Journal 4' Dutch Waterbox Frag 105.4

[klibs]

Technical specs:

• Tank: Waterbox Frag 105.4 (48"L x 24"W x 16"H)
• Filtration: Sump included with tank
• Lighting: 2x BuildMyLED Dutch. I think they are the XB (more powerful) model but they are very old and I honestly forget lol
• CO2: Old GLA regulator with IDEAL needle valve. PVC reactor running on dedicated loop in sump. 10lb tank w/ 5lb backup
• Return pump: Jebao DCP 5000 (~40%)
• CO2 Reactor Pump: Jebao DCP 2500 (~30%)
• Substrate: Black diamond blasting sand (BDBS)

Plants:

If you are interested in any of the below plants, DM me and I will let you know when I can trim any of the species you are interested in. I am generally always willing to sell/trade plants.

• Rotala rotundifolia
• Ludwigia red
• Staurogyne repens
• Dwarf hairgrass
• Ludwigia arcuata
• Monte carlo (barely any will probably remove)
• Mermaid weed
• Bacopa monnieri
• Bacopa colorata
• Blyxa japonica
• Hygrophila araguaia
• Limnophila aromatica 'mini'
• Lobelia cardinalis 'small form'
• Ludwigia sp rubin
• Rotala Blood Red Singapore (SG)
• Rotala Mexicana Goias
• AR Mini Variegated
• Physostegia purpurea (sword-like plant in front)
• Penthorum sedoides
• Limnophila belem
• Limnophila helferi aka sp vietnam
• Lagenandra meeboldii 'red round' (red rhizome-type plant)
• Heteranthera zosterifolia (all melted on me)
• Ludwigia Ovalis
• Myrio Green (Myriophyllum pinnatum)
• Myrio Red (Myriophyllum heterophyllum)
• Rotala Magenta (Rotala macrandra v. 'narrow leaf')
• Rotala Wallichii (Rotala wallichii)
• Diplidis Diandra

Livestock:

• 10 rummynose tetra
• 5 harlequin rasbora
• 2 sterbai cory

 

[klibs]

Recent pics Jan 2023

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Very healthy plants and clean looking tank.

Very impressive!

 

[GreggZ]

Great looking tank @klibs and good to see you back in the hobby.

You know those BuildmyLED fixtures have a cult following now. Many still consider them the best LED light that was ever produced.

Can you tell us more about how you are managing the tank? Light PAR level, macros, micros, maintenance, etc.

Whenever I see a tank with a bunch of healthy plants I like to know more about what's going on.

 

[Art]

Hey @klibs, thanks for posting a build thread. You may want to add a Build Thread banner under your name so that people can click it and be taken to this post.

I love the Waterbox aquariums. I have a 35.2. When you get a chance, would love to see what you're doing with the sump and the cabinet area.

Great looking tank.

 

[klibs]

Here is a pic of the setup under the tank



I am now using a 20lb CO2 tank so it should last a very long time. CO2 is dissolved via the griggs style reactor in the sump. It runs off of a dedicated pump in a closed loop inside the main sump chamber.

I started controlling pH levels via the apex probe again and right now am getting a drop somewhere around ~6.8 > 5.62 pH. These levels seem to produce high CO2 (yellow drop checker) and all my fish are fine.



Maintenance is mostly just a ~50% water change about once a week. I have been trying to use a turkey baster to remove as much debris from the bottom lately and I think this has helped a lot.

I will constantly trim and replant things throughout the week if things look good/bad or need to be lowered. I find that a large part of keeping dutch style tank is making sure certain species stick to their designated areas and don't overcrowd other species. Some plants do very well in my setup and will simply dominate if I don't keep them in check.

For ferts I find I have a lot better results if I keep things lean. I dose dry ferts around 10-15ppm N and ~2ppm P weekly. After water change I dose 12tsp of GLA GH booster since my water is very soft. I really only dose the tank about twice a week at most.

I have no idea what PAR levels are within the tank. I run the rear light peak 80% intensity and the front light ~20% peak intensity. The lights are suspended about 8-10" above the tank so I am not sure how bright it really is but I have dialed it in so plant growth is still quite good and I avoid algae pretty well.

You know those BuildmyLED fixtures have a cult following now. Many still consider them the best LED light that was ever produced.

Dude I know I am hoping they last me forever. I am very fortunate I bought these before they stopped their aquarium products. They work really really well and the combo with dimming from the Apex is tough to beat. I remember back in the day Dennis was the one who inspired me to try them give the success of his tanks with them. I do sometimes wish I got the low angle ones like he has though

 

[GreggZ]

I will constantly trim and replant things throughout the week if things look good/bad or need to be lowered. I find that a large part of keeping dutch style tank is making sure certain species stick to their designated areas and don't overcrowd other species.

Agreed. Some species appreciate a little extra elbow room that is for sure.

For ferts I find I have a lot better results if I keep things lean. I dose dry ferts around 10-15ppm N and ~2ppm P weekly.

I assume that's NO3 and PO4 not N & P??

If so that is not really super lean. Not many I know doing full on EI anymore. Actually pretty close to my dosing but my PO4 is higher. Most importantly your plants seem to really like it!!

I have no idea what PAR levels are within the tank.

If you want to find out PM sometime.

 

[klibs]

I assume that's NO3 and PO4 not N & P??

Yeah I dose twice weekly about the following:
1/2 tsp KNO3
1/8 tsp KH2PO4
1/16 tsp micros
1/8 tsp iron

Generally when I test for Nitrates I am somewhere between 10-30 depending on when I last did maintenance. Phosphates usually sit around 1-3. I have noticed that when I run into some issues my phosphates have built up higher so I try to keep them fairly low

 

[klibs]

Completed custom PVC spraybars. I no longer need to use a powerhead to get adequate flow throughout the tank!





Some recent pics before and after a major trim:




After:

 

[Immortal1]

I like how those spraybars turned out - well done.

 

[DTWGulo]

Absolutely gorgeous tank. Your hardware solutions are equally impressive!

 

[Art]

Love the Waterbox aquariums. I have an AIO built for saltwater but I may just convert it to fresh.

Do you get any jumpers with all of that open tops?

 

[klibs]

Do you get any jumpers with all of that open tops?

Yeah I do.
Mostly due to getting spooked by me being around the tank when it's dark. I usually see/hear them jump and can just put them back in the tank lol