Ok, this is my 20H probably 8 months ago. I would say that this tank was very low-tech; stock 15W tube overhead, Hydor yeast/sugar CO2 generator, and some basic h.o.b. filtration and submerged heat. At that time I was only dosing Seachem Flourish as per the schedule on the bottle. The plants are basic, and they're all I had available to me, so I thought I'd try them. They're all quite a bit larger here than when I first bought them, which was encouraging to me.
I have a few questions regarding my tank for when I get it back in January, and I'll try to keep it short.
- I'd like to add some rock to my hardscape. Is there a specific type that is more suited to that application than others?
- I would also like to add more variety to my tank, but a good plant selection isn't readily available to me locally in Denver. Is there a website that you would recommend purchasing plants from, or would anyone here be willing to ship specimens to me if I bought a large amount?
- I'll be upgrading to a 2x55W AH Supply fixture and most likely an Eheim canister filter in a few weeks. I'm also gathering components to build an autodoser like the ones shown here. With the increase in light, will my current co2 input be enough, or should I start looking into a pressurized system?
I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions as I make progress, and I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and critiques. I'm here to learn.
Thanks in advance,
Matt
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Baseline Shot
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I'm a big proponent of pressurized, simply because I think it is easier to control. I hated redoing the yeast and sugar every two weeks. 
DIY does work on smaller tanks like this if you are patient enough to track its output, though - that said, I never did DIY with the light levels you are talking about.
Rocks - just shoot for PH Neutral rock. Local landscaping yards are often a good source. Granite is neutral. Slate is neutral. Limestone is not neutral.
You can buy a couple of pieces and "bucket" test it - just put it in water in a bucket, and test PH, 24, 48, 72 hours later, then a week later... make sure it isn't raising PH.
You'll see a lot of porous mossy rock in scapes from GWAPA members - this is a rock from California we have bought a couple pallets of, and had shipped across the country... but that is a bit easier to handle when 20 people line up to take part in it. 2800 pounds of rock might be more than you need.
Lots of us sell fairly regularly online. Winter time is a bit tougher just because of watching out for freezing, but many of us can and do ship plants.
If there are particular plants you are after, post a WTB in the Flea Market section. I don't know what to suggest as I'm not sure of your experience level - but you are about to be jumping off a deep end from low light to high light, hee! I'd honestly suggest going to 1x55w while you adjust.
DIY does work on smaller tanks like this if you are patient enough to track its output, though - that said, I never did DIY with the light levels you are talking about.Rocks - just shoot for PH Neutral rock. Local landscaping yards are often a good source. Granite is neutral. Slate is neutral. Limestone is not neutral.
You can buy a couple of pieces and "bucket" test it - just put it in water in a bucket, and test PH, 24, 48, 72 hours later, then a week later... make sure it isn't raising PH.
You'll see a lot of porous mossy rock in scapes from GWAPA members - this is a rock from California we have bought a couple pallets of, and had shipped across the country... but that is a bit easier to handle when 20 people line up to take part in it. 2800 pounds of rock might be more than you need.
Lots of us sell fairly regularly online. Winter time is a bit tougher just because of watching out for freezing, but many of us can and do ship plants.
If there are particular plants you are after, post a WTB in the Flea Market section. I don't know what to suggest as I'm not sure of your experience level - but you are about to be jumping off a deep end from low light to high light, hee! I'd honestly suggest going to 1x55w while you adjust.
Dave
For rocks, sometimes you'd be amazed what you can find around you. Of course, you want to make sure it's okay to collect, but places where they've busted thru a hill of slate for a road usually has stuff to be found.
I definitely second Dave's recommendation to only run one bulb of your 2x55W fixture for the first little bit. That's a lot of light for a 20H, which as you guess might necessitate pressurized CO2 eventually, and definitely fertilizers.
For plants, ditto on what Dave said, and also, AquaticPlantCentral and PlantedTank both have For Sale forums where people regularly offer up starter packages of plants for decent prices.
I definitely second Dave's recommendation to only run one bulb of your 2x55W fixture for the first little bit. That's a lot of light for a 20H, which as you guess might necessitate pressurized CO2 eventually, and definitely fertilizers.
For plants, ditto on what Dave said, and also, AquaticPlantCentral and PlantedTank both have For Sale forums where people regularly offer up starter packages of plants for decent prices.
i know this is an old thread but for reference sake id like to comment on the "rock test".
I learned on the krib years ago that a reasonably strong acid (muriatic or vinegar in some cases) it a great way to test rocks for calcium. any rock with calcium content will fizz when the acid is applied. it is the calcium or other alkaline compounds in the rock that makes it raise pH.
I use this trick when looking for substrates for my tanks at places like home depot. take a little off the ground under the pallet, put it in some acid and if there are no bubbles it wont raise the pH.
-nick
I learned on the krib years ago that a reasonably strong acid (muriatic or vinegar in some cases) it a great way to test rocks for calcium. any rock with calcium content will fizz when the acid is applied. it is the calcium or other alkaline compounds in the rock that makes it raise pH.
I use this trick when looking for substrates for my tanks at places like home depot. take a little off the ground under the pallet, put it in some acid and if there are no bubbles it wont raise the pH.
-nick
