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Journal 120 Dutch Ft. Yugang Reactor (Horizontal CO2 Reactor)
- Thread starter Unexpected
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- #682
I have not. Every time I move plants around in the tank, algae explodes. I may reset back to an Inert substrate.
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- #683
I tapped out, aqua soils can kiss my behind. Swapping back to BDBS . 120 was done today and the 100 should be done sometime next week. 
The 120 had a full carpet of algae
.
Here's the 100, imagine this but way worse in the 120.
600+ bucks went into my wife's garden.
The 120 had a full carpet of algae
.Here's the 100, imagine this but way worse in the 120.
600+ bucks went into my wife's garden
.
I've been dealing with this lately. Joe makes a good comment about it HERE and this is what I've been dealing with.
It really hasn't helped me nail down all my algae issues. When you first put in aquasoils, they suck down your KH and PO4, so you have to supplement.. That stops eventually and you figure it out when your PO4 is out the roof. A couple weeks ago, I pulled out all my plants to reset my tank. I did a heavy vacuum of the soil. I dug it up and turned it over from top to bottom. So now, soil that wasn't as much exposed to the water column is on top, and it's back to releasing NH3 and sucking down my KH and PO4. I'm good with 0 KH but when you are trying to square away algae problems, the lack of stability is making it a nightmare.
This is why I think if you wana use it, bag it up and put it underneath a cap. You get the benefits still and it stays under the cap until you pull it out.
Yeah, I've been seeing more and more people do that.
It makes me think about just adding tiny amounts of NH3 to my tank in the beginning, but I know that has been tried for years and years and the people who test is always decide it isn't the best idea.
It’s how I add my dirt, it’s simple and doesn’t make a mess with all the benefits remaining in the sub where it belongs. Yes there’s a lot of room for error when dosing on the “hot” side of N
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- #688
Seemed like ever time I moved plants, instantly went out of whack. Too much annoyance to keep at it.
This is why I’ve had to give up stems for now, and I somewhat regret it because I have a LONG way to go for these crypts to take hold. But not having to pull up, trim, top, is really helping me time wise. But in terms of disturbing the substrate, yeah I can imagine with your size tank. I know it’s recommended to vacuum while you do that to catch all the excess ammonia as it surfaces, but to do it on your scale. Yeesh. I understand why George Farmer decided to go the route of less stems for his big tank.
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- #690
Makes sense, I imagine it's just this type of rich Netlea stuff. I don't have this problem with Landen Aqua soil. It's not super rich and acts more like a high CEC substrate after a few months. Just way over expensive.
Very cool journey, I continue to follow @Unexpected
Is it unexpected that you continue to follow unexpected ?
No, I have followed him for a while, but it is unexpected to find him here!! His old hideout, he used to be on another forum but this is is home forum it seems! Glad to not unexpectedly follow unexpected lol
I have an inert substrate and for the few plants that prefer an active soil I use those plastic plant trays/pots (that outdoor plants come in) you get at greenhouses and the big-box stores...they're dark grey or black and match my substrate very well....just cut it down to size, fill with an active soil and bury in the substrate
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- #695
Good suggestion, other mention bags filled with soil. I'd imagine both work just fine.
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
I somehow missed the YouTube video episode 12, but just watched it. I’m so sorry you had so many lousy things happen! I don’t think you failed anyone though. I’ve found the series very informative. It’s better to see real-life struggles and decisions, than to see someone’s constantly perfect aquascape that supposedly never has any problems.
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- #697
Thank you. I've started part 2 and will be uploading in a few days. As expected, the new substrate is causing some issues. Things are looking better though.
- Thread starter
- #698
Well, the impossible happened. Tank submitted to the AGA Dutch 2025. It's pretty bad. Go easy when the results come out.
I'm still battling the worst algae I have ever come across. Will start updating pictures soon. Just have to alter my scape a bit.
I'm still battling the worst algae I have ever come across. Will start updating pictures soon. Just have to alter my scape a bit.
Good Luck!
- Thread starter
- #700
Somehow I pulled off 2nd place in the Dutch category. The truth is, I've been struggling with 2 tanks, this being one of them. I had no plans to enter this year but @Burr740 said I had too. Seriously, this tank has been a nightmare and I came really close to throwing in the towel and breaking the tank down. My wife really stepped up with elbows deep in water while encouraging me to get it done.
We had exactly 4 weeks to get it done, and the work was insane. We did twice a week near 90% water changes just to control this insanely difficult algae. Unfortunately, a few plants lost the battle and last minute curtain swaps had to be made. Still though, I'm proud of the tank. It was unexpected to say the least.
On the comedy side, we had to do 2 rounds of photos. After taking over 100 photos, we never noticed a stem of Aquatica came out of the sub. So we had to redo them all the next day. Unfortunately, I broke the stem putting it back in so we lowered the whole group which doesn't look nice in the photo. And man, that one stem of Baby Tears sticking out in the back will haunt me for life .
We had exactly 4 weeks to get it done, and the work was insane. We did twice a week near 90% water changes just to control this insanely difficult algae. Unfortunately, a few plants lost the battle and last minute curtain swaps had to be made. Still though, I'm proud of the tank. It was unexpected to say the least.
On the comedy side, we had to do 2 rounds of photos. After taking over 100 photos, we never noticed a stem of Aquatica came out of the sub
. So we had to redo them all the next day. Unfortunately, I broke the stem putting it back in so we lowered the whole group which doesn't look nice in the photo. And man, that one stem of Baby Tears sticking out in the back will haunt me for life .
