Here is my newest project. Its a 36gal All Glass Bow tank. I put 110w CF 9325K. I have become a really big fan of Eco-Complete substrate, so here I have 4 bags. I use a Fluval 304 for my filter. No big reason I started out using them and have had no problems even though a 304 might me over kill in a 36gal. I wanted to make sure that I had plenty of flow because I am putting a CO2 reactor at the end of there turn.

This is right after adding water! Eco-Complete not only grows plants it makes cycling easy. I have noticed a raise in PO4 in all my tanks so when I tested this tank I all so tested my tap water. I found that my tap water was where the PO4 was coming from. Doing this I all so notice that with Eco-Complete there was a low NO3. The last tank (75gal) I setup with Eco-complete I never did see any NO2 or ammonia. The tank just started growing plants, SO this tank I started from day one with plants, fish. light, CO2 and fert. dosing.

Here you can see how I rigged the CO2 reactor at the end of the return from the filter. There is a valve between the spray bar and the reactor that lets me adjust the flow between the two. I am just checking this out to see if it will work. I am sold on the reactor 1000. As soon as I know if this will work or not, I will change to the 1000. IMO They are the best!

As soon as I get more time I will post a pic of the tank with plants and fish.

update 3/16/04
I made the change over to the reactor 1000. The system I tried out at first set up, was OK. But I had to adjust most of the return flow to the reactor to get it to mix CO2. That intern cut back on the filter flow. You just can't beat an external reactor 1000. I hope this tank will have the growth needed to enter in the AB contest but I have my doubts. I am sure I can get stem plants to grow in but the dwarf hair grass might take a little longer.

I am still showing a small amount of NO2. I never did show any ammonia. This is my second tank that I have set up with Eco-Complete and I have to agree with their clam about helping with tank cycling. This tank started off with low levels of NO3 and PO4. I think the PO4 came from my tap water but the NO3 had to come from Eco-Complete.

I started from day one with 110w CF 9325K 10 hour/day. PH-6.8 I started dosing frets every three days as needed. SO far so good. I find that in a new setup algae will start to show up by the fourth week. This is only the second week.

Hey Robert, see how fast the "Klenier bar" Swords are growing. I had to add more fish then I first had planed on but after the 55gal bust I had to make room for fish and plants in my other tanks. My first plan for this tank was one sword, Java Fern on driftwood. The rest of the tank was going to be Dwarf Hair Grass. OH well most of my tank plans have been put on hold until I get another 55gal. For now I have a 30gal just about ready to set up. That should help add some space soon.

update 3/25/04
Things are coming along just fine. The hairgrass is filling in nicely. I just might have a tank to enter this year after all. I need to start getting my stem plants trimmed up and shaped but all in all I think this is my best startup on a tank. I have just a small amount of algae trying to start on the java fern but I think its getting under control.

I tried to grow dwarf hairgrass before but have never had any luck at it until I started using Eco-Complete. This tank is just 4 weeks old.

update 5/1/04
Just thought I would give an update on this tank. The dwarf hair grass is come in nicely. The Keiner bar swords are looking good. The one on the left side is getting crowed so I will be moving it to another tank soon. The nana is getting to big under the Keiner bar sword in the middle so I will replace is too. Other then that I ma pleased with this tank. I have some hair algae but its going away now. I had a bad PO4 test kit that messed me up on my dosing.

We will see how long I can keep this tank set up as is. I really like my layout it just as I planed it.

update 6/30/04
This tank has been my best every. I have had hardly any trouble with algae at all. (knock on wood) But its time to make some changes. I am not sure what I should do. The left side is getting over crowded. I am thinking about removing the driftwood with the Java Fern on it to give the Keiner bar more room. All the Keiner bar swords are so crowded that the new leaves can not open up with out getting bent.

Another thing I need to do is trim or thin out the dwarf hair grass. I need some tips on this one guys. I have never had dwarf hair grass grow in like this before.

1) How to I trim or thin it out?

I am thinking about removing every thing except the K-bar and hair grass. I might keep the cardinalis with a very few stem plants in the back. Then let the hair grass grow all around them.

2) What do you thing about doing this.

HEY! Robert your K-bar swords are all grown up!! I really like this sword. I thought it would be a darker red like the melon swords but their not. I do like their size. Most swords out grow there tanks.

update 7/1/04
post by ninob:
Hawkeye,
First of all, nice job and I would say you're a real good aquascaper unlike me .

You can just trim the top of the hairgrass. As long as they are around 1-1.5" height, they're fine. They tend to grow tall under 3 wpg. If you want to make them stay low, add more light. If you see my tank in the gallery, I haven't trim the grass over 6 weeks and they just stay low like that (2"). Did you use some clear plastic strips or some sort of divider to prevent them spreading all over the place ?

No, I didn't use any dividers. I wish I had. The hair grass is spreading all over the place. The only spots that are hair free are the shaded areas.

ninob, your 10gal tank is nice too. You are a good aquascaper. Its not everyone that can grow foreground plant. I find them to be the hardest to grow.

Hawk