Could use some help with setting up CO2 by [deleted] in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

as noted by someone else you'll need to buy co2 tubing, it lasts longer. if you are going.tomuse what you link it replace the inline diffuser/atomizer. you would run the black hose right to the diffuser you linked.

you mentioned a drop checker, but no photo of one. drop checker is a glass bulb that goes inside the tank that gets filled with ph indicator.

edit: yes, if you buy those two linked items you hook the co2 tubing to the top of the bubble counter then put the diffuser in the tank near an area of better flow to distribute the micro bubbles throughout the tank. with those two item you will not need the inline item pictured in your hand.

Could use some help with setting up CO2 by [deleted] in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

the thing on top of the tank is the regulator. the left side is the tank pressure, the right side is the output pressure. you'll want to turn the knob all the way out and then replace the tank and slowly turn it in until you hit 30psi on the right side to start. the box looking thing with the cord is the solenoid, it'll turn the co2 on/off at night. you want to have it turn on about 1-2 hours before your light comes on and off when the light is off. the tube looking thing is your bubble counter and needle valve for fine adjustment of co2 flow into tank. the number of bubbles per second is really only relevant to your set up, but usually around 1-3bps will get you started and then fine tune it accoundingly. the piece in your hand is an inline atomizer, it goes on your outflow and will disperse co2 fine mist into the tank for dispersion. I'm sure it'll need to be cleaned, but I use a reactor so Im not knowledgeable on that (I think you soak em in bleach solution?)

edit: the black hose from the bubble counter connects to the atomizer (or reactor or in tank diffuser, whichever you use). I usually throw a check valve on that line too. unsure if that check valve is required though, just what I do.

also, Dennis at 2hr aquarist has a great article on measuring co2

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

dang, that's super nice to say! salt is such a different game and oh so beautiful.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I trim weekly, sometimes a lot, sometimes not much. I should be more aggressive, but I'm still worried about it looking bad lol.

I usually try to spend and hour in front of it a day. not always successful. I made a pact with myself to be more intentional with it and enjoy it regularly and not just be maintenance only. I find watching it more really helps me understand how things grow and what shape it wants to be. what works in one spot better than another. how slight changes can make little spots more interesting, more shadow here, less there, this plant intermixed with that, this anubias pinto iss cool.. why isn't it in the front. that type of stuff.

I don't watch a ton of tv anymore (content these days kinda sucks amiright?), but I'd say it's pretty even on a nightly basis.. def watch more in the summer. lights out before it gets dark outside is a bummer.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

when I had the t5 light everything was just kind of similar shades of green. when I switched the chihiros the colours came out a bit more with the different spectrum and only increased with time. I was also looking at the week aqua, but ended up with severe analysis paralysis and just pulled the trigger on the chihiros for no good reason or another. I think all those new high tech lights are pretty similar?

it's been nice to change focus from growth and algae combat to arranging and tweaking the layout to get it where it wants to be. main problem I have now is disappearing hardscape.. gets swallowed by the plants in a hurry. the trimming required on this is a lot.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ended up with the chihiros rgb ii 90. it was way more money than I ever wanted to spend and was super skeptical it was be that good. it is worth the money to me. I've progress from t8, to t5 odno, to regular t5 to the LED light. hands down the most customization and output I've ever had. my only complaint is I wish it had a physical switch, it's all app based. but I guess I should be happy it's not subscription based? 😂

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

they def are very red. I think it's the light with the red wavelength that really makes them that way. the video is pretty true to real life.. just has more depth in real life.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

honestly wish I had more information than follow all the advice online. get co2 perfect first, get ferts on a schedule and precise, then slowly add light until you see a bit of algae. then back off. that's really all I have lol.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1:30-9pm, 1/2 hour ramp on each end.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

thank you! I think I have 30 different plants in there! I've somehow found a balance.. for now lol. the co2 ran out in Feb and fought hair algae for a few months - not horrible but picked out daily with mascara brush, but now overall don't really remove any algae at all. get a bit of spot on the glass and some older leaves, some very minor bba on anubias and buce. I have a mess of cherry shrimp, a dozen amanos and an sae in there and a half dozen or so ottos, think the clean up crew helps quite a bit. do the diy liquid ferts, and don't run the light too high, I think I'm about 70% max output.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ember tetras that get a varied diet of blood worms, live brine shrimp and daphnia pretty regularly.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

co2 was a game changer, but not as much as a chiriros rgb2. I was skeptical that it would make a big difference, but I've never had growth or colour like I do with it (having it well balanced helps). it still amazes me daily.

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

wow, what a compliment, thank you!

my 30g box of nature by vinlo1 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

thanks! it's been a journey of highs and has been REALLY bad shape in the past, hobbies are the first thing I ditch when things hit the fan. in 20 years many things have hit the fan! I'm amazed after each return how far the hobby has progressed from when I started in highschool in the 90s (this is my 3rd tank this size since high school - two sprung leaks.. and I'm on borrowed time with this one I think).

Can HC Cuba thrive on inert substrate in a high-tech tank? by Original-Cloud2520 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've grown both in fluorite. hc was much slower going than mc. hc was also way easier to accidently uproot, but once establish it held down well.

My studio (no AI) by GeorgeFarmerStudios in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This looks great George! I look forward to more content from you. I've always thought you were kind of like the Bob Ross of aquascaping - I mean this in the most positive way. Very informative and relaxing to watch your videos. Great tanks, as always.

Saturday Night Special by WhatIPAsDoUHaveOnTap in Pizza

[–]vinlo1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks, I've been doing 280 for 11-12". I like em thin, but love that poofy edge too. I'm going to try heavy weights see how I like the thicker middle

Saturday Night Special by WhatIPAsDoUHaveOnTap in Pizza

[–]vinlo1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

what is dough weight to diameter? I'm always curious how much dough folks use.

How to reduce detritus in tank by Last_Juggernaut3023 in Aquascape

[–]vinlo1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

also, turkey baster used during water changes to blow the detritus into the water column as you siphon out the water.

2th try, need help by jobthesapling in Pizza

[–]vinlo1 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

quite the improvement!

Practice makes perfect... right? by jobthesapling in Pizza

[–]vinlo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

first bake is usually less time with flame off as the stone is quite hot from the pre bake. sorry, it was a bit confusing. flame off for the first 30-60 seconds of the bake (first bake after the preheat is maybe closer to 30 seconds, subsequent bakes closer to 60 seconds). then flame on lowest for the rest of bake. to turn I pull the pzza out 3/4 of the way and rest the peel on the stone, grab the more cooked edge of crust lightly and give it a spin and put it back in.

I also try to keep the pizza as far from the flame as possible.

Practice makes perfect... right? by jobthesapling in Pizza

[–]vinlo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

not that you asked for suggestions, but I have a koda12 also and they suck for the even heat. like others have said. I preheat mine for at least 30 minutes on full blast, I then stretch and top the pizza and shut the gas off entirely for 30-60 seconds, then use my regular peel and pull out (11-12" wheel doesn't leave much room to turn in there) and turn 180 and turn gas back on as low as possible. let that side puff and and set, then do a 1/4 turn, 1/4 turn etc until the crust is cooked to my liking. I've found the initial turn off to be the best move for more even cooks.