Been working intermittently on this tank now, it’s been going well and I have some nice growth but I also put a Golden nugget plec in the tank (rehomed from a friend) BIG mistake! He had a lovely time digging everything up and had no appreciation for the pain of HC planting... He wasn;t a problem in the last tank I set up, but then I had no HC in it either. He has been moved to the cory tank to wreak havoc there instead whilst I try and get things back under control.
I have introduced some fish too (the filter media and internal filter came from a mature tank so minimal cycling required) and some CRS shrimp which I love. No algae issues as yet (fingers crossed) although I think I might have to change the CO2 diffusion set up and it is gurgling through the filter and coming out in large bubbles in the tank. I have a drop checker in the opposite corner to the outflow to check CO2 and it is green/light green and working fine but CO2 wastage seems to be high.
Would I be better to have two internal CO2 diffusers instead?
Some pics:
I really like this plant - it's H. lacustris, it's tips are growing a deep red. It's relatively slow growth but the dark green of it's older leaves looks great. Hopefully it will fill out.
I was concerned about adding CRS to this tank what with it havin only been set up a short while, but they are doing great!
Some specs:
Lighting: 4 x 39W T5 on a 5 hours on, 4 hours break midday, 5 hours on (mainly so I can appreciate the tank when I am at home)
Substrate: A mix of Sand, small gravel (3-5mm) Ferplast substrate and ADA Malaya
Filter: Large internal (~1400lph) and internal (~800lph)
CO2: Pressurised disposable 600g bottles (only £9 from Machine Mart, one lasts about 2-3 months)