In this article, we will see how to create a nano scape from the first steps, using the specific line E’quo.
The first step involves laying the fertile substrate and substrate.
Tank: 35x28x30cm, extra-clear
Lighting:
6500k LED lamp for 8 hours a day
Filtering:
External closed container filter, loaded with Stilla and perlon wool
Spread a thin layer of Bio-soil, an effective biological activator in pure powder, based on selected bacteria and enzymes that help improve the general conditions of the substrate and water, favoring the rapid establishment of a correct nitrogen cycle and promoting the stabilization of the eco-system within the aquarium. Bio-soil also promotes the mineralization of the organic substances present on the bottom, making them more available for plant organisms.
Spread over the active substrate Vigor…
..which helps to increase the fertility of the substrate, creating the best environmental conditions for the development of the root system of the plants. Thanks to a mixture of highly porous organic and inorganic materials, it allows gas exchange and water circulation within the substrate. Furthermore, the presence of clay minerals and humified organic substance gives it a high cation exchange capacity.
Finally, humic acids have the ability to maintain small but constant doses of low-solubility microelements in solution which are thus available for plant nutrition.
Open and distribute evenly over the Vigor the inside of the capsules Bio-soil Caps, which is an effective biological activator in powder form based on selected bacteria and enzymes that help improve the general conditions of the substrate and water, promoting the rapid establishment of a correct nitrogen cycle.
Finally, spread the top Terranera Extrafine size, trying to create a difference in height of about 10cm between the front of the tub and the back, or based on your Hardscape.
The choice of size Terranera Extrafine is due to the fact that in small tanks, the choice of plants falls more on small-sized essences such as Hemianthus Callitrichoides, Eleocharis Parvula, Glossostigma Elatinoides.
These plants, having an extremely thin and delicate root system, are well suited to being planted in very fine soil.
In this phase we will see the laying out of the Hardscape, i.e. the framework of the tank.
I will use stones of the Pagoda genus, which contain a small amount of calcium, particularly present in the lighter veins. The reddish color suggests that iron oxides are also present.
The structure of the hs is a classic “V” structure, with the central escape route.
Once the hardscape has been established and formed, we proceed with filling
Filling Phase:
I consider this step extremely important, the advice I would like to give is always to fill the aquarium with water well prepared with Linfa (with GH 7, 8 and KH 3, 5), then integrate with Bacterya e/o Bio-nitronex, 1 time a day for the first two weeks, accompanied with Nutrobact 1 time a week.
Planting:
I chose plants of medium difficulty, Hemianthus Callitrichoides Cuba and Eleocharis Parvula as the main plant, (to plant, empty the tub, keeping aside 20% of water, the rest put in new water.
in the back, I used the Rotala Indica.
Once the planting was completed, I immediately inserted the CO2, active 24 hours a day; LED lighting activated for approximately 5 hours a day.
I inserted osmosis water into the tank, poured 10 mL of linfa A (GH) , in order to obtain a GH of 5dGH°, added with Florido Tracce,
Started daily administration of Florido A with a dosage of 10 drops (5 drops x 10 litres).
During the first week the water remained constantly crystal clear, the Callitrichoides began to sprout and exhibit good pearling, the Eleocharis Parvula emitted thin white rootlets on the soft soil (a sign of healthy growth). The colored Rotala is changing the color of the green emerged form to reddish, and then (hopefully) turning to red/purple.
a week after planting the situation is this.
For the moment I only administer 10 drops of Florido A. The 15% water change will be performed at the end of the first week.. where the Bio-alganex will be administered.
10 days later the situation looks like this
On the twelfth day, given the now leaf metamorphosis of the rotala, I started the administration of Florido B and Florido C.
With the respective dosage of 3gtt per 10 liters of both products, administered every other day. The plants develop well, the water is always crystal clear.
I will add the first guests soon.
The recommendation I feel like giving every time is only one: Patience…
If for a marine aquarium we wait for long maturation times before introducing the first guests, we should do the same with aquascaping, waiting for the system to mature and create optimal conditions for the bacteria… they will take care of the rest. We will think about giving them a hand.
In the next step relating to this tank we will see the pruning techniques, the drafting of the protocol, the guests included and maintenance over time.
Enrico Fortuna
