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70 Gallon Dutch-Inspired

31K views 131 replies 37 participants last post by  Phil Edwards 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi,
This is my first topic in TPT.
I've been lurking around for quite a while and learn a lot from other people's journals. So I guess it's time to start my journal and share my experience.
Comment and criticism are welcomed :grin2:.

Started the tank around the end of March 2020 to celebrate my second year in the hobby.

Some details:

Tank acrylic 40"x24"x18", 70gal

CO2: inline diffuser. About 1.3-1.5ph drop.

Filtration:
Left size: 2x ehiem 2213 (in serial) --> Left spraybar, eheim 2227 wet/dry --> nozzle.
Right size: eheim 2217 & Hydor prof 250 --> Right spraybar
2x Eheim surface skimmer 350
Filters are filled with bio balls and foam.
It's crazily overfiltration but I have many spare filters from previous setups lol

Fertilization:
Macro dosed twice a week, right after the water change.
Micro dosed daily

N: 18.74ppm x2
P: 7.24ppm x2
K: 27.49ppm x2
Ca: 16.64ppm x2
Mg: 3.08ppm x2
Fe: 0.15 x7 (about 1ppm weekly)

Water change: 80%-90%, on Wednesday and Saturday morning, right before CO2 on.
Tap water ~2dGH, ~1dKH

Lighting:
ONF Flat one 36" (90W)
Two WRGB led bars (50W each)
PAR unknown.

========================
November 12, 20202

https://flic.kr/p/2k5DxFK
https://flic.kr/p/2k5HQYg

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August 07, 20202

https://flic.kr/p/2juYJV9

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July 22, 2020
https://flic.kr/p/2jv6sfq

https://flic.kr/p/2jv53Bz

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May 19, 2020

https://flic.kr/p/2jv2txE

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April 15, 2020 - Making moss wall
https://flic.kr/p/2jv2yXx

The coral moss is tied to a 2"x2" plastics mesh and then sticked to the tank wall using a suction cup.
https://flic.kr/p/2jv5gM7

========================
April 10, 2020 - Making buce wall
https://flic.kr/p/2jv5dyP

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March 28, 2020 - Setting up

https://flic.kr/p/2jv2gox

Little helper
https://flic.kr/p/2jv2gkX

Right after planting
https://flic.kr/p/2juYzuk
 
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12
#5 · (Edited)
Thanks!
Yes, I'm living in Japan ATM.
The soil is quite nice and cheap. Low in nutrient though. I often use it (in powder form) to cover ADA aquasoil.
I think it's quite popular in Europe too. Saw some stores in Hungary promoting this aquasoil.

Bump:
Beautiful! I like the dimensions of the tank. You have used the 24" depth very effectively.
Thanks!
24" gives lots more space to create depth. I've had 18" tank and found it's difficult to add midground groups without feeling cramped.
 
#11 ·
Thank you!

A beautiful piece of art!! Is the wall a collection of those 2x2 meshes?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Yes, they're all 2x2" meshes. As the moss grows in, you can't see the boundaries between the meshes. This way, I can change the size and shape of the moss wall easily.

You're new to this? Wow just wow. It's beautiful.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Thanks!
Yes, compared to many others here, I'm pretty new to the hobby. This is my second year. I still have a lot to learn :nerd:.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Thanks. I use CSM+B for Fe and trace.

Bump: Checked the moss tile yesterday. They're all brown and dead underneath...

This probably due to the lack of trimming, or maybe the bad quality moss (small, chopped up pieces) that I used to make the tiles. I though they would fuse together after awhile.

Strongly suspect the later reason as this never happened before, when I use big chunks of moss.
Coral moss can grow really thick without any problems. (see image below)


Decided to remake the wall.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Redid the Lud. sp. red today.

Right after the trimming
https://flic.kr/p/2jx4REQ

After the replanting
https://flic.kr/p/2jx8dV2

Fishes have been acting weird last few days. Hiding and not eating well. Signs of too much co2. Probably due to the remaking of moss walls.
This was also previously observed by burr. Moss wall probably acts as a co2 sponge.
 
#31 ·
Look what the cat dragged in!


48" 10-bulbs-fixture from KZ. Made in Germoney! Brandnew and at a bargain price.

Decided to abandon all my LED and move to T5.
I blame all the nice journals here for this >:)



Absolutely gorgeous tank. Definitely subscribing




Care to elaborate on the switch from LED to T5? I've been in the hobby for a while, but I've just recently been expanding my online resources!
 
#33 ·
The bulbs are here!

From left to right:
1. Giesemann Aquaflora
2. Giesemann Aquaflora
3. Giesemann Aquapink
4. 2700K
5. PowerVeg 660
6. Giesemann Actinic plus
7. Giesemann Midday
8. Giesemann Aquapink
9. Giesemann Aquaflora
10. Giesemann Aquaflora

All bulbs ON

The color saturation is INSANE!
 
#36 ·
Very interesting to see the T5's over the tank. Most don't realize that most of the best Dutch style tanks in the world use T5.

Stunning picture with excellent color separation.

Of course, helps to start with good subject matter, and you have got that covered.

Wonderful tank. Looking forward to seeing what if any other differences you notice.
 
#38 ·
Thanks.
I'm just following the steps of the masters >:). Switching to T5 is inevitable >:)
Need to see how the plants react to the new light. I'm worrying the intensity could be too high.

Been growing very nice looking rotala mac variegated and sunset in the farm tank. The Rotala sunset is almost triple in size.
https://flic.kr/p/2jBKCwB
https://flic.kr/p/2jBPLzw

Seriously thinking about using the Mac Variegated in the display tank. Just need some more time to master the plant and their habits. Due to their leaves size and stunning neon color, they could be used as a small midground group of a few plants, just to draw attention to their area.
Still, no idea how to use the sunset lol :grin2:

Bump:
Amazing tank and the new lights bring out all of the color. Well done!

I notice you incorporated some hair grass. Is it E. vivipara or E. acicularis?
Thanks.
Not a hair grass.
It's the Eriocaulon sp. feather duster.
 
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