It all begins:
FROM THIS……
My equipment:
Tank - Aqueon 75 Gallon (60 gallon water column)
Lights – Marineland 36” - 48” Single Bright LED Light Fixture (10 w)
Aqueon 48” Double Bulb Light Fixture (1-28w 6700K daylight bulb, 1-28w Coralife bulb)
Both lights are on a timer to be on for 8 hours each day
Filter – Rena Filstar XP2
CO2 - Pressurized 5# CO2 tank, Milwaukee MA957 regulator, Milwaukee SMS122 Ph Controller (set to 7.0 pH?)
Heater –Aqueon 300w (76F)
Ferts - EI Dry Dosing
Considering adding:
DIY CO2 drop checker (or maybe purchase)
Friday, June 7, 2013
I placed an order today with Aquariumplants.com. I ordered a replacement Ph probe for my Milwaukee SMS122 Ph controller along with 4.0 calibration solution. I also ordered an Aquascape plan at the same time. I received a consultation phone call within 30 minutes of placing the order and I told them that I wanted the large rock to remain in its present location as pictured in the photo included with the questionnaire and that I also wanted to keep the plants that I presently have, adding them into the new aquascape plan. They sent a list of plants for the aquascape along with the price.
Monday, June 10, 2013
I contacted Aquariumplants.com to arrange payment for the plant order for the aquascape and left a message for them to call me back.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
I never got the return phone call Monday for the payment so I called them back and once again requested they call for payment arrangement but I also told them I wanted to add 10 packages of plant anchors to the order. Mark called me back within a few minutes and the order was processed. He said it would be shipped on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 with an expected delivery of Friday, June 14, 2013.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
I received a shipment confirmation email so I checked the UPS website for the status of the order. It states the delivery is expected on Thursday,June 13, 2013 at 10:30 am. That is fast.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The order arrived today as expected. I left a note on the door asking the UPS driver to please place the package inside the front door as it was to get hot today and I didn't want them baking in the sun. He did as requested. The Ph probe and the calibration solution are included in this delivery but they sent 2 bottles of 7.01 calibration solution and not the 4.0 as requested. I emailed them about the error asking them to call me Friday at work. I unpacked the plants long enough to inventory and photograph them since I am not sure how long it will take to get this corrected. They are in great shape; the Madagascar Lace is just gorgeous. When I looked at the aquascape plan something about it just didn't look right, it showed a location for 2 large pieces of driftwood, a smaller rock, and a skull. NO SKULL IS IN OR EVER WILL BE IN MY AQUARIUM. I noticed later on the second page of the packing slip it states that the solution was changed to 7.01 due to the other being for Saltwater (don’t think so but after looking on the web for information I determine it will be okay). I will just let them know about the aquascape when they call Friday.
This package includes the following plants:
1. Sagittaria, Subulata (narrow leaf)(Sagittaria subulata) - 10 Plants perorder
2. Aponogeton, Madagascar Lace (Aponogeton madagascariensis)
3. Cryptocoryne Parva (bare root)(also available in pots)
4. Cryptocoryne, Lutea (Cryptocoryne lutea) Pot (medium size)
5. Cryptocoryne, Wendtii, Bronze (Cryptocoryne wendtii v. Tropica)
6. Cabomba Green (Cabomba carolina)
7. Cabomba Purple (Red) (Cabomba pulcherrima)
8. Ludwigia, Broad Leaf (Ludwigia repens)(also available in pots)
9. Myrio, mattogrossense
All in all there are at least 54 plants
Friday, June 14, 2013
I removed all the existing plants from the tank tonight and placed them in a 3gallon bucket of water to hold them until I can put them back in the tank. Thiswill also make it easier when I remove the water from the tank and vacuum thesubstrate. No phone call.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
After running errands with the hubby and working in the yard, I can finally goin to begin the aquascape. It is around 10:00 am. I received no Friday call butI have to get these plants in water before they die.
I began by lowering the water level to make it easier to do the aquascape. I removed 30 gallons of water, this is 50% of the water volume as this tank has 60 gallons of water in it, and yes, I know exactly how many gallons because I used a gallon pitcher (filled to the gallon mark) when I originally set this tank up. That was 60 trips to and from the sink, I will remember that forever.I am so glad that I thought ahead when setting this tank up and placed 5-gallon markers on the side of the tank. I have to lower the water this using my gravel cleaner because I can’t find the faucet adapter for the Python. This makes the process longer but I will get the same result.
After a few interruptions to stop and make lunch for 3-year-old grandson we arewatching, checking on his whereabouts several times, making numerous trips intothe garage making sure he is still “helping” grandpa, and chasing him off theroof once (back of house is built into a hill and I am pretty sure that isn't adeer walking up there and the dog is to lazy), I finally get the water levellow enough that I can net the Pleco as well as another algae eater and placethem in the tank with the Turquoise Severum. No more will that Pleco wreakhavoc on my pretty planted aquarium. All other occupants will remain in thetank during the process. I removed the rock to make it easier when it comestime to put in the back-ground plants.
Next, I decided that I wanted the substrate to be a little higher in the back so I get some Eco-complete that I had removed from an older tank quite some time ago and used that to create a steeper slope in the back of the tank. At the same time I buried the line and the air stone to hide it better and moved it more to the left so it would be slightly off center. Once all the substrate work was done I let things settle so I could actually see what I was doing and the fish had a break as well.
It is now around 5:00 pm and the grandson’s 6-year-old sister has made an appearance as well so Mom & Dad can go out to dinner for an early Father’s Day. Now I get to work on this project while trying to keep her entertained as well, but she likes to “help” so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Let’s get started putting all those plants in this tank. This is when Idiscovered why the aquascape plan didn't look right to me. I decide to start atthe rear and work forward. I went to measure the location of the first group ofplants and discovered the diagram was not the same size as the tank, after allthe website states all plans are “full Scale”. This plan is 38” long and thetank diagram is 36” x 15”, not the 48” x 18” I had noted in the questionnaire.Upon further inspection, I notice the shape of the diagram is for a Bow Frontaquarium. I try to call them, again no answer but it is Saturday so I emailedthem about the problem. I will have to make do for now, these plants can’twait. Since the plants on the plan are the same ones I was to receive with myplan I decided I will try to follow this plan as much as I can.
I separated the Sagittaria, subulata (narrow leaf) into individual plants(approx. 45), pruned the roots and removed any leaves that look less than healthy.According to the “plan” these plants are to be located in the positionsreferred to with a “1”. With the granddaughter handing me each plant, one byone, I placed just over half of them in the back right corner forming atriangular shape running along the back about 15”, up the right side about 5.5”and down over to the left side about 4”. I place the remaining plants on theleft side in the same fashion but with a smaller foot print of about 14” by4”.
Now it’s time to place that rock back in place. I want to set it so that the air stone I buried earlier is centered behind the rock. I turn the air on so I can remember the location and place the stone. I want the Madagascar Lace plant behind the rock as a focal point so I keep that in mind as I place the stone at a slight angle going front to back so it doesn't set exactly square with the walls of the tank.
FROM THIS……
My equipment:
Tank - Aqueon 75 Gallon (60 gallon water column)
Lights – Marineland 36” - 48” Single Bright LED Light Fixture (10 w)
Aqueon 48” Double Bulb Light Fixture (1-28w 6700K daylight bulb, 1-28w Coralife bulb)
Both lights are on a timer to be on for 8 hours each day
Filter – Rena Filstar XP2
CO2 - Pressurized 5# CO2 tank, Milwaukee MA957 regulator, Milwaukee SMS122 Ph Controller (set to 7.0 pH?)
Heater –Aqueon 300w (76F)
Ferts - EI Dry Dosing
Considering adding:
DIY CO2 drop checker (or maybe purchase)
Friday, June 7, 2013
I placed an order today with Aquariumplants.com. I ordered a replacement Ph probe for my Milwaukee SMS122 Ph controller along with 4.0 calibration solution. I also ordered an Aquascape plan at the same time. I received a consultation phone call within 30 minutes of placing the order and I told them that I wanted the large rock to remain in its present location as pictured in the photo included with the questionnaire and that I also wanted to keep the plants that I presently have, adding them into the new aquascape plan. They sent a list of plants for the aquascape along with the price.
Monday, June 10, 2013
I contacted Aquariumplants.com to arrange payment for the plant order for the aquascape and left a message for them to call me back.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
I never got the return phone call Monday for the payment so I called them back and once again requested they call for payment arrangement but I also told them I wanted to add 10 packages of plant anchors to the order. Mark called me back within a few minutes and the order was processed. He said it would be shipped on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 with an expected delivery of Friday, June 14, 2013.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
I received a shipment confirmation email so I checked the UPS website for the status of the order. It states the delivery is expected on Thursday,June 13, 2013 at 10:30 am. That is fast.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The order arrived today as expected. I left a note on the door asking the UPS driver to please place the package inside the front door as it was to get hot today and I didn't want them baking in the sun. He did as requested. The Ph probe and the calibration solution are included in this delivery but they sent 2 bottles of 7.01 calibration solution and not the 4.0 as requested. I emailed them about the error asking them to call me Friday at work. I unpacked the plants long enough to inventory and photograph them since I am not sure how long it will take to get this corrected. They are in great shape; the Madagascar Lace is just gorgeous. When I looked at the aquascape plan something about it just didn't look right, it showed a location for 2 large pieces of driftwood, a smaller rock, and a skull. NO SKULL IS IN OR EVER WILL BE IN MY AQUARIUM. I noticed later on the second page of the packing slip it states that the solution was changed to 7.01 due to the other being for Saltwater (don’t think so but after looking on the web for information I determine it will be okay). I will just let them know about the aquascape when they call Friday.
This package includes the following plants:
1. Sagittaria, Subulata (narrow leaf)(Sagittaria subulata) - 10 Plants perorder
2. Aponogeton, Madagascar Lace (Aponogeton madagascariensis)
3. Cryptocoryne Parva (bare root)(also available in pots)
4. Cryptocoryne, Lutea (Cryptocoryne lutea) Pot (medium size)
5. Cryptocoryne, Wendtii, Bronze (Cryptocoryne wendtii v. Tropica)
6. Cabomba Green (Cabomba carolina)
7. Cabomba Purple (Red) (Cabomba pulcherrima)
8. Ludwigia, Broad Leaf (Ludwigia repens)(also available in pots)
9. Myrio, mattogrossense
All in all there are at least 54 plants
Friday, June 14, 2013
I removed all the existing plants from the tank tonight and placed them in a 3gallon bucket of water to hold them until I can put them back in the tank. Thiswill also make it easier when I remove the water from the tank and vacuum thesubstrate. No phone call.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
After running errands with the hubby and working in the yard, I can finally goin to begin the aquascape. It is around 10:00 am. I received no Friday call butI have to get these plants in water before they die.
I began by lowering the water level to make it easier to do the aquascape. I removed 30 gallons of water, this is 50% of the water volume as this tank has 60 gallons of water in it, and yes, I know exactly how many gallons because I used a gallon pitcher (filled to the gallon mark) when I originally set this tank up. That was 60 trips to and from the sink, I will remember that forever.I am so glad that I thought ahead when setting this tank up and placed 5-gallon markers on the side of the tank. I have to lower the water this using my gravel cleaner because I can’t find the faucet adapter for the Python. This makes the process longer but I will get the same result.
After a few interruptions to stop and make lunch for 3-year-old grandson we arewatching, checking on his whereabouts several times, making numerous trips intothe garage making sure he is still “helping” grandpa, and chasing him off theroof once (back of house is built into a hill and I am pretty sure that isn't adeer walking up there and the dog is to lazy), I finally get the water levellow enough that I can net the Pleco as well as another algae eater and placethem in the tank with the Turquoise Severum. No more will that Pleco wreakhavoc on my pretty planted aquarium. All other occupants will remain in thetank during the process. I removed the rock to make it easier when it comestime to put in the back-ground plants.
Next, I decided that I wanted the substrate to be a little higher in the back so I get some Eco-complete that I had removed from an older tank quite some time ago and used that to create a steeper slope in the back of the tank. At the same time I buried the line and the air stone to hide it better and moved it more to the left so it would be slightly off center. Once all the substrate work was done I let things settle so I could actually see what I was doing and the fish had a break as well.
It is now around 5:00 pm and the grandson’s 6-year-old sister has made an appearance as well so Mom & Dad can go out to dinner for an early Father’s Day. Now I get to work on this project while trying to keep her entertained as well, but she likes to “help” so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Let’s get started putting all those plants in this tank. This is when Idiscovered why the aquascape plan didn't look right to me. I decide to start atthe rear and work forward. I went to measure the location of the first group ofplants and discovered the diagram was not the same size as the tank, after allthe website states all plans are “full Scale”. This plan is 38” long and thetank diagram is 36” x 15”, not the 48” x 18” I had noted in the questionnaire.Upon further inspection, I notice the shape of the diagram is for a Bow Frontaquarium. I try to call them, again no answer but it is Saturday so I emailedthem about the problem. I will have to make do for now, these plants can’twait. Since the plants on the plan are the same ones I was to receive with myplan I decided I will try to follow this plan as much as I can.
I separated the Sagittaria, subulata (narrow leaf) into individual plants(approx. 45), pruned the roots and removed any leaves that look less than healthy.According to the “plan” these plants are to be located in the positionsreferred to with a “1”. With the granddaughter handing me each plant, one byone, I placed just over half of them in the back right corner forming atriangular shape running along the back about 15”, up the right side about 5.5”and down over to the left side about 4”. I place the remaining plants on theleft side in the same fashion but with a smaller foot print of about 14” by4”.
Now it’s time to place that rock back in place. I want to set it so that the air stone I buried earlier is centered behind the rock. I turn the air on so I can remember the location and place the stone. I want the Madagascar Lace plant behind the rock as a focal point so I keep that in mind as I place the stone at a slight angle going front to back so it doesn't set exactly square with the walls of the tank.
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