Gordon Hawkes
Seedling
Hi everyone,
Started setting up a nano tank the other day, here it is this evening: http://s14.postimg.org/ea832sooh/12421737_1011697872204903_1848457715_n.jpg
You can see video which documents setup here:
- Since the video I've perfected the lily pipe positioning and it's generally a little more 'tidy' looking.
Basically, I did all my research into 'aquascaping' and left no expense spared buying the ADA stuff, I'm generally happy now with it, assuming the plants don't all die, and feel the time and effort over the last few days was worthwhile, however before I'm ready to relax and leave it, I have a few questions regarding various things:
First, cycling. I have a 125L community tank but forgot how I set that up a long time ago, I'm familiar with the science behind the process. I have a hell of a lot of ammonia and not much else, the external filter is about a fifth established filter media from my big tank, I read the soil leaches ammonia for about a month, I'd like to know if anyone can tell me, how long the process take in my situation with old media and use of 'prodbio start-up' which came with my filter. Also, should I or should I not do water changes until the cycle is over, there are no inhabitants over than plants to worry about.
Next, CO2, I'm running it at about 6 bubbles per minute, I thought this is sufficient, considering my glossostigma and that I can't afford to use too much too quickly. Will my plants thrive at this rate? I read conflicting opinions - should it be left to run at night or switched off?
Glossostigma growth - shortly after planting it seemed like I could actually see the growth happening, there were a fair few bubbles on the leaves and it seemed 'fresh', now these seem few. I'm not sure if it is actually growing and spreading across the surface and I just can't remember what it was like the other day or if it's the same but I do notice a few leaves and runners seem to have grown beneath the soil granules so growth is not so obviously noticeable, but perhaps still occurring - is this normal with newly planted plants?
Here it is:
http://s28.postimg.org/7t7glc9il/12431500_1011697972204893_1610915766_n.jpg
http://s29.postimg.org/ud822lxfb/12431351_1011697965538227_2113118563_n.jpg
I realize it must be hard to tell from those pictures, but is it healthy? I would like a dense carpet to grow there.
I also read that to avoid displacing my injected CO2, the surface agitation should be 'mild'. However, I'm not at all sure what my tank's movement is classed as. It would be good if someone could give me some sort of idea of what it should be, mine is rather noticeable, but if reduced, I get a protein film forming, so I'm slightly unsure about this.
Many Thanks for your time!
Started setting up a nano tank the other day, here it is this evening: http://s14.postimg.org/ea832sooh/12421737_1011697872204903_1848457715_n.jpg
You can see video which documents setup here:
- Since the video I've perfected the lily pipe positioning and it's generally a little more 'tidy' looking.
Basically, I did all my research into 'aquascaping' and left no expense spared buying the ADA stuff, I'm generally happy now with it, assuming the plants don't all die, and feel the time and effort over the last few days was worthwhile, however before I'm ready to relax and leave it, I have a few questions regarding various things:
First, cycling. I have a 125L community tank but forgot how I set that up a long time ago, I'm familiar with the science behind the process. I have a hell of a lot of ammonia and not much else, the external filter is about a fifth established filter media from my big tank, I read the soil leaches ammonia for about a month, I'd like to know if anyone can tell me, how long the process take in my situation with old media and use of 'prodbio start-up' which came with my filter. Also, should I or should I not do water changes until the cycle is over, there are no inhabitants over than plants to worry about.
Next, CO2, I'm running it at about 6 bubbles per minute, I thought this is sufficient, considering my glossostigma and that I can't afford to use too much too quickly. Will my plants thrive at this rate? I read conflicting opinions - should it be left to run at night or switched off?
Glossostigma growth - shortly after planting it seemed like I could actually see the growth happening, there were a fair few bubbles on the leaves and it seemed 'fresh', now these seem few. I'm not sure if it is actually growing and spreading across the surface and I just can't remember what it was like the other day or if it's the same but I do notice a few leaves and runners seem to have grown beneath the soil granules so growth is not so obviously noticeable, but perhaps still occurring - is this normal with newly planted plants?
Here it is:
http://s28.postimg.org/7t7glc9il/12431500_1011697972204893_1610915766_n.jpg
http://s29.postimg.org/ud822lxfb/12431351_1011697965538227_2113118563_n.jpg
I realize it must be hard to tell from those pictures, but is it healthy? I would like a dense carpet to grow there.
I also read that to avoid displacing my injected CO2, the surface agitation should be 'mild'. However, I'm not at all sure what my tank's movement is classed as. It would be good if someone could give me some sort of idea of what it should be, mine is rather noticeable, but if reduced, I get a protein film forming, so I'm slightly unsure about this.
Many Thanks for your time!