Howdy

I have had the odd passing interest in aquariums for the last 20 years. I never took all that much time or interest. I guess because my tanks and my budget was always too small. At the same time the one thing that I wanted was a planted tanks, with loads of plants, moss, grass, wood and light. To make the aquarium look natural...not an easy feat.

I recently bought a jewel 180 l tank and that was the start planted the he'll out of it ... Could not wait for the tank to cycle fully but what the hell ! I have to say that it is looking good and growing well. Still trying to learn plant names and techniques and most of all where to try and find good plants and suppliers in cape town. The tank has settled and it is just a waiting game. I have 2 gouramis, aloud of danios and white clouds, tetras (who didn't take to the cycling well....as expected) 2 coolie loaches, 2 pakastani loaches, Chinese algae eaters...will have to see how that goes for now.... Big ambition has also been for discus but that will have to wait for now. I bought a co2 can from northern aquatics (who seem to have the most sensible mix of equipment) which is the size of a large can of hairspray with a plasic diffuser, purely to test out what co2 would do. I fill the diffuser tube generally once a day in the morning and it lasts the day. The results have been really good and in no time new shoots are appearing growth has been strong, even though the plants have been recently planted..

Beeing bitten by the bug, I bought a 400l tanks with stand (aquaho...not sure if anyone knows this brand ?) on gumtree for a really good price and am planning this as the big one... All out ! Initial problem was that I took the previous owners gravel which was mixed with coral.. All I have read indicates that this is going to make the water too hard and alkaline, too much buffering will make it tough to keep in balance... So even though it is well on it's way to cycling and through some of the dreaded brown algae, partially planted....it has to go and I will have to start over..

I have organized some pool filter sand and some grow sticks. I'm not sure of what substrate to use as frankly most seem difficult to arrange, buy, manage.. So I think I will keep it as is for now. I have ordered a co2 regulator from eBay and await it's arrival..

Replaced the substrate today...what a job ! Need to recycle the tank (although I kept 50l aside and did not empty my external filter...which I hope will help) just need to wait now until the tank is settled enough for discus. Anyone quite know how long this may be ? It has also been suggested that I put some peat in one of the filter canisters to softene the water. Any comments ?

Regards


Duncan

 

Hello and Welcome to TASA.

 

Welcme

 

Welcome Duncan, hope you enjoy the hobby and this forum!

Gert.

 

Hello and welcome :bigsmile:

 

welcome to TASA:blink1:

 

Welcome Duncan.

Hope you enjoy the stay. For a really brilliant substrate to put under your gravel, go to the Professor's section and look at the Palm Fibre Peat with Chemicult thread. VERY GOOD STUFF!!

 

Hi and welcome

 

Thanks for the welcome guys. I did think bat pfp as a substrate, then I heard abt it going anaerobic and contaminating the water etc etc. My first real attempt at a proper planted setup so a little hesitant to incur more problems. So I put down an initial layer of silica then spread a canister of tetra initial stick medium and capped the lot.... Advice from northern aquatics, going to see how this pans out for now. Was a huge job replacing the gravel so am holding thumbs for now..waiting for co2 to arrive

 

Hello and Welcome to TASA

 

Welcome

 

Hello and Welcome to the Forum, Duncan!

 

Hey Duncan!

Welcome to TASA! Glad you found us man! I meant to mention TASA to you this afternoon when you where at mine!

When You can, can you please give us some pics of your setups? I'd love to see the 500l!!

Regards
Big G!

 

Hey the g

Shot for the help and ya I saw the tasa forum... Nice one. Hard day cleaning and sorting but will post photos soon

 

:hello: Welcome

 

Welcome Home

 

HI and Welcome

 

Hi and welcome to TASA!