hi nas,
yes not a problem for pro2. you will never face this problem.

however, the flow does slow down with clogging, whether you fit it to outlet or not...most people use power heads to rectify this problem. esp for big tanks. i would love to do away with extra powerheads but somehow the flow doesn't seem to be good enough in my 5ft.

more of a problem for the ecco and <2217 classic ones. the outlet being deep inside the water makes it hard for the siphon tho get going.

__________________
So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

I think the clogging is minimal, same as any pipe, with accumulated, brown stuff over a long period of time.

Anyway, found a cheaper alternative to ISTA External CO2 diffuser at East Aqua, Ikano Power Centre, called Boyu. Compared to ISTA, this is about 3 times cheaper. I am sure other LFS, if they selling this, will be a lot cheaper.


Thanks

that's cool, looks like a good solution to keep less in tank

__________________
So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Nafish,
In replying your question, I am using a similiar diffuser connected to the outlet valve to the Ehiem 2233 canister filter. The lfs called it the external diffuser which is connected to the co2 diffuse reactor (internal diffuser) in the tank. But the external diffuser costs about RM55.

you are right that you need to follow the ADA process. I will be buying the step1 soon. According to lfs that step 1 will only be used for initial stage for the roots to take place in the substrate. Older tank will only need step 1 when you perform some replanting or rescaping. I think the rest of the nutrients are in the substrate. correct me if I am wrong.

peace

hi callisto168,

I believe yours is ISTA external CO2 diffuser. Yes 88Marine selling it for RM55. But got mine cheaper from somwehere else. Mine connected to a spraybar under waterline. You can connect it to in-tank type CO2 diffuser with rotation balls in it, to get almost 100% CO2 diffused. I know 88Marine in SunwayMas are using this, but they are also using Eheim Pro 3.

About the ADA process, I am no expert, you don't have to follow exactly, as every tank is different from others (plant mass, biomass, water quality etc). But since you only dosing Brighty K, you only get K. Plant needs micro nutrients too. That is why I suggested you to dose some trace elements. Using Brighty Step 1 seems appropriate in your case, and a lot easier since you have to dose X ml for Y liters, not like some other brand of trace elements. Anyway, the dosing instruction also can be different. You can see it here http://www.adaeuro.com/gestioneacquari_eng.asp . This is quite different from the dosing instruction that comes with the bottles.

If you are using ADA substrate, yes there are some nutrients in it, NO3 mostly. But since your tank is quite new, the plants does not establish the roots yet, this is quite small amount compared to water colum dosing, IMHO.

Anyway, is your tank is heavily planted?. If not, you may have to cut down the ferts. Don't want to waste your money, and have algae problems.

Best Regards

Thanks

Interesting and simple diffuser. Gonna check it out myself to see its practicality.

Thanks for sharing.

__________________
Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

Hi Nafish,
Thanks for the great info on ADA ferts. My plant is packed with plants. In fact too many toninas. I will follow your advice to get step 1. err.. sorry to ask but what is "IMHO". Where do you usually buy your plants and ADA ferts during your setup? Most of the time I buy from SunwayMas 88marine.

peace

Stan, how do you describe this?? sorry... just cant resist it...

'piece'

__________________
-- for man is by nature an artist --

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) that is just a typo. No need to make a big fuss over it.

Anyway, callisto168, I mostly buys my plants and other stuffs at a nearby LFS. Sometimes I go to 88 Pandan Indah, or East Aqua, Ikano Power Centre. And callisto168, good luck on your tank.

Installed Boyu External CO2 diffuser today for my test 2 ft tank. I noticed a small design difference from ISTA, Boyu uses some ceramic for the middle part that actually diffuse CO2. ISTA uses stainless steel. Overall I think, Boyu is not as good as ISTA, producing big bubbles, just like using the air stones. Not sure if mine is faulty or what. But it is too early to say.

Best Regards

Thanks

Finally get my hand on dry ferts, KNO3 and KH2PO4.

About 30 minutes later..


KNO3 solution made by mixing 100g KNO3 into 500ml water.
Dose 18ml into my 220 liters tank to add 10ppm NO3 per dose. Dose 3 times a week.

PO4 solution made by mixing 100g KH2PO4 into 500ml water.
Dose 3ml into my 220 liters tank to add 2ppm PO4 per dose. Dose 3 times a week.

K from both dose is approx 7.2 ppm K.

Thats should cover my macronutrients, N, P & K.

Will start using after 50% WC this weekend.

Thanks

Best Regards