The Planted Pico Journal

[RossC]

So I've took it upon myself to try and make a mini iwagumi styled tank, and this little 3 gallon really does push the boundaries. Originally used as a temporary fry tank I've dug it out of the greenhouse and found a little space for it on my bed-side table, girlfriend not overly impressed at its location
Gonna structure this like my Asia's Tree Journal where updates are posted in this first post with a "Day --" post on every update.
Enjoy!

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Day 1

Spoiler

Set the tank up with an i25 filter and spare heater I had lying around. 1-2 inches of light brown fine grain gravel.
Added a few bits of HC cuba from the main tank, amazon sword and some java moss onto the main rock.
Dosed with TNC ferts and flourish excel under a 20W desk lamp. Going to add some ammonia to start the cycle.
Here's some pics:

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Day 3

Spoiler

Ok so kinda amazed at this, the ammonia went from 5ppm to 0ppm within 48 hours. Nitrites are well above 5pm so there's obviously some ammonia bacteria in there. Could it possibly be that I've awoken the dormant bacteria that where there from when I previously cycled the filter about a month ago? Yer right If the nitrites go down within 4 days something weird is definitely going on. I'm watching the tests with great suspicion.
Mean while all the plants seem to be doing ok so its all so far!

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Day 13

Spoiler

Not a lot of progress made on this tank, I have moved my betta from my tree tank in here as he was bullying my harlequins. He seems pretty happy in there and now my tree tank is finally peaceful.

 

[justin85]

Nice start mate. You running CO2 on this setup?

 

[Man of fish]

Looks nice already! Watching the topic!

 

[RossC]

Nice start mate. You running CO2 on this setup?

Probably not just liquid but who knows I'll probably change my mind haha

Looks nice already! Watching the topic!

thank you very much

 

[Salam]

 

[RossC]

Day 3

 

[RossC]

Day 13