FresH2O's 20g planted rescape

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Well most of the stems I put in my 15g "walstad" betta sorority but the clay/dirt/sand doesn't seem to keep them down well, but those girls are constantly banging around in there. The others I had in a 15 tall, switched from an AC back to a sponge and plants are coming back ok but I had bacterial issues and started medicating so I left everything else alone, including less light and no ferts at all. I think the liquid carbon does make somewhat of a difference.
I would like to have one nice planted tank but I just have a smattering of tanks with plants in them. Once I start consolidating I will put more effort into it. My 40b should end up being the one, but it's so tannin stained right now you can barely see the fish.
In any case if you don't want to throw them away let me know!
 
I noticed a hissing noise and was concerned it was the regulator. Nope, not that but it was coming from the bubble counter that came with the regulator. I retightened it, added Teflon tape...still leaked. This could explain why I would see water draw back up the tubing when the solenoid was off. This may have been leaking for some time. Well while trying to unscrew the top, the bottom connector snapped off ? Luckily I had an unused fluval bubble counter under the cabinet for such a moment. It did not have a check cable so I got a pair of cheapo check valves (for now) and set them before and after the bubble counter. I like redundancy in certain situations. It's holding up well.
Yesterday I manually switched on the lights about 4 hours before normal time so I could do maintenance. This morning I just realized that I had manually switched on the lights. Yeah, 19 hour "day" for them.
Tank is still a bit dirty. 3 years with no gravel vacuuming will do that. Years ago I had a magnum 350 and would run it with diatomaceous earth for a quick clean up. I miss that.


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Fresh2o said:
I noticed a hissing noise and was concerned it was the regulator. Nope, not that but it was coming from the bubble counter that came with the regulator. I retightened it, added Teflon tape...still leaked. This could explain why I would see water draw back up the tubing when the solenoid was off. This may have been leaking for some time. Well while trying to unscrew the top, the bottom connector snapped off ? Luckily I had an unused fluval bubble counter under the cabinet for such a moment. It did not have a check cable so I got a pair of cheapo check valves (for now) and set them before and after the bubble counter. I like redundancy in certain situations. It's holding up well.
Yesterday I manually switched on the lights about 4 hours before normal time so I could do maintenance. This morning I just realized that I had manually switched on the lights. Yeah, 19 hour "day" for them.
Tank is still a bit dirty. 3 years with no gravel vacuuming will do that. Years ago I had a magnum 350 and would run it with diatomaceous earth for a quick clean up. I miss that.


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Click to expand...

They're disposable, I broke 3 when I moved!! 3!! Bottom snapped off all. Have a tough time believing the plastic will not become brittle with prolonged exposure to co2. May be time to invest in a decent brass counter??

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I can start seeing cracks in mine. I've thought about a brass one too, especially the ones off eBay. But You pay for what you get though.

You guys are up early. It's 2pm where I'm at right now.


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Last edited by a moderator:
The Fluval bubble counter has short connectors and compression nuts so there is less material to torque and a tighter fit. But it is plastic.
I'm going to check out brass bubble counters and check valves this evening.
PB - me thinks you are across the pond.


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Thanks for sharing your guys bubble counter experience. I've been learning a lot from all your trials and tribulations, Fresh and contributers.

Going a couple pages back, you mentioned blanching zucchini in the micro. I saw this experiment that was done a few years ago, yet it has not slowed down my usage of cooking my own food in the micro. However, I will steam my zucchini for the fish and shrimp...go figure.

http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp
 
The other tests on the site 'prove' micros are totally safe:)

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If you have any extra trimmings of pogostemon erectus and ar mini on your hands feel free to message me Fresh.
Looking good even when you neglect it.


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Here is a before and after of Sunday's rescape:
oSqLdPU.png
8bRoc81.png
Tank looks naked IMO. Other than a few drifting stems, the arrangement looks good despite working in "chocolate milk" conditions. I literally had to plant "by feel". The fun part is watching it grow out again. Fish don't really have a place to hide so they are swimming about in the open water.
H2O2 treatment on Monday is taking effect (BBA turning colors). Maybe another dose tomorrow.
The Petsmart check valves and Fluval bubble counter appear to be working fine. I lowered the output to 1 bps. Diffuser still producing a fine mist and I figure less plant mass = less CO2 consumption.


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tiger terror said:
Wow....looks great before & after...?

sit in silence...
Click to expand...


Thanks. Didn't your 20L go through a similar deforestation?
So I just dumped a whole bunch of duckweed into this tank. Say what?!? I'm prepping the new shrimp tank; I don't want any duckweed in there because removal involves netting and the risk of scooping up shrimp. I
moved it out of the new shrimp tank and into this one. I know someone who collects duckweed to feed their goldfish and I will be seeing them this weekend. This stuff may double by then!


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@_@ Hack n slashed! Murder! Help! Police! Heh heh heh I will never see duckweed without thinking duckherp. Doesn't look scary, though.


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