Coach's 29g Resurrection (Beginning on page 3)

[CAM6467]

I just received my dolomite and muriate of potash in the mail! I'm a couple of weeks away from having dirt in the tank!!

I'm still trying to figure out how I'll place my driftwood. I found a tank that is almost exactly what I want to do....


This tank is pretty much exactly what I'm shooting for with mine. I love the look of the driftwood!

Here's the potash and dolomite:

[CAM6467]

Since I'm twiddling my thumbs waiting on manzanita and MTS to mineralize, I thought that I'd put a flora list together. Let me know what you think...

Prospective Plant List:
Narrow Leaf Java Fern


Anubias Nana "Petite"


lilaeopsis Mauritiana


Cryptocoryne Wendtii


Fissidens Fontanus


Any other suggestions? I don't really know what to consider 62 watts of t5HO over this 29 gallon. I'd like some folks with experience to lend a hand on the plant selection. What light range do you think I'm in? What would you guys put in this tank?

Thanks for reading/helping,

Charlie

[Bahugo]

Originally Posted by CAM6467

Since I'm twiddling my thumbs waiting on manzanita and MTS to mineralize, I thought that I'd put a flora list together. Let me know what you think...

Prospective Plant List:
Narrow Leaf Java Fern


Anubias Nana "Petite"


lilaeopsis Mauritiana


Cryptocoryne Wendtii


Fissidens Fontanus


Any other suggestions? I don't really know what to consider 62 watts of t5HO over this 29 gallon. I'd like some folks with experience to lend a hand on the plant selection. What light range do you think I'm in? What would you guys put in this tank?

Thanks for reading/helping,

Charlie

Very high light, I like your plant selection so far though.

[CAM6467]

The manzanita package arrived from PC1 today. It is a good bunch, but I bought WAY too much! I spent a little time arranging, and I think that I've found a decent start.

FTS with Manzanita:



The other manzanita pieces:


I'm tired of waiting, but I have to wait for a couple more weeks on this one. Atleast I'll have time to find a good plant supplier. Any suggestions (usernames)?

Thanks,

Charlie

[CAM6467]

Well, I finished arranging the manzanita and went ahead and mixed my MTS and clay. It was about the consistency of thick yogurt when it went in and VERY pink from so much clay. I may have screwed the whole thing up, but I forge ahead! Here's a shot of the tank with substrate, manzanita, and water. The old Rena workalike a champ! A few stubborn leaks here and there, but all is well following some hose clamps and gasket repair via petroleum jelly.

FTS as of 2/12/2012


Now I need plants!!!

[CAM6467]

~30 hours after filling. I will do a 50% WC tomorrow. Hopefully I can clear this up a bit.

FTS as of 2/13/2012

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by CAM6467

Any other suggestions? I don't really know what to consider 62 watts of t5HO over this 29 gallon. I'd like some folks with experience to lend a hand on the plant selection. What light range do you think I'm in? What would you guys put in this tank?

Thanks for reading/helping,

Charlie

I had 72 watts of T5 (normal output) from 2 Coarlife fixtures for a long time on my 29 gallon. Honestly, with CO2, I would not consider your light very limiting here. I think the Coarlife T5HO have better reflectors than the regular T5's as well, meaning you should have even more light than I had, when I was able to grow practically everything. I honestly wouldn't worry about the lighting as being a huge limitation, I could be wrong, I have not used that exact fixture but it should be fine.

[CAM6467]

It's been a couple of days now and the water is starting to clear up a bit. Tannins are an issue now, but tannins aren't too bad.

The manzanita has some odd fungal growth. In fact, this slimy stuff seems to be all over the place.

FTS 2/14/2012


Much clearer, but still not there yet. I just need to do a water change to see if I can get rid of some tannins.

Payday is soon, so I'm getting ready to order some plants.

[MoeBetta]

The slime is 100% normal, it will eventually go away.

[fishyjoe24]

it's looking good, dfwapc is having there feb. meeting this sunday feb 2/19/2012. 1pm at the fish gallery in dallas. hope you can make it members trade plants with members. a whole years memberships is only $20.00 well worth it. one of are members went home and filled up his whole 20g the first time we went to a meeting.. aquatic-plant.org

Joey.

[CAM6467]

I just did a water change and a refill. I've got a WTT/WTS in the S&S for some plants in exchange for the leftover manzanita that I have. Hopefully I'll have some green in this tank before long!

FTS 2/17/2012


How do you alleviate tannins and the white fuzzy slime on the manzanita?!?

[rbarn]

Originally Posted by CAM6467

How do you alleviate tannins and the white fuzzy slime on the manzanita?!?

Patience and lots water changes.
You can take the wood out and give a good scrubbing too.

Getting a new tank going is all about taking your time. Frustrating, but the slower you go, the better the end result will be.

[Daximus]

Hey CAM, the tank is looking great! You have really spent some time putting things together, it's going to turn out great! I love your driftwood too. As the others have stated, tannins and the fuzz will go away, just give it time.

You have some really high light, so take it easy on the light cycle in the beginning. How's the search for plants coming?

[CAM6467]

Originally Posted by rbarn

Patience and lots water changes.
You can take the wood out and give a good scrubbing too.

Getting a new tank going is all about taking your time. Frustrating, but the slower you go, the better the end result will be.

Patience is the key! I've tried to take my time so far, so I'll just stay the course. Thanks for your advice and thanks for following along!

Originally Posted by Daximus

Hey CAM, the tank is looking great! You have really spent some time putting things together, it's going to turn out great! I love your driftwood too. As the others have stated, tannins and the fuzz will go away, just give it time.

You have some really high light, so take it easy on the light cycle in the beginning. How's the search for plants coming?

I'm in the process of working out a trade for some plants. I had some leftover DW, so hopefully I can get rid of it and get a good batch of plants in the process.

I didn't want to rush this one. The MTS sort of governed my initial pace, and now I'm over that "new tank high" that you sometimes get carried away with. I'm just going to let this tank take it easy.

Thanks for the lighting advice. I'm thinking that a 6-8 hour photoperiod may suffice. What do you think or what do you suggest?

- Charlie

[CAM6467]

Finally got some greenery in the tank.

FTS as of 2/26/2012


I'm still battling tannins and cloudy water. I did a 90% WC prior to planting.

You're looking at Crypt Parva, Crypt Wendtii, NLJF, and Anubias Nana. I'll give these some time to get going before I do much else here.

I'm battling murky water. Prior to planting, the water was so dark that I couldn't see the back glass. I siphoned about 90% of the "coffee" water out. I just don't believe that it's the manzanita staining the water this badly. It's probably the result of the large amount of clay used in my MTS. I guess that I'll have to wait and see what time and multiple WCs will do about it...

CO2 tank needs a good fillin'!