Hi all,

I am starting a new 10 gallon tank. It will have 36watts of CF for lighting. A 2213 for a filter with pressurized co2 via a ceramic diffuser. I am using ADA aquasoil for the first time in this tank.

For the most part this tank will be planted with HC. I might use a little riccia and maybe a blyxa japonica or two.

I'm not sure how soon to start ferts via EI method in this tank. I have a fair amount of hc to plant but the biomass will be low. This will be a critter free tank until I get it going well. I won't have a problem blasting co2 which I hope will help.



Any thoughts about ferts or if I am heading for an algae paradise? How soon to start dosing?

Thanks
riverrat



P.S. I will use some efhi substrat from an established 2126 to help with the colonization in my 2213

Hi riverrat.

I'd suggest floating fast growing plants in the tank. They'll add to the biomass and also block out some of the light. That should go a long way towards deterring algae growth. If you do this, you can dose like normal, perhaps not quite full blast Ei but as long as your plant mass is high you'll be ok. As the HC roots and sends out runners you can begin removing the floating plants a little at a time until you eventually phase them out.

This really is easier than trying to balance a sparsely planted tank on the head of a pin.

Great idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I over think things.
Keep It Simple Stupid. I need to remember that.


This is kind of a Iguawami project subject to change at my discretion. . I've been taking my time on the setup. Waiting for some purigen to get here. Figure that might come in handy for the aquasoil. Need to grab some filter floss and I think I will be ready to finish the setup and get to planting. My HC in my other tank is really in need of replanting badly. I've let it get really high in anticipation of planting this tank and replanting the other at the same time. My fingers hurt thinking about it.




thx again
riverrat

Use tweezers for HC.
Activated carbon, zeolite and large water changes also work till the Purigen arrives and should also be implemented.
You cannot do too many water changes in the newer tanks, as long as you dose after.

Regards,
Tom Barr

I searched all the acronyms I could find here, and abbreviations, and for "HC." However, I can't find it, nor can I figure out what it is (besides some sort of plant).

Anybody?

Its a plant ..........Hemianthus Callitrichoides = HC


Thanks for the input. The purigen will come tomorrow! Tweezers...yes a must . I just hope I don't get lazy and start shoving clumps down. I have HC in my other tank and it does quite well in eco-complete. It is easy to maintain but it seems that at some point (to thick growing on top of itself) I have to pull it up.

I have been wanting to try aquasoil for some time now. I ordered some along with some manten stone and thought a little iwagumi would be fun.

I just bought some floaters (dwarf water lettuce and some red root floaters) to help with start up.

Should I go ahead and target normal E.I. from the start with good co2. With this tank being so small I will most likely make a solution of macros for easier dosing.


river

If anyone wants rocks, we got plenty here in the Bay area.

I do not ship, so do not ask

Regards,
Tom Barr