20H High Tech - First Planted Tank

[temple2101]

Current FTS (1/11/2013):



Well, I've been at this hobby for about 4 months now and have seen quite a change in my tank, so I figured it might be a good time to start a journal. The tank was started on 6/13/2012 and I can honestly say not a single plant I started with is still in the tank. I thought for sure I wanted a low tech tank, but within a month I realized my lighting choice put me at a crossroads: change my light or start CO2 and ferts. From there, a high tech tank was born. I've still got a ways to go to get this tank where I want it, I'm currently working on letting everything grow in to a point where I guess you could call it "Dutch" style.

Tank
- Standard 20H

Lighting
- ZooMed AquaSun Dual T5HO with 6500k and flora bulb (10 hours)
- Finnex Ray 2 (7,000k/10,000k) Replaced with AquaSun

CO2
- Dual Stage Airgas (Rebranded Victor) Regulator, Mouse Solenoid, Fabco NV-55 Needle Valve
- Cerges Reactor
- 5lb Tank

Dosing/Water Changes
- EI dosing Mon-Sat, 50% water changes on Sun

Filtration/Circulation
- Eheim 2213
- Hydor Koralia Nano 240

Substrate
- 20lbs Eco Complete
- 10lbs Black Sand

Hardscape
- Malaysian Driftwood

Flora
- Rotala colorata
- Ludwigia repens x arcuata
- Limnophilia aromatica
- Bacopa sp. Japan
- Blyxa japonica
- Staurogyne repens

Fauna
- Melanotaenia praecox (Praecox Rainbow)
- Paracheirodon innesi (Neon Tetra)
- Danio margaritatus (Celestial Pearl Danio)
- Otocinclus (Oto)
- Corydoras panda (Panda Cory)
- Caridina japonica (Amano Shrimp)
- Neocaridina heteropoda var. Fire Red (Fire Red Shrimp)

6/15/2012


6/22/2012


6/29/2012


8/6/2012


8/8/2012


10/13/2012


10/24/2012

[GMYukonon24s]

Nice setup! That's beautiful

[Barbgirl]

I have a twenty high with co2 as well and am considering EI, what is your dosing regime?

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

[Bluek24a4]

Awesome progress temple!

[Cokers]

Nice tank!

[temple2101]

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by Barbgirl

I have a twenty high with co2 as well and am considering EI, what is your dosing regime?

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

MWF - 1/16 tsp CSM+B
TuThSa - 1/8 tsp KNO3, 1/8 tsp K2SO4, 1/16 tsp KH2PO4

I also dose Excel daily.

I don't use a GH booster as my tap water is very hard.

Hope that helps!

[temple2101]

Been a couple months since I updated. Replaced the Bacopa sp. Japan with some Blyxa japonica. Here's the most recent shots:

12/13/2012 - Just before a big trim.



12/13/2012 - Post trim



1/11/2013 - Slowly growing back in



Doing the big trim was pretty nerve racking. Had never done one before, but I think my trimming practices prior were causing issues. Things are slowing growing in again and starting to look really good. Can't wait to see the tank a month from now.

[GMYukonon24s]

Beautiful tank!

[mitchfish9]

The simplicity is great! Amazing first planted tank!

[temple2101]

Thanks! Just wish I had the space to go bigger I've learned so much from this little tank I can't wait to move up to a 75+.

[manzpants92]

Great work!