CryptKeepers 75gal MTS/Clay Loam*Updated Pics *5/30/10* Last Page

[Green Leaf Aquariums]

Yeah 3 months is great, you will have a nice thick jungle. You can then trim and prune to your desired look. Can t wait to see this gem all grown out.

[TheCryptKeeper]

I think so too! when I go to prune.. I should take the top clippings and plant them right? or should I just leave the rooted part there and let it grow the top back? I thought I read where you clip and plant the top nice looking part

[BiscuitSlayer]

If you want to fill in gaps quickly, you can do both. On some stems, you can also let them sit horizontally on the bottom of the tank and they will send out new shoots from the sides of the stems.

[TheCryptKeeper]

didn't know that! I might have to do that.. or at least try...

I am using seachem flourish once or twice a week.. I also have api leaf zone that I use from time to time. I also use flourish plant tabs in the substrate.. I put about 10 tabs throughout the substrate when I first planted the tank yesterday.. it has only been up for about 24hrs now.. so I will have to figure out alot as I go

[BiscuitSlayer]

OK, I thought that this might be the case. You are probably going to want to buy some dry ferts online which wind up being much cheaper than liquid ferts of the same kind. The Flourish (comprehensive?) is good for your micro nutrients, but you might also want to get some Iron as well (to be dosed on the same days).

You will also want to buy the dry ferts I was talking about. Since you are running a high tech tank with high light, you are going to need to dose NPK (nitrates, phosphates, and potassium) into the water column. Read the following thread as it has some very useful information about dosing regimes:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/wa...-regimes_.html

I dose macros 3 days a week, micros the opposite 3 days from macros, and one day of rest (no ferts) the day before I do a %50 water change. This whole process is centered around the Estimative Index (EI) method.

Here are the links to where you can buy the ferts:

http://aquariumfertilizer.com/Store.php
http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/ferts.html

Personally, I would buy:

2lbs of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) for N
2lbs of Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4) for K
1lb of Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4) for dosing P

[TheCryptKeeper]

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

OK, I thought that this might be the case. You are probably going to want to buy some dry ferts online which wind up being much cheaper than liquid ferts of the same kind. The Flourish (comprehensive?) is good for your micro nutrients, but you might also want to get some Iron as well (to be dosed on the same days).

You will also want to buy the dry ferts I was talking about. Since you are running a high tech tank with high light, you are going to need to dose NPK (nitrates, phosphates, and potassium) into the water column. Read the following thread as it has some very useful information about dosing regimes:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/wa...-regimes_.html

I dose macros 3 days a week, micros the opposite 3 days from macros, and one day of rest (no ferts) the day before I do a %50 water change. This whole process is centered around the Estimative Index (EI) method.

Here are the links to where you can buy the ferts:

http://aquariumfertilizer.com/Store.php
http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/ferts.html

Personally, I would buy:

2lbs of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) for N
2lbs of Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4) for K
1lb of Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4) for dosing P

ok.. I ordered the ones that you recommended.. not to sound stupid.. ok too late! but which ones of those are micros and macros?

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by pwrmacG4

ok.. I ordered the ones that you recommended.. not to sound stupid.. ok too late! but which ones of those are micros and macros?

Micros are in the Flourish Comprehensive or Plantex CSM+B.

Macros are the NPK that I mentioned.

[TheCryptKeeper]

so the flourish liquid is the micros.. and the dry ferts that I bought are the macros.

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by pwrmacG4

so the flourish liquid is the micros.. and the dry ferts that I bought are the macros.

You got it! That sticky on the dosing regime is definately worth a read. Just remember that it is estimative, so you might have to adjust the amounts to fit YOUR needs.

I tend to dose equal amounts of potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate because my plants chew through them like there is no tomorrow. With the amount of light your running, I would imagine this might be the case for you. It will atleast give you a good starting point with regards to amounts though.

On another note, how long is your photo period? Reason I ask is because it looks like the sun is sitting about 3 inches from the waterline with that fixture you got ...

[TheCryptKeeper]

I have them set up for 9hrs as of right now.. I am thinking about have only one of them come on for the first few hrs.. then both running for the next 5 and then back to the one for the last 2.. try to duplicate sunrise and sunset? what do you think?

[BiscuitSlayer]

Not a bad idea. I was initially concerned that you might be running them for a longer period, but 9 hours is a good starting period. Running them as you stated might give you some different looks that would be cool. Worth a shot.

I am building a stand and canopy for a 75/90 that I will be getting soon. I was planing on getting 6 X 55W PC lights from http://ahsupply.com . My plan was to have a front row of either 6700K, a middle row of actinics (for dawn/dusk effects and fish colors) and a back row of 10000K. It never even occured to me to have the different rows cycle on or off to acheive different light levels. Good idea!

[TheCryptKeeper]

thanks! I think it is good to try to duplicate nature as much as possible. I set the lights that way today.. if you have all the lights just come on all of a sudden *boom* the duplication of midday sun. that isn't natural. I actually have my old light from my 29gal that I might use.. have it come on for an hr.. the the others the way I said before. the plants look like they are growing already.

[Craigthor]

Looks great my 75 is now unplanted thanks to my fish

[TheCryptKeeper]

what happened? they uproot everything?

[TheCryptKeeper]

here are a few update pics with the new black background installed.. how does it look now? the ulvaceous bulb has already grown some!