"64.8L Passionately Curious": Equipment Setup for Aquarium

After the hard-scaping work for the aquarium is done, the next step is to install the equipment such as CO2 supply system, canister filter and lighting. Since this is the first time I really hands-on this kind of "plumbing" work, I was quite nervous yet very excited. I read the instruction manual carefully and also search "how-to" on YouTube and internet to make sure the process is properly followed.

CO2 system is kind of straightforward to install thanks to the useful video from EastOcean on YouTube. The video really shows step-by-step of cranking up the CO2 system for a planted tank, it helped the newbie like me understand the process clearly. I, however ,did not use CO2 diffusers since I don't really like the "7-up" effects in the tank later. In order for CO2 to absorb more in the water, I used ISTA External CO2 Reactor instead. Furthermore, by doing this, there would be no tiny bubbles flying around in the tank later on. 

For the canister filter, EHEIM Ecco Pro 300 has existing filter media and I decided to use EHEIM bioMech and EHEIM SUBSTRATpro for the first 2 trays of the filter. The last tray was Seachem Matrix. The media was rinsed under tap water until the water clear and was placed in the filter accordingly. I noticed each tray can store up to about 0.7L-0.8L of media material. 

Media filter material was being cleaned up under tap water

EHEIM SUBSTRATpro

EHEIM bioMECH

Seachem Matrix

Since I did not use the filter right away, I just leave everything outside until the canister is needed to be used.

Lighting and CO2 also need to be linked up with the electrical timer plugs accordingly.

Timers were ready! :)

It took me quite sometime to finish the equipment setup for this first time. Next time, it would be better since I already know the process. End of the day, equipment were ready for the next step: planting! :)

Equipment were ready to be utilized