How To Aquascape A Low Tech Planted Aquarium part 3

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for How To Aquascape A Low Tech Planted Aquarium part 3

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J F - 7 years ago

How does your filter not produce those annoying surface ripples?

J F - 7 years ago

Ah, I just heard some fish don't like it, like Bettas.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

J F it is low flow filter and I had the outlet below the water level. Aiming straight across or down I suppose. Why do you think they're annoying? It can help increase your oxygen. I usually run most of my tanks with higher surface agitation. It is beneficial for many reasons.

wildsprig - 7 years ago

Great tips. What kind of fish is the black one with yellow stripes that sits at the bottom of the tank?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

wildsprig that is a bumblebee goby. A type that can live in freshwater. Thanks for watching!

Steve Story - 7 years ago

Is rotala rotundifolia able to do well in low tech 10gallon with a National Geographic aquarium sand substrate?

Steve Story - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping thanks for all the advice!! You're the best really appreciate it

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Steve Story just at the very bottom of the substrate, and next to the plant. You want 2" of sand in the front, at least. And 4" in the back, at least. So you create a slope from front to back. This also adds a bit more depth to your scape. Ludwigia red also seems to stay red in low tech

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Steve Story rotundifolia would. But you could try both and see

Steve Story - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping would you do Rotala Rotundifolia or Limnophila Aromatica? Which one would have the better coloring in a low tech tank in sand substrate 10 gallon with finnex stingray light? Also how deep should one put root tabs in a sand substrate? Thanks for all the great advice my daughter and I really appreciate it.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Steve Story 7-8 hours should work. It should work pretty well for that size tank. You shouldn't have issues using it.

Steve Story - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping thanks for the great info. Would you suggest using another light or would this one be ok? What photo period would you suggest starting with?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Steve Story my buddy and I both actually run the light with acrylic LED risers. If you get quite a bit of algae you may even need to get some 4" risers. Hanaquatics.com sells them.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Steve Story It could help to use both at the same time. If you have the tabs you might as well use them. The Stingray will work prefectly on a 10 gallon. It actually gives off quite a bit of radiation.

Steve Story - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping I'm going to be using a finnex stingray and Seachem Florish tabs + Easy Green Liquid fertilizer. Would the stingray light be sufficient? Should I use both the Tabs and liquid ferts at the same time? Thanks for your above insights I really appreciate it

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Steve Story Rotundifolia is very easy to grow, and it will still show coloration too in low-tech. Does that sand have any nutrients at all? If not you will want to dose liquid fertilizers, and if you find it stays green or you have poor plant growth than it could be that your light is too low. A lack of nutrients isn't usually the issue with poor growth. I am noticing that a lot of hobbyists lighting is too low, but of course in low-tech you don't want your lighting too high either. So keep this in mind while you watch your aquascape mature.

KeH Chen - 7 years ago

Is that the plants that you used in this tank did not require much CO2? If I am going to start a new tank without CO2, I could use the plants from your plant list?

KeH Chen - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping Thank you for replying, it helps a lot.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

KeH Chen yes, they do not require pressurized CO2. You can grow them very easily in a low tech tank. Low to medium light preferred

ekul Z - 7 years ago

Brilliant tutorial. Thanks very much

Hentai Senpai - 7 years ago

It didn't break because he took the top off, people saying that are dumb. In the second video I noticed a small crack in the tank that was about mid way up, no where near the top.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

I found out later on that my dad hit it with a chair by accident. He is old and fell one night and used a chair to get up and it hit the corner of the tank.

wendigolycan - 7 years ago

Always thought that Blyxa japonica was a high maintenance plant, you gave me hope to buy some myself. Also, when it comes to binomial nomenclature, you should always have the genus name capitalized, while the species within that genus, is not. I see this way to often in the aquarium hobby.

Scott Cook - 7 years ago

You mentioned that you sell the rock. Can you point me to a direct link to buy it? I can't find your website anywhere. :)

Souvik Khan - 7 years ago

whats that background music?

10. comment for How To Aquascape A Low Tech Planted Aquarium part 3

Larry Glawson - 7 years ago

Really love your knowledge and enthusiasm! Keep your sleeves wet!

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Thank you!!! cheers! Always...

Alex Guzman - 7 years ago

Really beautiful tank!

Nappin - 7 years ago

For a beginner would you reccomend eco complete or Sand?

tickets23 - 7 years ago

can you do a tank like this, but in a 75g tank?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping is excited to announce their partnership with BucePlant!
When ordering type "ADU15" into the code section and you will get 15% off of your first PLANT order, so make it count!
To get to their website click on the BucePlant link that I have provided below!
http://buceplant.com?rfsn=512608.61055d

Jacob Bottom - 7 years ago

what was the name of the plant u ziptied to the rock had on and can't remember what it is called . thanks

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

It is Anubias Nana. Great plant for low-tech beginner setups.

Arthur Pellett - 7 years ago

Good looking tank

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Thank you!! I am glad that you like it!

Rojo1044 - 7 years ago

With the strong Current Satellite Plus LED and a ten gallon low depth tank, how in the world do you keep algae down in that aquarium? Your shrimp gobbling up everything?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

This tank never had any algae issues. The Satellite Plus was only giving off around 30 PAR at the most. It is a great low-tech fixture. It isn't very powerful.

Keli Weisgerber - 7 years ago

I bought instruction from woodprix and I build it very very cheap.

Дмитрий Александрович - 7 years ago

what is the dose of exel for a day?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

about 5ml a day, but I ended up not using it on this scape!

20. comment for How To Aquascape A Low Tech Planted Aquarium part 3

Carson Spencer - 7 years ago

Hey may I ask what kind of rock is that?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

It is Basalt Lava rock. It is a rock that I actually sell. I call it ADU Dragon Stone.

Raul Jr Gines - 7 years ago

Im a newbee. what's that machine inside the tank?

Raul Jr Gines - 7 years ago

Thank you. so it needs to have a wavemaker.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

I am using a nano SunSun canister filter, a heater, and I did have a Koralia wavemaker in there for a bit too. You are probably seeing the inlet and outlet of the filter, the heater, and possibly the wavemaker- used for circulation around the aquarium.

Red Hawk - 7 years ago

Nice

Jeremy Leffler - 7 years ago

Thanks so much for your prompt reply. I will increase nutrients and O2 levels and follow the other steps you recommended. I am using the Aquaclear 50 as a filter and it moves my water around quite a bit. Is there a specific way to remove algae from plants? I usually do a 30-40% water change every two to three weeks. Would you also recommend to replace my gravel with a better substrate?Thanks again for your reply and I love your tank -'it's so pretty. Awesome job.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

A soil substrate will produce far better results. And yes you can use a toothbrush or your hands to remove algae from plants. You just want to make sure to always keep the detritus build up down and the O2 high. Also you want to always have ample amounts of nutrients. If using soil it will leach some nutrients into the water column, but if using gravel you may have to dose liquid fertilizers or use root tabs, or both to get better growth.

Jeremy Leffler - 7 years ago

Hi , I have a 36 gal low tech planted tank and can't get rid of my black beard algae problem. I am using a Finnex planted plus on a timer for 7 hrs, I am dosing Excel every other day and am also using Seachem's Phosguard. My substrate is regular gravel and I was also using Seachem's root tabs, but not on a regular basis. Despite the better light (the tank came with a regular T8) my plants aren't doing great. They get the black fuzzy stuff on them and don't grow very much. There is some growths on tha Anubias and Wisteria, but the Ludwigia and Amazons are not growing much. There is also a lot of green algae on the glass. Any pointers on what to do so my plants won't be killed by algae? Thanks so much.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Jeremy Leffler you may need to increase nutrients and O2 levels. Increase surface agitation and circulation. Clean the mechanical sponge in the filter. remove all algae manually then do a water change. increase fertilizers, and trim infected plant leaves. The light is a good one and works.

ostojicivan88 - 7 years ago

Great videos man! Do you use carbon in your filter? Thanks

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

ostojicivan88 no, there is no need. Just fine micron sponge.

Damien G - 7 years ago

i know this video is old, but how did the blyxa do in a low tech setting?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Damien G It did alright. Not too bad, but less growth.

Brandon Cosme - 8 years ago

Is Flourite on top of Osmocote+ pellets decent for a low tech 10 gallon? I really don't want to use liquid ferts if I don't have to and just plan on using DIY Osmocote+ root tabs.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

Brandon Cosme yes that is a good combo. For example you would only want to use around 3 tablespoon fulls on the bottom of the aquarium for a 55 gallon..So keep that in mind.

Mike Vormwald - 8 years ago

Uhm didn't the tank blow out because you removed the top rim and it wasn't designed as a rimless?

Mike Vormwald - 8 years ago

Oh sure, blame it on the old guy! <g>
(I hope he's okay)

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

no,my dad smashed it with a chair in accident. I didn't want to embarrass him. He had a stroke. 10 gallon rims do not add very much support. The glass is thick enough and the silicone is strong enough they don't need one. Just used in cheaper tanks to protect you from getting cut.

Gregory Marrero - 8 years ago

What type of light would you recommend for a one gallon planted?

Gregory Marrero - 8 years ago

Thanks man always go to your channel for advice

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

just a simple Desk lamp of any kind will work. Get a good kelvin temperature for the lighting, usually 6500K just too look good to the human eye.

30. comment for How To Aquascape A Low Tech Planted Aquarium part 3

Ian Becker - 8 years ago

Where did you get your rocks?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

I have a source. I sell these types of rocks. They are a Basalt lava and are called Dragon Stone.

Joe A - 8 years ago

Awesome tank! What light fixture were you using on this tank? Looking for one for my 10 gallon.

Joe A - 8 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping thank you for the info! I'll look into all of them.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

a Current Satellite Plus LED fixture. Works well. Finnex and Fluval also work great. The Finnex Stingray works well for small low Tech tanks. Or the Finnex planted plus.

miniquii - 8 years ago

Looks fantastic! I'm planning on turning my 5.5 gallon all planted soon. what's your opinion on lava rock vs. drift wood?

ram07ish - 8 years ago

Hey, great vid! Quick question. I have a 30 gallon tank, a water heater, but i was wondering what lightbulb i should use for my light fixture which is a fluorescent, any ideas?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

or CFL

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

is the fixture T8 or T5, or T5HO?

john strachan - 8 years ago

Cool tank.

AllWaterAngler - 8 years ago

Where do you buy your soil

mef1975 - 8 years ago

so you use pH, and not nitrates, to gauge when to do a water change?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

No, just letting people know what my parameters are after mixing the RO with the tap water to dilute my tap and get the desired parameters. Did water changes every couple of weeks.

Brendan Dulaney - 8 years ago

In the first two videos you say you're not dosing any excel, but in this video you do. Did you end up dosing it in the end?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Brendan Dulaney I ended up not dosing Excel.

c0mrade5 - 8 years ago

Your aquarium looks great!,tell me what filter do you use ? and u use led lights right ? do plants grow on every led ?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+c0mrade5 I was using a Current Satellite Plus LED fixture and a SunSun 603 canister filter.

oliver freitas - 8 years ago

not sure if this has been asked before but where do you get your plants from ?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+oliver freitas Usually from my LFS, or from my buddy Mike. I am going to be doing a video for him showing his Facebook page and where you can buy plants from him.

The Fish Tank Guy 9057 - 8 years ago

Love your tank landscaping. Your plants in this Tank look awesome would love to do it like this.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

thanks man, I hope you do, or have done this by now.

Lifewithpets - 8 years ago

This looks great. I've just started getting into plants.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Lifewithpets Thanks, yeah it can take a lot of work, but I am going to have a video up shortly that will make it a lot easier for you. So stay tuned... and thanks for watching.

TigerDragon071 - 8 years ago

wow! I am in a mind battle between a reptile or a planted aquarium with my 15 gallon. I would love to plant it and make it for fish, and there is a decent variety of plants local and lots of fish! what do you reccomend? I was thinking like a schooling fish and I was thinking of some shrimp maybe? freshwater aquarium, and I can handle intermediate fish but prefer easy care for this tank. I am seriously considering fish now that I have discovered your channel and am vconvinced I can actually make a 25 gallon look beautiful. Thankyou :)

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+TigerDragon071 I would go with the classic Neon Tetra and Amano shrimp. Get hardy plants like I used in the video. It can be easy if you have patience. The light is a Current Satellite Plus LED fixture and the canister filter is a SunSun 603 mini filter. You may want a model a step up from that with the 25 gallon tank.

krnhaechan30 - 8 years ago

Just wondering, is a powerhead necessary when running a canister filter? I'm looking to upgrade my HOB to a canister filter. Just want to make sure the flow is going to be enough and doesn't cause dead spots.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+krnhaechan30 It isn't necessary, just want to make sure there is sufficient circulation. Check out my optimizing flow video.

Brynjar Konradsson - 8 years ago

why did your previous tank explode?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Brynjar Konradsson Well I didn't want to embarrass my dad because he is getting old and he slammed a chair into this tank one day while he was out of his mind. haha, funny, sad, and true.

Syafeeq Said - 8 years ago

hey man, i wanted to start doing a planted 10gallon, all of the plants you describe are suitable low tech setup? do i really need root supplement before adding the aqua soil or can i use the aqua soil only without the root supplement and adding it later?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Nano Kumo They will all work really well in a low tech tank with a soil based substrate. You do not need the root tabs, I was using them because my substrate was well used and old.

Xuesi Cai - 8 years ago

looks great! now i want to turn my 5 gallon fry grow out tank into a nice planted tank lol.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Xuesi Cai Yeah it isn't too hard to do if you have hardy plants and a nutrient rich substrate. Thanks for watching.

Ron Griese - 8 years ago

excellent

Kevin Woodhouse - 8 years ago

Lovely bogwood

Kevin Woodhouse - 8 years ago

Thanks....Unfortunately my son typed the comment when I was out of the room, and he knows nothing about aquascaping!
I will have a look at your website, great aquascape by the way!

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Kevin Woodhouse Thanks, it's actually Dragon Stone Lava rock. A type of basalt lava rock that I sell.

Stephen Campbell - 8 years ago

what happened to the pennywort? I have some planted and seems to be doing fine, does it grow faster when floating?

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Stephen Campbell The hydro sp. Japan was still in the tank, but I did get rid of the S. repens because snails started eating it, and for some reason it never bounced back, so I switched to dwarf Sag for the foreground plant.

50. comment for How To Aquascape A Low Tech Planted Aquarium part 3

Stephen Campbell - 8 years ago

how long did it take to get the plants like that? Ive watched the 3 parts and i dont recall you saying how long inbetween each video. Its looking really good

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Stephen Campbell For the fully mature tank, which can be seen in the thumbnail or in my pH KH and GH video it took about 6 months. And I really did neglect it. I did have the aquasoil, root tabs, and sometimes I did add a little bit of liquid micro fert mix to the water. Check out that GH and KH video if you want to see the mature tank.

Kevin Delk - 8 years ago

very cool lookin tank. i have a 2 gallon nano. what flow rate would u recommend for a 30 gallon heavily planted low tech tank? do u ever use a uv sterilizer for planted tanks?

Kevin Delk - 8 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping thanks. Will do

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Kevin Delk I have used them , but are only needed in dire situations, algae green water, bacteria blooms, and not need in a healthy tank. Watch my latest video on flow.

Larsen T. - 8 years ago

I also have a low tech 10 gallon. I have a decent plant load. I am running two led fixtures (20w total) for 10 hours a day. I am dealing with some moderate algae growing on my swords and dwarf sag and cabomba, the algae looks to be hair algae (brownish). Its not a severe case but any algae on my plants gets me kind of miffed. I just started dosing excel, 2 notches on the cap every other day because I have jungle vals. I was wondering if you could give me some pointers or tips to finally get rid of this algae and have a pristine tank like yours. By the way you earned a like and a sub, keep up the good work. Hopefully you will take the time to respond it would mean a lot.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

it may be cyanobacteria if it is soft, bright mint green and below the substrate line.

Larsen T. - 8 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping good one. yeah it probably extends into the substrate. I just started using a credit card to go along the substrate line.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

Is it also running along the front of the glass beneath the substrate?

haha, another blackout. That used to be my method for tanks and for after dinner dates.

Larsen T. - 8 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping no it definitely feels soft (the stuff on the glass and leaves seems to be green dust algae. Maybe another blackout is in store.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

when you say soft does it appear soft, or is soft. Dust algae vs say cyanobacteria?

Larsen T. - 8 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping Well since my last response I got rid of my old fixtures, now I run one Finnex Planted Plus (15 watts). I am going to put them on a timer for 8 hours and I raised them 4 inches above the rim due to the high par. And my substrate is Flourite Black Sand. And my tank has been going for like 5 months. I did a black out and that got rid of most of the brown algae. But now I have this soft green algae, almost like the stuff that appears on the glass on most of my leaves. My tank is kind of densely planted you can definitely still see the substrate. I'll check ammonia levels, but I also put in some dwarf water lettuce so if ammonia or nitrates peak that should keep it in balance. And I do weekly water changes sometimes 2x a week around 20-60 percent.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+Larsen T. You may have Rhizo aglae if it is brown and more stringy? 10 hours is probably to much duration for your plant mass. How dense is your planting, if not super dense than tone down the light. Excel can burn Vals, but if you work up to a dose they can tolerate it. Rhizo usually occurs with high ammonia or in new tanks. I would get rid of all infected leaves, tone down the light, be consistent with removing the algae and doing water changes weekly, weekly maintenance etc... and possibly add more plants if the tank is super dense with growth. One fixture may be enough light.

What is your substrate? what are the fixtures?

eric black - 8 years ago

beautiful

John M - 8 years ago

Thanks for the feedback. KH is 6. And pH has been stable at 7.6.

John M - 8 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping Thanks

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

+John Mannion yeah that isn't bad parameters, just keep up on your husbandry every week and the substrate should mature. Once a substrate becomes mature with a higher root mass and more bacteria beds everything usually get a lot easier.

Pastor Velcro - 9 years ago

OK, an old video, but I was reviewing some videos on Low Tech.
Not saying you need to stop doing this, but when you say, "Keep your sleeves wet" I have to chuckle. I normally don't wear a shirt around the house. ---- Now you'll think about that and maybe it'll drive you nuts. ROFBL

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

haha, just tell them it's part of the hobby.

Pastor Velcro - 9 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping I forgot about that. LOL Maybe I'll have to watch these with my eyes closed from now on. I can't do the nude thing because our house has not just us, but our daughter and her husband plus a temp resident as well. I'd scare them all into terminal shock.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Pastor Velcro haha, did you see my trimming video!? I talk about how if you don't have we sleeves you probably don't wear a long sleeved shirt, or aquascape in the nude! I said that I too sometimes aquascape in the nude. LOL

John M - 9 years ago

Great stuff Dave! Currently I'm setting up a 16 gallon (actually between 12 - 13 due to the Aquascaping) and my pH runs 7.6. I don't have access to RO water, would distilled work as well to lower it or would it be safe for Cory's, Raspora's, tetra's and cherry shrimp as is? Or do i need to add peat to the filter? Looking forward to your help ... thanks!

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+John Mannion It is easier and better just to dilute the water, but for a low tech tank a 7.6 pH isn't really that bad. This tank was around those levels. Just monitor it, and use can use distilled if you decide it may be needed. Check you KH, you don't want it too high, anywhere above 10 is getting too high. Though hardy plants can usually do well in hardwater. You can also buy an Aquasoil that way it will acidify your water, and you'll have an acidic substrate.

PaceStudios - 9 years ago

How often would I have to add the pellets for the plants?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+PaceStudios You only need to add them every 4 months. And only place 1 pellet for every 6"x6" area. They are slow release, but go slow because adding too many too fast can kill fish from an ammonia spike.

ilmgwamh - 9 years ago

do you ever have to vacuum the substrate?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+ilmgwamh You can do light vacuuming by fanning your hand back and forth to lift detritus into the water column, but you never have to, or should do deep vacuuming. There is no need to do deep vacuuming, but fanning your hand over the substrate will work. Thanks for watching.

Aquarium Hobbyist - 9 years ago

Staurogyne repens can grow in low tech tank without co2? pls let me know

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Aquarium Hobbyist Yes it can, just have a very nutrient rich substrate, and good lighting. Like a Finnex Planted +

Michelle Cook - 9 years ago

These Videos are great Thanks.
Tank of Yours looks great xx

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Michelle Cook Thanks, glad you liked the video.

Fredrick SuperAquaMan Johansson - 9 years ago

Yes, the tank broke becouse you took the rim off. And yes, it has a purpose even on a 10 gallon. If it had no purpose the manufacturer would not put anything extra on there. There is almost no silicone betwen the 2 edges of glass when they use a rim on them and the silicone is almost only there for sealproofing. As soon as you take it of it is a timebomb waiting to happen. Looks like u did a nice job with the plants. Good luck!

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Fredrick Johansson I know exactly how it broke. Someone hit the edge with a chair, it shattered the tank.
I have taken rims off of 10 gallons before with no issues.

Anita Angyal - 9 years ago

Really nicely scaped Tank, it looks beautiful. However, it is a bit too small for neon tetra. Also Corys are schooling fish, meaning there need to be at least 5 for them to feel comfortable.
You probably didnt put this video up to read this, but the welfare of the fish is just as important as the beauty of the tank :) I think some nano fish would also add a special flair to a small tank, a school of boraras merah for example.

RuneyBoy99Videos - 9 years ago

+Anita Angyal a 10 gallon is fine for neon tetras.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Anita Angyal Right now I only have 6 Neons with a few cherry shrimp and some Amano shrimp. Everything is going well.

iiHaRdWiRe - 9 years ago

hey man starting to plan a 211L tank, wanting some advice on plants, fish to got in the tank and most importantly with the amano and cerry shrimp, would really like your help on this. gonna have like tree roots and driftwood, like a underwater jungle type

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+iiHaRdWiRe Hey I am more than happy to help you with your build, just PM me here on YT. Go to my "about" page on my channel and there is a message button. Let me know what your ideas are etc... and what you need help with.

Professional Fish and Herps - 9 years ago

The tank could have burst because you removed the trim before setting it up.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+ProFishkeeping Well, I now know how it broke, someone hit it with a chair by accident. ha! Rims on 10 gallons aren't really adding that much support.

B Murphy - 9 years ago

Thanks for the info I'm wondering were to get stones?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+B Murphy I sell Dragon Stone lava rock here through YT and Paypal. PM me here on YT for more details. Thanks for watching.

Dakari Howell - 9 years ago

did you take the rim off this one ?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+_DAKARI HOWELL_ The new tank I didn't take it off. But I wouldn't be against it. Just haven't yet.

Islandsoundzz - 9 years ago

Would you recommend a 5 gallon tank to a beginner or is a 10 gallon tank the best way to start?

Islandsoundzz - 9 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping
Thanks for the reply. I don't plan on having two many fish in the tank. As for plants, I am thinking of Amazonian Sword, java moss and something else to add some color. In terms of substrate and a Co2 system, what would you recommend? I have seen numerous suggestions on using miracle gro, caribsea and other substrates but I am not sure which would best suit a small tank and I would like a substrate that has some longevity. As for Co2 systems, there is the pressurized system, DIY, Flourish Excel, and Co2 tablets which I hardly see anyone talking about.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Islandsoundzz I would only recommend small tanks if you are going to plant heavy. If you are not going to have or use a lot of plants at first then I would get a bigger tank such as a 20-29 gallon. If you have tons of plants ready to be planted and the tank will be crowded with plants and have a small bio load, not a lot of fish I would recommend a 10 gallon. It all depends on what you think you can handle. A low tech planted tank isn't really that hard for beginners to manage. The plants help the system so much it makes it a lot easier. Just don't feed a lot and don't get a lot of fish or any plecos that may ruin the scape. stick with small fish and shrimp and easy to grow plants like, crypts, swords, dwarf sag and anubias. And of course follow the nitrogen cycle guidelines. Let the tank cycle for a few weeks before adding fish. If you have any further questions go ahead and message me here on YouTube and I will gladly answer any questions that you may have. Thanks for watching.

parula321 - 9 years ago

Would love to see how it looks now! :)

parula321 - 9 years ago

Hey man can I send you a quick vid of my tank and have you critique it? Let me know where to email it if you want to have a look.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

LOL. You will. I just put more root tabs in the substrate so I am hoping they will boost the hygro compacts growth. I think they were too close together so I thinned them out as well. Still holding strong to the method.

reign4life - 9 years ago

s. repens look awesome! I think they like the LED. I have them in my 10 Gal with 2 CFLs but i just dont think the light penetrates enough.

Sean Williams - 9 years ago

Turned out great Dave, not sure how I missed this! Im going to be rescaping my 20 Long and turning it into a low tech tank soon. Something like James Findley's triubtary scape, but a low tech version soon!

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Sean Williams Yeah man, I like that idea a lot. I love the high techs, but man lately I am really liking low or mid techs. I think I may need to do a high light fast growth tank as well. I miss all of my demanding stems. LOL We all just want hundreds of tanks. I will try and respond to all the comments soon. I have been super busy. I saw your last comment, but haven't responded yet. Hope you had a good holiday man, peace.

João Gonçalves - 9 years ago

Cool video. That Hygrophila Pinnatifida looks great sticking its leaves back there.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+João Gonçalves Thanks for the support!

Naked Aquarist - 9 years ago

Awesome tank. I wish I could get some of those plants. My city has extremely limited variety.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Naked Aquarist USPS will ship internationally. The small flat rate package isn't that expensive and guys can get tons of plants into the small flat rate boxes. And there are tons of Canadians on the site. It is a Canadian based website.

Naked Aquarist - 9 years ago

Since I live in Canada, that might be rather difficult I think. Unless I can find a fellow Canadian.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Naked Aquarist Thanks for watching. Your best luck will be buying from other hobbyists on the www.plantedtank.net forum. There you can get all the exotic plants you want.

madcypress L.L. - 9 years ago

Amazing

Chris Bickford - 10 years ago

Came out gorgeous! Great job, I'm going get a 10g and plant it up based on just these 3 videos. I have been a 55+ gal guy all my life basically, and NEVER considered a 10g adequate to bring the serene beauty and peace I like. You have blown my mind with this series. Thanks for the awesome vids and info.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Chris Bickford Right on, I am glad you like it. I am sure you will like it even more once the plants get bigger. This tank is going to get a lot bushier. The hygro compacts are still small and haven't really taken off yet. You can do a way better job scaping than I did on this tank. It was just a quick example. So yeah, if you took your time you can make any tank look incredible. Thanks for watching man.

Sharfin Bean - 10 years ago

Nice tank Dave, I also mix my tap water with ro water as our town softens all the tap water. Do you add anything to the water as far as minerals or anything for the plants since you use some ro water?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Sharfin Bean No, I don't dose any ferts. Just use osmocote pellets in the substrate. My tap water does add some nutrients to the water as well as the aquasoil has plenty of nutrients naturally in it as well as having super high humates allowing the nutrients to be trapped by the dirt and stay in the substrate. This same principle also clarifies your water.

MrHoney2U - 10 years ago

Puts my 10 gallon to shame. How much light you using

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+MrHoney2U Thanks man, I am using a Current Satellite Plus fixtures on full power and it runs for 9 hours a day. Pretty crazy, but with daily Excel dosing it really works out well. Thanks or watching MrHoney!

Hindsight Aquatics - 10 years ago

Are you using matricide in this tank? If so, how much do you dose each day and do you mix it with water before dosing? Right now I'm adding 1ml of matricide to my 10G plant tank every other day and I still have algae.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Julio Leon You could say that, but work up to that level and you must have heavy plant growth. If your plants melt don't blame me. LOL I actually do get a little pearling here and there. It is a pretty easy method and that is why I recommend this method. Low tech to me means "Easy" and this method is the easiest. Maybe not the cheapest, but I prefer it over all others when it comes to low tech tanks.

Julio Leon - 10 years ago

That's amazing. So actually doing daily doses of half a ml per gallon seems to work best. Did you get pearling?

ADU Aquascaping - 10 years ago

Yeah that is what I work up to when killing algae. Right now I just got a bunch of cherry shrimp so I am dosing around 4-5ml a day in my 10 gallon. The blyxa and dwarf sag are both doing great with no melting. I did have some melting in my larger tank, the 40 breeder. I was dosing 20ml! a day to kill off algae. Sounds like a lot, and it is, but with practice you can do this with little concern.

Julio Leon - 10 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping Hi Dave. are you certain its 7-10ml a day? Seems way more than the recommended dosing by Seachem (5ml on day1, then 1ml daily for 40L or 10 gal). Does your Blyxa react to Excel? Thanks!

ADU Aquascaping - 10 years ago

+chinds78 I am using Excel, only because it was given to me. I have to use up all my Seachem products before I get back into DIY. I entered too many YT contests. I am doing around 7-10ml a day in my 10 gallon. Met14. is about double the concentration so try a little more than you are dosing now and work up to 4-5ml of Met14. a day. Take a week or more to work up to that level. See melting of plants cut it back.

parula321 - 10 years ago

Happy day! Nice to see this! Looks amazing!

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+parula321 LOL, I knew you would love it! Just rescaped the new Iwagumi scape with larger rocks and it looks way better. Thanks for watching.

LVcichlids - 10 years ago

Tank looks awesome Dave. Sorry about your other tank. Looks high tech for sure. Just shows what you can do if done right. Looks sort of my 10 gallon since I put in your dragonstone;-) Do you think It would help to start excel in mine even though I run co2?

Gonna do an update soon and gotta start my new project 20 long.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+donetoperfection2000 Thanks man, it can help subdue algae more than promote growth. That's how you do it man. Dragon Stone makes it easy to scape. It has such good character. Pretty sweet rock for sure.

69bonesz - 10 years ago

I did sit back and enjoyed this tank indeed!

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+69bonesz Thanks for the support as usual. Glad you could stop by, thanks.

BAST10N - 10 years ago

Hey Dave, would you mind posting the plants that you used in the description.

Also, I'm really liking the Jupiter stone that you are now offering.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+BAST10N Yeah I will, I meant to do it. I am loving this new stone. I have since rescaped the new 55 gallon low tech Iwagumi and it looks way better. I used larger rocks and man I cannot wait to do a video on the new scape.

Brian's Fish Tanks - 10 years ago

Looks great Dave! Sorry to hear the first tank broke!

ghos282 - 9 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping "Egg Crate" under the Substrate. Prevents a slightly shifting large rock 'shifting' on a 'sharp pressure point' from cracking a tank (in two?") ..A tip learned from one of "The king of DIY" Videos.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Dahlyvh - Brian's Fish Tanks Thanks Brian, yeah it sucks, someone hit it with a chair is what I am thinking.

Erik Wappa - 10 years ago

Smooth tank Dave love it.
Your tanks probably explode from awesomeness. :)

colinbarsby - 9 years ago

+Erik Wappa OMG. That's a whole new aquarium problem I didn't know about. LOL...

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Erik Wappa LOL, I think that was it. Damn, I should have known! LOL

walter otiepka - 10 years ago

Tank looks great I'm trying to achieve the same setup on a larger tank how long do you leave your lights on

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+walter otiepka Thanks, I leave them on for 9 hours a day believe it or not. I just did this same method in a low tech iwagumi. I have since rescaped after I uploaded the video and now the 55 gallon Iwagumi looks way better. You will have fun using the method. It works great and makes the hobby easier. That is why I keep trying to promote this idea. Maybe not the cheapest option. But my personal opinion on low tech tanks is that they should first be easy to do. And this method makes the hobby easier than any other...

Michael Brameyer - 10 years ago

How did it break?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Michael Brameyer I think someone bumped it with a dining table chair. It cracked along the bottom. Really weird. And maybe pressure changes with winter coming.

AQUAPROS - 10 years ago

Awesome Dave, I recently got my hands on some S. repens and it doing great. Definitely one of my new favorites!!!

craig hale - 9 years ago

+DIY AQUAPROS Miss your videos bud.

Jake Tracy - 10 years ago

did it break because you took off the rim?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Jake Tracy No, I have done that to a lot of tanks. I think someone bumped into it with a chair. Close to a dining table. It cracked along the bottom. I had this same thing happen to a Reef tank a few years ago. Pressure changes along with people bumping the tanks can cause stress. Maybe with a rim it would have prevented it, but 10 gallon tank rims don't really add support to the tank.

MASS Aquariums - 10 years ago

Tank looks beautiful as do all your tanks. Great job Dave.

skidplate123 - 10 years ago

Great tank Dave,with so many hobbies low tech is for me.I reside in Vegas but have a cabin in circleville utah and was wondering what was the best place to get manzanita wood. I am going to hike through red rock this weekend to see if i can find any. Thank you for the remarkable work you do on you-tube.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+skidplate123 Man, I guess I am a little late to the party. I don't really no much about manzanita collecting in Utah. There aren't any close to me.

Hindsight Aquatics - 10 years ago

Wow! Amazing results! What setting do u have the sat plus on?

ADU Aquascaping - 10 years ago

+chinds78 I actually run the lights for 9 hours a day. And I dose 5ml of Excel everyday.

ADU Aquascaping - 10 years ago

+chinds78 Just full power of all colors. thanks for watching.

AQUADESIGN by aquamaniac - 10 years ago

This tank looks great.
Low-tech, but with a high-tech look.
Video was really peaceful and relaxing with the background music.

P.s I can't reply to the comments you left on my videos.
It does not let me.

AQUADESIGN by aquamaniac - 9 years ago

Thanks.
I want to go for a new scape, but at the same time i feel the current one still has something to offer.
My last video was about my algae problem, something i have been going trough for quite some time now.
So until i can solve that one i will stay with this scape, after all if i can't learn how to solve it, it just comes back to haunt me later.
I am now doing water changes daily, to clean up the tank.
Upgrading my plant husbandry skills, and reading every thing i can about EI dosing, nutrient defficiencies, and algae.
I also added fish and i hope this time nothing bad happens.

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+Aquamaniac Thanks man. I hope this tank keeps doing well. It is a fun tank to watch. Rescaped the new Iwagumi and it looks way better. Need to catch up on your vids. Been busy with homework eating me alive.

shizdank - 10 years ago

i just set a tank using this method with similar plants. i used the mr. aqua plant soil and azoo flex mini hcri led for lighting. sofar so good just a lil bit of diatoms and crypt melt.

i also set up 2 more shrimp tanks that i was gonna keep simple but ended up using ada soil and giving them a fancy scape too.

check out my http://instagram.com/shizdank page to see the latest projects.

wait... are you on instagram????? if not you gotta get on it man! lots of inspiration on there check it out!

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+shizdank Looking pretty good man. I do like the idea of trying out some different fixtures. So many out there right now!! I am not on instagram. I guess I could get on there... LOL I just have so much damn homework lately. Semester is almost over!

NYCity Cichlids - 10 years ago

Thanks for the info

FiveCardArmy - 10 years ago

Busted in half for no reason?!? Oh man, was it glass or acrylic, was the material too thin, do you have children you can blame?

TheCyanidePie - 9 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping Because you took the rim off?

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

+FiveCardArmy Haha, it just broke along the bottom. Who knows why. I think someone may have bumped it with a chair by accident. And didn't realize that it cracked it.