[Dovie]

After giving the inside of the tank a good clean, I have added approximately 3 cm layer of Dennerle Deponitmix Professional nutrient Substrate towards the rear of the tank for the plants, I have also returned some of the old gravel near the front where there are no plants.
I then added 12 Kilo of fine 1.5 mm crystal gravel covering the old gravel and substrate raising it up slightly to the rear of the tank. This has given me about 3 cm on top of the substrate.

I have added a piece of decorative plastic wood and a selection of new plants.

Hydrocotyle 2 types triparita and verticillata.
Ludwigia repens Rubin
Lilaeopsis mauritiana.
Plus another which I didn't get the name but its the long one that seems to grow well

I have also replaced the old 14 watt strip lamps with 2 new Fresh water / plant lamps.

I have kept the Eheim pro filter wet as someone mentioned that this would keep the good bacteria and I can add fish more quickly. I have also put some of the old gravel back to help the bacteria.

I know someone mention that I didn't need to clean the tank but I must say it looks much better now. I will leave it running for a few days and add some food and check the quality daily before I put the fish back in.
I guess I better get the apartment cleaned up now before the misses comes home.

 

[SeaHorse]

Awesome to hear it's ready to go.... however.... now you've done it!! We're gonna need pictures you know! And progress reports, and updates... we're really quite a needy bunch! :lol:

 

[Dovie]

OK but i need to find out how to post the photos.

Don

 

[SeaHorse]

When you are posting in the message box below to make a reply, "Go Advanced" below the box. Then you will see a paper clip in the tool bar. Use that to upload from your computer direct into the message and "Preview Post" to see how it looks. It takes a few minutes to upload and you should get a msg showing the image name, you can even load several at one time. Image size may be an issue here. Then close the window to complete the upload and preview the post before editing comments.
There are other ways to add video and images from websites too using the Url link and the picture of the mountain on the tool bar.

 

[Dovie]

Thanks I will check it out tomorrow afternoon upload the before and after.

 

[Dovie]

Here are the before and after photos of my tank.
I am not sure if this is going to work as its the first time I have tried this.

Dovie

 

[nicolaas]

Dovie your tank looks great,nice job.

 

[Tootsie]

Aquarium filters

What is the best filter that has the lowest flow rate for a 20 gal. tank with a Betta in it?

 

[Dovie]

I have the Eheim Ecco Pro 200 I purchased it with my 125 l tank 4 years ago and still working fine. See EHEIM ecco pro 200

Dovie

 

[rexpepper651]

looks awesome! only lame thing is those nicely placed rocks will slowly sink into the sand and disappear

 

[JDM]

Great new look!

Jeff.

 

[Dovie]

looks awesome! only lame thing is those nicely placed rocks will slowly sink into the sand and disappear

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Dovie]

Update

After cleaning and restarting the tank with new plants etc. it has now been running 5 days. I let the tank cycle for 24 hours using the filter that I had kept wet and added my Siamese algae eaters and neon tetra plus my one year old Sail-fin Pleco.

I am keeping a watchful eye on the water quality and so far there have not been any spikes of ammonia, this is still zero. All the other parameters are good but I intend to change about 10% of the water tomorrow and later in the week as I have to go away for ten days from next Sunday so I hope it doesn't give me any problems.

Any suggestions about leaving tropical fish during a vacation would be appreciated. I do have an automatic feeder by the way.

 

[JDM]

Big water change before leaving and a big water change upon returning.

Jeff
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Dovie]

Ok thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Dovie]

Big water change before leaving and a big water change upon returning.

Jeff
Posted via Mobile Device

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Dovie]

I'm off out to get some more plants and maybe a C02 kit.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[JDM]

I'm off out to get some more plants and maybe a C02 kit.
Posted via Mobile Device

CO2 kit? Any particular reason that you think you need this?

Jeff.

 

[Dovie]

Simple bio wheel and C02

I have read that C02 is good for fertilizing the plants and if the plants grow well there is less chance of algae starting. I have used a Dennerle C02 BIO 120 which cost about 35€. not an expensive set up. You can see the top of the C02 diffusor on the left.

I have also attached a photo of a simple bio wheel that I have just started to use. I have had it some time and wondered if anyone else has used one.

I understand from the original info that when it is attached to the filter outlet, the flow of water turns a small turbine which is geared to slowly rotate the sponge approximately one turn every 45 seconds in my case, I think it depends on the flow rate.

As the sponge rotates it picks up floating plant remains and uneaten food and works as a bio filter as the food degrades in the sponge. Apparently it also adds oxygen by breaking the surface and trapping air in the sponge.
The outlet had a deflector that moves the water in different directions.

 

[JDM]

I have read that C02 is good for fertilizing the plants and if the plants grow well there is less chance of algae starting. I have used a Dennerle C02 BIO 120 which cost about 35€. not an expensive set up. You can see the top of the C02 diffusor on the left.

I have also attached a photo of a simple bio wheel that I have just started to use. I have had it some time and wondered if anyone else has used one.

I understand from the original info that when it is attached to the filter outlet, the flow of water turns a small turbine which is geared to slowly rotate the sponge approximately one turn every 45 seconds in my case, I think it depends on the flow rate.

As the sponge rotates it picks up floating plant remains and uneaten food and works as a bio filter as the food degrades in the sponge. Apparently it also adds oxygen by breaking the surface and trapping air in the sponge.
The outlet had a deflector that moves the water in different directions.

I would think that the rotating sponge benefit of breaking the water would counteract the CO2 diffuser as disturbing the surface serves to off gas CO2.

I see CO2 tossed around here and there, I know the benefit to the plants and all, but too often it seems people are adding diffusers or CO2 supplements without knowing whether it is needed in the first place or is in a tank where the water dynamics will eliminate the benefit anyway.

Proper lighting and adequate fertilization can go a long way before CO2 NEEDS to be used.

Jeff.