My Humble Low Tech Setup

This tank is amazing!

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@Beans: Thanks I try and keep it as low tech and simple as possible. I change water once a week now about 30% and I spend about an hour a week on it. The rest I leave to mother nature.

 

Since removing the plants from my HOB my GSA has all but gone and my water parameters are still fine. I am pretty surprised at the Crypts I bought a month ago. Usually when I plant them they melt and bounce back but nothing with the one:

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Also my moss finally decided to join the party and it has started to take off nicely:

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So it was the nutrients being sucked out too quickly? Interesting. I think the Planted HOB is an amazing thing. It would be great for malawi tanks, fry raising tanks, discus systems, etc. Excellent way to keep excess nutrients down.

 

@Sean J: I am guessing so it would be great for tanks were aquatic plants are not an option, but if you want to go the planted route not so much.

 

So I ran out of my DIY Osmocote tabs, so I quickly made another bath these should last me for another year lol!

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A little bank bag filled goes a long way.

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@Swagasaurus Where do you get osmocote from? Are they as effective as root tabs and do they totally disolve or leave something behind?

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@Beans: They are just as effective, actually they last longer than normal root tabs these last for 6 months. And they totally dissolve. I got it from another forum member and gave away most of it because I only use a small amount. I know people who are hoarding KG's of the stuff god knows for what a small bank bag would last me more than 2 years.

 

Since most pre maid fertilizers are getting too damn expensive to buy I decided to go the EL route. I just need two more ingredients then I am done, also need to find a small measuring spoon. Marked my bottles for easy dosing:

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And it is done found everything I needed for R 210 a bit more expensive than Tropica but it will last me more than a month.

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@Swagasaurus. Please talk us through this process, what you used and how effective it is

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@Beans it is a well known way of dosing but it will take loads and loads of time to explain so I will rather post you the link to the forum I got it form: EI for dummies..

And here is were I asked for more advice on EL: Some EL Dosing questions

 

Haha awesome thanks! Will have a read tonight

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No problem, when my Tropica is finished I will switch over to the EL method and see how it goes.

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What's the difference between EL and EI?

 

@MattLamm: EI is the correct way of spelling it lol! My bad.

 

No real updates cleaned both the canister and HOB filter this morning and did a gravel vacuum near the front glass were I had a bit of an algae issue.

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So I added the Vallisneria that I bought too my setup, in two spots that need the background filled out. Hopefully they do not melt away and start growing like weed:

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Dont worry, Vallis will grow like crazy! and block out all the light for all your other plants. :biggrin: