In the article in question we will discuss the products used and together we will see the evolution of the 3 tanks over time. Their management and related management techniques.

This will be an article focused on images and products. Let’s start immediately with a series of photos that show us the progress over time.

Scape 1

This tub, defined for beginners, represents the first piece of the project. Composed exclusively of plants that are not very demanding in terms of fertilization, light…

The plants included are:
o Eleocharis Parvula,
o Bucephalandra Sp.,
o Riccardia Chaemedrifolia,
o Weeping Moss.

The fauna included:
o Celestichthys Erythromicron (ex. Microrasbora Erythromicron)
o Caridina Japonica,
o Otocinclus Affinis.

Water values:
pH = 6,8/7
GH = 6°
KH = 4°
NO2 = 0 ppm
NO3 = 0 ppm
PO4 = 0,5 ppm
Fe = 0 ppm (not measurable)
CO2 = 20 ppm
Temperature 20/22 °C

Used materials:
o Bio-start2
o Bio-soil
o Linfa A
o Florido ABC
o Vigor
o Terranera Extrafine

Fertilization protocol:

Hardscape

 Start up

30 days

 

50 days

 

 

Scape 2

The second aquarium of the project represents a more advanced type of tank than the first as it is made up of a predominantly rocky layout, with the presence of load, a meadow formed by Hemianthus Callitrichoides, and red plants of the Rotala genus, in the rear portion.

The plants included are:
o Eleocharis Parvula,
o Hemianthus Callitrichoides,
o Rotala Sp.

The fauna included:
o Paracheirodon innesi

Water values:
pH = 7
GH = 16°
KH = 5°
NO2 = 0 ppm
NO3 = 10 ppm
PO4 = 1 ppm
Fe = 1 ppm
CO2 = 18/20 ppm
Temperature 20/24 °C

Used materials:
o Bio-start2
o Bio-soil
o Linfa A
o Florido ABC
o Vigor
o Terranera Extrafine

Fertilization protocol:

Hardscape

Planting

Start up

 

30 days

 

50 days

90 days

 

 

Scape 3

The last piece of the project, a dwarf Scape with the predominance of a large Main Stone, placed in the center, with two other stones around it to complete the Hardscape, finally surrounded by small roots.

The plants included are:
(fast growing, but simple to manage)
o Eleocharis Parvula,
o Hygrophila Pinnatifida Weeping Moss,
o Micranthemum Micranthemoides;
o Riccardia Chaemedrifolia.

In this small tank I wanted to test the effectiveness of fertilizers associated with their safety on fauna. For the occasion I inserted about twenty small Neocaridina Crystal Black, two Otocinclus Affinis and a small group of Microrasbora Erythromicron.

The fertilizers did not cause any problems for the Caridine or the fish, although the plants grew quickly and well.

Water values:
pH = 7
GH = 10°
KH = 4°
NO2 = 0 ppm
NO3 = 5 ppm
PO4 = 0,5 ppm
Fe = 0,5 ppm
CO2 = 18/20 ppm
Temperature 25 °C

Used materials:
o Bio-start2
o Bio-soil
o Linfa A
o Florido ABC
o Vigor
o Terranera Extrafine

Fertilization protocol:

Hardscape

Planting

Start up

30 days

50 days

90 days

 

Note

The use of Bio-soil, Vigor and Terranera Extrafine guarantees optimal growth of the root system, reinforced by the bacterial component, which breaks down, remineralises and makes the elements present at the bottom of the root system bio-available.

The dosages of fertilizers were calibrated and then adapted, over the weeks based on the vegetative response, increasing or decreasing them. The water (prepared according to the methods seen in the previous article) is changed every week at a rate of approximately 20%.

Glass and furnishing materials are cleaned as needed. Pruning is carried out approximately every 10, 15 days, based on plant growth.

The chemical parameters of the water are measured once a week (in the first month), then every month or whenever the need arises. However, I recommend carrying them out at least every 2 weeks;

Enrico Fortuna