Hi icedlink,

Was wondering do you have any issues with the Intense O ring?
Mine got busted again. Tank needed a refill. Once unscrew, the O-ring got deformed. Took to Pets Wonderland and on the spot they replaced and fitted a new O-ring.
Seemed to work fine. Next day I opened the CO2 valve, and immediately a hissing sound was emitted. I have to take it back to Pets Wonderland again. This is a common problem I encounter with Intense.

Now is this just me or do you also have bad any experience with the O-ring?

Why leave on 24/7? Is it because you don't have a solenoid?

I think its wasting CO2 and also risky.

Well, there a thousand ways to do this hobby. Everyone must find what's right for their setup. I salute you

What shrimps do you have inside?

Cherry shrimps can also get at Nilufar (Atria).

Gonna rip out quite a portion of my MC carpet due to reno works
Clearing space to replace with white sand for the Cory cats to graze.

Any takers for MC, please PM. Self collect in Damansara. Cheers.

Actually if want to use soil, instead of garden soil, how about the ones from the sungai or beach?

Yes, you're right. So the choice of plants are limited. Hardy plants or those that grow on rocks and driftwood still can be planted. But I guess carpeting plants probably won't carpet well on sungai sand
I also see many folks like to use dual sand - one part aqua soil, and then white sand to make a path or border. The aqua soil part is planted while the white sand have no plants. Can consider that design to reduce dependency on organic rich sand.

Anybody want this Monte Carlo before it goes to the bin can PM me. It covers a 6 by 6 inch square. Self pickup in PJ.



Attached thumbnail(s)

Its a normal problem for manual regulator to not hold its flow rate. But for solenoid regulator, the problem is solved. I don't know why though, that's what the LFS told me.

I use a similar setup. But some have reported good results by running low CO2 amounts continuously for 24/7 - reason is they use manual regulators that lack the auto on/off feature.
I don't recommend this though. Because it wastes CO2, and you can never achieve optimum CO2 levels because when lights go on, the CO2 drops.

What's wrong with your diffuser? I think your position is correct except that its too high. Just lower it to near the bottom. That's the position for all ADA setup. And I see that's an ADA tank.

Btw, I'm looking to get a new tank, max size 2 feet. I need a full set tank with cabinet.

Anyone have recommendations for a tank with cabinet set? I don't mean those DIY 2 feet tank ontop of iron shelf which to me is not eye pleasing.

Seriously considered the Fluval range. It looks very nice but only a bit small. The Flex is barely okay (marginally passed the size at 57L). But I cannot find Flex anywhere.

Are brand you can recommend? Pictures and availability?

The tank must have a lid. I'm not considering ADA.

Thanks in advance.

Share with us your experience. I'm also using the same silica thing - but concern is how it affects the water chemistry, such as PH, KH, and silica also causes excess diatoms.

I'm testing the water now by filling up two buckets of water - one with sand, and the other without. Then I will test the water after 2 days to see the PH, KH, TDS, etc.

The Eheim Classic 600 is the same as the 2217 model right? I'm using that that too, and it would be too powerful for a 100 liter tank. Sufficient flowrate is important as mentioned to circulate CO2 so you don't have deadspots.
But it also cannot be too strong and should be appropriate for the tank size. My 2217 is used on a 150 liter tank (3 footer) and it does an adequate job for that size. for me, in a 2 footer tank, the current would be too strong.

It means that your KH is 0-1. You should see in your instructions it says that if it changes to Yellow in the first drop, then the value is 0-1 KH.
This is not surprising - our water in the Klang Valley is very soft and mine too is 0 KH out of the tap. Add crushed corals if you want to increase the KH.

Yes I did. I used Benibachi soil and did a fishless cycle for 4 weeks. For the startup, I added 2 bacter balls and a bit of shrimp bacteria (Bee Max).

Borraras Brigittae are a safe bet if you're just keeping the shrimps. But if you're breeding them, its better not to add any fishes.

Anybody want Monte Carlo? Come look for me, I give you tons of it.

I also have Bucephalandra to give away. Just PM and self collect (in PJ).

I'm too lazy to sell it (for now).

Replied.

I'm also growing mini pelia, weeping moss and mini fissidens, all on rocks.

Anybody knows what is this jelly blob like thing on the leaf? Its from my planted shrimp only tank.
Is it snail eggs as I have a big snail.

I removed it, then it comes back a week later but on a different leaf.



Attached thumbnail(s)

Freshwater limpet? Are you referring to this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N-rCVurUeg

If so, then its not limpet. Because the blob can be as large as 1 inch, maybe a bit more and can also cover the underside of the leaf. And it doesn't move. I'm not sure if it grows because I remove it as soon as I see it.