All new scape by Obbezz ( in need for some comments)

[Obbezz]

Herewith my new hardscape.. 80 x 45 x 45cm

Looking forward reading your comments..

 

[dutchy]

Not bad. You could make the slopes on both sides a lot higher.

 

[Obbezz]

Thanks Dutchy, regarding the sloping effect.. how do you get these sides higher without these crumbling down after the tank is filled.. p.s. I'm out of stones

 

[dutchy]

Use an anti gravity generator?

You could use a few slate pieces and stick them in the substrate vertically.

 

[Obbezz]

Good idea.i will do a quick visit to a DIY market..a nice and cheap solution..

 

[Obbezz]

just a quick question: What about using polycarbonaat massive ( 4mm thick) transparant for using as a divider? dont know if anybody has used a sort of plastic for keeping the soil in place..

 

[dutchy]

I haven't used that before. Are you sure no toxic substances will be dissolved in the water?

 

[Obbezz]

That is what i'm trying to figure out! I know that plastic have plasticizers (weekmakers) but our hoses that we use for our filter are also made from plastic..

 

[dutchy]

True, but we might assume those won't give problems......I hope.

 

[Obbezz]

hoses can cause problems.. http://home.zonnet.nl/rsetteur/garnaal_weekmaker/garnaal_weekmaker.htm

always tricky to use plastic in an aquarium.. just to be sure maybe it's better to use slate.. ( i have some chopping to do get them in the correct size... ) plastic would have been sooo easy!

 

[Solex]

Plastic is a great shrimpkiller!
Be carefull with what you use, although i have seen amano use plastic (looks like it) in his tanks.

www.gek.nu has the info on plastic and shrimps, great site, check it out

 

[Obbezz]

Thanx Solex... will check that out!

 

[Obbezz]

Just went to 2 diffrent DIY shops.. ofcourse no slate.. (only 1 - 3 cm ) any ideas were to obtain this?

 

[dutchy]

I have seen it at the better equipped garden centers or stone trading companies that supply them.

 

[Obbezz]

You would think that the Intratuin or Groenrijk could supply these stones.....it's delaying my scape .. well know i have more time to think things true..

 

[Obbezz]

after sending some emails to stone trading companies i managed to get some black slate.. 0,3m² .. i can pick it up tomorrow... *sweet* will post some pics soon!!

 

[Obbezz]

Question.. a few day´s after setting up an new aquarium, diatoms will appear (and stay for a few weeks) what is the best way to prevent these diatoms. I heard something about putting in quick growing plants.. :gw

Any thoughts?

 

[dutchy]

Keep PO4 low. There's a scientific article that describes that diatoms grow faster with high PO4. You can also use a SiO2 remover in your filter.

Lots of waterchanges can help if SiO2 level in your tapwater is low.

 

[Obbezz]

Thanks for the advise. I have some good experiences with JBL Silicat Ex so I will start using this..

What kind of values shall I maintain regarding the Po4 (or is the target value 0) ?

 

[dutchy]

Zero will limit your plants, I'd keep it around 0,25 until the diatoms are gone.