My first aquascape

[ShadowMac]

This is my first serious attempt at an aquascape. I planted this two days ago (in the pictures) so still needs to grow in order to see how its doing. Has since grown in the pogostemon stellatus is growing tall and getting a great red/pink color. So far so good, plants are actively pearling. Please critique, leave feedback, comments, or questions. Thank you!

Specs:

Lighting: 4x24 W T5 6500k with icecap 660 ballast, 2 powerbrite LED's, 3 lunar lights

Filtration/Flow: Eheim 2215, 2 koralia pumps

CO2: Aquariumplants.com electronic regulator, external inline reactor

Substrate: ADA aquasoil, ADA powersand (although after i set up the substrate i read powersand wasn't necessary)

misc.: hydor inline heater, aquacontrol jr., UV sterilizer(when needed)

Fertilizer: EI style PMDD + PO4 dosing using DIY macro and micro solutions

Plants:

Anubias nana petite, Anubias coffeefolia, HC, Pogostemon Stellata, Rotala Indica, Rotala rotundifolia "green", Limnophila hippuroides,Hygrophila corymbosa "kompakt", Ludwigia peruensis, blyxxa japonica, fissidens nobilis

 

[dutchy]

Good start. If your lights are directly over the water surface, you're in the very high light region. This could give you algae. 2 T5 tubes with reflectors would do the job fine. Even with a electronic pH controller, you should turn of your CO2 at night. Better for your fish. Nothing needs CO2 at night. Switch the CO2 on/off one hour before the lights switch.

That's all, keep us posted.

regards,
dutchy

 

[ShadowMac]

algae has been a bit of an issue, but I didn't have my algae eating squad in there yet. I'm also replacing 2 bulbs with two pink aquamedic planta bulbs in the 4500k range. I was also going to remove reflectors if algae wasn't under control or growth was too fast. If those things don't work I plan to rewire the set up, i'd prefer not to do that though. I had a feeling I would hear that was too much light. I had set up the lighting prior to discovering the barr report. Since I'm new to this I don't have an issue with feeling things out. The learning process is a part of it I value. I have been turning CO2 off at night and not using the pH meter to control CO2. I have been using it to fine tune my bubble rate and such.

 

[dutchy]

Changing two lamps to Planta's will give you the same PAR as using one bulb less, which is better. I measured half the PAR on a Planta bulb compared to a normal 6500K daylight bulb. The pH controller will be able to compensate better for changes in CO2 demand as long as you don't stare too much at the number on the display. Just use it as a reference, not as a number that will tell you how much CO2 you have.

Good luck and have fun.

regards,
dutchy

 

[mdwheeler]

Curious: how many gallons?

Tank looks great already! Really like that awesome driftwood!

 

[ShadowMac]

I forgot to post that in specs! its a 37 gallon tall tank.

Dutchy,

I haven't been using the pH meter to "measure" CO2 ppm. I have been using it to monitor how quickly I am adding it, how quickly my tank uses it, and to find what bubble rate can maintain a good amount of stable CO2. Changes in my pH being equivalent to amount of CO2 added.

 

[Left C]

Very nice ShadowMac!!

It makes me want to get off of my fanny and set my 37g up.