Gerry's 220 Scape with Cardinal Shoal

[Gerryd]

Hi all, My general thread is now so large that I will close it and start anew Most of the posting is mine anyway lol

Here on page 1 of this new thread I will summarize my current hardware, etc so we are all on the same page, so to speak...it will be easier for folks to review this first page for hardware and setup questions and that do not care about the rest of what I say lol

************************

Tank - 220 gal custom rimless 3/4 starphire all around. 72" long x 36" front to back x 20" tall. Stand is powder coated steel with custom light bar. Clear silicone used and all was built by Coast to Coast in NJ.

Lights - 2 of the 36" 8x39w T5 ATI Sunpower dimmable fixtures. They each have two banks of lights: 2x39 and 6x39. I use a mix of ATI blue and purple and gman middays and aquafloras. Here are those timings. Note the max intensity is < 50%. They are suspended 14" above the water surface.

Bank 1

10:00 am ON
11:00 am 2%
13:00 pm 10%
13:30 pm 40%
14:00 pm 45%
20:00 pm 45%
20:30 pm 20%
21:00 pm 10%
21:30 pm 9%
23:00 pm OFF

Bank 2

13:00 pm ON
13:30 pm 25%
14:00 pm 45%
20:00 pm 45%
20:30 pm 20%
21:00 pm 14%
21:30 pm 5%
22:00 pm 5%
23:00 pm OFF

PAR Summary

Looking at corners/ends at substrate, the LOWEST was 62 and that was shaded by manzy and plants. Usually 70-80 as an avg... The downoi gets 62-72, stauro 70-85, coffeee 75-95, petite 50-81, HG belem 81, HG 40-60, c, parva 75, java trident, narrow, needle 75-125.

Originally I had a 72" 12x39w AquaticLife fixture but switched to the ATI on 6/16, approx 10 months into the setup.

Substrate - ADA Amazonia New Type (post type II). Iirc I used approx 7-8 9 liter bags.

Filtration - Aqueon Proflex Model 4 sump powered by a mag 1800 split into twin 3/4 returns using a 2" wye. 2 of the 3 sock filters have been replaced with block sponges. The 3rd sock filter was replaced by a rolled up carbon pad.

Originally I had twin large eheim canisters (2080), one in each corner, but switched to the sump on 5/26, approx 9 months into the setup. Plant growth and overall health improved dramatically from that point.

C02 - Rio 1000 internal pump in sump with true needle wheel impeller. Intake is drilled and c02 tubing inserted into the hole to keep it tight. Output via 5/8 flex tubing to 9" cerges 'reactor' and then 5/8 flex back to sump. Outflow is picked up by main sump pump. The cerges was installed on 12/1/2012.

Originally I used a single atomizer on one of the eheims, then 1 or 2 (at times) rio 1k nw IN TANK as there was no sump.

C02 comes ON at 12:30 and is OFF at 8:30. I usually use a 10lb tank that only lasts 4-6 weeks.

Regulator configs as I have two of the exact same build but only using 1 currently:

Burkert 6011 (brass) w/ viton seals
Swagelok post body npt components
Ideal valve w/ vernier handle (V52-1-12)
Nuaire/Victor VTS253A-1993 (new)

Fauna - 300 + cardinal tetras, 30 rummy nose, 20 diptail pencils, 10 apisto caucatoides mega red...

Flora - anubias.petite, a.coffeefolia, java trident, java narrow, java needle, hygro araguaia, elatine triandra, hair grass parvula, hair grass belem, downoi, dwarf bolbitus, hydrocotyle japan, fissidens, var mosses.

Hardscape - manzanita from CA selected and placed by Tom Barr.

Tank has been up and running since 8/27/2011.

Current pics and video coming today.

I plan on making some small plant section changes and will document these here going forward..

Here is the link to the original thread for those who have a month to kill:

http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/8435-New-Tank-Build-Thread/page159

Later.

 

[jerrybforl]

Ahhhhh! Now we can see a summary in one page...thanks Gerry. I'm glad that was there when Tom was scaping, and to see it mature into what it is today! Thanks for all the plants and fish over the last year and a half.

 

[Gerryd]

Ahhhhh! Now we can see a summary in one page...thanks Gerry. I'm glad that was there when Tom was scaping, and to see it mature into what it is today! Thanks for all the plants and fish over the last year and a half.

Well, that was the idea...lots of folks just wanted some techy info and was too hard to search 150 pages of me babbling away....I see that my detail has helped a number of folks with their decisions on hardware one way or the other. Some have gone the same or similar and some not. Will be good when these folks start build threads (hint hint) to see how their choices work for them.

I like the old thread as it has so much detail on what I was doing at the time, PAR, c02 config, etc, etc. I use it as my research notes

You are very welcome for all. Appreciate you trekking up here all the time....

 

[UDGags]

Boy did I need this summary a couple weeks ago Very nice job! Looking forward to a new thread.

 

[Gerryd]

Boy did I need this summary a couple weeks ago Very nice job! Looking forward to a new thread.

Sorry, I have been meaning to do this for awhile now, but just forgot. Since it is all setup now the way I want (I think) it is a new starting point....

Thanks!

 

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

I closed the previous large thread and posted the link in post #1 above...thanks again to all for reading, commenting, helping...I have learned a lot from posting and it appears that it has helped other folks as well.

 

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

Well a few posts with pics so you can see where I am at and I can speak to where I want to go....

View attachment 3944

View attachment 3945

View attachment 3946

View attachment 3947

View attachment 3948

You can see the ET is coming on again in the left corner. The stauro section is reinvigorated after some fluffing and since the reactor has been in use. Downoi in the back corner is doing well but not sure about that in the front. I want the ET to replace the stauro. The petite path has filled in nicely esp out front. The downoi will fill in and come down more to the front. The c.parva I hope will also fill in at that spot.

The ET will be replaced by the HG belem creeping around from the side..

I give the downoi out front 2 more weeks to do something and then they are out of there, That spot is apparently death for downoi... I have no f***n clue what my issue with this plant is..

 

[Gerryd]

Downoi

Here are some pics of the downoi doing 'okay'.. Good leaf color and form, but SMALL....

View attachment 3960

View attachment 3961

View attachment 3962

View attachment 3963

The top 2 crowns in the middle/top of the last pic were taken from the larger clump on the right just prior to the pic being taken.

 

[dutchy]

Hi Gerry,

Looks great as already for a long time now. What a massive amount of light you have over that tank!! I'm not surprised you use only 50%...

Have you ever tried to put some carbon in your filter to see if the Downoi will do better? Maybe there's something in the tapwater that's keeping them underdeveloped, although they look good, just a bit small size...

The ET you sent me (what was usable) is actually growing well, together with another source I had enough to plant the entire foreground. Thnx again.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Gerry, Looks great as already for a long time now.

Hi HJ, thanks much for the kind words...I am happy with it but could be better....

What a massive amount of light you have over that tank!! I'm not surprised you use only 50%

Yes, it is a lot of light. I took the shot at a high ISO setting so you could see it. But 15-20 mins after the main photoperiod is over, looks much cooler in contrast. I will take a pic before and after tonight to demonstrate.

Have you ever tried to put some carbon in your filter to see if the Downoi will do better? Maybe there's something in the tapwater that's keeping them underdeveloped, although they look good, just a bit small size...

Well. I do have a very large mesh bag of high quality carbon along with 2-3 carbon pads in the sump, so I feel that there is in fact carbon in use It helped a lot with manzy and ada leaching and I added it again when I had the cloudiness issue 2 months back. It does not seem to make a difference in terms of plant growth.

The ET you sent me (what was usable) is actually growing well, together with another source I had enough to plant the entire foreground. Thnx again.

Glad to hear that some of it made it. I was hoping/expecting if any made it that it would recover and do well. Can't wait to see how the tank looks with it. I think you will like the plant a lot..

You are very welcome.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

Well, I have REDUCED my lighting levels by approx 10% (in intensity) with an average reduction of 10-25 micromoles at the substrate..My max % on the photoperiod is now just 35%, down from 45%. This reduced the par from 120-95, 100-80, 63-50, and the like. Surface went from 240 to 140 so a bigger effect closer to the lights. The timings remain as is.

I wanted to STOP increasing c02 and simply reduce DEMAND via light reduction and see if this gets me anywhere with balancing c02 and light. I have made some improvement/increases to c02 diffusion and rate but fish again show signs of 'huddling' which for my fish means too much c02. I have LOTS of surface ripple and sump remains unsealed.

The DIY herbie reduced the overflow waterfall effect and 02 intake rate dramatically based on water level in the overflow box and reduced noise

I like the LOOK of the tank better with the reduced PAR and the cardinals especially I know will appreciate it.

I had 120 over anubias coffeefolia and 100 on a.petite which is totally overkill.

I expect over the next 2-3 weeks that this will have an overall positive impact but we will see. No other changes will be done during this time, except gardening and normal maintenance/dosing.

Thanks.

 

[CanadaPleco]

Great thread, saved me one heck of a read. I'm actually looking at very similar stocking to yours as well.

One thing tho, those lifter pumps you are using on your overflow, buy some spares!!! I have had 3 of them fail on me and I will never use that overflow system again. Your basically trusting your entire tank to a $12 crappy made lifter pump. They clog and stop sucking the air that gets caught in the overflow and your tank overflows onto the floor. It does wonders to hardwood flooring

Rich

 

[Gerryd]

Great thread, saved me one heck of a read. I'm actually looking at very similar stocking to yours as well.

One thing tho, those lifter pumps you are using on your overflow, buy some spares!!! I have had 3 of them fail on me and I will never use that overflow system again. Your basically trusting your entire tank to a $12 crappy made lifter pump. They clog and stop sucking the air that gets caught in the overflow and your tank overflows onto the floor. It does wonders to hardwood flooring

Rich

Hi Rich,

Thanks. I do have spare aqualifter pumps and have 2 more incoming now.....I have mentioned all along for folks to have spares as 1 died on me already. That said, I check this pump and operation DAILY to ensure all is well, or as much as I can...

Tom has used these for quite some time and I have not heard of any mishaps from him....Tom have these died on you at all?

I agree that I do not like this risk, but perhaps a better dosing pump would be an improvement?

 

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

I really like the look of the lower PAR...it is now low 50s in the farthest corners and low 70s at the center/ends..now 70-85 or so avg at substrate which is much more manageable than the 100+ I was running..I will leave it like this for 2-3 weeks and observe. These lights really produce, my goodness....

I am away for 3 nights starting tomorrow so the low light will come at a good time...

1. Large water change tomorrow.
2. Heavy EI dosing to cover the next few days need
3. Normal excel dosing
4. Swap c02 tank for a fresh one. Plenty in the other but you know how that goes....
5. Stuff fish full of food up until I leave..
6. I will then do my normal weekly w/c and maintence when I return and feed my babies....

I expect no issues but of course want to be prepared...Even if the c02 goes out or something, worst is that I will get some algae perhaps soon after, but we will see.

I have someone coming daily for the cats, so they will add 2 gals of water to the tank daily to make up for evaporation which is what I do now. They know to clean the wier teeth and know how to call my cell! They will send me a nightly e-mail..

I will be in Orlando so < 3 hours away if I need to come home for some emergency.

Best thing I did was to show them what happened if the POWER went out and what happens to the sump and the tank water if not matched....so they understand the principle.

Best advice I gave was my cell #

Will return on Sunday and will do the stauro for ET swap at that time...JJ will just get better plants is all....The ET will have a few more days to grow until then. I think it will look nice. Then to cull some belem and start letting it fill in the ET's former spot...I need to cull some narrow/needle and have a nice bunch to give away....this is doing well as is the windelov. The latter really prefers lower light. the trident and other var can handle very high PAR. my anubias will also appreciate the lowe PAR...

I like lower light anyway, my fish species prefer it, and is simply more manageable for me and my goals...

Is fun playing with higher light, but while I show impatience with specific growth issues, I do really like the fact that the tank changes slowly over time and does not require weekly trimming/cropping/etc..is really pretty low maintenance scape for how complex it is...

 

[Tom Barr]

I do not run all my tanks full blast, one is enough, the others are medium and low.

 

[Gerryd]

I do not run all my tanks full blast, one is enough, the others are medium and low.

Good to know they are not all 150 umol at the substrate

Since I struggle with the higher light levels I will go to med to low light with c02...I like this blend best for me and has been easier for me in the past. The scape is easier to maintain and looks nicer longer, I like the subtle changes over time anyway...and the fish look better to me anyway, esp the cardinals....

 

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

So, I got home from a 2.5 hour drive tonight after being away for 2 nights. Immediately see the tank filters are NOT running and of course that the sump overflowed....

I have mesh filter bags in the sump and the drawstrings were tied up high. However, somehow one or two got sucked into the inlet of the pump and stopped it cold. I bet it happened soon after my fish watcher filled the sump for evaporation..

Lost about 10 gallons. The carpet guy just left and I was thrilled that he came out late for me...big tip for him when he returns on Monday to pick up the blowers and fans and such he left. Will be cold for the next 2 days as I have the AC cranked down low...this helps.

So a few things for me to do:

1. Remove the mesh drawstrings so this does not re-occur. Rearrange things in the sump to prevent this sort of thing.
2. Purchase a large rubbermaind or similar that the sump will sit in. This will capture the sump overflow and keep the carpet dry if something similar occurs.
3. Wait for the carpet to dry

So, fish are fine and all, just makes me nervous about going away.....

Could have been a LOT worse. The last time half the tank drained. He was done in 10 mins. He also placed the sump on small blocks so it is off the carpet and can allow some drying under there..

Really nice guy. He was impressed with the look of the tank now as opposed to last year

Good to be back home..

Later.

 

[Tom Barr]

Murphy got you good. Got me today when I went out to sell some UG to local and left the tank refilling
I have a wet/dry vac and wood floors though.

 

[Gerryd]

Murphy got you good. Got me today when I went out to sell some UG to local and left the tank refilling
I have a wet/dry vac and wood floors though.

I have done that several times with my old 180. I would be posting on the forum and forgot the tank was filling....

Only a few gallons fortunately and cleaned up well. Could have been much worse.

How many gallons did you spill?

Yep, no carpet in the next place fer sure.......

 

[ua hua]

That's too bad about the mess Gerry but you learn from mistakes like this. If your involved in this hobby long enough stuff like this is bound to happen. I have had many things happen that made me second guess my hobby but the enjoyment I get out of it out-ways the bad things that have happened. I have had many "special" words thrown around when Murphy's law takes effect but after some time I remember why I love this hobby so much and move on until the next cursing session.