Journal 120 Dutch Ft. Yugang Reactor (Horizontal CO2 Reactor)

[Unexpected]

I think it just needs a few more tweaks but I think I have a decent and simple Dutch tank. It’s not a stunning tank by any means but should look okay after getting the back groups less “same width” and everything else plumped up.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

That lotus is such a perfect color and size for the midground and love the placement.

 

[Unexpected]

That lotus is such a perfect color and size for the midground and love the placement.

It’s definitely my favorite color option. The Rubra and Macanthra are nice but something about this one just catches my eye.

 

[Luciën]

My SAE enjoyed any soft leaf green plants, I could not keep moss or hydrocotyle trip without them decimating it in a very short period of time. Great fish and cool personality, but they are happy to munch on your scape if it suits them.

Ive got exactly the same experience, they are quit nice fish to keep. I would not put them in my tank anymore.. They all died by jumping out of the tank while I was away.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Yeah, when I stopped front loading is when the GDA showed up. I’m sure I’ve always assumed too many gallons in all my tanks.

May I ask, when you front load nutrients to your tank, do you front load based on the amount of water changed? Or whole tank volume?

And what size are your water changes when you front load?

30 - 10 - 40 ?

 

[Unexpected]

May I ask, when you front load nutrients to your tank, do you front load based on the amount of water changed? Or whole tank volume?

And what size are your water changes when you front load?

30 - 10 - 40 ?

30/10/40 N/P/K

I dose my storage containers as I know the exact amount of gallons of the tubs I fill. I drain almost all the water from the tank so near 90% changes. I just left a small amount for the fish.

With the new tank, I’ve discovered, with the low stocking, the plants are using 20ppm of NO3 and over 5ppm PO4. I decided to give the 100 gallon a mid week dose to keep my levels a bit more stable.

 

[Unexpected]

Shooting myself in the foot. But the desperation of finding a left curtain plant is on. Cleaned and trimmed down again. Limnophilia growth is barely manageable.


I’m sure the comments will read, ‘’I’ve seen this tank before.’’

Added a Limno stem left and back right of the group that you can’t see as of yet. Right curtain a bit shaded. I will thin it out next week. The Dutch street looks sexy though.

Hoping the Rotala pops off soon! Grow baby grow!

 

[Unexpected]

Here’s a dslr shot with a shadow mask on the Val curtain. Could be a bit stronger but…

 

[Art]

The Dutch street looks sexy though.

It really does. Looks easy but it's a hard thing to pull off well. Congrats!

With the new tank, I’ve discovered, with the low stocking, the plants are using 20ppm of NO3 and over 5ppm PO4.

May I ask how you concluded that?

 

[Unexpected]

May I ask how you concluded that?

Just from testing, but you know a degree of error in those tests.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Here’s a dslr shot with a shadow mask on the Val curtain. Could be a bit stronger but…View attachment 5774

Very beautiful looking tank. Well done

 

[Unexpected]

Very beautiful looking tank. Well done

Thanks man. It’s been and still is a scramble.

 

[Art]

What is your maintenance routine look like @Unexpected? I am always in awe of people that can have such healthy plants so close together. I find it really difficult.

 

[Unexpected]

What is your maintenance routine look like @Unexpected? I am always in awe of people that can have such healthy plants so close together. I find it really difficult.

Pretty much like everyone else. I’m getting GDA still on the glass and some diatoms forming on the Limnophilia. I’ve been going back and forth on 50% changes and near 85% changes with a front load. As of last week, I’ve returned to basics and doing 50% with traditional EI dosing, 3 days macros, three days micros and lowered Macros every so little.

I think I’m just up against the new tank issue and maybe a bit of CO2 instability. I clean my filter socks every so often and rinse sponge once a month or a bit longer. The sponge is a hassle and honestly would like to not use it. I might add some extra media and remove the 20ppi sponge. I would prefer less work honestly.

 

[Art]

Less work is always better, IMO. At the moment, I've been running with filter floss in my overflows that I replace weekly with the water change. I have bioballs in the AIO but even thinking about reducing them.

I think your issues may relate more to new tank immaturity (i.e., environment still growing) so patience is probably your best friend at the moment. My tanks always run better after the 9 month mark.

I'm still thinking about the whole CO2 instability thing. I'm not sure that matters much as long as plants are getting what they need which is likely a range of CO2.

 

[Unexpected]

Less work is always better, IMO. At the moment, I've been running with filter floss in my overflows that I replace weekly with the water change. I have bioballs in the AIO but even thinking about reducing them.

I think your issues may relate more to new tank immaturity (i.e., environment still growing) so patience is probably your best friend at the moment. My tanks always run better after the 9 month mark.

I'm still thinking about the whole CO2 instability thing. I'm not sure that matters much as long as plants are getting what they need which is likely a range of CO2.

Huh, I just ordered some bio balls yesterday to try so I can remove the 20 ppi sponge. I figure those in bags should be easier to pull and rinse versus the sponge.

And I agree, think I’m fighting a newer tank issue. Plants have only been in the tank since late may.

 

[Unexpected]

Still no AGA announcement!

I received some Blyxa Sp red, not pictured here, that I will try as my left curtain. It’s in rough shape so the extra time is good.

I’m looking to extend the Natans more left and maybe swap it to another option I have growing in the 120. We will see.

 

[Unexpected]

Well, my tank just hit rock bottom. I've been dosing and some how, the tank is consuming everything. I'd imagine the tank has been bottoming out for a couple of weeks now. I tunneled and was trying to fix everything else while ignoring nutrients. I never thought this tank would be so hungry.

1st alarm went off when growth started to slow down. Next was a near stop in growth. Then, my more grumpy plants started throwing leaves off at a shocking rate with some fuzz algae in places. Added a few new plants that near immediately went down hill. So, I said let me test, woops. Near no detectable NO3 and and maybe 2ppm of PO4.

Today, I will clean all the glass and clean the sump up, do a larger water change than I normally do, go ahead and front load Macros just to get the tank out of shock. I've been following @Burr740 nutrient solution of 2ml per 10 gallons 4.47 NO3/1.22 PO4/6.32 K per dose. I'm going to dose 160ml after the water change and give it a few hours before I test. It's certainly possible I screwed up the mix or am severely underestimating the gallons of the tank. We will see.

 

[Unexpected]