LaurieinIA Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Looks great! I can’t wait for my plants to fill us as lush as yours. I’m on my way though. I’m finally done rebuilding/stocking the 40 gal you were helping me with. I’ll have to send you an update sometime soon. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 @LaurieinIA thank you! Thats so good to hear. I look forward to seeing the update! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Awesome, @Isaac M! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 On 6/28/2021 at 11:48 AM, Isaac M said: @Trish yes root tabs can definitely add up for sure. I use organic soil as a nutrient rich layer for my aquariums so that I do not need to purchase root tabs. I also usually use root feeding plants, riparian plants, floating plants and epiphyte plants rather than stem plants so I do not need to dose liquid fertilizers either usually. I find it much lower maintenance and cost that way. I would recommend to you to try organic soil as an alternative to root tabs which would allow you to grow more crypts, swords, bulb plants(dwarf aquarium lilly, red tiger lotus, aponogetons, crinums, etc), dwarf sag, vallisneria, etc without additional fertilization. You can also try mosses and bolbitis in addition to the plants you have now. Will give that serious consideration in the future. I will search links on doing a escape on an already establish tank... that sounds like a major. Wonder if it could be a several hour project changing out the current substate and returning the fish from temporary buckets? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 @Trish yes it definitely takes a few hours or more, depending on the scape you are trying to accomplish. I have done it twice to add organic soil to an existing aquarium, both 55 gallon tanks. I would recommend doing some research before doing this however and/ or you can ask me, I would gladly help. I only have pictures of one time that I did it and it was for my aunt. 55 Gallon covered in black beard algae with inert gravel substrate Right after I rescaped the aquarium and added a layer or organic soil under sand (she loves jewelry so I added some fake amethyst decor haha) 6 Months later after rescaping 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 On 6/28/2021 at 2:24 PM, Isaac M said: @Trish yes it definitely takes a few hours or more, depending on the scape you are trying to accomplish. I have done it twice to add organic soil to an existing aquarium, both 55 gallon tanks. I would recommend doing some research before doing this however and/ or you can ask me, I would gladly help. I only have pictures of one time that I did it and it was for my aunt. 55 Gallon covered in black beard algae with inert gravel substrate Right after I rescaped the aquarium and added a layer or organic soil under sand (she loves jewelry so I added some fake amethyst decor haha) 6 Months later after rescaping @Isaac M The difference is amazing! I am sold, and will start doing more research and will gratefully accept your help. It might have to wait some as I am a 24 hr caregiver and want to give a move like this my full attention... I can start thinking about supplies though. Surprisingly I have next to no algae issues in my tanks even with the gravel, even in the newest 20 long. I'm very careful with my light strength so it must be luck! I just raided my well planted 40B and divided everything up to plant up the new 20 and 29 gallon tanks since I'm unable to get out due to responsibilities. I'm already seeing the benefits that organic soil will have will have on this tank in my mind! 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 @Trish your aquarium looks beautiful! Honestly, if this tank is working so well for you, I would not change a thing. However, I did notice a pot in there for what may be a hygrophila species? If you want to give organic soil a try without a ton of work (and can also be easily removed), you could always test it by only adding in a pot of it capped with gravel and one of those crypts planted in it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 On 6/28/2021 at 2:24 PM, Isaac M said: @Trish yes it definitely takes a few hours or more, depending on the scape you are trying to accomplish. I have done it twice to add organic soil to an existing aquarium, both 55 gallon tanks. I would recommend doing some research before doing this however and/ or you can ask me, I would gladly help. I only have pictures of one time that I did it and it was for my aunt. 55 Gallon covered in black beard algae with inert gravel substrate Right after I rescaped the aquarium and added a layer or organic soil under sand (she loves jewelry so I added some fake amethyst decor haha) 6 Months later after rescaping @Isaac M The difference is amazing! I am sold, and will start doing more research and will gratefully accept your help. It might have to wait some as I am a 24 hr caregiver and want to give a move like this my full attention... I can start thinking about supplies though. Surprisingly I have next to no algae issues in my tanks even with the gravel, even in the newest 20 long. Must be luck! I just raided my well planted 40B and divided everything up to plant up the new 20 and 29 gallon tanks. I'm already seeing in my mind the benefits organic soil will have. Great thread. Thank you very much. I will do that, I just bought 4 inch terracotta pots on a whim.. this will be a good experiment! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 Awesome @Trish! Let me know if you have any questions and how it goes! @Streetwise is a great person to follow for more examples of organic soil aquariums as well! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiapeach88 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 On 6/14/2021 at 4:21 PM, Isaac M said: The materials are starting to come in for all of the aquarium upgrades. I will be adding and eventually painting a wood skin for the metal stands. I will be using magnets to stick them on. Eventually I want to paint some artwork on it but I am still thinking of what to paint exactly! I also got a polycarbonate greenhouse panel to make aquarium lids for 2 quarantine tanks and the new 40 gallon reef tank. I will be doing them similarly to Dean with hinges and the cabinet knob. I bought some PVC fittings and a 10 foot PVC pipe to construct the stand for the floodlights going on the 55 gallon. I also received quite a few packages from the Co-Op. This was mostly filled with sponge filters and the whole air pump setup along with the new auto-feeders. I will be switching the 55 gallon to 2 sponge filters instead of the canister filter it has now. The auto-feeder barely fit on the rim of my 55 gallon and I had to use tape to not overfeed with Xtreme Nano pellets. I only have it set for once a day and one barrel rotation. I will be feeding live baby brine, flakes or frozen food later on in the day. Quick update on the Sterbai fry, this batch is definitely doing a lot better. They are much more brave in leaving the shadows of the Catappa leaf and show no signs of bloat. A very large order from Bulk Reef Supply will be arriving later this week as well. Lots of fun stuff going on, my love for the hobby has not gone away thats for sure! 😂 How ya liking the feeder? I debated getting some. Since I’m a bit heavy handed with feedings 😂 the tanks all look amazing. Love the progress in this journal. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 @Georgiapeach88 thank you! I really like the feeder, it has allowed me to feed my fish twice a day which is something I have always wanted to do but never had the time to do (except for in 2020 because I could work from home haha). I even stopped feeding for the spawning corydoras manually for some time and they kept on spawning with the food from the feeder only. I do have to use tape on it though to limit the amount of food that comes out at once and make sure the plant growth does not get in the way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koi Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 On 6/28/2021 at 8:04 AM, Isaac M said: it really was a steal, the people I told this to but do not have any aquariums did not understand my excitement 😂 If I knew nothing about fish keeping, I'd probably question why you spent money on a bunch of sticks too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 @Koi that is a very good point 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 @Isaac M I have really been enjoying watching this thread and seeing your aquariums, they are so lovely! I love how heavily planted they are. Keep it up! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 Another update, the newly set up 55 gallon is doing well and the driftwood is going through the expected biofilm stage. The platies and amano shrimp have been doing a great job of keeping it down a bit. I was able to place the platies and amano shrimp right away as I cycled both the sponge filters before rescaping the aquarium. The plants and riparium planters have been in my established aquariums for years as well. The next picture is more for me and my record keeping but I added a similar shelf system as shown before to both the doors of my 55 gallon stand as well. They house my water change/ cleaning supplies, testing kits and food most frequently fed. Quick update on the 40 gallon riparium, it is looking like a jungle and the sterbai fry have been growing larger by the day. The sterbai corys are still spawning every few days. I will also attach a picture here of the quarantine/ baby brine shrimp hatching station/ storage area below the aquarium for my reference. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 Thank you @James Black! I appreciate you taking the time to read my posts and commenting! I will definitely keep it up haha 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 @Trish, I use these root tabs. There’s about 100 in a bottle. Aquario NEO Plants Tab Planted Aquarium Fertilizer (Long Lasting (Slow Release)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HCHTWHC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_TX20X6HS7JCT84JQWQFV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 A few more pictures of the 40 gallon riparium, I love the jungle look! Haha 10 Gallon Neon Tetra aquarium is still doing well. Cannot remember the last time I did a water change but nitrates are 10ppm max and I do not get any algae growth other then biofilm on front pane. The bamboo is also looking a little taller. The aquacultured live rock is still doing well, the display tank will be getting set up this weekend so the live rock will get glued in place in the display. I am looking forward to this very much, it is almost 9 years since I last had a saltwater aquarium! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 On 6/30/2021 at 6:54 PM, Patrick_G said: @Trish, I use these root tabs. There’s about 100 in a bottle. Aquario NEO Plants Tab Planted Aquarium Fertilizer (Long Lasting (Slow Release)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HCHTWHC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_TX20X6HS7JCT84JQWQFV @Patrick_G Thank you, I will give them a go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 On 6/30/2021 at 7:07 PM, Isaac M said: A few more pictures of the 40 gallon riparium, I love the jungle look! Haha 10 Gallon Neon Tetra aquarium is still doing well. Cannot remember the last time I did a water change but nitrates are 10ppm max and I do not get any algae growth other then biofilm on front pane. The bamboo is also looking a little taller. The aquacultured live rock is still doing well, the display tank will be getting set up this weekend so the live rock will get glued in place in the display. I am looking forward to this very much, it is almost 9 years since I last had a saltwater aquarium! Men with green thumbs! 👏 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 @Trish 😂 thank you, I have to give credit to my grandparents for that! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 (edited) Another day, another spawn of corydora eggs that I somehow find through all the leaves. Apparently these corydoras love to lay their eggs on dwarf aquarium lilly leaves. About 15 of the 20 or so eggs I found were on the lilly leaves. Anyways, the fry that have already been born have been doing great ever since I added gravel to the breeder box which is sort of odd in my opinion, I wonder why that made such a difference with not getting bloated stomachs. The platy and amano shrimp have been making quick work of the biofilm on the driftwood in the 55 gallon. And finally, the last order for setting up the 40 gallon reef has arrived. The most important part of the order is the internal filter and nitrifying bacteria additive. The polishing cloths are amazing though as well! Haha Edited July 2, 2021 by Isaac M 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 @Isaac M, I tried a similar Tunze filter: Let me know your experience with testing marine technology in freshwater aquariums! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 @Streetwise unfortunately I will be using the filter in the reef tank so it will be in a marine setting, not freshwater. Just looking at it however, I do not see why it would not work well in a freshwater aquarium, especially one where a specific flow pattern is wanted. I especially like that it has “surface skimmer” and area to put a heater or probe just like the one you posted about. If I was using it for freshwater, I would simply add some bio rings and coarse filter sponge to it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 Even better that you try it in marine! My experience with Tunze units was that they were very sensitive to the water level relative to the skimmer intakes. They would do best in tanks where the waterline is automatically maintained. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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