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Journal 22 gallon long bookshelf

A really special one (for me) starting to emerge.

Echinodorus sp. ‘Soekarno’:

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Hygrophila odora (I think?):

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Diodia virginiana:

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Hygrophila balsamica (I think?):

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I’m now wondering if this is just pinninfidina now.

Sorry for the frequent posting. It’s been a long time since my tank was growing well.

I’ve been struggling with the light output. I really don’t want to wind up with an unmanageable algae outbreak. I don’t think I have another reset in me. Power output is 30% with the light about 8” from the water surface. Dialed back the flow on one of the canisters so they’re roughly equal strength. Still utilizing the inline diffuser and not sure if I want to introduce a reactor yet. I’d like to run it on a closed loop but the last thing I need is another set of lily pipes in there. Went so far as to install rim brackets so they’re as serviceable and neatly organized as possible.

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Tank has been stable enough. Have been dealing with consistent green algae on the glass. Needs a cleaning every other day with the water change, regardless of light level. Considering what this tank has been plagued with some horrifying algae recently, I’ll take the green dust.

Plant growth has not been as explosive as I was expecting and I’m not sure why. Probably a combination of all new substrate and a majority of emersed plants going through their transition phase. I underestimated the power of a deep, mature substrate layer. Maintenance game has been on point though, which has helped. Raised my total power up to 48% and it seems to be accepting it.

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Took the plunge and bought one of the generic co2 reactors ($22) because why not. I’ve never run one before and wanted a comparison when using it as intended (vertical) and then horizontal. Are these supposed to be filled entirely when operating or partially full? I filled it entirely and am letting the co2 pocket form below the lid. Between the vortex created by the outflow and the surface area it’s been working rather well. I do not have data via ph monitor or anything so I mostly just read my plants/tank. Plan is to run this for a few months and then swap it over to a horizontal à la @Naturescapes_Rocco style. I removed my inline diffuser and am running the co2 straight to the chamber, but I’m considering reinstalling it prior to the rector and having it mix the mist, and having whatever co2 gets stuck create a little surface area pocket up top to continue the gas exchange. Please feel free to chime in on my internal dialogue here.

Barely fit the cabinet with the angle fittings. Had to take the base off to clear. They come with a check valve and PU tubing, which is nice. Not a bad buy.

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Individual plants taking shape. The Hygrophila odora and balsamica are pretty slow growing, surprisingly. I moved one of the Blyxa sp. ‘red’ plants from the nano to let it breathe.

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The native Vesicularia vesicularis stretching its legs.
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I know it’s really basic, but I love Rotala wallichii.

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Hobby Persicaria sp. São Paulo showing color.

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One of the garage tanks exploded with growth recently. It must have hit some critical biomass level and all the algae just melted away over a couple of days.

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Resurrecting some of my long unused favorites. Rotala ‘Mini Gold’, Limnophila hippuridoides.

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Pretty sweet plant I’ve been experimenting with again. Murdannia spirata. There’s not enough silver plants in the hobby.

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Little Eriocaulon ravenelii survivor.

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Spiranthes sp. seedlings.

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North American native Vallisneria neotropicalis coloring up.

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Took the plunge and bought one of the generic co2 reactors ($22) because why not. I’ve never run one before and wanted a comparison when using it as intended (vertical) and then horizontal. Are these supposed to be filled entirely when operating or partially full? I filled it entirely and am letting the co2 pocket form below the lid. Between the vortex created by the outflow and the surface area it’s been working rather well. I do not have data via ph monitor or anything so I mostly just read my plants/tank. Plan is to run this for a few months and then swap it over to a horizontal à la @Naturescapes_Rocco style. I removed my inline diffuser and am running the co2 straight to the chamber, but I’m considering reinstalling it prior to the rector and having it mix the mist, and having whatever co2 gets stuck create a little surface area pocket up top to continue the gas exchange. Please feel free to chime in on my internal dialogue here.
I have one of those and one of the ARC vertical reactors. I used the ARC model on my first 90P tank and it worked just fine, with just a couple disadvantages over the Yugang style. First, it is still up to you and your co2 regulator to insure you don't gas your livestock, as this reactor has no "overflow mode" safeguard. Second, to one of your questions, yes, you should fill it completely and purge air, but over time, just like a horizontal reactor, a co2 pocket will form at the top. In the case of a vertical reactor though, that co2 pocket will result in a gurgling sound which can become annoying. The only way to mitigate it is to tee off to a gas purge line with valve and open the valve every now and then to purge the co2 pocket. Also, with this style reactor, it's better to have strong flow going into it rather than the more calm flow you want through a Yugang. because its that turbulence that helps break up and dissolve the co2. The only other disadvantage is that it takes up valuable floor space in the stand. It's easier to mount a horizontal reactor out of the way.
 

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