PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build - Page 23

dynafire · 07-22-2009, 12:29 PM

Hi Paul, Whew!!! what a long thread lol. I'm new to the forum and it is nice seeing your progresses. The stand is AMAZING BTW. It looks just like my 125 mansion style stand. Just out of curiosity, have you decide on any fertilizers?

Best Regards,
David

PEMfish · 07-23-2009, 03:14 PM

Thanks.
I haven't thought about chemistry for awhile now. I was starting to do some planing so I could have a system in place before water to keep the chemistry where I want it but Iv kinda forgot all about that. When things start to go wrong I'll do something to fix it, like buy fertilizers.

I got the light built! Very bright, its a superior sun. Pics to come.
I will need to rip most of the lighting out of the hood to mod the hood though, the way the braces and the reflectors line up the hood is unable to open, I will need to move the braces.

FishNerd · 07-23-2009, 03:51 PM

Just a recommendation for good growth..... The fundamentals great price....

Freshwater Aquatic Plants in Aquariums: Flourish Liquid Plant Packs[/u]

dynafire · 07-23-2009, 08:21 PM

Liquid fertilizers are great but it is more economical to use dry ferts for your size tank IMO. I would think you need some sort of ferts for the amount of light you are providing or you might end up with some algae issues. There are several proven methods for dosing available and they are pretty easy but require some reading. I've tried several myself and I really like PPS-Pros method (easy and effortless). There are also EI method (good growth) and PPS-Classic (too much water testing for me).

Best Regards,
David

DaveK · 07-24-2009, 11:59 PM

I see that several people have recommended fertilizers in FW planted systems. I must respectfully disagree.

By adding a few fish, you are going to get all the nitrates and phosphates you could possibly ever want.

If you are going to supplement anything, expect it to be the trace elements. Like reef systems, you should only supplement what you can test for. Also, go easy on them you don't need much.

Just like I have book I recommend for for people starting off with reef tanks, I have a few for people keeping FW planted systems.

Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock is an excellent all around guide.

Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad is a book that goes very deep into the subject. Get it from your library first, before you buy.

If you can find a used copy actually published by the Innes Publishing Company, Exotic Aquarium Fishes by William T. Innes is also good. These will be books published in the late 1950's or before, but beware, the book is now in the public domain, and can be published by anyone. These later copies often use inferior photos, and cut out original parts of the book. Since this book is older and predates the use of CO2 injection and dousing, such subjects are not covered.

PEMfish · 07-25-2009, 10:21 AM

I like Innes I own a book or two now.As for dosing I was planning on EI. I like the control it gives me.
I plan to dose nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, and trace elements.

Clownfish518 · 07-25-2009, 11:35 AM

I own the Hiscock (actually, 2 Hiscock books) and the Walstad. I like them both - don't tell anyone, but I want to do an FW planted system soon

DaveK · 07-25-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PEMfish

...
I plan to dose nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, and trace elements.

I recommend you avoid dosing with nitrogen, potassium, and/or phosphate, unless you see a specific problem. It's been my experience that dosing this leads to massive unwanted algae problems.

Yes, I know some people do dose these and have fantastic results. However, I think you'll find that people that get away with this have many years of experience and very carefully control the dosing. I will venture to say that they have also had their fair share "magnificent algae tanks" at one time or another.

Some of this is also dependant upon what plants you want to keep. Some are more demanding than others. Most of the easier plants will do just fine, even under "less than perfect" conditions.

PEMfish · 07-26-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK

I recommend you avoid dosing with nitrogen, potassium, and/or phosphate, unless you see a specific problem. It's been my experience that dosing this leads to massive unwanted algae problems.

With the lighting and CO2 setup here dosing these will really help to balance the tank and get more growth. these are the main nutrients taken up by plants. Ya just gotta keep it in line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK

Yes, I know some people do dose these and have fantastic results. However, I think you'll find that people that get away with this have many years of experience

Iv been in FW for about 10 years. And a setup like this is never a first tank.

PEMfish · 08-13-2009, 01:21 PM

I got the hood remachined. I lost a lamp clip so I cant get the whole thing back together and on the tank till I buy another one of those. I also still need to get fans. Soon as I can get it shimmed I'll fill it. Should be next week.

BigAl07 · 08-13-2009, 01:49 PM

Next week it is

I'm putting it on my calendar (not really but I'll be watching for it).

PEMfish · 08-16-2009, 01:19 AM

Alright

StirCrayzy · 08-23-2009, 02:46 PM

Wow... what a read. Excellent progress, I love the hood/stand, They're gorgeous.
cant wait to see some water and green.

PEMfish · 08-28-2009, 05:35 PM

Clownfish518 · 08-28-2009, 07:20 PM

So how is your tank doing?

07-22-2009, 12:29 PM	#331 (permalink)
dynafire Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Hi Paul, Whew!!! what a long thread lol. I'm new to the forum and it is nice seeing your progresses. The stand is AMAZING BTW. It looks just like my 125 mansion style stand. Just out of curiosity, have you decide on any fertilizers? Best Regards, David

07-23-2009, 03:14 PM	#332 (permalink)
PEMfish Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 3,048 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Thanks. I haven't thought about chemistry for awhile now. I was starting to do some planing so I could have a system in place before water to keep the chemistry where I want it but Iv kinda forgot all about that. When things start to go wrong I'll do something to fix it, like buy fertilizers. I got the light built! Very bright, its a superior sun. Pics to come. I will need to rip most of the lighting out of the hood to mod the hood though, the way the braces and the reflectors line up the hood is unable to open, I will need to move the braces. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

07-23-2009, 03:51 PM	#333 (permalink)
FishNerd Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 89 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Just a recommendation for good growth..... The fundamentals great price.... Freshwater Aquatic Plants in Aquariums: Flourish Liquid Plant Packs[/u]

07-23-2009, 08:21 PM	#334 (permalink)
dynafire Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Liquid fertilizers are great but it is more economical to use dry ferts for your size tank IMO. I would think you need some sort of ferts for the amount of light you are providing or you might end up with some algae issues. There are several proven methods for dosing available and they are pretty easy but require some reading. I've tried several myself and I really like PPS-Pros method (easy and effortless). There are also EI method (good growth) and PPS-Classic (too much water testing for me). Best Regards, David

07-24-2009, 11:59 PM	#335 (permalink)
DaveK Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 1,356 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build I see that several people have recommended fertilizers in FW planted systems. I must respectfully disagree. By adding a few fish, you are going to get all the nitrates and phosphates you could possibly ever want. If you are going to supplement anything, expect it to be the trace elements. Like reef systems, you should only supplement what you can test for. Also, go easy on them you don't need much. Just like I have book I recommend for for people starting off with reef tanks, I have a few for people keeping FW planted systems. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock is an excellent all around guide. Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad is a book that goes very deep into the subject. Get it from your library first, before you buy. If you can find a used copy actually published by the Innes Publishing Company, Exotic Aquarium Fishes by William T. Innes is also good. These will be books published in the late 1950's or before, but beware, the book is now in the public domain, and can be published by anyone. These later copies often use inferior photos, and cut out original parts of the book. Since this book is older and predates the use of CO2 injection and dousing, such subjects are not covered.

07-25-2009, 10:21 AM	#336 (permalink)
PEMfish Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 3,048 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build I like Innes I own a book or two now.As for dosing I was planning on EI. I like the control it gives me. I plan to dose nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, and trace elements. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

07-25-2009, 11:35 AM	#337 (permalink)
Clownfish518 Razorback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bentonville, Arkansas Posts: 1,542 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build I own the Hiscock (actually, 2 Hiscock books) and the Walstad. I like them both - don't tell anyone, but I want to do an FW planted system soon __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham

08-13-2009, 01:21 PM	#340 (permalink)
PEMfish Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 3,048 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build I got the hood remachined. I lost a lamp clip so I cant get the whole thing back together and on the tank till I buy another one of those. I also still need to get fans. Soon as I can get it shimmed I'll fill it. Should be next week. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

08-13-2009, 01:49 PM	#341 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,547 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Next week it is I'm putting it on my calendar (not really but I'll be watching for it). __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

08-16-2009, 01:19 AM	#342 (permalink)
PEMfish Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 3,048 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Alright __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef chronicle; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...chronicle.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

08-23-2009, 02:46 PM	#343 (permalink)
StirCrayzy Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Detroit Posts: 285 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build Wow... what a read. Excellent progress, I love the hood/stand, They're gorgeous. cant wait to see some water and green. __________________ Josh, SW 40g tall http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post666037 60 lbs LR 30" JBJ Dual Actinic/10,000K Eheim Pro2 Prizm HOB w/ custom overflow FW 65g S.American Cichlids Hybrid Paludarium Project http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...aludarium.html Other Critters here http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g4...ayzy/Critters/ Dont complain about anything until you change 25 % every 2 weeks ! Thank you everyone for making mistakes for me!! If you can relate.... your welcome.

08-28-2009, 07:20 PM	#345 (permalink)
Clownfish518 Razorback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bentonville, Arkansas Posts: 1,542 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PEMs Freshwater Planted 65G build So how is your tank doing? __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham

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