Journal 40B MTS Nature Aquarium

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Alrighty here’s where I’m at, not too much change. As you can see on the right, the blyxa is filling in nicely, and the left needs some work. Miss is still prolific as ever. I took the top off of the back right stone two weeks ago because it had a lot of loose strands and it was just looking unkept. I cleaned up that moss pad and let it sit undisturbed in a Tupperware container with access to sunlight. It didn’t skip a beat and looks beautiful, I’ll let it spill over the rock again and trim when necessary. I ordered a bunch more peacock gudgeons from the breeder I originally got my rainbows from, he does both! I have 11 total peacocks and they are lovely and peaceful. I got 2 more male boesmani Aytinjo from the breeder and a third he wasn’t sure so we’ll see when it matures.

I trimmed any gross crypt leaves and now I wait to see how they progress.

 

[Count Krunk]

Looks great! Is that bubbles or something else in the water?

 

[BenB]

Looks good. That moss grows perfect for you.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I just browsed through your journal looking for water parameters but never found them. So I am curious what they are? I finally am following up on doing a tank in a similar style. My one issue is it has to be in my hard water.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Looks great! Is that bubbles or something else in the water?

CO2, you can’t see the bubbles from a distance only when you get within a few feet. I plan to eventually make a Yugang to deter that completely.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I just browsed through your journal looking for water parameters but never found them. So I am curious what they are? I finally am following up on doing a tank in a similar style. My one issue is it has to be in my hard water.

From the tap:
dKh : 1-2ppm
dGH: ~2ppm
TDS : ~90

Tank dosing front loaded after WC
KNO3: 20ppm
KH2PO4: 5ppm
K2SO4: 30ppm

Until recently, I’ve never dosed any calcium or magnesium consistently and I believe that is my biggest issue with keeping snails alive, and now getting crypt flamingo to really grow lush. I am now aiming for 25ppm for calcium and 5ppm magnesium when I do my WC from now on. I’ve also backed down my fert load to a leaner approach to see how it helps with my GDA and lingering diatoms. I no longer have stems other than some blyxa which is doing marvelously.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Did you mix the top soil with anything besides the worm castings?

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Did you mix the top soil with anything besides the worm castings?

I added some STS for grit and some extra CEC , and sprinkled muriate of potash underneath the bags of soil. But other than that, no other additives. Do you plan to mineralize it or just use soil right from the bag?

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I added some STS for grit and some extra CEC, and sprinkled muriate of potash underneath the bags of soil. But other than that, no other additives. Do you plan to mineralize it or just use soil right from the bag?

Im not 100% sure yet. Originally I was thinking of mineralizing it because any extra I had I plan to use in pots for my breeding tanks. My only concern is the drying out process since its quickly reaching fall temps here and id have to do it inside then.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

id have to do it inside then.

I did this before, laid a tarp out in the garage and placed a box fan in front it to help dry. With your harder water could also consider adding some peat to the mix as well. If you haven’t read it yet, @Tim Harrison guide is a good resource.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I did this before, laid a tarp out in the garage and placed a box fan in front it to help dry. With your harder water could also consider adding some peat to the mix as well. If you haven’t read it yet, @Tim Harrison guide is a good resource.

Ill have to go searching for that. I listened to the podcast and have read up some on Sean Murphy, that Art posted. Adding peat is a brillant idea actually. I figured id just try to deal with my hard water and am going to get my water tested to see what/if nutrients i need to bump up and where they are at now.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Ill have to go searching for that.

Article 'The Soil Substrate Planted Tank - a How to Guide'

The Soil Substrate Planted Tank - a How to Guide ...or, Zen and an Introduction to the Art of Underwater Gardening with Soil or Dirt... ...or, The "Hybrid-Energy" Approach. Introduction In writing this, I hope to illustrate that using soil substrate offers a range of possibilities, and that...

• Tim Harrison
• Jan 26, 2025
• 21 min read
• Reaction score: 4
• Comments: 4
• Category: CO2 in the Planted Aquarium

No need

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Article 'The Soil Substrate Planted Tank - a How to Guide'

The Soil Substrate Planted Tank - a How to Guide ...or, Zen and an Introduction to the Art of Underwater Gardening with Soil or Dirt... ...or, The "Hybrid-Energy" Approach. Introduction In writing this, I hope to illustrate that using soil substrate offers a range of possibilities, and that...

• Tim Harrison
• Jan 26, 2025
• 21 min read
• Reaction score: 4
• Comments: 4
• Category: CO2 in the Planted Aquarium

No need

Thank you! Always so kind haha.

 

[Rob23]

I listened to the podcast and have read up some on Sean Murphy, that Art posted.

To which podcast are you referring?

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

If you haven't seen this yet: Mineralized soil planted aquariums

To which podcast are you referring?

The one above

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Whelp I think my Cerges is acting up because it’s not building up gas at all during the day, and within a few minutes the rector is clear of gas. I think it’s escaping out of the tube where I have it connected with vinyl hose.

Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s been my issues lately with algae and poor plant growth. Anyway I’ll fix that tomorrow with some silicone and I also plan to build my own Yugang reactor as well, I’m going with 4” PVC per Yugangs recommendation for my specs. I think all said and done my cost to build it is <$50, not bad. I’ll post here when it’s done

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

12x4” PVC, 3/4” elbows for intake and output, and a John guest fitting for my CO2 line. Can’t wait to get this puppy going. Now this will be mounted above my sump, which is why I have the elbows pointed down. I know, that’s asking for air lock. However, I have the same concept going with my cerges and that’s not an issue. It will be on the same pump my Cerges is currently using, and I will empty the output right at my return pump so there will be plenty of suction to pull out any larger bubbles. I also don’t plan to run it so hard that airlock would even become an issue. Next step is to paint it black, I’ll report back when it’s operational

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

How did you seal the elbows to the end caps?

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

How did you seal the elbows to the end caps?

Silicone around the edges on the inside.