Experience of 2nd planted set up

My planted aquarium today is 10 days old. 
I am dosing pressurized Co2, macro and micro since day one, which I did not in previous year.
This year I am dosing Gluteraldehyde 2.5% @ 1 ml per gallon from the day 1. This is also ne addition this year.
For the first for weeks changing 60% water every 3rd or 4th day like last year.

Almost all the plans except Rotala and Java moss I got from a roof top earthen tank.
The other  plants are:
Giant Hygrophilla
Bacopa
Ludwigia Repens
Ammania Senegalnesis
Star Grass
Tennulus

Observation:
i.  Crystal clear water.
ii  No sign of any Algae or Diatom, which were present there by this time.
iii.No snails.

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My Second Planted Aquarium in 2010

Basic arrangement

Managed to get a nice driftwood few black stones. Other accessories were available from last year e.g, lights, reflector, fans, Co2 cylinder with solenoid valve and timer.

This time apart from laterite,reddish in a polythene packet, which I used last year also, I will use Humus and Humus Plus as manure.

Humus, Humus Plus and Laterite

Humus Literature

Humus Plus Literature

Another Soil conditioner, generally used for land farming, I will use this time for my aquarium. it is an Indian product and its name is Soilrite.

Prodac Humus powder look like this

Prodac Humus Plus look like this

This is Soilrite powder

Now it is time for the actual work. First thin layer of Laterite is laid. Just few mm.

The layer of laterite is now being covered by a layer of coarse sand

2nd layer of sand is completed

Prodac Humus, Humus Plus and Soilrite are mixed together and laid as 3rd layer.

3rd Nutrient layer is now being covered with a layer of sand (4th Layer)

Laying of substrate completed and driftwood and stones are placed.

Water is being filled up

Just after filling up the tank.

Few plants are planted. All from my Roof top Gamla! HM, Amania senegalnesis, Giant Hygrophilla, Bacopa, Star grass, Elodia, Ludwigia Repens. Co2 is attached and found working nicely.

My good old fishes from the last year  seem happy.

This is how my tank looks on the second day. all plants seem going well. Let hope for the best.

Managed to get some Java Moss, Red Rotala . They changed the look of the scape considerably.

This is how my tank looks on 4th day of planting...Long way to go. At present changing 50% water every 3rd day. 3W/G ligh 8 hours per day, Co2 3 bps during the light period. Macro dosing with KNO3 1/4th tsp daily for my 30G tank and Micro CSM - B a pinch daily.

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How my planted tank is in summer?

Kolkata is going through the severe heat spell. Without the chiller I am not able to keep the temperature below 30 degree Celsius. Room temperature is always above 34 degree Celsius, added with the humidity! Fan is not having much effect due to humidity.

Luster of the plants has gone.Looking like desert! Fishes are still there living. Though few died.

My plan is to re scape it in a new way in August 2010. Keep visiting.

But, surprisingly enough, the few tanks at roof top is doing extremely well! Plants are growing fabulously with different color flowers in almost all of the aquatic plant. I am posting here a glimpse of the roof top planted tank with a Yellow Lily. I was waiting for this Lily for long time.

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