Acorn's High Tech 10g Build

Hi all!
It's official, I'm upgrading my good friend Acorn. After a year in hist 5g, I think it's time that I give him something even more luxurious. I'm really excited since this is going to be my first high-tech tank! I'm still in the planning stage and probably won't have much action for the next few weeks, but this build will be AMAZING! Here's so basic information about the tank.

Tank:
10g (about 20x12x10)

Filter:
AquaClear 20 (with prefilter sponge)

Substrate:
UNS Controsoil (black)

Light:
Finnex Planted+

CO2 Regulator:
CO2 Art Pro SE Series

Stocking:

• Acorn (Male Deltatail Betta)
• 8 Chili Rasboras
• IDK how many RCS
• 1 Nerite
• 2 Ramshorns (Yes I know it'll end up being more than 2)

Alright, so, yesterday night instead of sleeping, I was up thinking about this tank and drawing the beautiful photo you see below (colors are just placeholders). Here's a key so you can follow along.
Key:

• Grey lumps: Seiryu stone (It was hard to draw, but the substrate is slopped up behind them and their are rocks behind them as well)
• Dark green lines: Dwarf hair grass (Eleocharis parvula)**
• Pink lumps: Alternanthera reineckii mini
• Blue patches: Staurogyne repens
• Light/neon green patch: Ludwigia arcuata*
• Red patch: Rotala rotundifolia*

So, what do you guys think about this tank? Also, let me know if I left out any key info.
*These two will most likely overlap and mix into each other
**I will be using the DSM to get a nice carpet before flooding and adding other plants
Kribensis27 TheFISH12 AggressiveAquatics Fishproblem

 

Hi all!
It's official, I'm upgrading my good friend Acorn. After a year in hist 5g, I think it's time that I give him something even more luxurious. I'm really excited since this is going to be my first high-tech tank! I'm still in the planning stage and probably won't have much action for the next few weeks, but this build will be AMAZING! Here's so basic information about the tank.

Tank:
10g (about 20x12x10)

Filter:
AquaClear 20 (with prefilter sponge)

Substrate:
UNS Controsoil (black)

Light:
Finnex Planted+

CO2 Regulator:
CO2 Art Pro SE Series

Stocking:

• Acorn (Male Deltatail Betta)
• 8 Chili Rasboras
• IDK how many RCS
• 1 Nerite
• 2 Ramshorns (Yes I know it'll end up being more than 2)

Alright, so, yesterday night instead of sleeping, I was up thinking about this tank and drawing the beautiful photo you see below (colors are just placeholders). Here's a key so you can follow along.
Key:

• Grey lumps: Seiryu stone (It was hard to draw, but the substrate is slopped up behind them and their are rocks behind them as well)
• Dark green lines: Dwarf hair grass (Eleocharis parvula)**
• Pink lumps: Alternanthera reineckii mini
• Blue patches: Staurogyne repens
• Light/neon green patch: Ludwigia arcuata*
• Red patch: Rotala rotundifolia*

View attachment 769759
So, what do you guys think about this tank? Also, let me know if I left out any key info.
*These two will most likely overlap and mix into each other
**I will be using the DSM to get a nice carpet before flooding and adding other plants
Kribensis27 TheFISH12 AggressiveAquatics Fishproblem

Can't wait! I'm excited as you are!

 

good luck!

 

Sounds great! Also I went to the link for your CO2 and got 10% coupon sent to my email for spinning a wheel lol. Did you get a discount?

 

Looks like a great plan! Acorn’s gonna love it!

 

Can't wait! I'm excited as you are!

I can't wait either!

Sounds great! Also I went to the link for your CO2 and got 10% coupon sent to my email for spinning a wheel lol. Did you get a discount?

Yep I got it too.

Looks like a great plan! Acorn’s gonna love it!

I bet he is!

 

Sounds amazing! I thought you were gonna add roses to his tank from the pic lol. He’s gonna love it!

 

Sounds amazing! I thought you were gonna add roses to his tank from the pic lol. He’s gonna love it!

lol no. I think he will

 

Can’t wait to see your tank as it progresses!

 

Can’t wait to see your tank as it progresses!

Me too!

 

Looks nice. Cant wait to see it and live vicariously through those who have the time to do CO2.

 

Here's my first little update:
I should be getting the tank today, but I'll still need to wait to get the stand and other stuff before I can start the DSM. Question, can I use the DSM to start up S. Repens and A. Reineckii Mini along with the E. Parvula? Vishaquatics?

 

The tank hold water, but there's a problem: Will this tank still work? | Freshwater Aquarium Discussion Forum | 490364

 

Do you guys think this is a good deal?

 

Do you guys think this is a good deal?
Seiryu Stone Aquascaping Aquarium Rocks Planted Tanks *SELECT AMOUNT* | eBay

Do you have a LFS that sells sieryu stone? Mine sells it for much cheaper than that and there is the added bonus of hand selecting the stones.

 

Do you guys think this is a good deal?
Seiryu Stone Aquascaping Aquarium Rocks Planted Tanks *SELECT AMOUNT* | eBay

Definitely go lfs not this. When buying rocks if the price is low then shipping is gonna get you. If your lfs rocks are a bit higher priced it’s better than the $30+ shipping rocks usually is

 

Do you have a LFS that sells sieryu stone? Mine sells it for much cheaper than that and there is the added bonus of hand selecting the stones.

Not sure, but I'll look and see...

Definitely go lfs not this. When buying rocks if the price is low then shipping is gonna get you. If your lfs rocks are a bit higher priced it’s better than the $30+ shipping rocks usually is

It says free shipping on the thing...

 

Not sure, but I'll look and see...

It says free shipping on the thing...

Oh I see the catch. $22 for 5 pounds and Seiryu stone is heavy. That will get you like 2 pieces

 

Oh I see the catch. $22 for 5 pounds and Seiryu stone is heavy. That will get you like 2 pieces

I think I'll need 15 lbs which is $42 (I think)...

 

I think I'll need 15 lbs which is $42 (I think)...

That’s a lot for some rocks lol. Maybe go outside and find some rocks? That’s how I get mine

 

That’s a lot for some rocks lol. Maybe go outside and find some rocks? That’s how I get mine

Lol maybe...

 

I think I'll need 15 lbs which is $42 (I think)...

That’s a lot for some rocks lol. Maybe go outside and find some rocks? That’s how I get mine

The Ohko Stone I bought was $80 for 25 pounds.
But, I agree it is very expensive, so I'll proably just go outside to find rocks for my next scape.

 

So, I've been a little side tracked lately by a bunch of school things that I need to do, but tomorrow I am going to clean the tank up and start preparing it for the build. I currently don't have a lot of money so it'll be a few more weeks before I can really start with this.

 

Now that the tank is cleaned, I can start putting everything together. The only problem is I don't really have enough money to buy stuff for this tank, but I'm working on that... I hope to at least get something in the tank in the next few weeks, even if it's just a bit of substrate or something... On that note, is there anyone that is giving away old equipment? If so, pm me and we can work something out.

 

*Sigh* Yet another setback. I had to buy a new keyboard since my current one is broken, but the new keyboard costs a decent amount of money which will make it take longer for me to save for this tank.

 

It sounds like a fun and exciting new journey for you and Acorn! Just a little bit of advice to think about before you set everything up and save you a possible headache later on! Depending on the pH that your betta is currently used to, and also what comes out of your tap, just know that UNS contrasoil will lower your pH drastically for the first few weeks/months making the water very acidic (UNS claims it will eventually buffer to 6.8 and im on week 2 with it and my pH is still 6.4 but was as low was 6-6.2). Im lucky that my tap is already at a 6.8-7.0 so water changes aren't too much of a headache in regards to pH swings. But if Acorn is used used harder water, you may want to try and transition him slowly into more acidic water first. Additionally, co2 takes some playing around with to get the dosing right for the specific tank size and plant requirements, and accidentally overdoing the co2 will also drastically lower the pH and make the water acidic as well, so err on the side of caution when injecting co2 with the contrasoil so you don't drop your pH crazy low with an accidental 1-2 punch between the two. It also becomes problematic if you do weekly large water changes with harder tap water, trying to add 5 gallons of tap water thats a 7.8 for example to a tank that is at a 6.4 will swing the pH pretty hard so you may end up having to do multiple small water changes weekly instead. Also with the contrasoil, it does leech ammonia albeit less than most other aquasoils, however just make sure whatever filter bed you have is cycled completely and rock solid because it will leech .25-1ppm of ammonia for the first few months. Good luck!!

 

It sounds like a fun and exciting new journey for you and Acorn! Just a little bit of advice to think about before you set everything up and save you a possible headache later on! Depending on the pH that your betta is currently used to, and also what comes out of your tap, just know that UNS contrasoil will lower your pH drastically for the first few weeks/months making the water very acidic (UNS claims it will eventually buffer to 6.8 and im on week 2 with it and my pH is still 6.4 but was as low was 6-6.2). Im lucky that my tap is already at a 6.8-7.0 so water changes aren't too much of a headache in regards to pH swings. But if Acorn is used used harder water, you may want to try and transition him slowly into more acidic water first. Additionally, co2 takes some playing around with to get the dosing right for the specific tank size and plant requirements, and accidentally overdoing the co2 will also drastically lower the pH and make the water acidic as well, so err on the side of caution when injecting co2 with the contrasoil so you don't drop your pH crazy low with an accidental 1-2 punch between the two. It also becomes problematic if you do weekly large water changes with harder tap water, trying to add 5 gallons of tap water thats a 7.8 for example to a tank that is at a 6.4 will swing the pH pretty hard so you may end up having to do multiple small water changes weekly instead. Also with the contrasoil, it does leech ammonia albeit less than most other aquasoils, however just make sure whatever filter bed you have is cycled completely and rock solid because it will leech .25-1ppm of ammonia for the first few months. Good luck!!

Ok. Thanks for all the tips! My pH is 7.2 so there might be a bit of a problem... I think I'll let the tank establish for a few weeks before stocking so that I can get the plants and the CO2 balanced out along with all of the contrasoil stuff. Do you think 7.2 is too high? Should I do frequent WC in the beginning? Thanks again!

 

Ok. Thanks for all the tips! My pH is 7.2 so there might be a bit of a problem... I think I'll let the tank establish for a few weeks before stocking so that I can get the plants and the CO2 balanced out along with all of the contrasoil stuff. Do you think 7.2 is too high? Should I do frequent WC in the beginning? Thanks again!

A 7.2 isn't too far off once the contrasoil balances out and your tank water hits the 6.8 mark (but im unsure if the co2 will be a permanent buffer and consistently keep your pH lower than 6.8) however during the initial pH dip it may be problematic for fish if you do once weekly 50% water changes. I wouldn't do frequent changes until you're ready to add fish as the ammonia leech will also help your cycle move along/keep going when fishless by feeding ammonia (UNS claims the ammonia leech helps cycle faster for this reason but im unsure if this is true as I used preseeded media for my tank). Once you add fish, if you still plan on using your betta you already have, frequent small water changes with your tap will help keep the water less acidic and may aid in transitioning Acorn to a lower pH. Personally I would do one gallon 3-4 times a week and drip acclimate him either way and would say that a pH of 6.8 would be ideal for him as you don't move him into anything lower right away since you've had him for awhile and 7.2 is what he's used to. Your current pH is slightly alkaline but still on the slightly "low" side. I should tell you though that high requirement plants thrive in more acidic water which is why contrasoil buffers to 6.8 so you would have to weigh your options between plant and fish needs. I posted a thread about if 6.4 would be okay for my betta and cories and a lot of people agree as long as it doesn't swing it will be fine long term. I strongly prefer to never try and mess with my pH by purposely adding crushed coral or anything to buffer it. There's plenty of hard-core planted tank keepers that have tanks with a pH as low as 5.3-5.8 and their plants and fish are thriving. I also think the theory that a pH below 6 will kill or stall a cycle, I haven't had any issues with mine at 6.2-6.4 even though there are claims anything below 6.5 will start to make the bacteria "slow down"

Edit: I should add that I have no idea what kind of water my betta was bred in but figured it was soft acidic water considering most breeders keep them in water with heavy tannins, but I kept my betta in a tank that was a 6.8 for about 2 months before he moved into the pond tank so he was already in soft water for awhile and I didn't have any issues moving him over directly from 6.8 if that helps. I've been doing weekly 50% water changes with my tap and haven't had issues with my fish yet but my tap is a little more acidic than yours

 

A 7.2 isn't too far off once the contrasoil balances out and your tank water hits the 6.8 mark (but im unsure if the co2 will be a permanent buffer and consistently keep your pH lower than 6.8) however during the initial pH dip it may be problematic for fish if you do once weekly 50% water changes. I wouldn't do frequent changes until you're ready to add fish as the ammonia leech will also help your cycle move along/keep going when fishless by feeding ammonia (UNS claims the ammonia leech helps cycle faster for this reason but im unsure if this is true as I used preseeded media for my tank). Once you add fish, if you still plan on using your betta you already have, frequent small water changes with your tap will help keep the water less acidic and may aid in transitioning Acorn to a lower pH. Personally I would do one gallon 3-4 times a week and drip acclimate him either way and would say that a pH of 6.8 would be ideal for him as you don't move him into anything lower right away since you've had him for awhile and 7.2 is what he's used to. Your current pH is slightly alkaline but still on the slightly "low" side. I should tell you though that high requirement plants thrive in more acidic water which is why contrasoil buffers to 6.8 so you would have to weigh your options between plant and fish needs. I posted a thread about if 6.4 would be okay for my betta and cories and a lot of people agree as long as it doesn't swing it will be fine long term. I strongly prefer to never try and mess with my pH by purposely adding crushed coral or anything to buffer it. There's plenty of hard-core planted tank keepers that have tanks with a pH as low as 5.3-5.8 and their plants and fish are thriving. I also think the theory that a pH below 6 will kill or stall a cycle, I haven't had any issues with mine at 6.2-6.4 even though there are claims anything below 6.5 will start to make the bacteria "slow down"

Edit: I should add that I have no idea what kind of water my betta was bred in but figured it was soft acidic water considering most breeders keep them in water with heavy tannins, but I kept my betta in a tank that was a 6.8 for about 2 months before he moved into the pond tank so he was already in soft water for awhile and I didn't have any issues moving him over directly from 6.8 if that helps. I've been doing weekly 50% water changes with my tap and haven't had issues with my fish yet but my tap is a little more acidic than yours

Ok. Thanks for all of the information.