yes. CO2 refusser or reactor is very important. coz CO2 really disolve into the water or not...has to depend on the reactor/refuser.

cjming, if we can meet up. I would like to check out yr reactor. it look very nice and proper done. Currently, i m connected my CO2 hose to the hang on filter. So, my hang on filter acting like a refuser. hahaha...

The lighting set idea is not bad. But the prob of the bracket to hold the lights and put on top of the tank still a big problem. (will it look ugly like mine to put 3 reflectors on top of the tank?) Yes. I am agree with Stan. The power saving light bulb is not bright enough. coz I am using it for my blockhead tank...(with java fern only) PL light tube still my first choice.

Roadspike, try to get the Florida Flag Fish...it look like Juwel cichlid. But smaller size. If you don't know how it look like. search on google.com.my. It will help to remove the hair algae. If you can get Siamese Algae Eater. Better still....(but it is hard to get in KL/PJ)

Perform a weekly 30-50% water change will prevent the algae grow. Min. the timing of light you on... will help too.

do you guys know black molly which is big stomach type. is a good helper to clean algae? My mollies helping me a lot... But they dont eat black brush algae...

Aiiiya bad luck ..just finish planted 80% of the tank and now the bottom hole of the tank leaked water...forced to redirect the filter system and made a mess sealing it with big pile of silicone ..sigh !!Very sian lar...

Hey Stan, I get what U mean w/ regards to FL reference!!Thanks for the enlightment, I think i ve missed that point..
Here is my light setup..based on FL reference..!
2x40W FL (6400K)
2x20W T-4 TriPhos
1x20W Energy Save Bulb
2x36W FL (Red spectrum..??K)
Three light strips..I cannot fit anything anymore !!
By the way..how important is lumen in lighting setup??

Water chemistry:
kH:3
pH:7 - 7.2
GH?
No3?
Fe?
Temp:27-28C

My problem is previously I have never successfully grow glosso due to inadequate elements/nutri, so I have no idea how does
glosso response to new enviroment!!
Currently some glosso are turning yellow..and looked stunted.But their roots seems more fine and dense though,
so what am I mising here..???When is the proper time to dose my liquid fert..anyway??I read that wait for 2-4 weeks before dosing the liq fert!!!
Stem plants are doing ok!!!Riccia very bubbly but seems still not enough Co2 though!!

I think u guys misunderstood about my DIY reactor liow..that reactor on the pix is not mine...sorry!!My idea came from that design aka
" Mini Vortex Reactor". Mine RESEMBLED like that in the pic only.
The down side of the reactor is the pump...it'll suck leaves and plants like
riccia and clogged the pump!!Tot wanna try to get one glass type diffuser..
I see 88 selling a few variety lately ..u think it's good ar??

ok pour in some more feedbacks guys..I needed it..!!Thanks


Robby

hey guys, can u see the pic i posted in the above msg?
if not, u can check out the pics here;

http://www.geocities.com/roadspike/

pai seh, show u guys my tank

Yr total Watt is 212W... what is the tank volume in US gallons...

Dose liquid fert after every water change...

Glass diffuser is nice but not as effective as a reactor and the reactor mix the CO2 properly and no wastage...


Pls refer to the URL for why yr glosso turning yellow...
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertil...eficiency.html


Refer to The Krib for Aquatic plants & Tropical Fish
http://www.thekrib.com/



Stan

Roadspike, thanks for showing the pic of your tank...

Your plants are pretty healthy...

How come your gravel black in colour ??

Good idea of putting the CO2 reactor at the bottom filter so that you have more space inside your tank..

How come so many spare tubing in the filter... are those used to increase the surface area for bacteria colony ??


Stan

yeah, i saw those black color gravel in lfs shop. bought a whole big bag about 50 kg. later i found out those are not really gravel, they are actually quartz crystal. if i had the choice to choose again, i would use normal gravel instead coz this quartz crystal are not entirely black.

haha yeah, those are extra pvc pipes from my aquarium piping. due to bad planning n measuring skills, end up buying a lot of extra pvc pipes. so i figured instead of throwing them away just cut them up n dump it inside the filter to increase the surface area for bacteria colonisation. hehe cheap way to increase bacteria in ur aquarium.

the tank is onli about a week old since the last time i replanted it. hopefully after 2 or 3 months it will look better.

nice setup. btw, the black color of the gravel will disappear. And turn to brown or half transparent. As i know, this kind of coloring gravel release some acid which is harm to yr plants.

btw, yr lighting set is DIY? Can't really see it... mind to share the idea?

I like black gravels...it sets the base and background of the tank to become like a single canvas to exhibit your masterpiece...!!!Nicee

By the way, I recently bought these fert stuff...anyone got feedback for the following products:-

Nutrafin's Plant Gro - Iron Enriched and N-P-K (RM17 each).
Sera Florenette Iron and Mineral (RM24, recommended by 88 staff as they say will help my glosso wor...
eventhough I told him my light was not enough ...im very gullible wan lar!!!hehee)
Hey anyone bought those Taiwanese Aquascaping books sold at LFS for RM35 before ??

ok thanks

Robby

u means the magazine selling in 88?? yes, i bought 2 from them. all in chinese. and introducing all kinds of plants...

haha sorry cant read any chinese.

yeah i bought the nutrafin NPK and iron enriched also for fert.

yup, the lighting set is DIY. i'll take some pics of it later n post it up.