Journal Attempting a True Dutch

[Kwyet]

After some reflection about the past year, I’ve decided to make some changes. First, I want more time to spend on my other tanks. Second, I want more room in the corner by the window, because it’s so cramped there that it makes it annoying to do maintenance on those 2 tanks. Third, I want more room to store plants to swap in and out of this Dutch tank.

I’ll be taking down the Shrimp bowl, the Middle Energy Shrimp Cube and the Low-Tech Farm Tank. Then I’m going to move the Blackwater Tank to take the place of the Low-Tech Farm Tank, and save toward getting a nice 60-75 gallon tank to replace the 19 gallon High-Tech Farm tank which already sits on a stand that’s supposed to be good for 75 gallons. It would be really nice to win one of those $500 gift certificates from Waterbox next Friday, lol! This will accomplish my 2nd and 3rd objective, but I don’t know about the first one. I’ll probably actually have to do more maintenance than before, but at least it’ll be in a more convenient spot. That will leave me with 6 tanks instead of 10 though (the moina tank already came down), which mentally “seems” like less work, lol!

Other than that, here are some things I learned this year:

• Don’t use root tabs if you’re going to forget about them and stir the substrate up
• Don’t just trust that the autodoser is doing its job and reporting correctly
• Don’t assume that because a plant has always grown back in 2 weeks that it’s going to do that right before a contest deadline
• Sometimes the best thing to do with algae is just to cut off the worst affected areas and then leave the tank alone for a few weeks. This goes against my entire nature, but it worked when the bathroom mold problem forced me to do it. Stability is key.
• Inspect your pictures before putting all the equipment back on. Coming back a few days later, after having to trim and replant because the plants grew too much in between doesn’t give good results.
• No double taps for Fluval fx is a royal pain, lol! I did actually find suitable double taps, but they would come from Japan at an inflated price. I ordered just one (I hope it comes in good shape and works well) that I’ll put on the inlet in the back. I can just raise the outflow in the front when necessary, at least until prices come down, if they ever do.
• The people at ScapeCrunch are great and will always help out when asked!

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

• No double taps for Fluval fx is a royal pain, lol! I did actually find suitable double taps, but they would come from Japan at an inflated price. I ordered just one (I hope it comes in good shape and works well) that I’ll put on the inlet in the back. I can just raise the outflow in the front when necessary, at least until prices come down, if they ever do.

Please post a link! I'm dying to find 25/34mm sized quick releases for 1" hosing (FX size). Where did you find them??

 

[Kwyet]

Please post a link! I'm dying to find 25/34mm sized quick releases for 1" hosing (FX size). Where did you find them??

There’s only one left. Good luck!

Ehaimu AEH4007410 Double Tap Connector 794 for Aquarium Water Pump JAPAN NEW F/S | eBay

Publisher : Ehaimu. Model/MPN : AEH4007410. - to Australia (about 2-6 weeks). - to Southeast Asia (about 2-4 weeks).

ebay.us

Be aware, I haven’t received it or tried it out yet. Also, the one I ordered had free shipping, which makes a lot of difference. I don’t see that option now.

 

[Kwyet]

@Naturescapes_Rocco
It’s supposed to arrive 11/17 if you want to wait and let me try it out.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Yeah let me know how it goes!

 

[Phish Tank]

I’ve decided to make some changes.

That sounds like a lotta tank swapping. Hoping it does work out to less/easier maintenance.

 

[Kwyet]

Yeah let me know how it goes!

It came in, and looks to be just what I need. The outer diameter is just a hair shy of 1 inch, but of course it widens a bit further down. I’ll probably add hose clamps just for my peace of mind. I won’t install it today because I’m leaving tomorrow for a week.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

That's awesome!

 

[OmidNiav]

Okay, I submitted! When I filled out the form, it didn’t display the raw photo, and it listed the same jpg file number as the main photo. Is that normal or do I have a problem?

I recommend reaching out using the support email and confirm.

 

[Kwyet]

I recommend reaching out using the support email and confirm.

I did try to contact them with that email, but it’s been over a week and no response at all. I “think” it’s okay though. I checked the images on my phone, and the image number is actually the same for both the original photo and the final edited one. The original isn’t supposed to be viewable except to verify that there wasn’t cheating, so I guess it makes sense that I couldn’t see it when I uploaded it.

 

[Kwyet]

I’m not tearing this scape down yet, like I see many others are. Although I see the flaws, this is still the best I’ve done and I want to just enjoy it for a few months before starting over. I’ll probably start working on a new arrangement after the New Year. I did install the Eheim double tap today. It works well! Now I want 2 more, lol! I would like to put them before and after the reactor to make everything more convenient when I need to do maintenance on anything. There’s so little room under my tank. The double tap does narrow to 19 mm ID at the middle connection, but I can live with that.

I’ll report on the new 75 g farm tank here as well since it’ll be working together with this tank. I’ll try to get all the set-up basically the same so I’ll know what plants will look like when planning and swapping back and forth. I won’t have something change colors or leaf shape on me. I discovered over the weekend that I hadn’t updated my address yet with Waterbox, so they were set to send my tank to Florida. After an urgent email, they got back to me today that they had fixed it. Whew! The light and reactor have already come in, and I’m going to use an old Biomaster 600 for a filter, even though I don’t like it, lol! I would rather try that Netlea set-up that @Naturescapes_Rocco has, but I need to save money where possible. Maybe I’ll upgrade later. I also have a VERY cheap CO2 regulator, which I’m on the fence about. Is it worth it to get a better one when I’ll have a horizontal reactor?

Well, that’s it for now. Thanks for reading!

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I also have a VERY cheap CO2 regulator, which I’m on the fence about. Is it worth it to get a better one when I’ll have a horizontal reactor?

If you can run the reactor in adjustable "overflow mode", I'd say keep what you have!

 

[techman81]

I’m going to use an old Biomaster 600 for a filter, even though I don’t like it,

Is your Biomaster an early version 1 model that still has the prefilter pipe with fewer holes? If so, you can get the parts to update it to basically a new version 2 model at Oase North America. A new prefilter pipe and underplate would cost $23.

 

[techman81]

I discovered over the weekend that I hadn’t updated my address yet with Waterbox, so they were set to send my tank to Florida

Did you already get a shipping notification for your tank?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I'd HIGHLY recommend upgrading with what techman said!

• Here's the prefilter pipe you need
• Here's the upgraded underplate to reduce cavitation/purging noise

 

[Kwyet]

Is your Biomaster an early version 1 model that still has the prefilter pipe with fewer holes? If so, you can get the parts to update it to basically a new version 2 model at Oase North America. A new prefilter pipe and underplate would cost $23.

It is, but I already enlarged the holes and punched a lot more in it. I also replaced the whole head part at some point, so that’s covered too I think.

Did you already get a shipping notification for your tank?

No, I was just looking back at the initial email and noticed they had it going to the wrong address. I’m so glad it hadn’t shipped yet!

I'd HIGHLY recommend upgrading with what techman said!

• Here's the prefilter pipe you need
• Here's the upgraded underplate to reduce cavitation/purging noise

Thanks! I think that’s all covered, but if it makes too much noise I’ll get that underplate.

My problems with the Biomaster are that the button you push to prime it fails all the time (I’ve replaced it several times) and the tubing tends to get air-locked. Maybe those things are related somehow, I don’t know. I just know I’ve never had those problems with the Fluval 407’s or the Fluval fx’s.

 

[techman81]

My problems with the Biomaster are that the button you push to prime it fails all the time (I’ve replaced it several times) and the tubing tends to get air-locked. Maybe those things are related somehow, I don’t know. I just know I’ve never had those problems with the Fluval 407’s or the Fluval fx’s.

If the new head you got, still has the flat underplate that could be part of it. I got an older model 350 with a used tank and had those issues with it. Even after replacing the pipe and underplate, I still had issues. I finally have it running much better after replacing the inlet/outlet assembly which seems to be a very common thing. I've purchased a couple spares since I have so many Biomasters now. Also, I've found that running no denser than the 30ppi foam on the prefilter pipe helps. I've considered changing to the 10ppi but wish they made a 20ppi. Lastly, I've found that using a foam prefilter on my intake lily pipe can cause issues as well, even with filters that were running fine before.
Inlet/Outlet Connection Unit

 

[Kwyet]

If the new head you got, still has the flat underplate that could be part of it. I got an older model 350 with a used tank and had those issues with it. Even after replacing the pipe and underplate, I still had issues. I finally have it running much better after replacing the inlet/outlet assembly which seems to be a very common thing. I've purchased a couple spares since I have so many Biomasters now. Also, I've found that running no denser than the 30ppi foam on the prefilter pipe helps. I've considered changing to the 10ppi but wish they made a 20ppi. Lastly, I've found that using a foam prefilter on my intake lily pipe can cause issues as well, even with filters that were running fine before.
Inlet/Outlet Connection Unit

I replaced that too, because I tightened it too much and cracked it, lol! I also use the 30 ppi foam. I do use a foam prefilter on the intake though, and you’re right, if it gets clogged it causes air bubbles, so I’ll just skip it this time. I’ll have to check to see if it’s a flat underplate.
I just think a filter that costs so much in the first place shouldn’t need so many things replaced to run well.

 

[techman81]

I replaced that too, because I tightened it too much and cracked it, lol! I also use the 30 ppi foam. I do use a foam prefilter on the intake though, and you’re right, if it gets clogged it causes air bubbles, so I’ll just skip it this time. I’ll have to check to see if it’s a flat underplate.
I just think a filter that costs so much in the first place shouldn’t need so many things replaced to run well.

Yeah, before I bought my first one, I had read many reports of the air purging problems and was hesitant. I then saw the version 2 was hitting European shelves and contacted Oase to see when they would be available in the US. They said it would still be at least 6 months but all the latest version 1s had the new parts so I went ahead and purchased it. That 600 has worked flawlessly. I've added a couple version 2s and a few used version 1s off Marketplace and Ebay and all have tested well after adding the new parts, with the 350 being the one exception until I replaced the inlet/outlet assembly.

 

[Kwyet]

Yeah, before I bought my first one, I had read many reports of the air purging problems and was hesitant. I then saw the version 2 was hitting European shelves and contacted Oase to see when they would be available in the US. They said it would still be at least 6 months but all the latest version 1s had the new parts so I went ahead and purchased it. That 600 has worked flawlessly. I've added a couple version 2s and a few used version 1s off Marketplace and Ebay and all have tested well after adding the new parts, with the 350 being the one exception until I replaced the inlet/outlet assembly.

Good to know!