A 90 Gallon Tank..my First Real Adventure Into Planted Tanks

mv1175

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Sep 30, 2018
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HOUSTON BABY
Howdy From Houston,

I have had MTS in the past and have been keeping all sorts of freshwater fish Discus, Arowanas, Mbunas, Rainbows, guppies, and many others. I have toyed around with some java fern with a diy co2 in a 40 gallon breeder in the past but that is the extent of my aquatic plant experience. I am in the process of planning/setting up a 90 gallon tank. I planning on growing some HC Cuba(using the dry start method), java moss, and perhaps the some sort of dwarf red plant with some assorted rainbows, cardinal tetras, and shrimp. I finally got my tank today, but I'm still figuring out a few things.

So far I have worked out I need/have:

1. The 90 gallon tank
2. 3 bags (9 Liter) of ADA Aquasoil
3. 1 eheim 2217
4. 1 5 or 10 lb CO2 Canister
5. Rocks for aquascaping

Things I'm trying to figure out:

1. Lighting...The dimension of the tank are 48"Wx24"Hx18"D. I understand that light penetration may be an issue at 24"...and that HC Cuba is on the substrate. I would be prefer to go with an LED lighting solution. Would a single Finnex Ray 2 or Fluval planted 3.0 be enough? Or would I have to have 2 of these fixtures to make it work?

2. A good regulator/solenoid choice. So far it seems in my limited research I should go with a
GLA GRO-1 Aquarium CO2 Regulator from green leaf aquariums. Are they any reliable options that aren't quite that expensive?

3. Ferts..I know nothing here and need to research this more.

Thanks for any input in advance and here are pics of my tank and rocks.
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mv1175

New Member
Sep 30, 2018
16
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49
HOUSTON BABY
Yesterday, we started the tank with the dry start. In the past week I have decided to go with 2 AI Prime Freshwater for lighting. Also picked up a couple of eheim 2217 for filitration and found some better rock.
Lightgrate was placed on the tank floor to provide height. Then some black gravel was placed on the top for more height. Next the 27 liters of Aquasoil, rock, and wood.
The Dwarf baby tears and java moss were planted. The Ai Prime Frestwater were mounted to the canpoy.
 

mv1175

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Sep 30, 2018
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HOUSTON BABY
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Added some Christmas moss to the tops of the trees. I noticed the java moss on the trees is drying out is there anything that can be done other than flooding the tank?
 

mv1175

New Member
Sep 30, 2018
16
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HOUSTON BABY
Thanks for the tips... Today I added another 6 pots of HC in the tank. I didn't do a good job spreading them out but it was a very long day.
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I also figured out a way to keep the tank wet and prevent myself from having to water the plants everyday(This is due to the fact the tank is in a business that is being setup and not yet open. Its kinda of a drag to drive for 30 mins each way to spend 2 mins just to water the plants and leave.) I'm gonna install a sprinkler system of sorts into the tank using a misting kit, a water pump, bucket, timer, and some suction cups. Will post pics when I have it installed. Also im gonna reduce the runtime of the lights from 12 hours to 10.
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mv1175

New Member
Sep 30, 2018
16
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49
HOUSTON BABY
Well the sprinkler system was a BIG FAIL...Pump couldnt push out the water strong enough to make it work...But I figured out another way for keeping the tank moist...In addition to the tank lids I have been wrapping the top with cling wrap and I ran an air pump line into a bottle of water to pump in moist air constantly. Success?

I have dry fitted the PVC and plumbed in the dual ehiem 2217s. Please let me know if there is a better way to do this or if I forgot something important... I know the hoses on the white hose bibs need claps..have to run back home depot AGAIN.

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mv1175

New Member
Sep 30, 2018
16
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49
HOUSTON BABY
So Saturday I flooded the tank,drained,flooded, drained, and flooded the tank. Also added a new bonsai tree, java ferns, and some swords were added to the tank. During the final flooding I added the water a little too quick and it disturbed some of the dwarf baby tears.
Today I added some more moss at the base of the new bonsai and did a 50 percent water change. Prior to the waterchange I tested the tank water.
The water parameters were: pH of 6.6
Ammonia of 4
Nitrite of .25
Nitrate of 5
So it seems to me the ADA Aquasoil did not fully cycle my tank. I didn't believe it when I came across that claim. Also I feel like the tank could use some additional lights to help the 2 AI Freshwater Primes. I noticed a darker V shape in the middle of the tank. Any suggestions? BTW some of the dwarf baby tears were pearling but not all areas.
 

mv1175

New Member
Sep 30, 2018
16
5
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49
HOUSTON BABY
Tank Update and Questions

Water Parameters today:
pH: 6.6
Ammonia: 2
Nitrites: 1
Nitrates: 10

Looks like the tank is cycling.

After watching a King of DIY(Joey) video I order some led flood lights to help increase lightning. I have attached a pic of the current lights and how they are spread out on the canopy.

There is also some weird white mucus like stuff on the driftwood and substrate..What is this mold?biofilm?algae? Please let me know what this stuff is..

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