[CdoGG]

I just bought the soilmaster and the 2x65 light. I just got a few plants rights now. More to come.

 

[milkdud]

Looks good.

FYI, Just run one of the bulbs until you get a much larger mass of plants.
Algae will have a field day with your current lighting-to-plant ratio.

 

[uncskainch]

With that much light over 29 gallons, you'll probably want to start off with a lot more plants -- either stop by your LFS and stock up on inexpensive fast growing stem plants or post a note on the Swap and Shop here that you're looking for starter plants. Packing the tank with quick-growers will allow the tank to cycle more quickly and get you off to a good start.

What plans do you have for fertilization, CO2, and inhabitants? I'll look forward to seeing the tank grow in -- it looks like you're off to a good start!

 

[mrbelvedere]

You have some non-aquatic plants in there. Get more plants to avoid an algae bloom.

Not liking the rocks. Try for something more natural.

Do you have pressurized CO2? If not, you will soon have an algae mess with all that light. I suggest only running one for now.

Are you dosing fertilizer?

EDIT: Ninja posted!

 

[milkdud]

Is that mondo grass in there?

 

[mrbelvedere]

Is that mondo grass in there?

Sure is.

10 characters.

 

[CdoGG]

Wow thanks for all of the posts and feedback. I will shut down one of the lamps as directed.


I just setup a 3L DIY yeast bottle. I already have some java and Christmas moss on order from this forum.

As for ferts, I am just using some Flourish. I plan to order some of the other stuff this week. (EI)

I have a 90 gal down stairs that I will eventually go pressurize with. I just wanted to get started with plants and diy c02 on the smaller 29g.

I am still very new to all this so I am sure there is a lot for me to learn.

Chris

 

[CdoGG]

You have some non-aquatic plants in there. Get more plants to avoid an algae bloom.

Not liking the rocks. Try for something more natural.

Do you have pressurized CO2? If not, you will soon have an algae mess with all that light. I suggest only running one for now.

Are you dosing fertilizer?

EDIT: Ninja posted!

Is that mondo grass in there?

Yeah the rocks will probably go when I find better ones and some wood. I just needed to put something in there.


This all GREAT info for the new guy.

I turned one lamp off. Will leave off until I get more.

I did a lil search for Mando grass and it seems petco is a common offender on this, which they are who I got this yard grass from.

Here are some pics of the roots and my diy c02 already working after 4 hours. I used the sticky post for the mixture. I am getting a good steady pulse of bubbles. I got a glass diffuser on order.

 

[RESGuy]

Not a bad start. Good thing you take criticism well, it's good for you! Hopefully this tank will evolve into a beautiful planted tank

 

[dufus]

Looks like a good start.
that mondo grass is a great terrarium, pond, and walkway border plant. It can live under water for a long while.

 

[CdoGG]

I removed the grass and planted it in the flower bed outside.

The water has completely cleared after a day. My DIY c02 jug started producing bubbles after 4 hours and now day 3 it is really going well.

I have one of those Japanese glass diffusers on order from eBay, so I will get a lot better co2 soon.

I have an assortment pack on order from aquariumplants.com (12plant).

I also have a patch of java and christmas moss on order from this forum.

I also have some cherry shrimp on order but not sure if my tank will be cycled by the time I get the shrimp. I might need to put them in my 5gal with water from my 90. Would that be ok?

Thanks

The hornwort looks really good now. Nice color.

 

[Gatekeeper]

Looking good, great start. This should be fun to watch develop.

Have you thought about a hardscape at all? You have these plants on order, now may be the time to decide if you are going to go with driftwood or something other than the rocks. If you do go with driftwood you may want to get on that. Alot of times you need to presoak them to get the tannis out and water log the wood so it doesn't float. It will also help you decide on how to scape and plant the tank with the stuff you just ordered.

Just a suggestion.

Good luck!!

 

[CdoGG]

Looking good, great start. This should be fun to watch develop.

Have you thought about a hardscape at all? You have these plants on order, now may be the time to decide if you are going to go with driftwood or something other than the rocks. If you do go with driftwood you may want to get on that. Alot of times you need to presoak them to get the tannis out and water log the wood so it doesn't float. It will also help you decide on how to scape and plant the tank with the stuff you just ordered.

Just a suggestion.

Good luck!!

Great info !

Is "Hardscape" the use of rocks only?

I was thinking about replacing the rocks with driftwood. I think I will go out and get some tonight.

How long should I soak it? Should I soak it in warm water or just cold water? Is there anything special I should do to prepare it?

I think I will place the driftwood where the three rocks are now and plant the 12 pack of plants around it and in that corner, then I will start a carpet of moss or riccia soon after for the bulk of the middle.

 

[Gatekeeper]

I usually just put the driftwood in a bucket with dechlorinated tap water and weigh it down with something to keep is submerged. i also put an airstone in there too keep the water from being stagnant (it can get nasty in my basement). I usually soak it until the driftwood no longer will float. (couple days). Doesn't hurt to ask the person you are getting the driftwood from. Some people claim that they are selling "pre-soaked" driftwood, but i always reccomend soaking it anyway to get any impurities out of the wood.

Have fun with the riccia...lol. its a mess sometimes but looks awesome when it pearls.

 

[CdoGG]

I usually just put the driftwood in a bucket with dechlorinated tap water and weigh it down with something to keep is submerged. i also put an airstone in there too keep the water from being stagnant (it can get nasty in my basement). I usually soak it until the driftwood no longer will float. (couple days). Doesn't hurt to ask the person you are getting the driftwood from. Some people claim that they are selling "pre-soaked" driftwood, but i always reccomend soaking it anyway to get any impurities out of the wood.

Have fun with the riccia...lol. its a mess sometimes but looks awesome when it pearls.

Went to the lfs and got a really nice piece. I will soak and post when I put it in. I have about four orders coming in this week, it should all come together by the weekend.


.... I just put the wood in and it doesn't float !!!

 

[JustOneMore21]

With that much light, IME you will eventually do better with pressurized CO2. I have 130w over my 29g and even with a higher level of pressurized CO2 (~45ppm) I'm still battling different types of algae. If you use both bulbs with DIY CO2, I wouldn't leave all 130w on all the time (i.e. stagger the bulbs, only having the 2nd on for a short time a day).

You'll also want to start dosing ferts once you get more plants in the tank, even with just 65w.

 

[CdoGG]

With that much light, IME you will eventually do better with pressurized CO2. I have 130w over my 29g and even with a higher level of pressurized CO2 (~45ppm) I'm still battling different types of algae. If you use both bulbs with DIY CO2, I wouldn't leave all 130w on all the time (i.e. stagger the bulbs, only having the 2nd on for a short time a day).

You'll also want to start dosing ferts once you get more plants in the tank, even with just 65w.

Yeah I was thinking I might need to do that. I ordered one of those dual timer multi plug things a few days ago.

I am working on getting the ferts on order. I just have a lot of reading and learning to do before I even know what to order and how to dose it.

I have really hard water so I wont need to worry about the water being to soft or too big PH drops. On my other tank I was just battling having too high PH 8.8+. I started increasing my water changes with RO and got it down to 7.8 . So with this tank getting c02 and all I'm thinking I might like water now.

 

[Gatekeeper]

the driftwood will help lower the pH too.

 

[CdoGG]

More pics. I got all of my plants and some cherry shrimp.

 

[CdoGG]

I finally got pressurized co2. I was having trouble with co2 building up on the water surface. I added another hob overflow filter and put the rhinox 2000 right under it

Here is some video. Let me know what yall think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1FxevLigWI