Start of a long relationship (planted tank journal)

[belfourisbetter]

Wait... did I read that right? You can use regular pool sand instead of the more expensive stuff they sell at the LFS? I am SO going to have to do that! Do you have to provide any extra nutrients or anything for your plants?

 

[Crepe]

Wait... did I read that right? You can use regular pool sand instead of the more expensive stuff they sell at the LFS? I am SO going to have to do that! Do you have to provide any extra nutrients or anything for your plants?

Yep I got mine at leslies for 10 bucks for 50lbs (enough to fill a 40gallon tank to a reasonable depth.

You will need root tabs though.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yep... I usually get mine at Meijer for $1.99 a bag for 50lb bags

 

[ejaramillo01]

So you just ask for sand pool filter?

Should be untrated? or special? Sorry I don't want to interfere with your thread....

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yep. Some stores like lowes, home depot, target, walmart, etc carry it as well... Pool supply stores are about the only sure fire bet though, it's kinda hit or miss when dealing with other places. A new lfs that just opened here in town carries it as well.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Ordered my Co2 cylinder tonight... I think I'm up to about $12,342,342,342.42 so far...

 

[Sonomakid]

Nice Start !!!! cant wait to see it with fish

 

[daileene]

looking jonathan...following this thread...i love your DWs...

 

[Jason7894561230]

Fish? What kind are they, please tell

 

[mfdrookie516]

fort... that plant you couldn't figure out, could it be Sagittaria chilensis? I was just looking around online and saw a picture of it and instantly thought thats what it was.

 

[Jason7894561230]

Fine ignore me then Jonathan i will find out though

 

[mfdrookie516]

Sorry Jason... Looks like they'll be here Wednesday... maybe even Tuesday if the post office is real nice to me

 

[mfdrookie516]

Ok... UPDATE TIME!!!!!!

I was expecting my regulator to come in the mail tomorrow. That's when they said it would be here. They were wrong. Checked the tracking site to make sure it was on time, it was delivered. Checked the mail box, there it was. So, with no further interruption... pics:

 

[fort384]

Straighten up that bubble counter foo'.

Seriously though, read the book before you screw it on a full tank... If it isn't setup right it can destroy the regulator.

Congrats on the new acquisition!



Aquarium for IPhone

 

[fort384]

Oh and use vegetable oil in the bubble counter. It won't evaporate like water will.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Haha.. I wasn't even concerned if it was on there right, I was mainly checking to make sure it would screw on. I found out after I ordered them that there are a few different thread sizes in co2 cylinders. I'm taking the cylinder with my to work tomorrow as there's a place right next door that refills all types of gas. Oh, and thanks for the veggie oil recommendation... I'll make sure and do that... would canola oil work? I have gallons of that, no veggie oil ATM, but can get some if needed.

 

[fort384]

Canola will work great. I used water for the first few months and had to fill it frequently. With the oil I haven't had to refill for 2 years.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Good deal. Tomorrow is going to be a busy busy day for me. I gotta fill the cylinder, build the reactor, make a bracket for inside the tank, buy a kH test, set my new light up, do a pwc on all my tanks, and then wait until the pipe cement has fully cured (i'm guessing overnight?). Ahhh, so exciting!

On a side note, would it be a good idea to use the same timer for my lights and the solenoid? I was just thinking that plants don't use co2 when the lights are off, so would it be better to have the solenoid shut off maybe 30 minutes before the lights, and come on 30 minutes before the lights? I can definitely buy another timer if I need to.

 

[fort384]

I would get another timer for the best results. You want it to turn on 30-60 mins before the lights and turn off 30-60 mins before the lights go out. This will keep the pH swings to a more manageable level.

It will be ok though if they are on the same timer... Just not optimal.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Excellent. Thank you very much sir. I hope you're looking forward to lots of pics tomorrow