Journal UNS 60S Pond Scape

[gnatster]

After a bit of hiatus from the hobby, I'm jumping back in with a high-tech UNS 60S as a pond type scape. Normally one would have a nice set of images next with the initial setup. Currently mine is an empty tank and shelves of parts and equipment. I'm determined to take it slow, research each bit and have everything on hand before adding water.

I've found the in the past ~20 years there has been quite a lot of change in the hobby. So many more products available, my last high-tech tanks was T5's and Metal Halides. My have things changed.

My Plan

Tank /Stand​

UNS 60S

Lighting

Chihiros WRGB II Pro 60
Chihiros WRGB II Pro 60 Light Shade /w Mirror
Chihiros WRBG II Pro LED Light Hanging Kit
Week Aqua Arm Stand /Black (L Stand)

Filtration​

Oase BioMaster 2 Thermo 250
Oase Shutoff Valve 16/22 mm - x 2
FZone 3M Grey Tubing 16/22 mm
Stainless Steel 16/22 to 12/16 reducer
FZone 3M Grey Tubing 12/16 mm
FZone Mini Lily Pipes w/ Skimmer

I found that to use Lily pipes that fit this tank size, I'll need to use something small, hence the reduction in tubing size.

CO2​

5 LB CO2 Tank
CO2 Art Dual Stage Regulator /w Bubble Counter and Solenoid
FZone CO2 Proof Line
CO2 Check Valve
NilocG CO2 Drop Checker /w Solution
Timer
Qanvee M2 Inline CO2 Diffuser

Lucked out with CO2, found someone on Facebook Marketplace selling 2 complete CO2 systems. With full tanks, for less than the price of a new CO2 Art Regulator. Snapped them both up.

Hardscape​

Rock - Black Lava Rock
Wood - Dragon Wood

Substrate

APT S - Base layer
UNS ControBase 2L
APT Jazz Caps
UNS ControSoil Black Fine 10L
UNS Mojave Extra Fine 8L- Open areas
UNS Sequoia 3L - Accent Rocks

Plants​

Rear Middle
Hygrophila pinnatifida
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Ludwigia palustris var Super Red

Under Wood and Rock
Cryptocoryne parva var Mini
Bucephalandra (assorted varieties)

On Rock at Water Line
Micranthemum callitrichoides var Cuba

Left and Right Sides in Sand
Eleocharis acicularis var Mini
Hydrocotyle verticillata

Floaters
Red Root Floater

Livestock​

Wish List: at this time, nothing is set in stone
Shrimp
Pygmy Cory
Otocinclus
Exotic Pleco
Red Neon Blue Eye Rainbowfish
Badis? Once plants grow in
Goby
Snails

That's the plan.

Started collecting bits in April, then found out I'd have to be in Dallas for most of May for some family matters. While in Dallas, Aquashella was in town along with an aquascaping demo of an LFS, Fish Gallery, by MJ Aquascaping of YouTube fame. Being my plan is based on the Guppy tank MJ created, I could not miss this opportunity. Learned a lot and had the opportunity to ask MJ a lot of questions.

My intention is to Dark Start, then plant.

I'm held up by the need of one part. The Week Aqua Arm Stand /Black (L Stand) base is too wide for this tank. In need of a 3 mm spacer. My neighbor, a metal shop, made me one out of ABS plastic. It works perfectly, only they made only one. I need two. My fault for not being clearer. I'll hit them up once they are back in the shop after the weekend.

More to come...

 

[gnatster]

We all like pretty pictures, but these aren't; they are pictures of stuff in preparation for the setup.

I would do the setup today. But for want of a shim.

IMG_0914.webp

• gnatster
• May 31, 2025

Water Testing

Water testing for 24 hours.

IMG_0916.webp

• gnatster
• May 31, 2025

Stuff on Shelves

Shelves full of Stuff ready to go

IMG_0917.webp

• gnatster
• May 31, 2025

Hardscape Stuff

Hardscape and Lighting Stuff

IMG_0918.webp

• gnatster
• May 31, 2025

Water Stuff

RO/DI and Water Change Stuff, Extra CO2 tank

IMG_0919.webp

• gnatster
• May 31, 2025

Hardware Stuff

Filter / CO2 placement

 

[gnatster]

Keeping this party rolling...

Ran into a few small issues. They are being quickly rectified by the appropriate vendors.

The new RO/DI has a leaky faucet adaptor. Emailed on Saturday after hooking up and testing the unit. Early Monday morning received an email that a new adaptor has been dispatched. Thank you, Air, Water, Ice. This would be the third RO/DI I've purchased from them, always quick to ship and easy to work with.

Went to lay out the filter intake/return hose component locations and realized I've somehow lost one of the hose holding nuts on a 16/22 Shut Off Valve. A note to OASE and a new one is on the way. Thank you, OASE.

These minor setbacks have given me time to create a build checklist, with sub-lists for filter hose components mapping, and to the potential death of my wallet, research and plans for my next aquariums.

Should there be interest in my checklist, see UNS 60S Set Checklist (Google Sheet). Comments, Suggestions, and Criticism are welcome.

EDIT: To the person who requested Editor Access to the spreadsheet...Why?

 

[Art]

my last high-tech tanks was T5's and Metal Halides

Good to see someone my age here. Thanks for making me feel young, @gnatster! Loved my metal halides!

Learned a lot and had the opportunity to ask MJ a lot of questions.

One of the best things, I find, is when you get to meet someone in person that you've been following online for a while. This is also why the Aquatic Gardeners Association Conventions are so special.

If you ever get the chance to go to something in person, I highly recommend it.

My intention is to Dark Start, then plant.

Dark start. This was all the rage back in the day when I was podcasting.

You doing it to start the biological going, @gnatster?

Not sure about your substrate but with Aqua Soil, that's a phosphate sink, I also would go overboard with PO4 addition weekly. The objective was to quickly saturate the soil with PO4 so that it wouldn't suck it all up when I eventually planted.

Extra CO2 tank

Showing your experience!

 

[Art]

These minor setbacks have given me time to create a build checklist, with sub-lists for filter hose components mapping, and to the potential death of my wallet, research and plans for my next aquariums.

LOL I think everyone that has a tank build, or any project for that matter, knows the joy of being derailed by some small thing that is broken or missing... Good to see the companies stepping up quickly.

Also, love that you're planning your next aquarium even before splashing your first!

To the person who requested Editor Access to the spreadsheet...Why?

LOL! To correct your choices, of course!

BTW, it wasn't me.

 

[gnatster]

Dark start. This was all the rage back in the day when I was podcasting.

You doing it to start the biological going, @gnatster?

Not sure about your substrate but with Aqua Soil, that's a phosphate sink, I also would go overboard with PO4 addition weekly. The objective was to quickly saturate the soil with PO4 so that it wouldn't suck it all up when I eventually planted.

All this time waiting for the last few bits has me questioning the dark start. Why not plant from the outset, I keep asking myself. I've watched hours of videos and read copious articles, it seems to be a bit of a toss-up. All this time with no action allows me to get in my head.

LOL I think everyone that has a tank build, or any project for that matter, knows the joy of being derailed by some small thing that is broken or missing... Good to see the companies stepping up quickly.

Only to be let down by the shipping companies.

OASE North America ships out of the Northeast Ohio area, I live in Central Ohio. FEDEX misplaced the item. Shipped Monday, found in the system on Thursday, listed Out for Delivery, today (Friday)

Air, Water, Ice shipped right away, too. Mother Nature has intervened. Severe weather conditions have delayed delivery.

More time to question my choices, WooHoo!

 

[Art]

Ah, second-guessing. Always present.

On the dark start, I think most people do it to get the nitrogen cycle started before filling the tank. The hope is for more stability when fully set up.

That wasn't very important for me. Filling up the Aqua Soil with PO4 was my main point. It worked fairly well.

 

[Count Krunk]

The filter looks to be roughly the same size as the aquarium! Haha.

Personally, i don't have the patience for a dark start. I've seen very nice tanks done without it and with. Id say it's up to how long you want to wait.

 

[gnatster]

Progress!

All the bits and bobs are now here. Spent some time today installing the background and hanging the lights.


Have a cart full of plants, just ruminating over dark start or planted full from the get-go.

 

[Art]

Can't wait to see it planted, @gnatster. Nothing like an empty canvas.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

Dark start is a good idea especially with soils loaded with ammonia. For those without you won’t get the same benefit.

 

[BenB]

Looks good. My tank has the Control Soil. I didn't use dark start, but I also don't have fish.
Good Luck!

 

[*Ci*]

I am so looking forward to your treatment for this aquarium, as I have an empty tank of similar dimensions myself but have been at a loss about how to set it up as a shallow pond scape.
Thanks for journaling!

 

[gnatster]

Today was plumbing day.

Everything went mostly well.

I've encountered two main issues.

A. The suction cups supplied with the Lily Pipes do not stick to the background. I found these FZONE Acrylic Brackets. Any insight into whether they will work with FZONE Mini Pipes? It looks like the adjustment bolt might hold the smaller diameter Lily Pipe. Then again, for less than $10 for the pair, delivered, and easy free returns, I have nothing to lose but time.

II. I can't connect the FZONE-branded CO2 tubing to the CO2 art regulator bubble counter for the life of me. The nipple is tiny on the bubble counter. I've tried soaking the tubing in hot water.

Minor Issues:

1. Too much flow. That may be solved when I put all the guts back in the filter. For testing, I removed all the media, left the baskets in place.

B. The skimmer part if the intake sucks air at times. It's sensitive to water levels. I'm thinking an ATO might be in the works.

III. The heater in the OASE Biomaster 250 is not calibrated correctly. Set at 76F, 6 hours later the temp was up to 80.4F. Turned the heater down to 73F, we'll see where we are in the morning. Ambient temps are a steady 73-74F.

Δ. The position of the light stands precludes placing the inflow and outflow near each other. If I change the position of the light hanger, then the cables holding the light will not be vertical, but will have an angle. Oy, the OCD horrors.

Other items of interest.

I am amazed at how quiet the filter is when running. Unless it slurps up a bit of air from the skimmer, I can't tell the filter is running by sound.

No Leaks!

Next step is to drain the tank, filter, lines, etc, and get to work on hardscape design.

 

[Art]

Congrats on a relatively successful test. Used to be a big day for me back in the day. I run an AIO today so not an issue.

I can't help with the acrylic brackets but the screw should hold almost anything in there. On the tubing, I've been known to employ a heat gun when desperate.

Filter material will decrease flow materially. I would wait to see about that. Besides, good flow is a good thing.

On the heater, I would use an Inkbird controller if you can. Not sure that's possible with a built-in one though. I don't use heaters here in Florida.

Lastly, I too have non-vertical hanging wires given where my AIO compartments are and when I can place the brackets. Not ideal but I mostly forget they are there now that the tank is full.

Thanks for keeping us updated. Also, pictures!

 

[*Ci*]

On the heater, I would use an Inkbird controller if you can. Not sure that's possible with a built-in one though. I don't use heaters here in Florida.

I use inkbirds on all 6 of my Oase canisters with built in heaters.

 

[gnatster]

Thanks for keeping us updated. Also, pictures!

Proof of concept, keeping the filter in the closet to reduce sound. The idea is to enclose the filter and electrical lines in some split conduit to hide. With the filter being so quiet, the closet idea may go by the wayside.

As requested Art

 

[filmpunk]

Looking forward to following this build.

 

[Count Krunk]

Id get the filter under it or inside/under something else. That would look better imo than the tubing or even something covering the tubing.

I use inkbirds on all 6 of my Oase canisters with built in heaters.

This is a must for me. All heaters with built in control elements will fail eventually.

 

[gnatster]

Id get the filter under it or inside/under something else. That would look better imo than the tubing or even something covering the tubing.


This is a must for me. All heaters with built in control elements will fail eventually.

Space is the issue. This is a small apartment. I'll scout for an appropriate cabinet to hold the filter and CO2 next IKEA trip. I't far from a priority.

Ordered an Inkbird and acrylic brackets for the Lily Pipes.