New member, new tank

export! · 03-13-2013, 12:28 AM

I've dabbled with a 10gal before and even did a stint with pressurized CO2. That was around 4yrs ago. Now my daughter has shown some interest so I got *her* a new tank for her birthday (yeah - completely for her!) and got it rolling last weekend.

36gal bowfront, HOB+SunSun canister. 2x24W T5HO (Nova Exteme). Pressurized CO2. 3" of Eco-Complete. Dry ferts, macros and Plantex. I'm attempting PPS-Pro right now and watching my nitrate levels to try and get an idea of how much the plants are feeding.

I did my research, spent the dough and I'm hoping for the best.

The one thing I might have to address is my lighting. Right now I have two 12K tubes and I'm wondering if I might have more success with a 6500 mixed in.

I've started with some Cabomba, Amazon Sword, Hornwort, Micro Sword, a bit of Java Moss and something I cannot identify. I've attached a picture of the plant I cannot identify.

Looking for any tips or advice or ideas on things I might be doing right/wrong.

Thanks!

ray-the-pilot · 03-13-2013, 01:04 AM

The problem with PPS pro is that it doesn't require any water changes. This is just not good.
I've been doing a modified PPS plan for 5 years and I do 20% water changes per week.
I think you should accept that you will have to do at least a 7 gal water change per week.
Also 2x24 T5 lamps seem to be too low of an output for your tank. It is hard to say for sure since lamps are all different. If you have a meter, you should look for about 1000LUX or 25 PAR

Darkblade48 · 03-13-2013, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by export!

I've attached a picture of the plant I cannot identify.

Hemigraphis colorata; a non-aquatic plant.

export! · 03-13-2013, 03:29 AM

Geez, honestly - a non aquatic plant? Like the Petsmart Mondo grass? I'm surprised. I thought the place I bought it at was reliable.

R-T-P, I plan on doing 25% water changes no matter what. Hopefully this will work with my dosing regimen.

export! · 03-18-2013, 01:59 PM

I bought a shoal of fish to play among the plants. I believe these are juvenile X-Ray (Pristella) tetras?? They are keeping a tight formation but they've only been in the tank a day. Hopefully they will continue to hang out together.

The non-aquatic plant bunch I was sold, Hemigraphis colorata, is throwing down roots like crazy. I've read that they can do ok for maybe a month or two. Should I just keep an eye out for degradation or yank them now? I imagine I can find some red ludwigia fairly easily. That would give me the red colours I was looking for.

03-13-2013, 12:28 AM	#1
export! Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 3	New member, new tank I've dabbled with a 10gal before and even did a stint with pressurized CO2. That was around 4yrs ago. Now my daughter has shown some interest so I got her a new tank for her birthday (yeah - completely for her!) and got it rolling last weekend. 36gal bowfront, HOB+SunSun canister. 2x24W T5HO (Nova Exteme). Pressurized CO2. 3" of Eco-Complete. Dry ferts, macros and Plantex. I'm attempting PPS-Pro right now and watching my nitrate levels to try and get an idea of how much the plants are feeding. I did my research, spent the dough and I'm hoping for the best. The one thing I might have to address is my lighting. Right now I have two 12K tubes and I'm wondering if I might have more success with a 6500 mixed in. I've started with some Cabomba, Amazon Sword, Hornwort, Micro Sword, a bit of Java Moss and something I cannot identify. I've attached a picture of the plant I cannot identify. Looking for any tips or advice or ideas on things I might be doing right/wrong. Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

03-13-2013, 01:04 AM	#2
ray-the-pilot Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 127	The problem with PPS pro is that it doesn't require any water changes. This is just not good. I've been doing a modified PPS plan for 5 years and I do 20% water changes per week. I think you should accept that you will have to do at least a 7 gal water change per week. Also 2x24 T5 lamps seem to be too low of an output for your tank. It is hard to say for sure since lamps are all different. If you have a meter, you should look for about 1000LUX or 25 PAR __________________ If you play with chemicals you should know some chemisty.

03-18-2013, 01:59 PM	#5
export! Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 3	I bought a shoal of fish to play among the plants. I believe these are juvenile X-Ray (Pristella) tetras?? They are keeping a tight formation but they've only been in the tank a day. Hopefully they will continue to hang out together. The non-aquatic plant bunch I was sold, Hemigraphis colorata, is throwing down roots like crazy. I've read that they can do ok for maybe a month or two. Should I just keep an eye out for degradation or yank them now? I imagine I can find some red ludwigia fairly easily. That would give me the red colours I was looking for. Attached Thumbnails

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03-13-2013, 03:29 AM	#4
export! Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 3	Geez, honestly - a non aquatic plant? Like the Petsmart Mondo grass? I'm surprised. I thought the place I bought it at was reliable. R-T-P, I plan on doing 25% water changes no matter what. Hopefully this will work with my dosing regimen.