I assume their regulators and other hardware are made in China as well, no surprise. I'm surprised that Oase filters are made in Italy. Even Eheim moved their filter manufacturing to China.
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Journal Advanced planted tank - Lean Dosing experience
- Thread starter Sb1415
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- Thread starter
- #22
The extension worked well but their respone via email about the steel/acrylic holder was confusing. "This pipe set is made this way. They designed them to be sold separately but we created the kit like this with both pipes together for ease of purchasing. Vs buying separately. All the inflow and outflows are like that." Do you have a steel holder for both or acrylic ? Seems like now one has to get another holder. Just adds on more expense with the extension and now the holder.
In a previous thread, I provided photographs of my own pipes, where they did indeed provide 2 steel holders.
I am genuinely surprised that this is their response, especially considering the high price of the product. I’d challenge them on that. However, I understand if you prefer not to go through that process.
Please keep me informed of any developments. I will be following this!
- Thread starter
- #24
We shall see how GLA responds to a request for refund if they cannot send a steel bracket, but going to stay away from them in the future.
On a positive note, just received the acrylic Yugang Horizontal reactor from Aqua Rocks Colorado! Super well packed. I ordered the small acrylic version (80$) for 16 mm tubing, along with the silicone tubing (33$) and Hose clamps (13$ - total of 8) in all about 125$. Free shipping and very well packed with fragile markers.
There is no acrylic installation video as of yet (@Yugang) so was a little confused about how the co2 attaches before I bought this; and saw others using a Co2 diffuser without the membrane to attached it in DIY reactors. But there is a Co2 attachment port, and they provide a green tubing (co2 safe likely), a shut off valve and a Co2 check valve.
Overall happy with the purchase! Will probably have questions on installing it which will probably be early next month!
On a positive note, just received the acrylic Yugang Horizontal reactor from Aqua Rocks Colorado! Super well packed. I ordered the small acrylic version (80$) for 16 mm tubing, along with the silicone tubing (33$) and Hose clamps (13$ - total of 8) in all about 125$. Free shipping and very well packed with fragile markers.
There is no acrylic installation video as of yet (@Yugang) so was a little confused about how the co2 attaches before I bought this; and saw others using a Co2 diffuser without the membrane to attached it in DIY reactors. But there is a Co2 attachment port, and they provide a green tubing (co2 safe likely), a shut off valve and a Co2 check valve.
Overall happy with the purchase! Will probably have questions on installing it which will probably be early next month!
Attachments
I assume you've already seen @Jeff Miotke's video on his install. If not, that should help. Just skip the additional inline pump connection. He also doesn't use the additional valve that I can see on the CO2 input to the reactor. Install the check valve close to the reactor input.
I like the Cyrpts. Which one is it? Your plants look great.
The steel lily pipes look great. I used to use the glass ones, but always afraid I'd break them and they get algae eventually and look like ass. Using a HOB filter this time has been so much easier. If I ever decide to get a larger tank, I'll definitely be coming back to see how you liked these.
The steel lily pipes look great. I used to use the glass ones, but always afraid I'd break them and they get algae eventually and look like ass. Using a HOB filter this time has been so much easier. If I ever decide to get a larger tank, I'll definitely be coming back to see how you liked these.
I have an Eheim one that I've had awhile. I was thinking of upgrading to the Oase one, but I wasn't sure about the sponge that's in it. I didn't see anywhere to buy replacements. The mesh looked very open, so maybe you rarely need to replace it. This Eheim one is a nightmare. The replacement sponges are $$$ and you only get 2. I've been trying other things for sponges with good success.
I also just got the Oase. You can purchase the sponges direct from Oase north America but they're 3.99 each which is crazy for that little thing. As coarse as it is, you probably don't need to replace it often or at all though. It's only designed to catch large debris.
The Eheim sponge was more dense, and they clogged up fairly quickly. If you were having various issues, they didn't last a week. I just looked, they are $10 for 2. I just bought THIS stuff to try for replacement sponges. It comes vacuum packed. You have to give it 3-7 days to fully expand. So far it's looking promising. I bet it would work for yours as well. I've been using THIS for the last few months. I have a pack of 10. Each individual pad will make me probably 20-25 sponges for my filter. It is more dense. I like it, but for the last few months with the problems I was having, I was replacing it a lot. As long as your tank isn't having a nuclear meltdown like mine was, I think they would be fine.
That looks very close to the density of the Oase sponge. The other day, I mistakenly left the inner "cage" off the Oase and when I later discovered it, I had about 4 small shrimp stuck to the sponge. They survived.
- Thread starter
- #30
Thanks. These are Crypt Sri Lanka. They grow so well in my tank, one of the first plant that I planted in this tank about 10 months ago. I started off as low tech with amazon sword, anubias, Java fern and Crypts. Now have slowly moved towards high tech and have been mainly interested in scaping with stem plants and trying out carpets and other mid-ground plants. Have removed some of these crypts and just planted some Blyxa. Planning to convert this into a almost holding tank and awaiting delivery of a 25 gallon tank which I am hoping to have all the new gear in and have sort of a Dutchish tank.
Fresh off a trim,
Yah the Oase skimmer is actually a little strong for my tank and blows all the stems around. I currently have it set up on a timer along with the Co2. But overall, i seem to have good surface agitation even without the skimmer and might not use it that much unless I am able to find a place for it that is esthetic but at the same time the plants below it are ok. That said, it is a god send for when you trim stems! Would probably just use a a coarse sponge it seems like a tiny circle so a coarse fillter pad should last many months if not years if you cut it to that size.
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- Thread starter
- #31
Thanks i did. He used the metal one though and not the Acrylic one; it is built differently. It was also a pro level set up (as one would expect from Jeff), ARC's video was good as well and complete .I assume you've already seen @Jeff Miotke's video on his install. If not, that should help. Just skip the additional inline pump connection. He also doesn't use the additional valve that I can see on the CO2 input to the reactor. Install the check valve close to the reactor input.
Jeff mentioned about needing to purge air but I think after reading the forums on this, looks like Co2 will just replace air and no purging is necessary. Although it seems straightforward, I like videos/illustration and would be nice if ARC comes up with one for the Acrylic one as well.
- Thread starter
- #32
Set up the RO system!
Water change system (went detailed if there are other beginners out here, if people have suggestions to improve the process let me know)
- Bought the Waterbox G6P800 - tankless RO system (We will be mainly using this for drinking) - These are great has 2 built it TDS meter. Not cheap but was at the lowest price on Amazon based on camelcamelcamel.com (if you have never heard of this website, it is life changing if you are a regular Amazon user) history. Highly ranked. No noise.
- Got an electrical outlet installed underneath the sink - not inexpensive but ultimately that's what was needed.
- Hooked up the RO system - it is a a breeze to set it up
- Then did a TEE with a cheap Amazon system (https://www.amazon.com/ESHIONG-Fittings-valve（NSF-Certified-meters（32/dp/B094H8ZM5W?th=1), which failed miserably. Replaced the Tee valve and the tap valve with John guest Tee and tap valve (John Guest 1/4 in. O.D. Push-To-Connect Polypropylene Tee Fitting PP0208WHD - The Home Depot) and (John Guest 1/4 in. O.D. Polypropylene Push-to-Connect Valve 803189 - The Home Depot). This worked great.
Water change system (went detailed if there are other beginners out here, if people have suggestions to improve the process let me know)
- Brute 20 gallon (Rubbermaid Commercial Products BRUTE 20 Gal. Grey Vented Plastic Outdoor Trash Can with Lid For Restaurants/Offices/Warehouses/Commercial Environments 2031186 - The Home Depot)
- Brute dolly (Rubbermaid Commercial Products BRUTE Dolly Black Fits 20- 32- 44- 55 Gal. BRUTE containers For Restaurants/Offices/Warehouses/Commercial Environments FG264020BLA - The Home Depot)
- Water pump (Imagitarium IN-CIRC 800 Water Pump | Petco) - Picked this up at Petco, probably should have researched and bought a better one, but it works. It comes with multiple adapters
- I wiggle the tube out of this pipe and the green holder part attaches well to the water pump adapter. https://www.chewy.com/python-pro-cl...5tzXJyKz8q7IsIDsYYO1uHlWNt8VH4RQaAqLNEALw_wcB
- Process - I use the gravel vaccum to siphon out about 15 gallons of water which i just carry out and use it to water our garden plants using 5 gallon buckets. Then I fill the Brute trash can about 3/4 th full with the RO system (Took about 15-20 minutes - have to measure it accurately in the future). Then i roll it to the tank, place the pump in the bottom, attach the pipe and plug it in. It gets it done in another 15 minutes. The Brute can has some crevices at the bottom so you have to dump some water out or physically dump it in the tank.
- Thread starter
- #33
Looks like the Waterbox aquarium is not going to be here till the first week of September. Anyways some updates on plants in my existing 29 gallon
1. H.Pinnatifida UK - UK here stands for a place in India
- these are roots from about 2 weeks of growth after a TC planting from APF. As some one with an Indian origin, it is interesting for me to see so many plants that are from India. Rotala sahyadrica fka R. tulunadensis - is the newest one i realized was first found in India, so curious to try it. Waiting for BurrAqua (@Burr740) to get some R.florida so that i can order that with R.tulunadensis.
2. Rotala Blood Red - Pearling - my new favorite plant. - 2 week growth from TC from APF
3. Panda Corys resting on pearling H.tripartita ! Can see some Crypts pearling as well. The Anubias has some algae, needs trimming. I love these Anubias and cant get rid of them but not really suited for the high tech set up with the algae issues. Not many dark areas in this aquarium to hide them., but the H.tripartita is forming a canopy above it maybe it will block all the light.
1. H.Pinnatifida UK - UK here stands for a place in India
- these are roots from about 2 weeks of growth after a TC planting from APF. As some one with an Indian origin, it is interesting for me to see so many plants that are from India. Rotala sahyadrica fka R. tulunadensis - is the newest one i realized was first found in India, so curious to try it. Waiting for BurrAqua (@Burr740) to get some R.florida so that i can order that with R.tulunadensis. 2. Rotala Blood Red - Pearling - my new favorite plant. - 2 week growth from TC from APF
3. Panda Corys resting on pearling H.tripartita ! Can see some Crypts pearling as well. The Anubias has some algae, needs trimming. I love these Anubias and cant get rid of them but not really suited for the high tech set up with the algae issues. Not many dark areas in this aquarium to hide them., but the H.tripartita is forming a canopy above it maybe it will block all the light.
Wow that is some thriving H. Tripartita!!
Looks really good. I have some Rotala sunset going but no Florida yet.
I prefer tc and I haven't been able to find any. (I haven't looked too hard)
I prefer tc and I haven't been able to find any. (I haven't looked too hard)
The Logo, on the metal pipe bracket, is a Chinese Co, called ZRDR. they also make a lot of co2 regulators etc. I thought I recognised the logo. I have one of their regulators,
Another nice looking set is from Aqua Pro..
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- #37
Thanks! Have you use Aliexpress before ? have seen multiple stuff for cheap before but have always been paranoid about ordering on aliexpress.The Logo, on the metal pipe bracket, is a Chinese Co, called ZRDR. they also make a lot of co2 regulators etc. I thought I recognised the logo. I have one of their regulators,
Another nice looking set is from Aqua Pro..
No I haven't yet, we have another china online store here (in AUS) called Temu, its more cheaper stuff, but ive bought Glass Lilly pipes and few other smaller items, and its been fine. Aliexpress is definitely on my list there's a few items I'm wanting.
ive spoken to a few Local Chinese people and they all use it, the naming of items etc is still a little odd, think its the Chinese to English translation,
The only negative I have heard (maybe it was somewhere on Reddit) is say buying a Week AQUA LIGHT, OR CHIHIROS, you may not get a warranty as its a second seller, now that those companies have international site you can buy from.
I'm personally prefer to go into a store see the item and buy it then and there, those days are pretty much over now though, Online seems the way.
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I just commented about my experience HERE. So far things have gone well. You save some money, but be prepared to wait.
- Thread starter
- #40
ok guys, so i think i have been seeing too much of the 2Hr aquarist tanks and in general have been looking into too many plants so thought i would get some input before i get more plants.This is on the planned build. This is a first rough draft, so definitely preliminary. I do like stem plants and think I would enjoy maintaining them but also don't know if i am taking on too much and also not sure if this is too crowded. Let me know your thoughts on this layout. This is a top view of the aquarium. If you think some changes would be good let me know as well. I plant to update this based on everyone's input.
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