Hc 'cuba'+Sand=?

[MikeyUK47]

N and P are fine with DIY, as long as you have the DIY running well and steady. Have a read of the sticky about DIY at the top Micky. I'm sure Carl is using a nano tank as well, which will make DIY more feasible. I do think you'll struggle to get it carpeted, it may grow a leggy (for HC anyways).

Hi Ian. I didn't explain what I meant too well there. Yeah I know it can be done with DIY CO2 I just meant I wouldn't recommend it with Carl's current setup. Without good flow he's going to hit problems, the addition of N & P will just increase those problems much faster. In his current tank it wouldn't matter if he used yeast or pressurised, the lack of flow will hamper his efforts tremendously. A small powerhead like the Koralia nano would be the easiest way around it. I still don't like DIY though. By it's very nature yeast is far too unpredictable & without real diligence you're never a million miles away from problems occuring. Unless you want to experiment like SuperColey, which is fine BTW, pressurised is still the easiest & best way to inject CO2 into any size of tank. I think most people who have tried both ways would agree.

 

[RadaR]

You need good circulation all through the tank. Without this you get 'dead spots' where excess waste & nutrients build up & the result is always algae.

Without good flow he's going to hit problems, the addition of N & P will just increase those problems much faster.

Woah woah. Excess nutrients or build up of nutrients wont cause any problems...
It's ammonia and organic waste that's bad.

 

[MikeyUK47]

You need good circulation all through the tank. Without this you get 'dead spots' where excess waste & nutrients build up & the result is always algae.

Without good flow he's going to hit problems, the addition of N & P will just increase those problems much faster.

Woah woah. Excess nutrients or build up of nutrients wont cause any problems...
It's ammonia and organic waste that's bad.

But that's my point, he has all these things in place. Excess nutrients on their own are fine in a healthy fast growing tank but... if he has as bad a flow rate as he says, he said the water is bearly moving, then the build up of wastes, ammonia & nutrients is going to be bad news eventually. The ammonia will come from just planting in the substrate for example. Fish, unhealthy plants & dead leaves are also constant sources of ammonia. The chances of things going wrong are very real. Any algae present will have nutrients galore to feed on.

 

[Carlovel1]

Can someone recommend me a good plant substrate that is under £15 and that I wont need to add some gravel on top of it?

 

[MikeyUK47]

Can someone recommend me a good plant substrate that is under £15 and that I wont need to add some gravel on top of it?

This is decent stuff Carl http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/aquatic_plants_care/ground_materials/146459 & won't break the bank. Perfect for your nano.

 

[MikeyUK47]

BTW I have a spare small powerhead. If you would like it it's yours, free!! If you pm me your address i'll send it to you ASAP, snow permittting of course It'll help you on your way no end!!

 

[Carlovel1]

It looks quite good, would I need to put gravel on top of it?

 

[MikeyUK47]

It looks quite good, would I need to put gravel on top of it?

No, it's ready to use. I've used it twice in nano shrimp tanks & it's good stuff.

 

[Carlovel1]

Thanks!

 

[MikeyUK47]

Thanks!

No worries. Do you want that powerhead?

 

[Carlovel1]

Thanks!

No worries. Do you want that powerhead?

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