Fluval Chi, Iwagumy Style, Dry Start, Ei Method

Warm hello from Slovenian enthusiast, glad to be here.

I have been reading this site a lot and have decided to join, simply because the professionalism in aquarism and underwater planting, which is my point of interest for many years.

Ok, I bought small tank (25x25x cca.45cm) Fluval chi tank years ago. It was a tank for my kid, mainly inhabited with few nano fishes and anubias. But thant was it, back then it was not my main concern.

The years have past and I have practically become a bit of an enthusiat in aquascaping world and in underwater plants. So I have decided to gave it a go. I read a lot and I must say that I love learning anything about aquarium world and plants.

Ok. My setup is simple:

Tank: Fluval chi model (25x25 cca. 45cm)
Substrate/soil: Saechem Flourite Black Sand
Lights: Do not now...Led nano aquarium lights, 10W (2x)
External filter: JBL e402
Seryiu stone, monte carlo plant, lilly glass pipes
Still searhing for CO2 system

I started my dry start experiment 1st of February...




9 days later...




Today, 23th of February (4th week of DS)






Tank will have open top, now is covered with plastic wrap. Light are on 10-13h a day. Every day I do an air exchange with removing the wrap for 20-60 minutes. Sometimes twice per day. Of course, a spray/mist monte carlo every day, to that point that are always moist.

I hope that Im doing everything ok. My goal is nice and firm carpet with monte carlo. Im planing to flood in 6-8th week or when the carpet will be "firm"...is that ok? Experiences?

And then It will start. I must admit that Im a total newbie when it comes to underwater botanics. And yes, I want to try the famous EI method for fertilising.

I know a bit about Macro and Micro nutrients but I must say that I learn fast. My main concern is in flooding. Thats when the questions comes.

- Can I start EI method from begining (before the cycling the filter/tank)? So 50% water change on the 7th day is ok from the start (not 2x per week which i have read is common for a start)?

- CO2 (I know it depends on dKH and plant needs) - is monte carlo advanced plant according to tropica article about co2. Is this even important, because based on EI, the CO2 level must always bee on at leat 25 ppm? And yes, Im sorry for my ignorance, how can I achieve that? (how many bubles per second is that)? I measure the dKH and according to that raise co2 to p.h that is needed for plant type? Is that correct? And the p.h. for monte carlo is around 7?

- Fertilizers: I plan to use Saechem fertiliers. 1,3,5 day Macros, 2, 4, 6 day Micros, 7th day water change without fertilizers. Every day Excel. Is that ok?

Yes, I know, Im sorry for my ignorance. For my defense I only can say, that I love the beauty of learning everything about this "hobby" and that I will be thankfull for every comment, help or guidance.

I must admit that we have a verry nice aquarist here in Slovenia, but I will like to share my learning with wider community.

Thank you, talk to you soon and last but not least, verry glad to be here.

By the way, Im appologizing for poor grammar and for sooo many questions.

 

Rajkm thank you for your reply. So you suggest that I dose 1/4 of recomended dosing for 25l (which is writen on the back of the fertilizer)?

I will be usin Saechem ferts.

 

Thank you Tim...i know. It is actually my learning tank. I must learn the basics of underwater biology first, then my plan is to extend the beauty of underwater nature to something bigger. At least 120cm long and yes, shallower (because i love it)...

Guys i would need much of your help, when i flood the tank. Like i said i will go with the EI method, so the help will be needed.

At this point, rajkm, suggested that I dose Macros and Micros 1/4 of the suggested dose, which is writen on zhe bottles?

I will go with Saechem pallete of ferts.

 

Thank you rajkm. I will do just like that.

 

Now, im in 5th week...will flood soon...in teo weeks or so...and im wondering how intense my co2 level must be in the start?

How many bubles per second?

I dont plan to shut it off during the night.

 

Guys my dry start is now in 5th week...31 days to be exact.

The carpet is spreading nice and it looks good also...but i have noticed that some of the leaves are turning yellow and/or brown?

Must I be concerned about that?

Im doing everything the same as so far.

 

Could it be problem with humidity?

Since i have apllied moss to the stone, i sprayed more than before...now, since the problem occured i stop spraying and im opening the plastic wrap for "breathing" much more than before...

I hope it will help and that this couldnt be the problem. Any suggestions?

Ill post the the pic below.

 

The situation...i hope that the yellow leaves are visible...

 

You could see that i abandoned the moss, which isnt so important in my idea of the tank. At least for now.