75g planted tank journal

[wesleh]

Not that exact fixture, but have bought numerous T5 & PC fixtures from him and I have always been happy with them. I know a few more folks here on the box that are also happy with his equipment. I know he is located out of Houston somewhere as the FedEx ground only takes 1-2 days for delivery and he is very good about responding to emails, maybe you could get him to takes some better info/pics.

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look into it more.

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[mnemenoi]

Not that exact fixture, but have bought numerous T5 & PC fixtures from him and I have always been happy with them. I know a few more folks here on the box that are also happy with his equipment. I know he is located out of Houston somewhere as the FedEx ground only takes 1-2 days for delivery and he is very good about responding to emails, maybe you could get him to takes some better info/pics.

[wesleh]

This fixture appears powerful and might fit the bill

Thanks! I'm hesitant about eBay though. Have you had any experience with this fixture?

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[mnemenoi]

This fixture appears powerful and might fit the bill

[wesleh]

The biggest con for me on the finnex is that it only goes up to 30" so I would have to get two 24". Along with the two finnex, I want to add the monster ray color for its blue and red led. If I were to go with the buildmyled, I would definitely customize it to have some blue/red and it be a tad cheaper. But it would have less lightning then the 3 finnex units. Still on the fence.

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[mistahoo]

I've got to say... For the price, Finnex Ray2 is where it's at. It's very affordable, very slim, sleek, high quality, very well made (minus the mounting legs), and really strong LEDs. You'll be getting your money's worth. A few cons are the 3ft power cord, cheap plastic mounting legs, and very limited length options to choose from (16", 18", and 24") I'd still highly recommend them for planted tanks. Mainly the Dual 7,000k one.

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[wesleh]

Looking to change my lightning to LED. I've been looking into the finnex ultra slim 2 and the freshwater planted fixture from buildmyled. Is there any other good quality fixtures I missed? Just want to see what my options are. Thanks!

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[wesleh]

Update. The Val seems to be getting more dense. The red combia is growing surprisingly well, I was to prune some of them. Most of the stem plants are growing roots above the substrate.

I had 6 danios but rehome 5 of the danios... couldn't catch the last one. Only inhabitants are 1 danio and13 nerite snails.

Ammonia reads 0 and nitrite is 5.0> almost there! :)



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[wesleh]

Nitrite and Nitrate can produce that oily film residue on the water surface. There are HOB surface skimmer add ons you can buy to eliminate it or anything added to break the surface will usually remedy the issue. Water changes can lower the numbers and associated surface skim, but if your getting Nitrite numbers I'd wait through your cycle until they begin to become Nitrate readings. Your plants will uptake them as ferts as well.

Thanks for your input! I'll look into a skimmer if it doesn't go away within the next few weeks.



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[mnemenoi]

Nitrite and Nitrate can produce that oily film residue on the water surface. There are HOB surface skimmer add ons you can buy to eliminate it or anything added to break the surface will usually remedy the issue. Water changes can lower the numbers and associated surface skim, but if your getting Nitrite numbers I'd wait through your cycle until they begin to become Nitrate readings. Your plants will uptake them as ferts as well.

[LordBarron7692]

Good looking tank you have there

[wesleh]

That layer is just a protein layer. You can use a paper towel to soak it up. Powerhead pointed towards the surface usually gets rid of it. If that doesn't work, HOBs and Overflows will break it up for sure. How far into the cycle are you? You could try to add Nerites and Amano shrimp. O cats work too, but they're very sensitive to almost everything. I'd recommend against the Bristlenose since your tank is quite new. BN plecos create a lot of waste.

Thanks. I tried the paper towel but doesn't work well. As long as it is not harmful, I don't mind it for now.

I just got a huge nitrite spike just recently, I believe its greater then the highest level it can go, which is 5.0ppm. So just waiting on that to go down.

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[mistahoo]

The last few days, I've been having this clear slim like substance floating on top of the water. When messed with, it just breaks apart and just makes your water dirty. I read its calcium or oil build up. Decent circulation, the stuff just goes with the flow.
The brown hairy algae, is still spreading everywhere. :( I am still trying to wait it out.

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That layer is just a protein layer. You can use a paper towel to soak it up. Powerhead pointed towards the surface usually gets rid of it. If that doesn't work, HOBs and Overflows will break it up for sure. How far into the cycle are you? You could try to add Nerites and Amano shrimp. O cats work too, but they're very sensitive to almost everything. I'd recommend against the Bristlenose since your tank is quite new. BN plecos create a lot of waste.

[wesleh]

Surface agitation will take care of the buildup on the surface. Either a hob filter or a power head. As far as the hair algae try either a bristle nose pleco or amano shrimp

I have surface agitation, it just goes with the flow some how. Tank is still cycling so won't be able to do that yet. Hopefully soon though.

Looking good btw...

Thank you!

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[jeb102385]

Looking good btw...