Help 90g, Dutch style, first try

[riioKen]

Hi guys,
Lots may not know me, few maybe yes, following the suggestion from @Burr740, I'm creating my first journal. Seems a very nice moment to start a thread like this, considering that the tank is still doing the Dark Start, and will be planted this week.

The tank is a ~90g 110-50-60h (I'm a metric guy).
Equipment that I own/plan to use are:
- 2 Oase Biomaster Thermo 600
- 1 Week Aqua P900 with hanging kit
- pressurized CO2 with inline kit and regulators from CO2art
- Tropica soil, 8cm front, 10-12cm mid, 15cm at the back
- 2 Lily with intake skimmer

Right now, I'm still looking around for new plants to add in this tank, I have another 20g that is stocked with lots of Rotalas and I plan to reuse the healthy one in here, but considering the size difference I need for sure new plants.

I list all the plant that I like (probably I won't buy all of them, maybe) - attachment

the plants that I already own are:
- Macrandra, orange juice, H'ra Wallichi
- Limnophila hippuridoides
- hygrophila lancea araguaia
- egeria densa and sessiflora
- nymphea red lotus
- AR rosanervig
- bacopa Caroliniana

The plant stock is already quite diverse, but I want to add some more and maybe substitute others.

for sure I want to buy both "ramosior", rotala indica and Meta, because I have lots background plant but very few front and mid.

 

[riioKen]

I'm going to buy plants today, this is the list of the plant that i plan to use on this 90g.

Already have/reuse:
Rotala Macrandra, Limnophila Aromatica, Rotala H'ra, Rotala orange juice, Rotala Wallichi, Limnophila Sessiflora, AR Reinecki, Egeria densa, Hygrophila lancea "Araguaia".

New additions:
Rotala ramosior Florida, Rotala Indica, Ludwigia Polycarpa, Hygrophila polysperma "Tiger", Ammania capitellata, Ludwigia Verticillata White, Ludwigia Palustris super red, Rotala Singapore, Proserpinaca palustris Cuba, Ludwigia Brevipes, Myriophillum Roraima.

What do you think?

is there a good mix of fast and easy grower? I have a mix of green, yellow/orange and red (plus a white, placed in the middle - front side of the tank)

im open to suggestion, i have still this day till midnight, because i need that the plants arrive friday.

If you suggest to add more green (please suggest, possibly from aquasabi) and remove red, ill take it in consideration for sure.

The tank is, just for reminder, 110x50x60h

@Burr740 sadly i removed Ramosior Sunset from the cart, i read that its difficoult to grow and because i think that i have already too much red, maybe i add it and remove 1... idk i'm undecided ç_ç

 

[mnk]

Where are you from ?

 

[riioKen]

Where are you from ?

Italy

 

[mnk]

I'm glad to hear it. I thought I was the only Italian.

 

[mnk]

for co2 my advice is to consider a reactor. I also have an art inline co2 diffuser but I constantly have microbubbles, they don't dissolve 100%

 

[riioKen]

I'm glad to hear it. I thought I was the only Italian.

Yeah, im quite active on forum like this, i like reading journals and see how other scapers deal with algae, just as general knowledge.

Usually Italians use another forum, which is quite large cosidering that is language-based. Honestly i don't like it because they all use PMDD and if you don't use it, usually they don't help much becuase they tunnel vision a lot on nutrient in water column

for co2 my advice is to consider a reactor. I also have an art inline co2 diffuser but I constantly have microbubbles, they don't dissolve 100%

Well, as you may have noticed, i can't find any site that has Co2 Reactor, maybe should i consider to build one myself? but honestly i don't think that i'm able to do one that works good.

 

[mnk]

yes, I understand which forum you are talking about and I agree with your thoughts.
I saw some on sale a few days ago on the green acqua website, or the aquamedic one looks good.

 

[HardeeParty]

Yeah, im quite active on forum like this, i like reading journals and see how other scapers deal with algae, just as general knowledge.

Usually Italians use another forum, which is quite large cosidering that is language-based. Honestly i don't like it because they all use PMDD and if you don't use it, usually they don't help much becuase they tunnel vision a lot on nutrient in water column


Well, as you may have noticed, i can't find any site that has Co2 Reactor, maybe should i consider to build one myself? but honestly i don't think that i'm able to do one that works good.

The Aquasabi website has a co2 reactor available here:

AquaCare - CO2-Reactor 50 - EHEIM 16/22

The AquaCare CO2-Reactor 50 is suitable for aquariums with a volume of up to 1.000 liters and is designed to be mounted inconspicuously in between the filter and the outlet. Due...

www.aquasabi.com

I also see the Quanvee in-line atomizer which is generally well reviewed (I’m considering one myself) and is also a common solution for diffuser alternatives.

 

[riioKen]

The Aquasabi website has a co2 reactor available here:

Yeah, I already saw it, but seems that it works only with reduced flow (max 450l/h), while my filter oase Biomaster thermo 600 has 1250l/h (even more, due some diy modification, that improved flow)

I also see the Quanvee in-line atomizer which is generally well reviewed (I’m considering one myself) and is also a common solution for diffuser alternatives.

Honestly, the tank is big, but isn't that much long (110cm isn't on the longer side), I for sure take in consideration a reactor, but I want to test it on the new tank and see if i can reach 20-30ppm of CO2.

The tank will have 2 Biomaster Thermo 600, maybe the flow of two filter collapse and spread wide the bubbles.

As diffuser, I'm using a inline from CO2 art.

 

[GreggZ]

I'm going to buy plants today, this is the list of the plant that i plan to use on this 90g.

Already have/reuse:
Rotala Macrandra, Limnophila Aromatica, Rotala H'ra, Rotala orange juice, Rotala Wallichi, Limnophila Sessiflora, AR Reinecki, Egeria densa, Hygrophila lancea "Araguaia".

New additions:
Rotala ramosior Florida, Rotala Indica, Ludwigia Polycarpa, Hygrophila polysperma "Tiger", Ammania capitellata, Ludwigia Verticillata White, Ludwigia Palustris super red, Rotala Singapore, Proserpinaca palustris Cuba, Ludwigia Brevipes, Myriophillum Roraima.

What do you think?

is there a good mix of fast and easy grower? I have a mix of green, yellow/orange and red (plus a white, placed in the middle - front side of the tank)

im open to suggestion, i have still this day till midnight, because i need that the plants arrive friday.

If you suggest to add more green (please suggest, possibly from aquasabi) and remove red, ill take it in consideration for sure.

The tank is, just for reminder, 110x50x60h

@Burr740 sadly i removed Ramosior Sunset from the cart, i read that its difficoult to grow and because i think that i have already too much red, maybe i add it and remove 1... idk i'm undecided ç_ç

This is an ambitious list of plants. Don't be surprised if some do better than others. It's difficult to keep many species happy at one time, as some have different ideal water parameters they prefer.

And interesting comment on the Italy groups. Do you know Matteo Masotti? I have had many discussions with him and find him very open minded.

Making a reactor is not difficult. With a larger tank you need a larger reactor and many of the commercial ones won't handle the flow of CO2 you will need. If you need help reach out.

 

[BigWave]

@riioKen

DIY Rex Griggs style CO2 Reactor


DIY Cerges Style CO2 Reactor

 

[Yugang]

Send me a PM I you need support or double check on calculations for Yugang reactor @riioKen, I and several other users are happy to help.

 

[riioKen]

This is an ambitious list of plants. Don't be surprised if some do better than others. It's difficult to keep many species happy at one time, as some have different ideal water parameters they prefer.

Well, I hope that I won't fail, do you suggest in going directly to diy fertilizer on the new tank or still experimenting with Masterline (1-2/ AiO Golden) or APT 3?

I have dry salts (kno3, KH2PO4, MGSO4, Fe 11% DTPA, E202, K2SO4, as micro idk what it is but seems similar to APFUK Traces)

Do you know Matteo Masotti? I have had many discussions with him and find him very open minded.

No, I don't know him, sadly.

About CO2, honestly, I plan to buy a pH controller, the budget isn't a big problem, if it's good but cheap I'll be happy, if it's good and pricey, well if it's works good I'll be less happy but the plants more, can someone suggest some, that are available in Europe (not UK sadly, due to import taxes)?

I saw milwaukee mc122 pro, or some from Jbl and eheim, even this "UP pH CO2 Controller for Planted Aquariums" that is available only in UK, but maybe I can talk with the shop and hope for the best...

Send me a PM I you need support or double check on calculations for Yugang reactor @riioKen, I and several other users are happy to help.

Honestly i was looking for your thread about your reactor, I'll give it a try when I'll have less work, probably around December (2 weeks of holiday *_*)

@BigWave thank you, I'll check the videos for gaining more knowledge

 

[GreggZ]

Well, I hope that I won't fail, do you suggest in going directly to diy fertilizer on the new tank or still experimenting with Masterline (1-2/ AiO Golden) or APT 3?

With a larger tank dry salts are always going to be way more cost effective. A typical $20 bottle of fertilizer has maybe $1.50 of nutrients in it. And with dry salts you can create any dosing scheme you would like to try.

I have an American Pinpoint Marine controller, but am not sure what is available in your area. If you want quality be sure to get one with a BNC connected double junction probe. The cheap ones don't last and don't hold calibration for long.

Making a Cerges type reactor is very easy. One trip to the hardware store is all it takes, then maybe five minutes to put it together. Here is a picture of mine using a 20" water filter. Never see a single CO2 bubble ever. And I pump a LOT of CO2.

 

[riioKen]

I have an American Pinpoint Marine controller, but am not sure what is available in your area. If you want quality be sure to get one with a BNC connected double junction probe. The cheap ones don't last and don't hold calibration for long.

This?

Amazon.com

 

[GreggZ]

This?

Amazon.com

That is the monitor, this is the controller. Same probe but different function.

PINPOINT® pH Controller

PINPOINT® pH Controller is an inexpensive yet rugged controller, which includes the appropriate probe and calibration fluids. This device will automate up to 2 electrical devices such as a magnetic solenoid for the addition of CO2 into an aquaculture system or will control 2 separate pumps as in...

americanmarineusa.com

 

[Burr740]

Id skip the PH controller with brand new Tropica soil. You need a rock solid KH that doesnt change to use one, or your CO2 will be all over the place

 

[riioKen]

Id skip the PH controller with brand new Tropica soil. You need a rock solid KH that doesnt change to use one, or your CO2 will be all over the place

Yeah that's a great suggestion, I thought it. Every WC there is a swing of 2kh for few hours.

In the 20g, I have tropica soil too, after 6 months, it has started raising, it used to be at 3, now its 4.

Seems for now I'll be using only drop checker.

 

[riioKen]

Today is the eve of the start of the adventure with 90g, i'm excited.

Just few infos about water chemistry of the 90g (which seems quite different from the 20g, both use same water).
Ph: 7.2/.3 (should be degassed because i never injected co2 in this tank and last water change is 1 week ago. The degassed water of the 20g is 8.2, tropica can buffer ph?)
Kh : 2 (50kg of fresh tropica soil, the lowest kh in the 20g is 3, now its 4)
gh : 4.5 (quite strange, tropica can buffer gh too?, in the 20g is 7.5, EDIT: i've used MgSo4 3 weeks ago, but i did plenty wc since then)

About fertilization, i would like to try your (@GreggZ) or maybe Masterline Golden dosing schedule, the problem is, i can easily clone macro, but micro i'm limited to this one, i don't know where to find different micros in EU


About the starting, the tank will have lots of TC plants and only the healthy top of plants from the 20g. I plan to have the light up for 4-5h at 50% and raise week after week photoperiod and intensity (not at the same time, the light is a Week Aqua P900 Pro)