New planted tanke in the making

Hey everyone,

Been dreaming about this for months since I have seen the ADA planted tank article in the Fish Keeper Mag :bigsmile:

I have just placed my order for my ADA version made locally as local is leaker lol. I went to Aquatic Vision to assist me and they are doing a Optiwhite 6mm glass as follows:

W60cm x D45cm x H45cm

Here is what I have so far and recommendation are welcome on what esle to still get before the binning of pure delight. I also keen to hear on what kind of aqua ada type scape you would do in this size tank.

 

Sorry for the spelling eish mistakes

 

Sounds good how much did it cost you.

 

Nice size tank to start with, although you will soon look at a bigger tank, and then another bigger tank and, and, and. That's how it starts with MTS. Seeing that you're into the ADA look I might suggest that you search nature scape's and Armano tanks on Google. You will be flooded with ideas but this will get the creativity going and that's good, for all the other tanks. Personally I will keep the hard scape simple and to the minimum and let the plants do the talking. What substrate are you planning to use?

 

Hi Dash, I probably got a little carried away but that is just the way I am full throttle of nothing at all. Including the tank on order and equipment above on R8500.

Hey Pierre, I hope wrong with upgrades as the other half will kill me if this will be a never ending pit of expenses of setting up lol. There is really to much info on the ADA tanks on the web, looks like you have to use a certain substrate for a certain scape and for the plants to be used. Is this the case?

 

Not sure about the differant substrates as I'm using Black Earth on my tanks and it works for me. It is also considerably cheaper than ADA and you will not get a Amonia spike as with ADA substrates. I don't want to shoot ADA down with what I said above as I have NO experiance with it. Some of the more experianced guys might want to pop in on monday and give their oppinions about this.

I would suggest that you have to get your other half in for a talk about your new adiction, and to inform her that the only cure is to upgrad or expand. If she doesn't fall for it you might try "but it was a special". It works for me, I hope

 

Quick Q. The ISTA CO2 kit doesn't come with an electronic valve, correct? Need to manually turn down/up the CO2 in the evenings and nights?

 

Hi Cknipe, It does come with a electronic valve I will take a pic for you. In the meantime here is what I found on google.

After all the components are installed as illustrated (B), plug in the solenoid (flash indicated when operation) then turn on the on/off valve (keep it on), slowly open the controller w/solenoid until you see the bubbles released from bubble counter. Adjust the bubble rate as required. The initial recommendation is 1 bubble per second


Tips:
 To automatic control the CO2 dosing via plug in the solenoid with timer. Purchase ISTA timer which provides two individual timing setting. Plug in one for the solenoid and another for the lighting. Set up the timing of solenoid one hour earlier than the lighting, (The photosynthesis occurs immediately during this period) Thus, saves CO2 and makes the photosynthesis more efficient. (H)



I must get myself this controller ...

 

Hi would you recommend getting a CO2 reactor or is it a waste of money? See below article I found.

Best way to diffuse the CO2 into planted tanks! There is no CO2 loss in this system. Inside the reactor, the CO2 bubbles are broken down constantly until they´re completely dissolved into the water.When using regular (ceramic plates) diffusers, there is loss when the CO2 bubbles reach the water surface.


CHARACTERISTICS:

• The most efficient application of CO2 dissolution.
• The patented impeller design completely crushes the CO2 bubbles.
• Compact in size, and can be used either internally or externally.
• Durable to acidity and impact resistant.
• Designed to prevent CO2 gas from collecting at the top.
• Electricity is not required, since it uses the flow of water from the filter.
• Easy to clean and simple to maintain.

 

Aah fanastic! That was one of the big things that was holding me back from purchasing... Now that there is confirmation, I will definately be taking a look yes Thanks.

 

not sure what the canister thread is on the kit ... if it is proprietary then you could be stuck in a high replacement fee for refills.

 

Hi F-fish, nope do not own the canister just saw they say the CO2 mixed better with no lost and wanted to know is this the case or just a useless item to have?

 

Sorry my bad .. I am talking about the thread on the ISTA CO2 canister / cylinder .. not sure if that is normal or special - so that the regulator will only work with ISTA CO2 canisters.

As for diffusers - the inline should work well - depends on how you get the return water into the tank. If you push it via a spray bar loads of the CO2 will be lost before the plants even get a chance to use it.

I like and use JBL diffusers but AFAIK no stock locally available. See 4ft- clear - Page 3

Later Ferdie