[wheatiesl337]

Update #2 on 12/9/13.

The tank plan and design has been changed quite a bit since the dry start. I am running c02 on an EI regimen with auto-dosers. This is because that Rudger dude decided he had all these gadgets he wasn't going to be using anytime soon. I blame him.

Overall, things are going well. The moss really filled in nicely. I put some UG in during the dry start and moved the MM. I will probably move things around a bit more as the plants fill in, and I find a few additional things I am looking for.

I am surprised at how long the ADA amazonia leeches ammonia. I changed water out of the substrate a few times during the dry start, and I thought this would give me a good head start. However, I am in week 3-4 with frequent water changes and there is still detectable ammonia. I have a bit of algae, but I'm not surprised since there was no cleaning crew. The ammonia levels were finally low enough I felt comfortable dumping some amano shrimp in over the weekend. They have been doing a good job cleaning things up. Once the ammonia is down to 0, some horned nerites I have been saving for this tank will go in. With capped dirt substrates, I have never really had ammonia issues after a dry start, so this is a new experience for me.

I put in couple temporary Riparium Supply planters for a bit of extra help on the substrate leeching.

The e. cinerum and e. parkeri didn't really like the dry start that much, but have been perking up nicely since I flooded:

After spending some time looking dead, the moss really exploded during the dry start. Amano moss method is the way to go. It has slowed down since flooding, but I am having to trim it regularly.

 

[wheatiesl337]

Reserved for update #3.

 

[wheatiesl337]

Reserved for update #4

 

[wheatiesl337]

Reserved for update #5.

 

[Psiorian]

Awesome setup! I'm subscribed!

What is that fog? Humidifier?

 

[wheatiesl337]

Yes, the fog is from a hyper-sonic fogger. I have it on a timer for humidity during the dry start. Surprisingly, the fogger alone has not been enough for the peacock moss (it is good enough for the crypts). The moss didn't really start growing until I also misted directly with a spray bottle once or twice a day.

 

[talontsiawd]

I am interested in your sump. I have only seen a small number of sumps on planted tanks under 30ish gallons. How are you dealing with in/outflow?

 

[wheatiesl337]

I am interested in your sump. I have only seen a small number of sumps on planted tanks under 30ish gallons. How are you dealing with in/outflow?

You can see part of the in-flow to the sump in the top pictures. I will take better pictures of that and post. It's DIY bent acrylic modeled after the inflow seen here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showpost.php?p=3591601&postcount=1. I forget what that style is called. Outflow is a DIY acrylic spray-bar. I ran it empty for a couple weeks to make sure it works. Very pleased with it. I have the sump running in a closed loop right now to keep it cycled during the dry start.

 

[Rudger]

I think it is about time for you to be doing an update soon.

 

[wheatiesl337]

Update #2 posted above. Rudger is a bad influence.

I will be putting together a video and more complete set of photos, including of the sump, when the parameters stabilize.

 

[cbachmann]

You mentioned the amano moss method. What is that?

 

[wheatiesl337]

The "Amano moss method" involves chopping the moss to bits (like in cuisinart, but not slurry), then applying to rock or wood where it will grow in during a dry start. Others have discussed using the method on this forum as well.