chance of algae. Anyway, I would wait and see because Amano Shrimp are not cheap.

Thats true, gonna see how much they have tomorrow at the LFS in stock and just buy them and we will see from there I guess.
 
Hey,

Great to see the progress of this Iwagumi! I have just started one my self if you want to check it out), with a similar layout and stock. I am having trouble getting my Monte Carlo off the ground, so to speak.

It looks healthy but growing very slowly if at all and I have not noticed any significant growth over the last 14 days unlike you.

Hopefully mine will burst into life some time soon.

But great work!
 
You have a real knack for this Nigel, another amazing scape, yet to see any algae, or real melt ;)
I feel I'm fairly solid on the c02 and ferts for my upcoming set up but Im a bit unsure where to start with my new led? what would you suggest? It has 6 level settings and adjustable legs.
Thanks for your help!
 
You have a real knack for this Nigel, another amazing scape, yet to see any algae, or real melt ;)
I feel I'm fairly solid on the c02 and ferts for my upcoming set up but Im a bit unsure where to start with my new led? what would you suggest? It has 6 level settings and adjustable legs.
Thanks for your help!

Thanks Deansie

It had a little bit of green algae on the rocks but this is totally normal in iwagumi set ups. So be ready to get that tooth brush frequently out :)

Hard to tell which level would be "best" w/o we know the par data. Unfortunately the par data of a series and rgb is available but I can't find them for the a series plus. Lumens is not really accurate but I think it's give you a start. You will have to find the perfect balance. I assume you have the a451 plus? On full power it gives 7200 lumens. Let's hope its linear. So each step will be 1200 lumens. ADA 45P = 34L. I ran my iwagumi led on 80% a.k.a. 2500 lumens. My tank is 128L so that gives me around 20 lumens per litre. I have no idea about your carpet plants so yours maybe different. But this assuming you could start with just the first step. It wil give you around 35 lumens per litre. I know it sounds low but you don't wanna pump 7200 lumens in a 34l tank... Algae will be everywhere I guess. From here closely watch your plants if they grow. This is just a guess tbh we don't know if the steps on the dimmer are linaer in lumens output...
 
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