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37 Posts
H20's First Planted Nano - 15G
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Joined
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37 Posts
Aquarium Specs
~ 15 Gallon Glass 2’' x 1'’ x 1.5'’ (L x W x H)
Hardscape // Substrate
~ 2x Small Malaysian Driftwood
~ Bottom level – Eco-Complete Dark (20lbs)
~ Top level – Flourite Dark (10lbs)
Flora
~ 2x Anubis Nana (driftwood)
~ 3x Java Fern Narrowleaf (driftwood)
Fauna
~ 1x Betta * Male * Halfmoon (unknown age)
~ 2x Snails * Nerite & Mystery
Equipment
~ 1x Aquaclear 30 HOB Filter (foam insert, activated carbon insert, Bio-max insert) (DIY Filter Baffle)
~ 1x Fluval M150 Submersible Heater
~ 1x Marina LCD Thermometer
Lighting // CO2 // Ferts
~ 1x Zoo Med Tropic Sun 5500K F15T8 (15W) Fluorescent Light
~ 1x Zoo Med Flora Sun 5000K F17T8 (17W) Fluorescent Light
~ Seachem Flourish Excel (2 mL)
(Working on pressurized CO2 setup)
(UPDATED) 09/30/11
~ 15 Gallon Glass 2’' x 1'’ x 1.5'’ (L x W x H)
Hardscape // Substrate
~ 2x Small Malaysian Driftwood
~ Bottom level – Eco-Complete Dark (20lbs)
~ Top level – Flourite Dark (10lbs)
Flora
~ 2x Anubis Nana (driftwood)
~ 3x Java Fern Narrowleaf (driftwood)
Fauna
~ 1x Betta * Male * Halfmoon (unknown age)
~ 2x Snails * Nerite & Mystery
Equipment
~ 1x Aquaclear 30 HOB Filter (foam insert, activated carbon insert, Bio-max insert) (DIY Filter Baffle)
~ 1x Fluval M150 Submersible Heater
~ 1x Marina LCD Thermometer
Lighting // CO2 // Ferts
~ 1x Zoo Med Tropic Sun 5500K F15T8 (15W) Fluorescent Light
~ 1x Zoo Med Flora Sun 5000K F17T8 (17W) Fluorescent Light
~ Seachem Flourish Excel (2 mL)
(Working on pressurized CO2 setup)
(UPDATED) 09/30/11
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37 Posts
(The flash was on in all three of those pictures, if it would be better to do so without the flash, please let me know)
Has so far been cycling for almost 2 weeks. Nitrites and nitrates are still relatively high...awaiting the end of this week (Week 2) to gather results again from LFS...
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451 Posts
Looks like you're on your way!![]()
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(The flash was on in all three of those pictures, if it would be better to do so without the flash, please let me know)
Has so far been cycling for almost 2 weeks. Nitrites and nitrates are still relatively high...awaiting the end of this week (Week 2) to gather results again from LFS...
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37 Posts
Thanks!
I'm really hoping that the next round (week 2) of water tests show lower levels of nitrite and nitrate (more so nitrite than anything). I'm almost on the brink of donating my Halfmoon Betta (Male) to my LFS until this tank has cycled, I can't stand watching him swim around in his little 1G holding tank. (He's already been in there for 2 weeks) :icon_cry::icon_cry::icon_cry:Also, the water is a bit murky since I just recently (lastnight) re-scaped the driftwood in order to accommodate the plants better, thus stirring up the Flourite Dark just a tad bit.
Comments welcome and encouraged!
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37 Posts
Survey Says..........
LFS Test Results for Week 2 of cycling:
-Ammonia: 0 ppm
-Nitrite: 0 ppm
-Nitrate: 5-10 ppm
Looks like it took this tank about 2-2 1/2 weeks to fully cycle. :hihi::hihi::hihi:
When I got home, for some odd reason, I could not remember what the LFS told me the pH reading was (I know, I'm dumb). So I went and bought some distilled water (~7 pH) and took out a fresh sample of this tank's water.
Went over to the neighbors and borrowed some test strips (I know they aren't as accurate, but I couldn't keep watching my Siamese fighting fish swim around in a 1G holding tank). In addition to testing these 2 water samples, I also took a water sample of the holding tank as my betta had been swimming around seemingly happily (and I emphasis seemingly) for around 2 weeks while this 15G cycled.
Here are the results:
Distilled Water: ~7.2
1G Holding Tank: ~7.4
15G Cycled Tank: ~7.3
With slight hesitation, but much excitement, I acclimated the betta....
At the time of this post, he will have been inside the 15G cycled tank for around 40 minutes. So far, so good, but time will tell...
And if by tomorrow afternoon time, Derp the Halfmoon Betta is alive and well, I'll post pictures to showcase. Stay tuned!!! :icon_smil
LFS Test Results for Week 2 of cycling:
-Ammonia: 0 ppm
-Nitrite: 0 ppm
-Nitrate: 5-10 ppm
Looks like it took this tank about 2-2 1/2 weeks to fully cycle. :hihi::hihi::hihi:
When I got home, for some odd reason, I could not remember what the LFS told me the pH reading was (I know, I'm dumb). So I went and bought some distilled water (~7 pH) and took out a fresh sample of this tank's water.
Went over to the neighbors and borrowed some test strips (I know they aren't as accurate, but I couldn't keep watching my Siamese fighting fish swim around in a 1G holding tank). In addition to testing these 2 water samples, I also took a water sample of the holding tank as my betta had been swimming around seemingly happily (and I emphasis seemingly) for around 2 weeks while this 15G cycled.
Here are the results:
Distilled Water: ~7.2
1G Holding Tank: ~7.4
15G Cycled Tank: ~7.3
With slight hesitation, but much excitement, I acclimated the betta....
At the time of this post, he will have been inside the 15G cycled tank for around 40 minutes. So far, so good, but time will tell...
And if by tomorrow afternoon time, Derp the Halfmoon Betta is alive and well, I'll post pictures to showcase. Stay tuned!!! :icon_smil
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54 Posts
No, actually. They can survive in small puddles of water due to seasonal change, it's true...but that doesn't justify smashing them into a half a gallon bowl. Their native habitat features temperatures around 80 degrees, you can't possibly fit a heater in a tiny bowl. Also, filtration is a key issue.
I'm very against putting bettas in tiny bowls. They get bored in there with nothing to do. My betta loves exploring up and around plants, looking at different things, chasing little organisms.
I'm very against putting bettas in tiny bowls. They get bored in there with nothing to do. My betta loves exploring up and around plants, looking at different things, chasing little organisms.
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37 Posts
CO2 is a go!!!
As of this post, my DIY C02 mixture is producing an average of 1 bps. Each little bubble travels through the intake, and an audible noise can be heard as the bubble hits the impeller and almost 'fizzes'.
I decided to order a drop checker kit lasnight. Hopefully that handy piece of equipment will show up on my doorstep in the next 2 weeks.
Derp seems to be doing just fine, so that's good as well.
Hopefully there will be something worth reporting in the upcoming days! :hihi:
As of this post, my DIY C02 mixture is producing an average of 1 bps. Each little bubble travels through the intake, and an audible noise can be heard as the bubble hits the impeller and almost 'fizzes'.
I decided to order a drop checker kit lasnight. Hopefully that handy piece of equipment will show up on my doorstep in the next 2 weeks.
Derp seems to be doing just fine, so that's good as well.
Hopefully there will be something worth reporting in the upcoming days! :hihi:
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342 Posts
i would transfer that mix to a gallon.. too much pressure in that 1L or 1.5L could potentially cause a disaster..
i would suggest checking out the swap and shop and the powersellers thread.. it will help you a lot.. most of the stuff there is cheap or at reasonable price..
i would suggest checking out the swap and shop and the powersellers thread.. it will help you a lot.. most of the stuff there is cheap or at reasonable price..
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37 Posts
Thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup:
I got to thinking about it, but it seems as if the mixture has lost a tad bit of it's initial start-up pressure, and now produces at a rate closer to .5 bps (or 1 bubble every ~2 seconds). Suffice to say, I think I'll take the risk this time around, and see how it goes, only due to the decrease in operating pressure.
However, if I notice a sudden increase over the current rate, then I will definitely switch over to a larger container to keep from any potential mishaps.
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37 Posts
So today I wandered into one of my LFS with the intention of checking out their livestock, see what cool things they have, just a normal trip (they had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL, I mean, I stopped to watch it for 15-20 minutes, Zebra Mantis Shrimp. A very unique color pattern compared to a normal Peacock Mantis Shrimp. Wish I had taken photos...)
Ended up leaving with some neat goodies! :hihi::hihi::hihi:
First off, since I wasn't feeling too good about the current DIY CO2 setup I had been trying, I decided to up the ante just a tad bit and not only make the mixture more intense (I know this means more frequent changes), but also try and employ a small size ceramic/glass diffuser with this setup.
I decided to go with the Mr. Aqua Small diffuser. Unfortunately my dumb ass stepped on the glass J-hook that came with it, so now I just run a fat line of airline tubing up and over the rim of the aquarium. :icon_redf
In order to hopefully pump ample pressure through the ceramic disc, I revamped my DIY system as well as the mix.
I am now running the current setup:
~ 2x 2L Club-soda Bottles (w/ DIY bubble counter)
~ 1x Airwhist Check-valve (bubble counter-->valve-->diffuser)
~ 1x Mr. Aqua Small Glass Diffuser
I am running the current mix:
~ 1/2 tsp Red Star Yeast
~ 1/2 tsp Arm-n'-Hammer Pure Baking Soda
~ 2 cups Sugar I Found In Pantry :tongue:
I will post results as soon as they show.
In addition to this, I decided to up the lighting as well. I was previously running a single 18" F15T8 Zoo Med Tropic Sun, and decided to try and up my watts per gallon from 1wpg to ~2wpg.
What I ended up doing is buying another separate fixture mounted parallel with the existing one, running a 24" F17T8 Zoo Med Flora Sun. The result, if my amateur calculations are correct, is ~2.1wpg, which is around the neighborhood of being a Medium Light setup (what I was aiming for).
Pics in next post! :fish:
)Ended up leaving with some neat goodies! :hihi::hihi::hihi:
First off, since I wasn't feeling too good about the current DIY CO2 setup I had been trying, I decided to up the ante just a tad bit and not only make the mixture more intense (I know this means more frequent changes), but also try and employ a small size ceramic/glass diffuser with this setup.
I decided to go with the Mr. Aqua Small diffuser. Unfortunately my dumb ass stepped on the glass J-hook that came with it, so now I just run a fat line of airline tubing up and over the rim of the aquarium. :icon_redf
In order to hopefully pump ample pressure through the ceramic disc, I revamped my DIY system as well as the mix.
I am now running the current setup:
~ 2x 2L Club-soda Bottles (w/ DIY bubble counter)
~ 1x Airwhist Check-valve (bubble counter-->valve-->diffuser)
~ 1x Mr. Aqua Small Glass Diffuser
I am running the current mix:
~ 1/2 tsp Red Star Yeast
~ 1/2 tsp Arm-n'-Hammer Pure Baking Soda
~ 2 cups Sugar I Found In Pantry :tongue:
I will post results as soon as they show.
In addition to this, I decided to up the lighting as well. I was previously running a single 18" F15T8 Zoo Med Tropic Sun, and decided to try and up my watts per gallon from 1wpg to ~2wpg.
What I ended up doing is buying another separate fixture mounted parallel with the existing one, running a 24" F17T8 Zoo Med Flora Sun. The result, if my amateur calculations are correct, is ~2.1wpg, which is around the neighborhood of being a Medium Light setup (what I was aiming for).
Pics in next post! :fish:
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37 Posts
That's my ultimate goal, it's just a matter of money (I basically spent this round of funds on the new lighting/fauna). In fact, I know there is a member that sells complete setups for around $55 I think...? so I'll be going there as soon as money permits.
So that's the route I'll go eventually as far as CO2 injection. Hoping within the next month or so. (Fingers crossed!)
Joined
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37 Posts
CO2 Leak...
Damn, I should've seen this coming...
Unlike the previous CO2 setup, the current double 2L CO2 has sprung a leak, and production rate has remained at a steady .5bps...
Now, my first (and rather silly) thought was that this production would inevitably build pressure and force it through the diffuser. Then, I decided to bang my head against a wall when I remembered the simple movement of high/low pressure substances...
What this means, is that the pressure produced from the second inline bottle is split (x and y being variable): x% pressure goes out through the leak, y% pressure goes into the bubble counter, therefore creating the aforementioned illusion of pressure constantly being built up into the bubble counter (x% pressure is, in actuality, escaping through the leak).
In conclusion, it's time to nut up and go for pressurized CO2.
Be on the lookout for another update soon with a paintball CO2 setup!!! :hihi::hihi::hihi:
Damn, I should've seen this coming...
Unlike the previous CO2 setup, the current double 2L CO2 has sprung a leak, and production rate has remained at a steady .5bps...
Now, my first (and rather silly) thought was that this production would inevitably build pressure and force it through the diffuser. Then, I decided to bang my head against a wall when I remembered the simple movement of high/low pressure substances...
What this means, is that the pressure produced from the second inline bottle is split (x and y being variable): x% pressure goes out through the leak, y% pressure goes into the bubble counter, therefore creating the aforementioned illusion of pressure constantly being built up into the bubble counter (x% pressure is, in actuality, escaping through the leak).
In conclusion, it's time to nut up and go for pressurized CO2.
Be on the lookout for another update soon with a paintball CO2 setup!!! :hihi::hihi::hihi:
Joined
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37 Posts
Alright, well, trying to work out some issues I'm having with the pressurized CO2 route...
(dreamt_01, PM responded)
But besides that, I must say...
The flora in the tank have been doing extraordinarily well as of late! (Maybe 10-12 days?)
Nice, lush green colors, broad leaves, and growth towards light instead of drooping...definitely time for an updated FTS soon!
(dreamt_01, PM responded)
But besides that, I must say...
The flora in the tank have been doing extraordinarily well as of late! (Maybe 10-12 days?)
Nice, lush green colors, broad leaves, and growth towards light instead of drooping...definitely time for an updated FTS soon!
Joined
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37 Posts
Gave the tank glass and Aquaclear 30 a nice clean and another vacuum/30% WC today. Ran my Tetra Whisper 40 w/ polyfiber again for several hours. Water is almost spotless now. I'll repeat this cleaning again in a few days, then post up a new FTS.
Almost worked all out the kinks in my CO2 system. Only leak now is at the gauge/ASA valve threads.
Using a different needle valve too.
- Downisde, it doesn't turn down to 0psi, runs at what I assume to be ~5psi when ASA valve is fully on (~900psi).
- Upside, adjusts WAY better than the other one I was using. Much more fine tuning available. No brand on it though, wish I knew what type it was.
I'm absolutely convinced that if I was running a DSR, this needle valve would work just fantastically.
I know it's dangerous running ~1000psi through any needle valve, I just don't have the funds for a regulator right this moment. Hoping to be able to pick one up next week or so.
Till then, fingers crossed...
Almost worked all out the kinks in my CO2 system. Only leak now is at the gauge/ASA valve threads.
Using a different needle valve too.
- Downisde, it doesn't turn down to 0psi, runs at what I assume to be ~5psi when ASA valve is fully on (~900psi).
- Upside, adjusts WAY better than the other one I was using. Much more fine tuning available. No brand on it though, wish I knew what type it was.
I'm absolutely convinced that if I was running a DSR, this needle valve would work just fantastically.
I know it's dangerous running ~1000psi through any needle valve, I just don't have the funds for a regulator right this moment. Hoping to be able to pick one up next week or so.
Till then, fingers crossed...
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