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Delapool's 150 Gallon Tank


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#221 Delapool

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Posted 02 July 2017 - 09:53 PM

Buce still missing :( Need a big torch to hunt for it.

The micro-measuring spoons turned up. Look pretty good. Just remembered there is still the nitrate test kit on order somewhere - will have to find out what is going on.


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#222 Delapool

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Posted 06 July 2017 - 10:10 PM

Whoo-hoo!! Nitrate test kit turned up. Not excited? Yet to see what $233 buys (and it only does nitrates too lol). Opened the case, had a look and will try it on week-end.


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#223 Delapool

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Posted 08 July 2017 - 10:20 PM

Looked at the test kit - read the 'simplicity in action' header. Got up to step 3 and then got a little lost. Think I have it to try tomorrow.

Takes 15 minutes just on letting different reactions and colours. Would do it over coffee but the warnings on cadmium seemed very strict so going to be very careful. Possibly gloves and face mask.

Also saw this little double flower today while cleaning tank.

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#224 Delapool

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Posted 09 July 2017 - 09:28 PM

Nitrate test results are:

JBL - 40ppm.

API liquid/vial - 5 or 10ppm.

CHEMets - 22ppm (somewhere around that). The CHEMets comes with 30 tests, after that you need to buy more. I think a photo-colour reader can be bought for them which would be useful as I had to ask the family to check the colour but significant extra cost so I think only worth while if using for a business. And for my needs there isn't that much difference between each colour standard. Using the cadmium is slightly worrying though, the powder seems easy to use but yeah, wouldn't do it drinking coffee.

I've wondered for some time if my old API nitrates test kit read a bit high (almost empty but not expired) compared to the new API test kit which just feels like it reads low somewhat.

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Edited by Delapool, 09 July 2017 - 09:31 PM.


#225 Delapool

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Posted 16 July 2017 - 08:50 PM

Latest tank shot (little messy). Starting to prune everything except the swords pretty regularly now. The bolbitis seems to be getting a little more height so just trying to tame it from spreading too much and burying the crypts.

Did a graph of PAR decline and it came out at about 5% bulb decay per month. Since that was on all of three readings, did another PAR reading today and it spiked back up so I give up. I need a little selfie stick or something so I can set the PAR meter at a set distance under water but parked for moment.

Just looking at pictures it seems to have filled in more. I've noticed the catfish starting to have to bash their way through the plants so think it is getting pretty well filled out at substrate.

15th July
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5th June
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14th May.
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4th April.
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#226 Delapool

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Posted 17 July 2017 - 09:23 PM

Hmmm, too many test kits....

Bought another API nitrate test kit and both say 5ppm. No colour difference I can see.

Also tested phosphates and sinking down again. Going to have lift dosing I think. Test result 1ppm.


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#227 Delapool

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Posted 29 July 2017 - 08:30 AM

Just trying something on links (curse you photobucket).

Anubias recovering anyways.

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#228 Delapool

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Posted 06 August 2017 - 09:51 PM

Updated plant list below. Cleaned out about a shopping bag of plants to open it up again and re-planted the Rubra as the stems were looking scruffy. Looking at the list I seem to have lost an aponogeton up the back so will have to have another look next week. Still can't find the missing buce from last auction but new ones in.

The bolbitis is going well, still getting height but no algae and thought this would get lots. Java fern is running amok at the front.

One aponogeton looks like it is has a (micros?) toxicity issue. A lot of recent brown/black spots (looks different to K deficiency), and leaf edges rotting. Will see if I can get a photo up. So tank looks a little lop-sided but should get better.     

Back RHS   Aponogeton Crispus (flowering).
Back   Aponogeton Ulvaceous (flowering).
Back   Aponogeton Undulatus.
Back   Aponogeton Capuroni.
Back LHS   Bolbitis Heudelotii (African Water Fern).       
 
Front   Java Fern (narrow leaf).
Middle   Anubias (Petite).
Middle   Bucephalandra (Titan).
Middle   Bucephalandra.       
 
Right   Cryptocorine Balansae.
Right   Cryptocorine Wenditti (red).
Right   Crypts (assorted).
Right   Amazon (Marble) Sword       
 
Left   Crypts (assorted).
Left   Ludwigia Reopens (Rubra).
Left   Amazon (Marble) Sword
Left   Proserpinaca Palustris (Mermaid weed)

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#229 Delapool

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Posted 13 August 2017 - 09:26 PM

Nitrate readings this week:

API - 5ppm.
API - 5ppm.
CheMETs - 15ppm (second ampoule as first failed).
JBL - 18ppm (downlight shadows still tricky - second reading).

Pulled out several handfuls of narrow-leaf Java Fern from main tank and decided to use it in small tank. Was only going to pull one odd bit out but ended up pretty easy to prune and the swords / crypts behind it were getting buried.

#230 Delapool

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Posted 27 August 2017 - 12:49 PM

Noticed the tunze CO2 diffuser wasn't working on left side and pulled it out. Luckily just needed a clean but debating on getting a backup one. Might have not been working for over a week but the right side one was still working so some CO2 getting pushed around tank.

Was forced to look behind tank to find plug and yet again thought I should try colour coding the cords. Christmas maybe..

Decided to make an equipment list to make a start and then match it to the timers.

Lights - t5ho & nemo LED.

Heaters - 2

CO2 diffuser with powerhead - 2

Filters - 2 canister & 1 internal

Air pump - not going but in cupboard.

UV unit - hmm, looks like part of cords are still attached behind tank and rest must be somewhere in drawers (to find).


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#231 Delapool

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Posted 02 September 2017 - 09:28 AM

Might have to do something as other CO2 diffuser might be playing up and need to trace cords back.

Somehow started early on water change and finished late (like 2hrs just went). Fiddled around with another spot for the buce, I think I'll give up. The catfish pushed it out of the nice cranny I found for it, so I've tied it back on with fishing line to the rock and glued it this time in another spot. Hoping it stays, poor thing never knows what direction it should grow in week by week.

The other one is still in same spot ok.

#232 Delapool

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Posted 10 September 2017 - 08:45 AM

Did a water change, internal filter clean and pruned some plants at back. Cleaned up some of the daggy leaves. Another few hours slipped by :(

Quick hunt for buce but lost somewhere in there. Given up, waiting for next auction!

Also told the java fern I'll just be taking the scissors to it next week.

The aponogeton seems to be doing better and sending flowers again so it does appear that I overdid the micro ferts. Only thing I can think of that I changed. Hmmmm.


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#233 Delapool

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Posted 10 September 2017 - 10:38 PM

One of the flowers. Seems to have survived the water change (they seem to hate those). I've left this one as it found a gap by itself in the tank covers. It gets even weirder as once one stem finds a gap, the rest will follow (maybe I'm over-reading it).


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#234 Delapool

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Posted 15 September 2017 - 10:53 PM

Hair cut time for the java fern tomorrow ...


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Got to do something on stem plants as well to clean them up. Might just replant next week.

Another flower has found a gap. Persistent things.

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#235 Delapool

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Posted 16 September 2017 - 08:55 PM

Looking a bit cleaner. Just about all the clippings in the garden.

Hoping the cut leaves will look ok and not brown off or anything.


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Much easier at feeding time :)

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#236 Delapool

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 07:56 AM

Java fern is still looking nice on the cut edges. Pretty happy so far. And enough pieces missed getting cut that it still looks somewhat natural.

Quick water change today so I can clean up the stem plants. With a week off, I thought about shifting the bolbitis to poke out of the central plane ornament. Eventually decided that would take up too much room so it survives up the back another day (plus seems happy where it is).

Also checking one of the heaters still works as couldn't see led light coming on.

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#237 Delapool

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 08:01 AM

And a third flower has found a gap by growing along the outlet pipes, ducking under the inlet pipe and up the 1cm gap. Hid all videos of 'day of the triffids' just in case. Will see how they handle the water change - that's their kryptonite.

#238 Delapool

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 11:48 AM

Cracked it and pulled the bolbitis out so I can prune it. Thing is a foot across at base.

Plenty of gravel still attached so should be able to just put it back in I hope onto gravel. Going to get some wood for it though so I can prune it more easily, things a weed.


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#239 Delapool

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Posted 25 September 2017 - 06:09 PM

Plants back in.

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#240 Delapool

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Posted 15 October 2017 - 09:55 PM

A quick update. Repaired and strengthened the broken bridge ornament. Now to let it dry for a week.

Bought some aqua-soil (? package in bin) and added a few cups to the shrimp tank. Mainly wanted the black colour so I can see the ninja shrimp. They seem to be going ok - planning on getting photo's this week.

Also (since I was there) bought several more yoyo loaches and also spanner barbs to try. They seem to have settled in nicely so far.






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