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March 15th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| And doing what I do best...staring at/into the tank... | 
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March 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| wow, its starting to look really good and i also love the idea of having driftwood | |
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Well I have the tank cycled, most of the plants are in (not in the right spots yet), and I have started to move some of the fish over. I added the plants to start getting them to fill out and I will complete the final placement next weekend. I have moved my school of balas over as well as my cardinal school of 25. Sorry for the bad photo but the tank water is still a little cloudy. | |
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Looking great! Which light kit did you get from AHS Supply? Is the canopy thier kit as well or one you made? If you dont mind me asking how much do you have into the hood/lighting?? I need some info for upgrading a 55. Thanks!
PS It seemed like your cycle was instant!@ | 
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Dude, I am amazed by the DIY Skills you have. I look forward to seeing your progress. | |
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| My cycle didn't take too long since I stuffed my other community tank filter with 2 huge bonded filter pads for about the last month or so and then put those directly into one of the baskets in the xp3. I also used the old pantyhose method and got it to cycle it pretty quickly.
As far as the lighting goes. I spent about $385 on the 4 x 96W bright light kit (including 4 bulbs @ $28 each). For a 55G you could get away with just buying the 1X96 or 2X96W kit which would be more than enough light. The 2X96W kit with bulbs would be about $185, so not too bad.
The canopy was a DIY project from scratch. Went to Lowes, bought some lumber, and poof I had a canopy. It took me and a buddy about 6 hours to construct with simple hand tools. We did cheat and rent a compound miter saw haha. | |
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| thanks for the info and again...nicely done. I cant wait to see it a few months from now when things really start growing out. Are you using Co2? | |
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| No CO2 right now... I have started dosing with Flouish, LeafZone, and Flourish Iron. I think with this setup I will be growing most of my plants out in smaller tanks with CO2. I currently have a 58G tank setup with CO2 just for growing my plants. I am going to try it this way since maintaining a fast growing 125G planted tank will be a ton of work just to keep it from becoming overgrown. We will see how this goes and I may change my plan if it doesnt work out that way. I do have plans for a store bought/DIY CO2 setup but still need to plan it all out and start collecting the supplies. I am going to try to find my foreground plants tonight and get those planted in the 125G. I will post photos once all those are in. | |
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March 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Yeah I understand on the time thing.  There just not enough time in the day sometimes to get everything done. Well, it sure looks like everything is coming along nicely. I will be looking for the end result I'm getting the big tank fever....  | |
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April 1st, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Ok well I have bad news and good news to report. Yesterday I got home from work and had a horrible algae bloom which resulted in green water that was so cloudy I couldn't see the back of the tank. I also had a crazy nitrate spike so I added more stem plants to try to combat that. A buddy of mine and I went on a search for a Diatom filter which we quickly found out needs to be ordered online because nobody in Saint Louis carries one. I decided just to buy 2 Marineland Magnum HOT's and installed the micron filter in both and just set them on the front of the tank. I was amazed when I got home today! The water is by no means crystal clear but it's crazy how well those filters work. All levels are back to normal... am - 0 ni - 0 and nitrate - 10. I have attached a few before and after photos. Also, notice the growth of some of these plants in just 8 days from the photo posted on 03/23/2009. | |
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April 1st, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Looking great! 
Can you tell me more about the Marineland Magnum HOT's with the Micron Filter. I have been using Diatom filters for years and LOVE THEM!
Last edited by aquarist48; April 1st, 2009 at 05:54 AM.
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April 1st, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Wow!!! It really looks great!  | |
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April 2nd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Your tank looks amazing! Love the plants!! | |
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April 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Updated tank photo... Plants are out of control and I have not had time to trim/replant anything this week. I also installed the lunar lights. After many weeks of thinking/debating(with myself of course) I have decided to do a fully automatic co2 system. I ordered the full system from aquariumsplants.com including their patented electronic regulator. I will be sure to post pics of the install as well as write a review on their product. | |
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April 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I like the lunar lights. I got white ones and I wish I had gotten the blue.
It looks like the algae bloom cleared up!
Please do share info on the Co2 set up as I am currently on the fence with Co2 as well.
I was looking at Foster and Smith package. What made you choose that one over another? Also are you going with a pH controller as well? | |
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April 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Nate: I chose the system from aquariumplants.com over the Dr Fosters one due to 2 main factors. The electronic regulator from aquariumplants.com is waaaayyyyy more accurate than any needle valve and I have heard too many horror stories from friends about needle valves going bad and dumping co2 into their tank. Secondly, the ease of ordering with aquariumplants.com is alot nicer. I was able to upgrade to an inline reactor instead of the HOB reactor from Dr Foster, which I would have to purchase separately. I called aqauriumplants.com last Sunday and spoke to the owner for over an hour. He was able to explain every little detail of how their system works and compares to most other systems out there. He also would not sell me any plants until I had the co2 up and running and he knew my tank would thrive. It's not everyday when an owner of a company will talk you out of purchasing product. Their system includes a ph controller and is only $70 more than the Dr Foster system but I purchased a 10lb cyclinder also. I believe I got a much better system at a better value. Not to mention the technical support I will get with their products. | |
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April 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Double WOW!!  I like the blue lights as well. I just have the little ones for the inside of the tank that sticks on the glass but the blue looks the best I think. They come in white,red and blue. Anyway great job!! | |
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April 12th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Wow, thanks a ton for the response re: the Co2 set up. I think I may end up with one myself. You owe me 2 hours though! Thats how long I have been researching the product on various forums. LOL
It gets great reviews and looks like VERY accurate bubble counts. Throw in great service and that seems like a bargain compared to Foster and Smiths.
One question though....do you think this will help in a 20 gln. cube? I am a little afraid of not being able to get the bubble count down where it would have to be for that small of a tank. ( A new tank will be in the works eventually but for now this one is the project) | |
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