Amano New Year Build!

Discussion in 'Members Systems' started by LilMissMurder, Jan 5, 2025.

  1. LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    Hi guys,

    In the spirit of all things 2025, I'll be joining Luke to also set up my new (to me) tank, which I got today. The tank is in excellent condition and I'm the proverbial piglet. It's much bigger than I anticipated, in that way that playing air tape measure is bound to deceive.

    It's an ADA 60-P (I think), the dims are W600x450Dx390H. Included was a fancy ADA LED light which is designed for it. Nishant was also kind enough to throw in a tonne of frags (which I have yet to learn what's what), and two BEAUTIFUL violet Cryptos (although it remains to be seen whether they survive).

    I don't have a suitable spot for the tank yet, for now it's parked off on a PC monitor box lid on the dining room table while I figure out what to do. I will need to get a stand for it asap.

    Any tips on keeping the plants alive while they await their new home would be much appreciated. I do have another el cheapo 1.5ft tank which I could use but I'd prefer to keep the specimens separate for the time being, unless it would improve my chances to increase the water volume and maybe get some water movement going. The water has been dechlorinated but I have not dosed it with anything yet. What I will be doing is covering the tank with clingfilm to keep assorted whatnots and curious clawed critters out (Exhibit A attached).

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    Purrseus approves of the fancy new glass litterbox.

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  3. LukeJHB

    LukeJHB

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    Not jealous in the slightest! :D:D

    What a stunning tank. That light is next level as well. Starting off on the right foot for a great setup! :thumbup:

    Hmm, not sure if I'm more excited about your tank or mine now? Definitely following along oj this build!
     
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  4. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    :D Your tank will be up and running much quicker than mine. If I'm honest I am not ready for this tank and it's going to be standing empty for a while. The tank was an early birthday gift but the rest of it I'll have to DIY as I go along. That means no expensive aqua soils and pH controllers and and and. Luckily I have the basics and my dad has a tonne of spare equipment like heaters and HOBs and so this journey will be a test of my patience and ingenuity more than my poor purse. The biggest issue right now is the lack of a suitable stand.
     
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  5. LukeJHB

    LukeJHB

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    Nothing wrong with taking your time or doing it on a budget.

    My 20l was done on a tight budget. The entire setup (tank, equipment, light, substrate, plants, fertilizer, livestock) cost under 2k and it still had great results.

    I'll keep an eye out for a stand for you too!
     
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  6. Whoknows

    Whoknows Moderator

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    Why not make a DIY stand out of plywood
     
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  7. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    Thank you, I appreciate it! <3
     
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  8. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    I am considering it for sure!
     
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  9. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    20250106_135305.jpg

    Well I am utterly spoiled for choice! :thumbup:

    SO MUCH OF WATTAGE! Brand new 50W + 2x 150W, plus a salt-encrusted 200W. I love having a father who's a bit of a loot squirrel ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Which is the better/more reliable brand, ViaAqua or Dophin? I have to choose one of the 150W heaters for the ada.
     
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  10. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    I'm setting up the one fiddy footer for the plants. I bought a 15L bag of "Culterra Aquatic Mix" at my local nursery for the princely sum of R25.

    I just dumped it straight into the tank, which was a mistake for two reasons. Firstly, it's was fairly compacted and lumpy, with random lumps of clay as well that weren't properly homogenized into the mix. Thus, I spent a fair bit of time bashing and slicing at it to get it fairly smooth - while it was in the tank. I should have dumped it into a wheelbarrow or something first.

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    Secondly, it's pretty gravely which means this tank is now probably scratched worse than a set of rims after a new year's piss-up. IF this stuff does the job, I will think long and hard about adding it to the ADA, and if I'll do I'd line the sides with some plastic sheets or something first. Here's a closeup after spraying down the surface:

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    There is organic material in it, but no big pieces I could see. It looks to be a mix of finely composted organic material, sand, clay and gravel. I have no idea whether it has been fortified with anything, the bag it came in doesn't list anything and neither does their website.

    The 15dm3 bag gave me around a 5cm layer in this tiny 450Wx250x300h tank, so it's plenty for now.

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  11. LukeJHB

    LukeJHB

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    What a winner !

    Don't have personal experience with either heater but I am familiar with some of the other Dophin products and they've all been good :)
     
  12. LukeJHB

    LukeJHB

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    That Aquatic compost works so well! Especially as a base layer for nutrients.

    Not sure if you've got anything on hand to cap it with? Keep all those nutrients where they belong and not floating around the water column
     
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  13. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    Is it too late to change my entry for TOTM? :rolleyes:

    The cryptos are in but adding in more water put an abrupt end to the festivities and I'll have to wait for this lot to settle.

    <insert some BS here about red african soil in our blood something something>

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  14. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    Not for this temporary setup, I just want to give the plants something to think about while they sit in limbo (because I need them to do the thinking for me :drool:)
     
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  15. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    The Dophin one is supposedly ISO9001 so I'll use it.
     
  16. LukeJHB

    LukeJHB

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    Hmm, I think it's plant abuse to keep those beautiful crypts in those conditions. I'll happily look after them for you until you forgotten I've got them :tt2:

    In all seriousness, they're gonna enjoy all those nutrients. The root system is going to go mad in there :thumbup:
     
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  17. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    I'm tempted to whack a dirty big HOB on there and stuff it with filter wool :(

    With the scape I have in mind I will likely not use the cryptos. I'll keep you posted.
     
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  18. LukeJHB

    LukeJHB

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    The flow will be great for everything too. Good idea.

    Please do! I'd happily buy them off you if you don't end up using them :)
     
  19. Jaco Du plooy

    Jaco Du plooy

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    Not an expert, but are you not supposed to put a sand cap on top of soil? Peppa pig would love that tank.
     
  20. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    @LilMissMurder

    Following to see how this progresses.
    Good luck with the project.
     
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  21. OP
    LilMissMurder

    LilMissMurder

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    Yes, you are correct. The idea was just to have a temporary holding tank to keep the plants happy for a few weeks until I get a cabinet sorted for the ADA.

    As it is, I feel like dumping it all in the garden. It's a frickin toilet. The culterra mix's clay particles (I assume) are so fine so that it forms a colloid and did not settle out overnight AT ALL. The cryptos were not getting any light, even from the side at the rear where I planted them, so I've pulled them out again and they're back in the tupperware. I will leave the tank standing for a few days to see if it does eventually settle so I can hoover it out. I've read that dirted tanks need some idle time in the beginning because ammonia goes through the roof and it needs to gas out. I'll go get some play sand or something at builders to cover it up.

    If I'm honest - I am tempted to assert that culterra aquatic mix is a kak product for aquariums. Or maybe I got a bad batch, or more likely maybe I'm just dumb and got murphied. It's a bit of a demoralizing non-start but I was given a pep talk this morning: "In fishkeeping, only bad things happen quickly."
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2025
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