Thinking of starting a new tank - Cichlids

Yeah, once you have a price let me know ... XD



So I need to as rapidly as possible grow grass cover in like bulk. The grass I want is apparently super hard to find: eleocharis sp mini.

Since I want rapid growth, I have seen these CO2 kits that have like a shaving can of CO2 and a couple accessories, can get it for R150-200. Do these work or should I look at getting a proper CO2 setup?

Would prefer to not have to run CO2 once the fish are in.


::: EDIT :::

This thing

 

You could also do your own diy CO2. Grab a 2l bottle, half a packet of yeast and a cup of sugar, dissolve in water (max temp luke warm so as not to boil the yeast) stick some airtubing through the lid and seal around with either silicone or prestik and attach an airstone or get a co2 diffuser and voila. Only issue is you can't switch it off when the lights go out because the pressure build up won't hold in a plastic bottle like that so a lot gets wasted, but it isn't expensive or difficult to refill every 2 or 3 weeks.

 

I recently found some: https://mcmerwe.co.za/shop/dennerle-eleocharis-pusilla-hair-grass/

 

Wait wait wait ... holdup .. is this legit ? ... That is such a cool DIY trick ...

You can put your diffuser into your sump right ?

I saw this, saw it was similar but havent checked what the differences are yet.

Still dealing with the substrate. (decided what to get but man, its so expensive, but I want to do it right so yeah)

 

This "Pusilla" is just another name for the mini variant from what I could find.

DIY CO2 works great. I use a 1,5L Coke bottle as I do not trust the 2L ones with any pressure. Got myself a kit and mixed the components to only use a single bottle and just have the pressure gauge and needle valve on a single cap. Search for "Clscea G200 Aquarium DIY CO2 Generator System Kit" on Amazon.

 

That is so damn cool !!

Thanks for setting me on this path !!


Any chance you have pictures of your setup ? ... I have never used CO2 before, so lots of learning I think

 

I will get some pics over the weekend for you.

 

Any chance you have a pic ?

That would be amazing, thanks so much !!




So since I have not done CO2 yet, how do I work out the pressure and stuff, or is that more to stop the bottle blowing ?

Sorry, I am completely clueless on CO2 currently, will research the weekend only

 

Will let you know, using Amazonia V2, so have plenty nutrients for now ... XD

 

... Nah never .. They just wanted to give me their money ... hahahahaha


I know I shouldnt have, but I already spent so much, I may as well do it properly right ?


Just picked up:

15kg crushed lava rock (base layer)

8kg lava rock chunks (to build up height)

2x 9L Amazonia v2 (I still might need another bag or 2)

1x 4L Amazonia v2

1x CO2 reactor

6 filter mesh bags



Still need:

Kak huis vol Plants

+- 20-30kg Hardscape

Lighting

3x DISCUS
Dither Fish (not sure which yet)
bottom feeders (not sure which yet)

 

Looking for some opinions, added a light to the tank render and came up with a different idea which is harder to portray but gave it a go.

Be kind, I know they not super great looking.


Original idea, aquascape going right to left:




The other idea was the aquascape going back to front, but this feels like its going to cost me a heck of a lot more:

 

I am hoping I do it justice, its my first tank in many years, so expecting teething issues, lets see how it goes.

I am happy with both renders, just like to get peoples opinion cause the more you know the better.

First render is my priority at the moment


Yeah, R3.9k.

Got 5 tufts of Eleocharis Pavulla, 2x Ozelot Greens, and 1 rosanervig for the little nano tank I randomly decided to start to grow plants in while I toy with the 4ft.

Its so hard to shop responsibly in this hobby, its too much fun ... haahaha

 

So decided to plant my little 1ft tonight, got a little sloppy at the end so will need to move 1 plant tomorrow, but just wanted to get it in the water ...

Could have done better, but figured since its a grow out tank it doesnt have to be perfect.

Apologies for bad photography.

 

Here is my DIY. Pressure isn't an issue because there's no build up. Whatever build up there is, is free to escape out the tube. If I had a valve and tried switching it off at night then I'd start having some messy and possibly hazardous issues. This is extremely simple. Bottle, lid with hole, tube inserted, prestik to seal it, airstone on the other end.Absolutely no regulation unfortunately but since the bubbles coming out aren't so fine, a lot just escapes the water surface rather than poisoning/suffocating the fish so I don't need a regulator or anything. And yes, this method is very wasteful, every 2 weeks I have to refill the bottle. I did this more as an experiment to see just how much it would make a different for my basic plants before spending money on a system.
Please excuse the floating plants... My snail decided to do some landscaping and I haven't gotten round to putting them back yet..

 

Thank you very much.

I am going to do the same, couldnt get the caps and not looking to spend R500-R700 on something prestik will do. HAHA

Once mine is setup, will send pics. (probably Thursday)