Do!Aqua 60-F UPDATED (video link) 10/14/12 ON PAGE 3

[KenRC51]

Hey guys, I recently visited San Francisco and decided to pick up a Do!Aqua 60-F but kinda regret not getting the ADA instead...oh well same tank, maybe next time I visit again I'll get an ADA.

Here is what I have in the setup.

Light - Odyssea T5 4x24w (currently only using 2x24w)
Filter - Ehiem 2232
Co2 - Aquatek dual guage with solenoid connected to 20oz paintball
Diffuser - ADA style from ebay
Bubble counter - Aquatek bubble counter (I have a Mr. Aqua bubble counter that connectes to the solenoid but since the regulator is on a paintball tank the bubble counter would be horizontal and won't work. I will switch the counter when I get a real 5 lb tank.)
Drop Checker - ADA style from ebay
Substrate - Aquasoil regualr and powder on top (got some regular on top because I move the powder from other tank and couldn't remove all the regular out)

Plants - HC, HM, Rotalas, UG
Will add in some CRS/CBS when dry start is done.

Updated 10/3/12
Added some tropica 049. HC is starting to carpet, going to flood the tank soon.

6/13/12 - DSM until the HC start carpeting and rooting.















This is the drop checker that I'm using for my 60-F but temporarily testing it in my CRS/CBS tank. Hear that the liquid they provide is not accurate so I'm gonna have to buy some 4dkh solution. Can someone please link me or tell me who can I buy from in the forum before I look on [Ebay Link Removed] I'd love to support people on this forum before I give my business to ebay or other sure.



These photos of the regulator was before I noticed that there was a leak and all the Co2 leaked out. It was the brand new and had a leak so I email the company and they sent me another replacement. Aquatek has great customer services.


Heres how it should look when full.

6/24/12 - Seeing some growth


Love how fast they grow. I have the lights on 8hrs a day. Should I leave the lights on longer? Would the HC grow faster when I leave the lights on longer?

[ChadRamsey]

good start. imo, you need to add more stones.

[wetbizquit]

i noticed a big difference when i left my lights on for 13 hours instead of 8, i just kept my dry start very humid, not too much water, just misting barely on the plants, and spraying the sides of the tank, then keep covered air tight for a few days at a time before they breathe again... so far its working for me in my 10 gal

[Vermino]

Originally Posted by ChadRamsey

good start. imo, you need to add more stones.

+1 to more stones.. but awesome tank

[Diana]

Too few, too small stones. Too centered a layout. Unless you want that symmetry. Usually that centered effect is best in cube tanks, not rectangular ones.

[KenRC51]

I do have more stone and bigger ones too. You think I should let the stone stick out of the tank?

Thinking about adding a bigger one on the right side of the tank.

The reason why I didn't want to put as much stone was because of the pH raise. If I inject Co2 will the stone still raise pH?

[KenRC51]

A little update on growth of HC. I still haven't put in more stones yet. I'll probably do that tomorrow.

6/18/12 - Just to compare the growth


7/3/12

[KenRC51]

Just another update I added more stones and my Ludwig and Rotalas. I also put my feeding dish bought from NeoShrimp.







Here is the picture when I first set it up just for some growth comparison.
6/13/12 - Almost a month already, it felt like I had this longer than that. I guess when your waiting to flood the tank time passes slower.

[KenRC51]

Here is another mini update. I don't know if anyone is still looking but I like to keep record for myself to see how much it has grown even if its a few days ago. These were taken today 07/09/12.

[Vermino]

definitely have a stone pop out of the tank if you can.. it really brings out that 3rd dimension.

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by Vermino

definitely have a stone pop out of the tank if you can.. it really brings out that 3rd dimension.

I have some more rocks but I sucks at hardscape. Where should I place them?

[Vermino]

that's a good question. You need to play around with your rocks and substrate. I do see you have your substrate grade up from front to back but you ever thought of different angles? maybe have it concave from both sides (so it grades down into a valley from the left and right side). Adding your rocks inward to give it that spire look.
[something like this (where you see the front rocks dug into the decline valley but sticking out like spear)]

That would be a "fantasy look" to your tank where your kind-of defying the laws of nature.

if you want to learn more about aqua-scaping there is an article here that runs your kind-of through the whole process but who says that is right? Also here is some inspiration tanks here from the top 200 layouts.

(take this with a grain of salt)
Right now your setup if the HC gets carpeted, your gonna have The Shire developed in your tank. the hardscape probably being completely covered up and just seeing the sides.

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by Vermino

that's a good question. You need to play around with your rocks and substrate. I do see you have your substrate grade up from front to back but you ever thought of different angles? maybe have it concave from both sides (so it grades down into a valley from the left and right side). Adding your rocks inward to give it that spire look.
[something like this (where you see the front rocks dug into the decline valley but sticking out like spear)]

That would be a "fantasy look" to your tank where your kind-of defying the laws of nature.

if you want to learn more about aqua-scaping there is an article here that runs your kind-of through the whole process but who says that is right? Also here is some inspiration tanks here from the top 200 layouts.

(take this with a grain of salt)
Right now your setup if the HC gets carpeted, your gonna have The Shire developed in your tank. the hardscape probably being completely covered up and just seeing the sides.

Thanks a lot, it a good time for me to arrange my tank before the HC starts to really carpet. I'll mess around with it tomorrow and post some photos up.

[KenRC51]

Quick update.

I can see tha HC growing in. I think in about 1-2 weeks I'll be flooding it. I also added some more stone. I need to take some better pictures of it.

[sayurasem]

Nice... Can't wait till its fully carpeted!