[Zapins]

Congrats on the tank. Getting a new tank is always fun.

Beach drift wood is ok to use. I've used several pieces I found there.

Just make sure the wood isn't soft at all, isn't greenwood (fresh off a living plant), and has no bark. If it has any of the above then it will rot and foul the tank.

To determine if it is soft scratch it with your fingernail. If you get gunk off, then it isn't suitable. Try scraping the soft stuff away with a metal brush or something until only hardwood remains.

You might also want to boil the wood a bit in water to leach out some tannins and salt.

Bubbles probably aren't anything to worry about, just air trapped in the wood being squeezed out by water replacing it.

Might be a good idea to take a picture of the light bulb with something to give it perspective - like a coin, it would be easier for us to identify it.

Also, the 100w heater should be fine for the tank.

 

[Zapins]

Ah, T8's. Not particularly good lighting, but it should do for moss and maybe one or two other very low light plants.

Try upgrading to T5's or power compact lights.

Well, no worries about the salt then, just make sure you boil it for a little (maybe an hour) before adding it to the tank, because freshwater wood can spread parasites and algae.

 

[Zapins]

Those look good.

I see 2x24w for 56$, and it comes with the bulbs. That is a pretty good deal. The 4 bulb one for 115 is also a good deal.

The 4 bulb one would be perfect for a highlight tank. Get the 10,000k bulbs.

I've never bought from them before, but if they are for real and the prices are in AU then the deal is very good.

 

[Zapins]

Wow, looks good so far. Sounds like a professional setup job to me

T5 lights will suite your tank very well, and serve you well for many years.

It isn't absolutely necessary to boil the wood, but it does help to release tannins which will stain the water a tea color for weeks.

A hot water bath in the sink will do the trick of killing parasites and whatever else is on there.

Good job with the drill by the way! It looks like it did the trick!

I'm looking forwards t some pics of the tank once it has been planted.

Also, don't use the ammonia pads in the filter, they are not helpful for freshwater planted tanks.

 

[Zapins]

Not a bad DIY! It looks like it will work nicely.

I like the DIY hood, very nicely constructed. You might want to paint it and the stand at some point because the water vapor will warp the wood eventually.

 

[Zapins]

Yes, there is a danger of the bottle imploding. When the bottle stops producing CO2 the filter can suck the contents of the bottle into the tank. Several members have reported this happening.

You can avoid this by using a more rigid bottle instead of a soda bottle.

 

[Zapins]

The second bottle is the bubble counter isn't it?

I just looked at the picture before and it looks like you have a check valve in the tubing line. If I remember right it will somewhat impede water if it flows from the bottle to the tank (versus 100% protection from siphoning water from the tank to the bottle). You might be ok with it. But a more rigid bottle would be best if you have one lying around.

Congrats on the fry.

 

[Zapins]

Ah ok I see now. Yep seems like it would work pretty well against imploding.

 

[Zapins]

A reactor is essentially a PVC tube through which CO2 and water flow and consequently mix in.

Why is your water cloudy?

 

[Zapins]

I don't think it is from the gravel. Its been 9 days since you first posted. Usually dust settles within 3-4 days. I think you have a bacterial bloom in progress.

Bacterial blooms usually occur for a week or two at a time and then clear up on their own. Just do a water change to help it along.

A less likely cause might be that the DIY CO2 system you set up is spewing gunk into the tank. Just take a look and see if there is white stuff in the tube leading to the filter.

 

[Zapins]

Hmm... looks a bit suspicious. Stick it out for another week or two and see if the tank water clears. If it doesn't clear then disconnect the CO2 and see if it clears.

If I were you, I'd save a bit every now and then and get a pressure CO2 system. Honesty, pressure CO2 is like the ultimate aquatic plant God's gift to mankind. Buy the tank (50-80$), regulator (70-90$), reactor (20$), and CO2 proof tubing (10$) separately if you can't afford everything at once, that way in a few weeks or months you will have a full system and it won't be a huge expenditure at once.

 

[Zapins]

The CO2 regulator should have a bubble counter and needlevalve attached to it. Go with the JBJ or Milawaukee CO2 solenoid regulators, they are pretty useful.

A reactor can be used if you have a canister filter, it will dissolve the gas into the water without the need for a diffuser.

Also, it may be too late to save cash on the other items you bought, but in the future try looking in the for sale section of newspapers or websites like craigslist.com or bargainnews.com

Often times you can pick up some really really cheap tanks and equipment (I got a drilled 90 gallon with lighting, stand and 30 gallon sump with a pump for 200$).

 

[Zapins]

Could be, you can certainly find a used CO2 tank there. Have a look for beer keg supplies, often times people use CO2 tanks for home brew setups.

 

[Zapins]

Probably cheaper to buy things in pieces. Try get things used from ebay or a local place.

 

[Zapins]

Woohoo!!! The real business of plants begins!

 

[Zapins]

How did you repair a crack? Did you replace the glass pane?