Journal 120 Dutch Ft. Yugang Reactor (Horizontal CO2 Reactor)

[Freshflora]

Thanks for this info!

I bought 5 SAEs at LFS and didn't pay attention, they were all in the same tank (labaled as Crossocheilus siamensis). When I released them in the aquarium at home, I noticed that they were not all the same. 2 out of 5 have a thicker side stripe. Now I looked at them from below and the ones with the thicker stripe have that black line on their belly, the others don't.

Here is a photo from the side - far right and bottom middle has black belly line. Do I have a real ones?
View attachment 2263

Only the ones with the black line on the underneath of their bellies are the true Siamese algae eaters — crossocheilus langei — the rest are most likely altrilimes, which will only eat BBA while young and then eat various plants when they mature. Funny enough crossocheilus siamensis is a catch-all term and from my reading isn’t actually in the aquarium hobby. You have an amazing tank for a proper 6 or more group of them though, I’m jealous!!

 

[Unexpected]

Huston, we have a problem. Huge bummer, way to much money spent for a seal to separate. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

 

[Unexpected]

After further thought into what happened, this separation my have been partially my fault. I had the reactor resting on the return nozels putting additional pressure on the acrylic black panel. I've since zip tied the reactors to the light supports and I'm going to redesign the reactor to a single pipe configuration with 4 attachment points at the base of each light bracket. I'll go with a 2 inch diameter pipe at 58 inches long and in black. The reactor will definitely be above the viewing line and having it in black should help visually. Honestly, as expectations have been crushed, having the white pipe isn't so terrible to look at.

I also bought the small Coralvue tank controller along with their ATO package. I'm going to put the CO2 on this system as a precaution as the 2 inch diameter is a bit over powered with the tank dimensions. I figure a bit of over performance isn't a bad thing, but will miss the built in safty of my current reactor.

I had to cut the arranging short when the wall seam failed, we both panicked of course, but here's where the tank is at the moment.

 

[Unexpected]

Here's the formula if you want to try a horizontal reactor.
LxW(Tank)/17.7=X
X/Reactor length=diameter required for a 1pH drop

 

[Unexpected]

Alrighty, I feel like I’m getting closer to a final layout. I just need to work the left side Taiwan Lily a little thicker and thin the Hyptis Lorentziana for space. I just added Hygrohila Polysperma as my right side curtain out of desperation as my other choice was growing too slow. I also added back the Colorata as it felt like the right back corner need a dash of color.
Now here’s the real problem, I’m not actually sure this is a Dutch tank. Aqua scaping is definitely not a strong point for me and I’d imagine it will come in time.
Excuse the Juncus Repens, I have it there as a possible substitute if need be.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Is that large leafed plant on the left side Hygrophila corymbosa? If so it’s leaves are beautiful!

 

[Unexpected]

Is that large leafed plant on the left side Hygrophila corymbosa? If so it’s leaves are beautiful!

Stricta, still coming out of emersed growth. Just never melted and went colorful.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Stricta, still coming out of emersed growth. Just never melted and went colorful.

Nice Praecox as well, I’ve only ever purchased them from AH and they never last I currently have 2 males and a female that have made it at least a year and half now. Yours look nice and mature

 

[Unexpected]

Nice Praecox as well, I’ve only ever purchased them from AH and they never last I currently have 2 males and a female that have made it at least a year and half now. Yours look nice and mature

Thank you. I’m not sure I’m doing anything special for them. They seem to just like anything I throw at them. They breed every morning just before the lights come on. All the other fish gather around to eat the eggs .

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Thank you. I’m not sure I’m doing anything special for them. They seem to just like anything I throw at them. They breed every morning just before the lights come on. All the other fish gather around to eat the eggs .

Did you get them locally or online? I only ask because I’ve conversed with @GreggZ many times about how touchy they are.

 

[Unexpected]

Did you get them locally or online? I only ask because I’ve conversed with @GreggZ many times about how touchy they are.

Online tank bred. Aquaticarts

 

[Unexpected]

Nice Praecox as well, I’ve only ever purchased them from AH and they never last I currently have 2 males and a female that have made it at least a year and half now. Yours look nice and mature

You made me curious. I picked these guys up January 2022. So maybe about 2 years old?

 

[Unexpected]

Looks like my Ace Hardware pool filter sand isn't completely inert.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Looks like my Ace Hardware pool filter sand isn't completely inert. View attachment 2369

Please excuse my Siri language, but what the DUCK are we looking at here lol

 

[Unexpected]

Please excuse my Siri language, but what the DUCK are we looking at here lol

. It’s my pH graph over several days after a water change. It’s trending higher each day which indicates something (has to be the sand) is buffing the water. I run 0dKH.

 

[Unexpected]

What’s the best way to trim Corymbosa Stricta’ , I think I’m a bit too dense and want to make it less packed look.

Top and replant with less stalks or just top and remove side growths?

 

[Unexpected]

Used a real camera for this shot.Finished my DIY light hanging kit.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

The cat in the Bacardi box stole the show for me honestly

 

[gjcarew]

Used a real camera for this shot.View attachment 2420Finished my DIY light hanging kit.
View attachment 2421

Looking great!

 

[Unexpected]

The cat in the Bacardi box stole the show for me honestly

Lmao, I just noticed.