130 gallon dirted tank

[Wepwawet]

Lighting: 72" aquatic life 8 bulb fixture
Filter: FX5 canister
CO2 this weekend will be installed with a reactor.
Heat 2x 200 watt

Thinking of doing a "journal" if there's enough interest in them as there are 100s online for this type of tank now.

So she's up finally

 

[brennae]

I'm always interested in a dirted tank as I have one also. Mine is more the Walstad method and lowtech.

 

[DanTheGuppyMan]

Following this! I love builds and watching planted tanks progress over time

 

[gman42]

Im following

 

[Wepwawet]

All cleared up Now if only my wall color didn't look like poo thru the tank..... Will be fixed this weekend.

I haven't tested yet will be doing the first round of that tomorrow.

I'm very pleased with having clear water so soon. I read where others have had to do multiple water changes to get here.

 

[DanTheGuppyMan]

Wow you are right about the wall color lol...not the best Are you going to paint the back of the tank or use a background? It is looking awesome from what I can see LOL. My 60g was sooo dark at first but it took 2 days with a running filter to get it clear. Whats your stocking list once it cycles?

 

[Wepwawet]

Thinking black foam board for background. Was going to paint but thought 2 1/2" was to small to try to get paint off if i wanted to change color down the road lol.

Stock as it stands now in my head

25-30 Harlequin Rasbora
25-30 Rummy-nose tetra
25-30 undecided
2 L052 Butterfly Plecos
RCS
MTS
1 very bright discus to pull it all together

 

[bevoholic]

Is this just straight up dirt? No cap on top?

 

[Wepwawet]

1.5-2" dirt with 1.75-2" black blasting sand as a cap (3 50lbs bags) and may add another bag but not sure yet. When it all levels out I will decide. I will post the whole setting up of the tank probably Saturday when I have time to write the novel thats required to explain why/how I did it

 

[special.k]

Just a piece of advice from a fellow dirt user. Make sure that you do many large water changes on your new tank otherwise the excess nutrients from the dirt will be heaven for algae.

 

[Wepwawet]

First round of test

Ph 8.2
Ammonia .25
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 5

Amazing beautiful results so far. I'm shocked they are so good

 

[Wepwawet]

Testing this morning and evening shows

8.2 0 0 5-10ppm

Most excellent! I put a Mts in and hoping it lays some eggs. And 2 L052 Butterfly plecos in I normally wouldn't but as seeing the readings the plants are from a friends tank and algae waffers they have food. Thinking a veg tomorrow. I will be watching the water column test like a hawk. If I see a shift its just back to the smaller tank.

I know this carries a risk but I'm not the only one in a dirted tank to cycle in days and they put Angeles fully stocked as soon as the test cleared.

Wish me luck

 

[GodFan]

Testing this morning and evening shows

8.2 0 0 5-10ppm

Most excellent! I put a Mts in and hoping it lays some eggs. And 2 L052 Butterfly plecos in I normally wouldn't but as seeing the readings the plants are from a friends tank and algae waffers they have food. Thinking a veg tomorrow. I will be watching the water column test like a hawk. If I see a shift its just back to the smaller tank.

I know this carries a risk but I'm not the only one in a dirted tank to cycle in days and they put Angeles fully stocked as soon as the test cleared.

Wish me luck

Mts are live bearers so they may be disappointing in the egg laying department is that your regular light?

 

[DWilliams]

Following, looking good so far.

 

[Wepwawet]

Even better about MTS I want lots.

Yes my aquatic life fixture came with moon lights it's a nice touch imo.

My plecos must think I've lost it checking in on them a lot lol

 

[GodFan]

Even better about MTS I want lots.

Yes my aquatic life fixture came with moon lights it's a nice touch imo.

My plecos must think I've lost it checking in on them a lot lol

That is cool. I thought it was alwayz like that lol

 

[Wepwawet]

Some do run the blue 24/7 I have mine to come on 2 minutes before the day lights go out. If I find there is a reason to run them being how they are led I would

 

[GodFan]

Some do run the blue 24/7 I have mine to come on 2 minutes before the day lights go out. If I find there is a reason to run them being how they are led I would

ok I gotchya. Well it looks good!

 

[DanTheGuppyMan]

It looks good!

 

[Wepwawet]

Thanks I'm excited how well everything is working out