Craynerds Nano Planted Tank Journal.....

[George Farmer]

Good luck. Can I expect a rest in the barrage of PMs now?!!

 

[craynerd]

Yes George!!!

I know exactly what i want and need! Thanks for all the help!

To be honest, it will take a lot of saving so probably won`t have anything to report for a while. But at least i know what i want!

Thanks again and sorry!

Chris

 

[MoreCoffee]

Nice thread..... and it has given me some ideas on pump/filter & CO2 for something I'm in the process of
setting up ..... well just planning the equipment & plants at the moment !

I've been bought a 2ft version of this ....
Aqua One - Aqua Garden
It's 24" x 14" x 16" high at the rear & 9" high at the front (holds about 9.5 UK gallons) with a 36w luminaire
over the tank. Basically designed to grow/display aquatic plants above and below the surface.

Having read this thread I'm going to have a think about a similar external filter setup.

Looking forward to seeing how your nano project develops.


Mr G

 

[Luke_e]

How much do you expect to spend on this little baby?

 

[craynerd]

How much do you expect to spend on this little baby?

£45 Eheim Classic 2211
£50 FishVet CO2 diffuser and bubble counter
£80 ADA Lily pipe
£50 Lighting with my own DIY Stainless Steel Rack
£30 Pressurised CO2 DIY parts (i can get regulator and needle valve free from mates work)
£10 Laterite


Need to make some money now so may consider selling the girlfriend if anyone will give me a good price for her?

Chris

 

[Puffer punk]

IMO get the sera flore-depot thats what im using and it is amazing keep the PH a stable 7.0 and feed the plants , i have mine mixed in with dorest pea gravel .

HTH

will be following this one

 

[craynerd]

Puffer punk, was that in relation to the comment i made on getting laterite?

I have looked at many substrates and i have decided that laterite and fine gravel is definately going to be my choice. I currently use an under gravel substrate in tetra aquatic compost and its ok although this time i want something that is mixed with the top substrate! Sera flore-depot is a base fertilizer and should be used completely under the top substrate rather than totally mixed. But as long as its working for you!

With regards to pH i consider this no issue. My tap water up here in the north is 6.8 then when i start my CO2 it drops to 6.0 - 6.2 !! I have had no problems with the fish or shrimp struggling, infact my platties have just had babies lol !! Despite my own opinion i have also seen pics on hundreds of quality planted tanks running at pH 6 - 7 so i am really feel this isn`t particularly a factor i need to control or worry about to a degree.

Ferts i will be using EI but i am also going to be researching ADA ferts, i may give them a go!

Thanks for the comments, i will keep it updated!

Chris

 

[lljdma06]

Hi Chris! The nano bug has bit hard here, hasn't it? So you're going with laterite and fine gravel too? Have you ever used laterite before? I'm trying to find out if it makes the water cloudy. A bad flourite experience has made me paranoid.

Your tank looks like it's going to be great. Keep us posted.

llj

 

[craynerd]

lljd, i have my laterite all ready here with me. I have been recommended Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Pure Laterite (which it is) and i shall use that with Hagens Geosystem fine dark substrate. It looks pretty cool to be honest, i have wanted a dark substarte since i got the new idea into my head.

The nano bug has certainly bit hard yes!! I`m obsessed! all i think about is setting it up and getting it running!! the only thing that is stopping me is cash!! I`m happy waiting tho, i really like the suspense and gradual build up of buying things!

I got my Regulator and needle valve today for the CO2 and will pick my BIGGER 3.5kg CO2 bottle up in the next few days!

Also i started welding my stainless steel today to make the light stand. It is a really cool design i just hope it comes to plan. Unfortunately can`t take my camera in the works workshop so cant post any pics of its construction! Its a tricky design. Basically, its like a steel tube, thin which is bent over. It has a slot in one end which slides perfectly over the back tank glass and then the lights clip onto the top of the frame. Obviously the lights push down and force the stands to clamp to the glass holding it all steady !! With the stands being a tube the wires can push inside them and are totally hidden Sounds to good to be true , i just hope it works.

Thanks for the interest and now to answer your question lol LMAO!!

Have you ever used laterite before? I'm trying to find out if it makes the water cloudy.

Don`t know, not used it yet !!! hehe

Chris

 

[George Farmer]

The ADA fert system is basically EI, but a lot more expensive although in a smaller tank the ADA won't be too bad. I have heard that the ADA ECA iron is very good though and the ADA Brighty series take the "hard work" out of dosing NPK and they do work well (Amano uses them after all).

ADA Aqua Soil is the best substrate around, far superior to laterite and it can be used 100%, rather than mixed that can result in migration of the additives. The Amazonia stuff is black and is good value for smaller tanks. 9L should suffice (£25). Fine if you want to stick with laterite etc. but it seems a little odd using old-school substrates when your running ADA with everything else.

 

[craynerd]

George...

laterite old school, still seems like plenty of people swear by it and also what is so "new" about ADA gear. I realise there styling of hardware equipment is fantastic as with there quality but do you really think they are leading the way with ferts, substrates and other non-hardware as such?? Why what is the difference is this field?

I will do a little more research but i think i`ll sell it and go with your advice!! why not, i`ve baught everything else you have recommended

Chris

btw, can you also inform me about your thoughts and knowledge on this ADA power sand, i`m struggling finding any real articles on it other than the ADA selling notes!?

Aqua Soil - Amazonia (9 liters) - Normal

Designed to create the image of Amazonia. Create an aquascape depicting the fertile South American rainforest with the dynamic alternation of rainy and dry seasons.

AQUA SOIL SERIES
A high pH level (alkaline) of the substrate causes difficulties for aquatic plants in consuming nutrients. The Aqua Soil Series decreases the hardness of the water and lowers the PH level to the degree at which most aquatic plants can consume nutrients and comfortably grow. Aqua Soil granules maintain their shape and density for long periods underwater securing good circulation of water and oxygen through the substrate. With Aqua Soil, growing difficult plants such as Tonina sp. becomes easier, and it is ideal for fishes demanding soft water.


SPECIAL FEATURES :

Completely new substrate made from specially processed natural material from the earth.
Colloid particles capture dirt floating in the water, without any chemical treatment.
Gives clarity to the water and creates conditions ideal for healthy growth of aquatic plants.
Helps to lower the hardness level of the water.
Helps to bring the pH level of the water down to an ideal level for most of the aquatic plants.
Composed of granules of size and density ideal for the fast development of healthy plant root systems, rather conventional substrates such as sand.
Granules maintain their shape for a long period in water, holding air between them, which is vital for the long time maintenance of a planted aquarium.
Used with Power Sand stimulates the fast colonization of bacteria in the substrate and creates perfect conditions for plant root systems.
Most desirable pH level for most aquatic plants(ph 5.5 - 6.5) to develop their root systems.
Available in 3 types to suit your aquarium layout.

 

[George Farmer]

Laterite works but Aqua Soil is better. Laterite is just iron. Aqua Soil has loads of nutrients, the constituants are secret. Tom Barr, probably the world's biggest planted guru (scientifically at least) has performed controlled experiments with Aqua Soil and lots of other substrates and has found it to be the best yet. Other substrates work, plain sand or gravel work if the water column has enough nutrients but Aqua Soil gives the plants better growth, especially with more demanding species i.e. glosso, HC, Tonina etc.

I realise you intend mixing other stuff with your substrate but it this mixing that may cause problems. Root growth, maintenance, fish etc. will eventually cause the laterite etc. to migrate to the surface, something that may cause problems. I had good results with Dennerle Deponit topped with black quartz but within weeks the Deponit worked its way to the surface and spoilt the aesthetics at least. If you intend using soil like you say then this migration may cause problems not only on the aesthetic side but overloading nutrients.

I can't say much on Power Sand except that ADA recommend you mix it with Aqua Soil and other stuff. However it appears that (through Barr's work) Aqua Soil alone works just as well. It is what I will be using in my new set up and believe me I choose my products very carefully these days.

One disadvantage of Aqua Soil is that is actually dissolves very slowly and will need replacing every 12-18 months. This actually isn't as bad as it sounds as substrates in a high tech, high growth tank go sour after a period and reduce root growth. Refreshing the substrate every 12-18 months will prevent this decline. Heater cables are a waste of money too BTW just in case you were thinking of that.

ADA are leading the way in this hobby in most aspects. Amano has been adding nitrates and phosphates to his tanks way before any of us had heard of EI. There substrate is market leading and their hardware is the best designed out there IMO. An ADA Nature Aquarium gives me at least something to aim for. Sure I can walk to work but I'd rather drive in luxury.

 

[craynerd]

thanks george!

Great post, i appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I think i will go with that then, it seems AE stock it so i`ll order some.

i was thinking of heater cables but i have realised from other forums that they don`t seem as effective as people think.

My diffuser is still puzzling me! I know you got me into the idea of this mist, do you think the ADA pollen glass or the pollen glass beetle will be better equipt to produce a mist. I have to say, its only until tonight that i noticed the huge price difference with £55 and £95 respectively.

Appreciate all the help so far.

Chris

 

[George Farmer]

It's a nano right? Then the ADA Pollen Glass will be perfect.

 

[craynerd]

Yea, it`ll be no larger than 12g anyway since i`m still debating whether to take this 24 x 8 x 8 and swap it for a 18 x 10 x12 something a little more square.

I have two scapes in mind, one like paulios old tank, glosso but with hair grass and riccia and a similar rock formation or a more square tank with a larger root wood just off center of the tank and breaking the surface. I think this would be more challanging but obviously inevitably more likely to fail and look crud. I suppose thats my choice?!

Anyway thats great! and thats something else finalised!

Right mate, its been worth staying up chatting you have helped me as usual no end. I`m off to bed up early for work.

Speak to you soon and i`ll keep u posted no doubt.

Regards
Chris