The 35 Gal hex setup
The hex tank has been running now for
around 10 years since it's last tear down, but it has only been planted since
4/96.
It has a Aquaclear 300 power filter which only has a sponge in it, it also has a
sponge on the uplift tube to keep large debris out of the filter. The Aquaclear
300 is running about half throttle. Occasionally I will add Carbon if needed,
but typically that is only once a year at most. There is also a Under Gravel
Filter (UGF) with an Aquaclear power head 301. I have a sponge on the output
side of the power head to reduce the currents, it also helps absorb the CO2
slowing it's release into the tank. The power head is running at the minimum
flow rate it can.
The Ebo-jager heater is 100 watts.
The light is provided by two 15 watt Tritons and 2 GE Daylights, and I always
keep the hood very clean and have aluminized mylar on the inside of the light
fixtures for improved reflection.
My tap pH is about 7.6 but the tanks run around 6.9. I have hard tap water and
the tank KH is around 60ppm- 150ppm and GH about 150ppm-300ppm.
I feed the plants a personalized mix of PMDD
approximately 40 drops daily and 50 drops at my weekly 20% water changes. I
also add ¼ teaspoon of Potassium sulfate at water changes. My mix now is the
basic with Potassium sulfate replacing the Potassium nitrate and a little extra
Potassium sulfate to boot due to my higher fish loads.
The fish eat a combination of Tetra Rudy, Tetra brine shrimp flake, Wardleys
cichlid pellets, Tetra floating dorimine sticks, frozen blood worms and other
frozen foods.
On 10-25-96 I replaced the DIY CO2 injection with a 5# pressurized CO2
bottle. I now have a more consistent CO2 injection rate, and am running 1
bubble of CO2 every 9 seconds. I was having trouble getting all the leaks out
of the DIY system and the injection rates were consistently changing. I am
maintaining a KH above 3° or 53ppm and the pH remains constant. I will keep you
informed. Leaks in the compressed gas system can be a problem too, so make sure
to snoop the connections before use. To do this mix a little dish soap with
water and spray/pour it on all the connections and observe for bubbles. The CO2
setup is a 5 pound pressurized bottle with a low pressure regulator. The
regulator is an old one from a beer tap setup. Next there is a needle valve to
further throttle the flow down to a bubble every few seconds and the tube just
runs from the valve into a simple reactor in the tank. The 5 pound bottle
lasted for 1 year between fill ups($9).
And the Numbers are:
|
pH |
6.8 |
|
KH |
55ppm |
|
GH |
150ppm- 300ppm |
|
Ammo |
0ppm |
|
NO2 |
0ppm |
|
NO3 |
<45ppm |
|
Temp |
77°F (25°C) |
|
Fe |
<.1ppm |
|
PO4 |
<.1ppm |
|
CO2 |
14ppm |
The Fish were chosen as the main exhibit when I kept angels, and an army of helpers. But as time passes, well things change. Now the main course has become the clown and Yoyo loaches. The two loaches I now refer to as the cronies are probably near 8 years old now. Also the load is kept at a level to help maintain the water quality necessary for healthy plant growth. i.e. lower nitrates and phosphate. The plecos are of the type that will remain relatively small and the loaches help in snail control and the.
|
# |
size |
Type |
Scientific Name |
max |
Description |
|
1 |
5 |
Clown Loach |
Botia Macracanthus |
10 |
Very nice and fun to watch, but does nibble holes in leaves. Snail control |
|
1 |
6 |
Pakastani Botia |
Botia alamorha |
4.5 |
Fun to watch and Snail control |
|
1 |
4 |
Bristle Nose Pleco |
Ancistrus |
4.5 |
Algae eater, general scavenger, stays small |
|
1 |
4 |
Clown Pleco |
|
10 |
Algae eater, larger size will make him leave soon |
|
1 |
1 |
Ottos |
Otocinclus affinis |
2 |
|
|
4 |
2 |
Pulchra Loaches |
Botia Pulchra |
5 |
|
The Plants have gone through many changes like the fish. When you pay less attention to things, the most aggressive plant will win:)
|
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Description |
|
|
1 |
Java Fern |
Microsorium pteropus |
Large low light plant, constantly producing advantageous babies. This beast took over the tank and now controls about half the volume. |
|
1 |
Anubias |
Anubias batrteri var. nana |
Slow but constant grower, low light plant, blooms under water. Do not bury the rhizome |
|
2 |
Vals |
Vallisneria gigantea |
I assume Gigantea because the leaves are 50+ inches long |
|
1 |
Eloda |
Eloda densa |
Everyone knows Anacharis |
Jeff Dietsch (jdietsch@ptd.net)
Last Updated 10/06/02