Installed my first *proper* planted tank yesterday

Originally Posted by |ceberg

For ph you have the ph pen (there was a thread on it which was selling for
a good price in c328).For temperature, you can get those thermometers
which are quite cheap. As for kh, never seen any automated ones yet.You
can get those drip test kits for kh. As for CO2 levels , just use the kh and ph readings and get the CO2 concentration from the ph/kh vs CO2 chart
--->http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm

Thanks.

I got myself a cheapo external thermo but feel that its not accurate (currently showing 28C). Probably will get another internal one (dip into water type).

Will be going to the aquarium shop this weekend to pick up some test kits - likely ammonia, Ph and Kh.

Update with some more pictures.



View of the setup. The cooling fan kind of spoils the overall look. Cabinet and color was wife's choice. Very tempted to look for alternative cooling solution short of investing in a chiller (read: more pleasant to look at fans - eg the CoolerMaster fan that someone posted in the DIY section).

Day 3 - View of the left side of the aquarium, showing the CO2 flipper and what is hoped to become a centerpiece - the red lotus. CO2 is bubbling at 0.5bps (not sure if this is too low, according to pH/kH charts, CO2 level is adequate.)

Day 3 - Right side view. The cabomba (fanwort) appears to be settling in well, as is the plant between the cabomba and the driftwood (apologies - still boning up on the plant names) which seems to have perked up compared to the first day pictires. The fanwort leaves open up quite early in the morning (before the lights come on) and closes around 9pm at night (about 1.5 hrs before the lights go off). Wondering if the opening/closing time of the fanwort will regulate itself to the lights.

Day 3 - View of Lotus. The older leaves on the left and right have been trimmed off as there are 2 new buds/leaves sprouting (can see one of the new leaves in this picture, 2nd new leaf came out 2 days after picture was taken.)

[dkk08]

Nice clear tank and great clear pics Darren... oh watch out for the cabomba, once they settle in, they'll grow like there's no tommorro

Originally Posted by dkk08

Nice clear tank and great clear pics Darren... oh watch out for the cabomba, once they settle in, they'll grow like there's no tommorro

I have noticed that. The cabomba/fanwort seems to have doubled in height in one week.

Nice set up.

very nice, Darren. The oyama background is very well done.

Bro

Nice setup!