Frank's Planted Tank How-To Mini Novel - The Mini S Returns! New Layout

[mluk27]

Its incredible the difference between the AQUASKY and Solar mini, makes me want one even more. I really love the rock in there too. Does the LED have a ripple effect like a MH?

The 60p is looking incredible, I love the red stem plant. It should look incredible when the stem plants grow in more in the back.

[Francis Xavier]

Unzan Stone is finally available for purchase!

We also made a 60-P video of the use of Unzan stone here.

[FlyingHellFish]

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

With the previous Solar Mini M - it took til the 11th day for Riccia to start really pearling, etc.

The difference between growth patterns here, is that under the Solar Mini M it grew much taller and broader. Under the AQUASKY, it's been coming in a lot shorter and much, much thinner, more nano sized.

Why do you think that is? What about people who want taller and broader? I'm having a tough time keeping my HC Cuba "big" and "wide", would the small size be an indicator of low Co2?



I glanced over your thread on the lights, I guess ADA keeping it's trade secret because I'm not sure what makes these LEDs different from others. Regardless, I actually really want to get one, it's just ADA products are kind of non-existance up here in Canada.

Did you happen to measure the PAR of the lights?

[2wheelsx2]

Originally Posted by FlyingHellFish

Regardless, I actually really want to get one, it's just ADA products are kind of non-existance up here in Canada.

Not sure where you are, but many people out west here have ADA products.
The official distributor is in Vancouver: http://www.miyabi-aqua.com/

He was even featured on Global News: http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/inde...newscast/video

Starts at 35:05

[FlyingHellFish]

Speaking of which, Frank actually suggested I go miyabi when I asked him about an ADA set up. Very nice of him looking out for the hobbyist instead of being all business. I'm east coast and they are west, I'll inquire about shipping.

Anyways, nice progress you got going, I like the new look. Wish my HC Cuba were all uniform in size like yours.

[Francis Xavier]

Originally Posted by FlyingHellFish

Why do you think that is? What about people who want taller and broader? I'm having a tough time keeping my HC Cuba "big" and "wide", would the small size be an indicator of low Co2?



I glanced over your thread on the lights, I guess ADA keeping it's trade secret because I'm not sure what makes these LEDs different from others. Regardless, I actually really want to get one, it's just ADA products are kind of non-existance up here in Canada.

Did you happen to measure the PAR of the lights?

Hey Flying,

The ADA LED light is a mix of 7000k and 8000k bulbs for a pure white spectrum.

I haven't measured PAR yet.

Generally more intense light = more compact, smaller growth. Less intense light = broader, bigger growth since things have to "reach" for lights.

[Francis Xavier]

Anniversary Premium Goods are here!!

And they are gorgeous. I couldn't resist putting together a set of my own from the initial order.

Pro Razor Mini, Anniversary


I honestly didn't expect the patterning to be this cool!


Pro Scissors Short Type - Silver


A Fancy Shot - The other tool is Pro Scissors Short - Black & Silver Pattern


I didn't buy one of these yet (quantities are extremely limited) - but the laser engraving here is beautiful on the Co2 Advanced System





I'll have some "action shots" later.

[Geniusdudekiran]

Beautiful new equipment.

[freph]

You're welcome for partially funding that tool purchase. They look quite nice.

[Francis Xavier]

A Post of Some Value Rather than just shiny pictures

So it's gotten to be about time to trim everything back. I have to admit, I didn't expect Tennellus to have such a rough transition time from the last layout (it had a lot of melting here), but all is well.

Today, I'm going to do just some regular maintenance after the two week mark:

1. Clean Filter Hose and Lily Pipes
2. Clean Diffuser
3. Clean Algae off the glass of the tank
4. Trim



Pro Razor Mini is my new favorite tool ever. It's infinitely easier to scrape algae off the glass with this tool, due to the long handle (and consequently your hand not getting in the way). I can't believe I didn't buy one of these earlier.



When scraping the algae off the glass, make clean straight "up and down" passes - from top of the tank, to the top of th esubstrate layer. Only one or two passes should get everything off the glass and you'll be good to go.







Before moving on to trimming, I'm going to go ahead and take the dirty diffuser and clean it up real quick. Putting 1-2 capfuls of Superge into a Clean Bottle filled to the neck line (the point where the container goes from a 90 degree angle to a 45 degree angle) is sufficient enough to totally clean and polish the glassware.

I put my lily pipes here too for nano size.



Easy!



Now it's time for the trim. Here I'm going to go ahead and cut the Tennellus all the way down to the base, as well as the Hair Grass in the back, and surprisingly, the Riccia in the front. When you trim you might as well go trim everything to keep the timing of the layout in sync.

Using Pro Scissors Short - Curve Type, Anniversary Black & Silver.



And we're all done! The diffuser and Lily Pipes are all nice and clean (I didn't get any photos of cleaning tubing with Spring Washer's, since I was distracted by a conversation, but that was the other step, just simply putting a spring washer brush through the lily pipes and tubes).

You can also see the results of the trimming here.

Dosing: Green Bacter after water change.

Alternating: Green Brighty Step 1 & Special Lights every other day x2 squirts, Brighty K x2 squirts.

Amano shrimp will need to be added sometime in the next week or so - there's some nice brown algae for them to munch on and devour.

[BruceF]

Why does Amano always seem to prefer the 7000- 8000K range?

[Chlorophile]

Dang... I really want one of those glass scrapers!

[freph]

Originally Posted by Chlorophile

Dang... I really want one of those glass scrapers!

Right? AFA sells the mini one for $65...Frank, care to hook us up?

[talontsiawd]

It's weird, I was looking at some ADA stuff not to long ago and thought that they were having some design crisis lol. Now it makes sense what I was looking at, the 20th Anniversary stuff.


Thank looks great Frank. What is your thoughts on that light now that you have had it for a bit?

[Francis Xavier]

Will have the pro razor mini up tomorrow to be available! As well as the other goods!