Journal 60L tank ft Lagenandra meeboldii, using mini Anubias as foreground

[Dennis Wong]

Started a new tank with the idea of show casing Lagenandra meeboldii which I have not showcased before. Wanted to feature Hygrophila lower Hlaingbwe, but I removed it later as I think it would be too large for this tank.

New substrate, new filter, squeezed filter mulm from the other matured tank, then ran the tank one week day before planting. 100% water change after planting, then 100% water change every other day since then. Dosing 1ml APT3 after water change day, and remineralizing to 5dGH using APT Sky. Trying out the low water column dosing approach for the initial period.

Filter: Oase 250
Lights: Week aqua a430 80%
Substrate: APT Feast

Was going to Journal about startup issues, however, it seems like the tank has already stabilized, skipping diatoms and green dust phase.

Freshly planted for a couple of days:
13/2/2026


Replanted the tops for Myriophyllum roraima, Cut and replanted Rotala blood red to begin building up the bush form. Trimmed old leaves
Foreground seems a bit blocky for now, so I think I'lll move stuff round again. Probably when the BV grows out some more.
Pic on 23/2/2026

Readings at this stage:
Potassium: 2.3ppm
Ammonia: 0.1ppm

reduce water changes to 2 times a week.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

That elatine triandra is awesome. Wish it was easier to find the US.

Excited for another great journal!

 

[Sb1415]

Thanks for starting this. I am amazed that the ammonia is 0.1 ppm so quickly. Assuming this is Apt feast ? What is your process for the 1 week prior to planting ? I know that many discuss about phosphorous bottoming out and causing issues, I think it would be helpful to document the phosphorus levels in your tanks during this phase.

Could you also post a top and side view during this phase.

Looking forward to more updates!!

 

[Dennis Wong]

Thanks for starting this. I am amazed that the ammonia is 0.1 ppm so quickly. Assuming this is Apt feast ? What is your process for the 1 week prior to planting ? I know that many discuss about phosphorous bottoming out and causing issues, I think it would be helpful to document the phosphorus levels in your tanks during this phase.

Could you also post a top and side view during this phase.

Looking forward to more updates!!

Yep, at beginning of dark start, I squeeze filter sponges from aged filter and run the new filter. No water changes for that week.
Then after the first week, I do a 100% water change every 2 days, so that's around 5? or 6? 100% water changes, and that's why the ammonia levels are low.

I'll measure the water column PO4. I'm quite sure it'll measure <0.5ppm. However, this doesn't account for PO4 availability in the substrate, so I don't think the water column reading matters much.

 

[techman81]

Was going to Journal about startup issues, however, it seems like the tank has already stabilized, skipping diatoms and green dust phase.

Ah, come on man!