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Nice, thanks. I run mine around 45 par at the substrate.
Do you get algae? I can't imagine running my lights that high over my tank. Good job on keeping it all in check since your tank looks really clean.
UDGags-125g-New Pics (7/19/16)
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Do you get algae? I can't imagine running my lights that high over my tank. Good job on keeping it all in check since your tank looks really clean.
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Forgot to mention I have an 8hr photoperiod. CO2 comes on 30 mins before light go on and goes off 30 minutes before light go off.
Yes, I have algae (everyone does). I usually get it a lot when my CO2 tank gets low and inconsistent flow. I also get some if I neglect trimming the plants. I spot treat with Excel if things get bad. I have a sump setup so I have really good oxygen levels in the tank so I can push the CO2 higher than people without. I am running around 45-50ppm.
You can see my lights in this picture from the start of the journal. One benefit is I never have to turn lights on in the room
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Similar to my set up.....my co2 turns on 1 hour before the lights go on and goes off at the same time as the lights. My co2 is so high that only two bristile nose plecos survive since they keep coming up top for air....other fish seem to die in one day. I've been fortunate enough since I do not have any algae that I can notice....but it's all attributed to running low PAR on this tank.
You have a great tank by the way. Keep it up!
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That doesn't seem very humane for your fish. I'm sure you can still get a good looking tank without causing your fish to die/come up for air.
Thanks for the compliment though! I appreciate feedback, good or bad. I wish I got more!!!
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The cardinals really like the massive trim. They have been swimming in the current from the vortech, which looks really while watching the tank. I took a quick picture with my cell phone but it looks so much better in person. The color on my cardinals is really great.
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hahaha, thanks
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grats to you as well then!
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Congratulations on your new addition to the family! I wish you a life of peace, full nights' sleep, and joy. A tall order, I know.
Love the tank! It's nice to see someone else going the Dutch-esque route. How're you finding your sump over the long term? Are you happy with that model? What would you change if you could? I'm in the process of setting up a big tank too and would love your input.
How do the Apistos treat your shrimp? I'd love to have some dwarf cichlids in the tank but I'm a bit worried they'll eat or kill any shrimp they can find.
Thanks,
Phil
Love the tank! It's nice to see someone else going the Dutch-esque route. How're you finding your sump over the long term? Are you happy with that model? What would you change if you could? I'm in the process of setting up a big tank too and would love your input.
How do the Apistos treat your shrimp? I'd love to have some dwarf cichlids in the tank but I'm a bit worried they'll eat or kill any shrimp they can find.
Thanks,
Phil
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congrats!!!!
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First off, thanks everyone!
The Apistogramma Borelli don't seem to bother the Amano. Borelli are some of the more docile apistogramma and amano are larger shrimp. I have quite a few amano still in the tank from the original ones I put in. Saying that I only have two Apistogramma left in the tank and I believe its because the one large male took care of the others. I originally started with 4 females and 2 males but only have 1 male and 1 female left. He doesn't seem to mind the tetras, otos and shrimp...just his own kind. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't bother with the Apistogramma....they just hide in the plants and you rarely see them. Oto's and tetras are so much more active to the eye.
I'm happy with the sump. You get better oxygen ppm in the water so you can go higher with CO2 before acidosis kicks in. There are a few things I would do different and hope to change in the hear future.Congratulations on your new addition to the family! I wish you a life of peace, full nights' sleep, and joy. A tall order, I know.
Love the tank! It's nice to see someone else going the Dutch-esque route. How're you finding your sump over the long term? Are you happy with that model? What would you change if you could? I'm in the process of setting up a big tank too and would love your input.
How do the Apistos treat your shrimp? I'd love to have some dwarf cichlids in the tank but I'm a bit worried they'll eat or kill any shrimp they can find.
Thanks,
Phil
- Use gate valves instead of ball valves from overflow to sump. Ball valves work but it took me about ~1 month to get them adjusted correctly for a herbie setup.
- I used hard PVC for my returns and have braces holding them in place. This makes it impossible for me to remove the returns for pictures unless I unscrew/bolt everything. I would use flexible PVC next go around with extra slack.
The Apistogramma Borelli don't seem to bother the Amano. Borelli are some of the more docile apistogramma and amano are larger shrimp. I have quite a few amano still in the tank from the original ones I put in. Saying that I only have two Apistogramma left in the tank and I believe its because the one large male took care of the others. I originally started with 4 females and 2 males but only have 1 male and 1 female left. He doesn't seem to mind the tetras, otos and shrimp...just his own kind. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't bother with the Apistogramma....they just hide in the plants and you rarely see them. Oto's and tetras are so much more active to the eye.
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What method(s) are you using to determine you have 45-50ppm CO2 ? pH/KH charting, which I've seen many different charts and here they are unreliable ? Not sure what / which to believe any more...
Thanks & congrats again on the little one !
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UDGags,
Have you considered replacing the current ball valves with True Unions? I used those in a tank with similar plumbing precisely so I could remove the outlets for cleaning and photo shoots.
Have you considered replacing the current ball valves with True Unions? I used those in a tank with similar plumbing precisely so I could remove the outlets for cleaning and photo shoots.
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I have a LaMott test kit...see beginning of journal for specs. It pretty much falls right on the chart every time I check so lately I've been using the chart. My tap water is pretty solid.
Yes, I've thought about unions. I just have had more important projects around the house. I can remove the overflow anyways...it pulls straight up. The only ones I can't remove are the returns and those ball valves are way down stream.
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Yes, I've thought about unions. I just have had more important projects around the house. I can remove the overflow anyways...it pulls straight up. The only ones I can't remove are the returns and those ball valves are way down stream.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Out of curiosity....are you adding additional Mg or is there a ton in your water? It looks like all of it is coming from you CSM+B dosing. I actually add epsom salt with each micro dosing (3x per week). Then again, I strictly use RO water so I need to reconstitute it myself.I realized that I never updated my dosing scheme from page 1 so here is what I'm doing currently.
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