Journal A New Beginning

[Wet Elbows]

This is where I started.
Thread 'What am I doing wrong?' Help - What am I doing wrong?

A new plan is formulating.
I have 50+ lbs of washed BDBS ready to go in.
I also purchased a new Aquael Ultramax 1000 canister filter.
The plan is to let the filter run for a month. Then at some point swap out the existing gravel with the BDBS. I'll continue to run the new canister as well as the existing HOBs for another month after the substrate swap and then retire the HOBs.
I have to wait at least a month to let the new canister develop a bacteria colony and also the BDBS is in 5 gallon buckets in my shed and it's currently frozen into a solid block.

After the tank is stable, only then will I add plants. I plan on going the CO2 route this time. I'm looking at adding a GLA or a CO2 Art inline diffuser.

Which bring me to.my first question. I've tried to think about this logically. Due to space my canister filter sits on the right side of my tank, not underneath.
What side do I want to put my intake and output? I was thinking of putting the inlet on the right side since it will be almost a straight shot via gravity directly into the filter. The outflow, which will be a spray bar, would be on the left side. That would give more contact time between CO2 and water after the inline diffuser, however that longer output length would likely also slow flow some as their is a longer run of hose and more head height. But I think the more contact time the more the CO2 diffuser into the water before going into the tank. Am I thinking about this correctly?

 

[*Ci*]

If the outflow is a spraybar across the back of the tank, it does not matter which end feeds it, it will flow out evenly. You can have both hoses come up on the right for simplicity and aesthetics.

 

[Count Krunk]

How many fish do you have right now? Are your plants a loss?

I would just seed some of your biofilter in your new canister (via soaking in the tank, or remove the sponge from your hob and replace it with the little bio rocks from your new filter).

Then restart this tank. Remove everything. Give it a good clean and set it back up with the bdbs and at least a solid 50% of the new plants you want right from the get go.

Toss your fish back in and keep an eye on ammonia. Shouldnt be an issue with the biofilter having a head start.

If the fish you have now aren't what you want, give them back to the LFS. Worst case just give them for free.

 

[Count Krunk]

Oh and also have you seen the yugang reactor ? Easy and cost effective to build. You can slot it right into your canister return line.

 

[Wet Elbows]

How many fish do you have right now? Are your plants a loss?

I would just seed some of your biofilter in your new canister (via soaking in the tank, or remove the sponge from your hob and replace it with the little bio rocks from your new filter).

Then restart this tank. Remove everything. Give it a good clean and set it back up with the bdbs and at least a solid 50% of the new plants you want right from the get go.

Toss your fish back in and keep an eye on ammonia. Shouldnt be an issue with the biofilter having a head start.

If the fish you have now aren't what you want, give them back to the LFS. Worst case just give them for free.

Yes I'm keeping my fish. They fit into the biotope I'm trying to recreate. My plants aren't a total loss, in fact lately they have been looking better. I will probably keep some at least initially.
I have looked into a yugang reactor and I even think I did the calculations to see how big it would need to be. It was a question of placement, which would be behind the tank. I'm somewhat handy, but if I built something that leaked my SO would never let me hear the end of it.

 

[Count Krunk]

Yes I'm keeping my fish. They fit into the biotope I'm trying to recreate. My plants aren't a total loss, in fact lately they have been looking better. I will probably keep some at least initially.
I have looked into a yugang reactor and I even think I did the calculations to see how big it would need to be. It was a question of placement, which would be behind the tank. I'm somewhat handy, but if I built something that leaked my SO would never let me hear the end of it.

Haha i get that. It's easy enough to keep it leak free with pvc glue and some hose clamps.

 

[Wet Elbows]

Phase 1 is complete.
I swapped substrates today, replacing the gravel for BDBS .
I'm pleased that it only took about two hours. Fish and Plants back in the tank and happy.

 

[Wet Elbows]

I'm putting together my list of possible plants for this tank that are appropriate for the biotope I'm trying to replicate.
I obviously can't fit all these plants in so I'm picking 2 or 3 main plants and 2 or 3 accent plants, if you will.
Sagittaria subulata
Cabomba piauhyensis Red (or sub Cabomba aquatica)
Heteranthera zosterifolia
Potamogeton saying
Ludwigia inclinata var. Verticillata Pantanal (or sub Ludwigia repens)
Elodea najas
Mayaca fluviatilis
Hydrocote leucoephala
Ceratophyllum demersum (floating)
Bacopa australis
Echinodorus amazonicus or argentinensis.

Go ahead and laugh as most of these are considered beginner plants. But I'm still learning how to grow healthy submerged plants.

I have learned a lot.in the last few months and I haven't killed any plants....lately.

I have fixed many issues since I originally joined this forum.
With the additional filter and better flow my cyanobacteria issue is gone as is the dreaded BBA . I actually turned up the intensity of my lights and that helped the remaining plants I had grow.better and healthier ans eliminated the hair algae as well as any algae.on the plant leaves. I guess it was just too dark. But all I really have left a this point is a couple of species of Val. which will not be used in the biotope version.

So I have a couple of questions. Any issues with the plants I've listed? I've heard that the L. inclinata Pantanal is difficult and requires CO². Possibly the Cabomba piauhyensis as well.
I'd really like a sword but amazonicus and argentinensis may just get too large.

Do I really need CO²? I know that no, it's not mandatory, and it will Just make plants grow faster. I already have a dual stage regulator and a 5lb tank that needs a re-cert. But if I can avoid the expense and the hassle of driving 40 mins to get it refilled I will. However if it makes growing plants that much easier I'll do it.
Thank you in advance for any and all insight. I'm really trying hard to make this work and ultimately my goal is not to enter contests, just to have something appealing to gaze upon.