My tanks!

Thanks Gareth.

I've got a question - I do not use any C02, fertilizer supplements or any special substrate. Is it unusual to have successful plant growth considering? I know I'm using pretty low light plants, nothing fancy. But whatever plants I have added have always grown like weeds. Is it the natural gravel substrate? Maybe had enough silt to supply nutrients? Or is this is not unusual even in an inert substrate like silica sand or anthracite?

Thanks, D

 

Cheers for the PM, thats actually where I saw them too, just thought there was somewhere in Hout bay that did da feesh??

Cheers
G!

 

@BG
Hahaha, I wish there was a decent shop in Hout Bay! There used to be a little LFS, but it was so dodge I refused to frequent it and was in fact rather pleased that it closed down!

 

No It's not unusual at all Dane. I had my plants grow like that for a long time. WHat is actually happening is that the plants are getting some of their nutrients from your tap water, and other important nutrients from the fish waste. What will eventually happen is the plants would have multiplied, grown, or you would have added so many that the fish waste and nutrients in the tap water will not be enough to sustain the plants.

The horrible thing here is that the plants don't just stop growing, they actually start dying off...First you will notice ZERO growth for a few weeks, and then you will realise that they are dying. Just be careful at this stage because some plants die off at the roots, leaving these rottingn roots in the substrate.

If you cannot increase the light output, then just by adding a few water fertz will help grow the plants. Just be careful though, high ferts plus low light could result in a type of algae. (Laure will know which one.)

Have a look at my set up here. See what he plants looked like at the beginning of the thread, and then 2 months later? That is pure water fertz and a fertilizer tablet that I put in at the roots of the plants. No undergravel substrate, no high light. In fact my light is very low at only 0.3watts per litre, and all I add is Bio-elite's plant fertilizer.

Last weekend I introduces 2 DIY bottles of CO2, and going to play around with that for a few weeks to see if there is any major benefit to it.

 

Thanks for the advice Zoom, I'm putting in a second CFL - i was actually worried it would be too bright! Will also look into liquid ferts.. Don't think I'll get in CO2 yet...

 

The Profs liquid ferts are really good for our water here in Cape Town, so I would try that above any other. Also, you then get to support Home grown talent! 'Local is Lekker'!!

Cheers
G!

 

Ah, good to hear the prof has some home brewed ferts! ;-) Will definitely look into getting some.

 

I think the Prof charges about R100 for 2x 250ml bottles (one Plant hardening mix, the other Actual ferts, both are needed) Or R190 for the 500ml bottles unless he's had to reprice lately?

He also has some new ones which he can explain to you!! They are suppliments on top of the above ferts. Not sure on their individual pricing??

Cheers
BIg G!

 

Hmmm, not cheap! But I'm sure they're the best....

 

Um... Ive never used it, but I believe you literally only use a few DROPS per day! Other plants ferts you use millileters at a time.... the price is definatley RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP when you see how long it lasts... and how well it works

 

Yeah, thought they must be potently concentrated. Will definitely invest in some next time I mission through to stellies...

 

Ok, the dosage is 10ml per 100L, but then after your initial dose, you only put in for th ewater you have taken out during a water change... So if you take out 10L of water, you would only add 1ml of ferts!

It does last a good while!!

The NPK and NK-P suppliments are to be added 3 times a week, so they will get chowed at a faster rate! These suppliments are pretty new, but look very effective!!

Cheers
G!

 

Does the water damp do anything when they get on the CFL's?
Might want to use this for my 1ft tanks.

 

Vis - no problem with dampness. I just make sure the ballast is out of the hood - only the tubes themselves are in the cover.

Update on the marine... Changed tank to a 70L

Standard 70L tank - 4ml sides and 6ml base. I don't run a skimmer or a sump, but do a 15L water change every week. The internal powerhead currently has charcoal and filter floss - which I change every few days. Will add some more flow and remove filter media soon... Tank is settled nicely, I don't really have cyano problems and crustose corraline has started growing really nicely (that large white rock in the middle was put in about an hour before these pics) I seeded the tank with live sand and one chunk of live rock (which also has a gazillion aptasia on it! grrrr), and there are a lot of false scroll coral skeletons, which I like - because they provide excellent surface/area to volume and are a refuge for pods etc. WILL definitely remove the calurpa - and burn it!! Will eventually add a fuge next to the tank with cheato in it and a extra light. Some of the zoas look fantastic under actinic, but my camera can't handle the correction.

The three little xenias started out about 3 months ago as a fingernail sized frag, and have recently got a few more zoas (sorry some are closed, just did water change before the pics). Also still need to get in a good CUC - just have two cushion stars at present.

Current tank list
3 x baby false occel.
2 x cushion stars
Pulsing Xenia
5 x zoas spp

Lighting
2x 15watt 6400k CFL
1x Actinic Hagen "marine-glo"

So, pretty basic setup and I'm trying to keep it that way

Thanks for your time/comments








Please excuse my rather... "rustic" attachment methods












And added a frogspawn coral!









Also added some rocks since these pics.

Sorry for the offtop saltiness on this site. But I know there are a few freshies that have a passing interest in the salty stuff Just want to show that it CAN be done relatively cheaply and without manic equipment. Just needs a bit of attention!

 

lovely tanks, well done. The pics are good quality aswell.

 

nice tank dane...

 

Looks absolutely beautiful Dane -- job Well Done.

 

Very nice Dane!

 

Thanks guys

 

your marine tank look great well done