Setting up a new 60-P

Dan Pellegrini · July 13th, 2007, 11:16 PM

Well I finally have all of the pieces collected, assembled, plugged in and running!

Specs:

Tank: ADA 60-P
Filter: E-Heim Professional II 2026
Light: Tek 4x 24watt T5HO w/ custom hanging bar (http://aape.naturalaquariums.com/for...?topic=1522.30)
CO2: 2.5lb Tank w/ Diffuser (soon to upgrade to 5lb)
Substrate: Aqua Soil (no other base amendments)
Plants: Blyxa Japonica, HC, Java Fern and Ranunculus - oh and Pellia (not sure where it will live just yet)
Ferts: EI Dosing

I supplemented in a large amount of mulm from the 3 gallon nano that this tank is replacing and planted with a small portion of the plants that had overgrown that tank. I really wanted to find some awesome rocks like Brant has just done - but knowing that finding exactly what I am looking for will be no easy task - I decided to make do with what I had left in my garage (originally rejects from my last rock collecting tour). While pro-aquascaping is not my strong suit - perhaps some day I will figure it out... Anyways, here is what it looks like:

Straight on will not be the best angle - as you can see right through to whatever is on my desk - but when I get the water crystal clear and the plants growing in thick - I think it will look cool

I planted tiny pieces of HC all over in hopes that it will take and spread quickly. I have never really done HC in a big way like this - so we will see how it goes, but hopefully it will fill in all the spots between the rocks, under the Ranunculus, etc. Seeing how it grows in Jordans tank made me decide to leave the rocks more exposed in anticipation for a good layer of HC. I also plan on moving either some Blyxa or Ranunculus out in small portions into the HC once it is all settled in and thick.

The water is still pretty cloudy - This is my first go with Aquasoil and I am already finding the clouding annoying - as I am the master of changing my mind on where a rock should go - over and over and over again ;D

I decided to go with a rock mound in the back corner as I have two viewing angles on the aquarium (right-side and straight on). The Java Fern has stayed consistently smaller than the Blyxa in my 3 gallon - but if that changes I will move it to the back. Anyways - I am not good at sticking with a single scape - so I will no doubt tweak this in the coming days weeks and months. I hope it will look nicer once the HC sets in, hiding/blending the rocks much better... And I am also hoping these slow growers don't get overrun with algae before things settle in...

ReefJones · July 14th, 2007, 12:08 AM

I do like your setup and I think you are right once the HC takes off it will cover a fair amount of the rocks in the tank. Good Look Bro!
Reef

Daud · July 14th, 2007, 04:41 AM

That Ranunculus has a funny leaf shape adding a twist to the aquascape. Does it grow stemmy or rather low ?

chiahead · July 14th, 2007, 05:55 AM

looking good.....just keep that photo period a bit lowered for the break in period(4-6 hours)...the cloudiness should settle out in a day or two.

kman · July 14th, 2007, 08:44 AM

Looking good ....

redarowanaman · July 14th, 2007, 09:30 AM

Do you have carbon in the filter? it is highly recomended with aqua soil to use carbon for the first month.

Dan Pellegrini · July 14th, 2007, 09:39 AM

That Ranunculus is full grown - as long as it gets. I was thinking of just Blyxa, HC and Ranunculus - but I always end up adding more things than I intend to.

Thanks everyone - just added zeolite/carbon to filter along with a dirty filter sponge from the other aquarium to hopefully jump start the cycle even more. I noticed that the top white sponge that comes with the Eheim was already brown like the ones in my other filters - perhaps from all the mulm I added yesterday. I am not satisfied with the rocks really - so really banking on that HC to smooth out my messy rock work

Bryan - that is your HC that was growing emersed - how long is the transition period for this plant to go submerged? Will it loose all of it's leaves?

chiahead · July 14th, 2007, 10:41 AM

it should not drop any leaves......it will sit there for 3 weeks probably then start to grow. HC does that wether its submersed or emerged though IMO

Daud · July 14th, 2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pellegrini

That Ranunculus is full grown - as long as it gets. I was thinking of just Blyxa, HC and Ranunculus - but I always end up adding more things than I intend to.

Dan, if you get to trimming Ranunculus sometimes, I would like to try it.
I found a nice picture using it in an aquascape:
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...=0&vol=1&id=77

goalcreas · July 15th, 2007, 03:10 PM

considering that rock pile is from rejects, I think it turned out pretty nice.
Great job on the whole package BTW, the stand and light, the whole 9, it is pretty cool.
Hope to swing by some time and see it in person.

Dan Pellegrini · July 15th, 2007, 03:10 PM

I am guessing that Pearling HC is a good sign - though not sure if it means it will start growing any faster...

Just a few heads that are pearling - maybe about 25% of them.

Dan Pellegrini · July 15th, 2007, 03:12 PM

Thanks Toby -- I was thinking of hosting a meeting sometime this fall... I may redo it all once my quest for cooler rocks is completed.

goalcreas · July 15th, 2007, 03:14 PM

After the next set up, soon, I will probably have some left over rocks, you can have first crack at picking thru one or all.

Dan Pellegrini · August 10th, 2007, 11:42 PM

Here is layout attempt two - the HC is finally filling in.

If you didn't notice the GSA on the glass, you would definitely see this stuff:

I stole Reef's Rio 50 over the diffuser concept. The tank pearls like mad, and seems to be doing well, minus the algae problems, but I should have that under control soon... PWC tomorrow morning.

.

chiahead · August 11th, 2007, 05:36 AM

wow...that HC is filling in very nicely and quickly....thats a great looking tank....can you describe your fert dosing in this tank along with the lighting photo period....I like it alot.