Hyzer's 40G Breeder High Light Dutch

[Hyzer]

I'm getting settled in after our cross-country move, so I figured I would get this tank rolling again.

Equipment:
-40 gallon breeder
-36" Catalina 3x T5HO w moonlights (2 bulbs 8 hrs, 1 for random viewing)
-Eheim 2217
-10lb. pressurized CO2
-200w Rena SmartHeater

Substrate:
-Flourite

Flora:
-Blyxa alternifolia
-Eriocaulon parkeri
-Glossostigma elatinoides
-Hygrophila Araguaia
-Hygrophila Corymbosa var Compact
-Limnophila 'Wavy'
-Ludwigia glandulosa
-Ludwigia inclinata 'Pantanal'
-Ludwigia repens
-Ludwigia 'Rubin'
-Ludwigia senegalensis
-Persicaria 'Kawagoeanum'
-Persicaria praetermissa
-Pogostemon erectus
-Pogostemon stellatus 'Narrow'
-Rotala macrandra 'Japan Red'
-Rotala rotundifolia
-Syngonanthus 'Belem'

Fauna:
Bloodfin Tetra
Otocinclus

Just a couple small changes in equipment: new stand (smaller rivet rack) and flip top legs for my light fixture. The movers managed to lose the corner posts to my old stand, so I picked up another inexpensive but strong rivet rack. I really like how the 40 is a perfect fit on this new rack. I may add wooden siding somewhere down the line to be a bit more stylish.

The new light fixture legs were necessary because the drywall is very thin in my new place. I didn't feel comfortable hanging the light using my previous method, even with toggle bolts. I wanted at least some of the convenience of my ratcheting pulley system from before so I went with the flip top.

Most of the plants made it, but my crypts (except parva) and mosses are really hurting. At least some of them seem to be making a comeback. I planted everything to just grow for now, I will eventually try to make it look good. Here's a pic from tonight:



Old thread:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...n-breeder.html

I learned A LOT about this hobby with this tank, so I hope to improve.

Thanks for checking it out. I'll try to keep this thread updated.

[i'm a ninja]

What happened to the driftwood? It looked fantastic in the old set-ups

[Hyzer]

Originally Posted by i'm a ninja

What happened to the driftwood? It looked fantastic in the old set-ups

I saved that piece and plan on using it again somewhere. Not sure If I want to try a dutch style with this one. If I go dutch, I will use that manzy in a 29g with low light intensity.

[Hyzer]

I decided to see what type of plants I can grow in this new (softer) water. I've noticed that the Rotala butterfly grows much more quickly and has larger leaves, which gives me hope that I can pick up some more exotic stems for this tank.

I've always drooled over the densely planted and colorful dutch tanks, so I thought I would give it a try. I know it looks bare at the moment. Lots of growing, trimming, and planting to do.

[sewingalot]

I've been waiting for you setup tanks again!

What is your water parameters here, you mentioned it's softer, do you know what it is? Tank is growing in nicely, and I can't wait to see it in a few weeks.

[Hyzer]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

I've been waiting for you setup tanks again!

What is your water parameters here, you mentioned it's softer, do you know what it is? Tank is growing in nicely, and I can't wait to see it in a few weeks.

Hey Sara!

GH~5-6
KH~4
Ph~7

[sewingalot]

We have almost the same parameters, my kh is usually 3 - 4 and Gh varies 6 - 9 throughout the year. I suspect you'll be able to grow darn near everything. I had tonias, erios and other plants that are 'soft water plants' grow great. I think you'll be pleased, really.

[urbguy]

Awesome start already! So jealous you decided on a style, I'm having difficulty. I have to say I've heard Dutch style is a pain but when you get it right, it's wonderful. But after seeing your last tank, I have no doubts you'll create a wonderful tank.

[Hyzer]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

We have almost the same parameters, my kh is usually 3 - 4 and Gh varies 6 - 9 throughout the year. I suspect you'll be able to grow darn near everything. I had tonias, erios and other plants that are 'soft water plants' grow great. I think you'll be pleased, really.

Yeah, I'm excited to see what I can grow. Just got a new job, so I should be able to afford some cool ones.

Originally Posted by urbguy

Awesome start already! So jealous you decided on a style, I'm having difficulty. I have to say I've heard Dutch style is a pain but when you get it right, it's wonderful. But after seeing your last tank, I have no doubts you'll create a wonderful tank.

Thanks for the kind words. Since I first started googling "planted aquarium" I have been in love with dutch tanks. I am ready to keep up on the trimming and dosing, plus the softer water should help.

[Hyzer]

I don't have a picture of it, but the Microsword is starting to send out some runners. It grows much more slowly than I remember.

The Rotala Rotundifolia responded well to it's first trim.




I'm really excited that the Rotala Butterfly is staying healthy. Soon I should have enough stems for a thick red bunch. I'm hoping the Stellatus handles it's first trim well. Sunset Hygro is growing how it usually does for me: nice and...white.



The Ludwigia Glandulosa is showing a tiny bit of color and the leaves seem to be growing more healthily in this water.







For this photo session, I used the "Aquarium" setting on my point-n-shoot. I think the pictures look quite a bit less faded. In photoshop, duplicating layers, multiplying, and adjusting opacity helped with the brightness. Thanks for checking out my pics.

[Wasserpest]

Looking great man. Exciting to be able to grow all those nice stems. Many years ago I lived in an area with extremely soft water, so for me it went the other way. I even managed to kill your glandulosa
Nice images too, we never got around to Photoshop together.

[Hyzer]

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Looking great man. Exciting to be able to grow all those nice stems. Many years ago I lived in an area with extremely soft water, so for me it went the other way. I even managed to kill your glandulosa
Nice images too, we never got around to Photoshop together.

I'm definitely stoked to have med-soft water now.

What happened to the glandulosa? Last time I saw it in your tank it looked healthy. I can send you more whenever you want some. Any plant you'd like to try.

I'm missing Cali a bit. Hopefully I can get back there for some brew and T's PhotoShop Course sometime in the near future. Maybe we can tweak the color in my pics to make my sunset look like yours, haha.

[Hyzer]

Trimmed the back row last week and things are starting to fill in again. I think I am going to let everything grow all the way out this time.

[Hyzer]

Micro bubbles created by the atomic diffuser have always bothered me, so I decided to test out the inexpensive Ista Mix Max (12"). It is about 2x as loud as my 2217 so I'm not sure if it is right for an open stand.

I may just go ahead and finally build myself a PVC inline or try running this Ista without the impellers if the noise continues to bother me.

[Wasserpest]

Tank looks awesome. Is that the bronze wendtii? Looks awesome, very bullous or whatever that's called.

Originally Posted by Hyzer

What happened to the glandulosa? Last time I saw it in your tank it looked healthy. I can send you more whenever you want some. Any plant you'd like to try.

What happened... I touched it. Cut off the long stem and replanted, never recovered after that. But hey, the SS Hygro still looks great. Thanks for the offer, but I am slowly growing out of my collectoritis (by losing plants here and there).

Originally Posted by Hyzer

I'm missing Cali a bit. Hopefully I can get back there for some brew and T's PhotoShop Course sometime in the near future. Maybe we can tweak the color in my pics to make my sunset look like yours, haha.

Let me know when you are in the area, you need to visit your fish... Regarding brew, got an Irish Red that turned out really tasty, and just ordered stuff to make a Kolsch, a Cali Steam, and a Maibock, so no fear of running out anytime soon.