[Dragonxflare]

This is my first low tech tank that I've done that wasn't using Co2, hopefully all goes well.

Equipment:
Tank: ADA 60p (17 gallons)
Filter: Eheim 2215 with Lily Pipe return and inflow
Heater: Hydor 200 watt inline heater
Substrate: 8L SL-Aqua Nature Soil
Lights: Twinsar 600e with Dimmer
Complete Apex monitoring system

Parameters

PH: 5.8-6
Temp: 69-70 f
KH: 0-1
GH: 4
TDS: 81 (still cycling I will up this before shrimps get in)

Plants:
Christmas Moss
Flame Moss
Staurogyne repens
Fissidens fontanus (coming soon)

So far everything has been quite stable, and just waiting for the cycling to finish before I add some PRL Shrimp in this tank.

 

[The Dude1]

Could you share specs and any info on the Apex system? I need to put something together to run my 265. Will it run lights, heater, C02, and dosing pumps? I'm hoping for an all in one system so I don't need to run all the big timers and everything seperately.

 

[SKYE.__.HIGH]

Love the scape, really love it. The one pointer is unorganize the rocks Behind the sand and break little pieces and soften that line. Other than that I am exited once this guy fills out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dragonxflare]

Could you share specs and any info on the Apex system? I need to put something together to run my 265. Will it run lights, heater, C02, and dosing pumps? I'm hoping for an all in one system so I don't need to run all the big timers and everything seperately.

Hey,

Apex system is a all in one system, and can be used for PH and temp monitoring (you can monitor more stuff as well, but i use for these 2), will run a timer as well.

You can use "If" statements... such as.... "If temp < 70f turn heater on" and if its above, leave it off. same with PH and co2 dosing. "If PH drops below X, turn off" etc etc.

For lights: I use "If time is XX to XX turn on" this way, any other time outside of that frame, it will be off.

as far as dosing pumps go, you can use it... but I am not sure how you would want it to be used? Want it on a timer? etc etc.

Also this can be monitored on any browser, so you can always check up on your tank when you want / where you want. It's a great overall system. I use to use it for my reef tank but ended up tearing it down, so I use it on this now.

Bump:

Love the scape, really love it. The one pointer is unorganize the rocks Behind the sand and break little pieces and soften that line. Other than that I am exited once this guy fills out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you,

I will move stuff around a bit and see how it looks!

 

[Dragonxflare]

Probably won't do much, but for $5, figured it couldn't hurt. MK Breed Life balls came in today! Will be placing in the tank soon

 

[Dragonxflare]

Time to add some shrimp!

I was able to pick up 12x Ellen Wang PRL E2 Crystal Red Shrimps today from Joe's Aquarium. Looking great!

 

[NueoK]

Looking great! Surprised someone using an apex on a planted tank, and not a bad idea! I have the full apex system on my reef and it does wonders. Maybe I’ll borrow just the ph probe

Can you share some pic of your power supply for your 600e and the dimmer you setup?

BTW great looking tank

 

[Dragonxflare]

@NueoK Thanks! I use to have a reef tank, and recently took it down. Figured I'll use the Apex system to do my lighting, heating, and monitoring for it.

As far as the dimmer set up, I just used a simple In-line passive dimmer suggested by Twinstar. I posted a picture here:

Also, any of the following links are proven to work (according to Twinstar)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GDIXYGU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M7TGZ9B/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[NueoK]

@NueoK Thanks! I use to have a reef tank, and recently took it down. Figured I'll use the Apex system to do my lighting, heating, and monitoring for it.

As far as the dimmer set up, I just used a simple In-line passive dimmer suggested by Twinstar. I posted a picture here:

Also, any of the following links are proven to work (according to Twinstar)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GDIXYGU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M7TGZ9B/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for that, do you have the power brick info? Im basically looking for the specs on the power supply to see if they match up with the Aquasky.

 

[Dragonxflare]

Thanks for that, do you have the power brick info? Im basically looking for the specs on the power supply to see if they match up with the Aquasky.

If I can remember correctly, they are different, but from what I read on other forums, a simple inline would work. But here is a picture of my power brick

 

[NueoK]

Thanks for posting that. It seems our lights work slightly differently and a simple dimmer wont work At least not properly...

I have a constant power supply, it runs at a higher voltage at 30-36v and is pushing steady 1.5amps. Your light is the other way it maintains a constant 12v which typically LED's want.

 

[Dragonxflare]

Thanks for posting that. It seems our lights work slightly differently and a simple dimmer wont work At least not properly...

I have a constant power supply, it runs at a higher voltage at 30-36v and is pushing steady 1.5amps. Your light is the other way it maintains a constant 12v which typically LED's want.

I remember reading about your light on some UK fish forum, that they were able to get it working with a dimmer. I would try and google that, to see.

 

[Dragonxflare]

Tank recently finished cycling with the following parameters:

PH: 6.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate 5-10ppm
GH: 4
KH: 0
Temp: 73-74


My girlfriend got me another 20 PRL Crystal shrimps, and was added in last night after 3 hour drip. Woke up this morning, and loss 1, and the others are semi active, but not all of them.

Anyone know if there might be something else wrong? Or just taking time to acclimate to the new tank?

 

[zenster]

Hey OP, aren't you Memphis118 over at The Shrimp Spot?

Are those 20 prl crystals also Ellen Wang E2's like your first batch?

 

[Dragonxflare]

Hey OP, aren't you Memphis118 over at The Shrimp Spot?

Are those 20 prl crystals also Ellen Wang E2's like your first batch?

Yeah they are. Joe from Joe's aquarium restocked so we went over and picked it up. His store / operations is like 2 miles from where I live so it's convenient for me.

 

[zenster]

Yeah they are. Joe from Joe's aquarium restocked so we went over and picked it up. His store / operations is like 2 miles from where I live so it's convenient for me.

Did he restock with a lot of E2's? Are they mostly juvies? I'm thinking about ordering some from him.

 

[Dragonxflare]

Did he restock with a lot of E2's? Are they mostly juvies? I'm thinking about ordering some from him.

I can't say if he restocked a lot, but it shows that he has a good amount. How many were you thinking on picking up? Also, heres a picture when I was acclimating them, it's not the best, but you can see the size of the.

 

[zenster]

^
Thanks for the photo. Did you get to pick out the ones you like? I placed an order for 20. Hopefully he can ship out today.

Do you know what parameters the E2's were bred in?

 

[Dragonxflare]

^
Thanks for the photo. Did you get to pick out the ones you like? I placed an order for 20. Hopefully he can ship out today.

Do you know what parameters the E2's were bred in?

Nah, he just picked out 20 for me.

I didn't test KH/GH, was too lazy, but the TDS out of the bag was around 180. Since my tank hovers around 140-150, i slow dripped for them about 3 hours to get it to around 155-160 before putting them into my tank. Only lost one, so overall, not so bad. I continue to monitor them for a few days to see how they are doing

 

[zenster]

Nah, he just picked out 20 for me.

I didn't test KH/GH, was too lazy, but the TDS out of the bag was around 180. Since my tank hovers around 140-150, i slow dripped for them about 3 hours to get it to around 155-160 before putting them into my tank. Only lost one, so overall, not so bad. I continue to monitor them for a few days to see how they are doing

180 seems high for PRL's. Did he put anything in the water (for transportation purposes) that might have increased the TDS? I'll be getting my E2's tomorrow morning providing no issues at customs. I'll test out the TDS, KH/GH and pH of Joe's E2 water tomorrow.