"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

"64.8L Passionately Curious": Hard-scape Setup

Finally, here comes the hands-on session for the hardscaping setup. To create the backbones of the aquarium, I have read through many resources and studied many layouts. It is really convenient to do research nowadays with tremendous resources from the internet. Also, thanks to AquaticQuotient forum, I got many helpful advices from the experienced hobbyists. It makes the learning process much shorten and enjoyable.

I decided to choose triangle style for my first planted tank since I was so impressed by the work on "Sticks & Stones" layout from James Findley. This layout was chosen based on the available driftwood and stones that I have on hand. Process of hard-scape setup was described on the photos sequence below:-

I use this drain board to cover the tank bottom to prevent direct contact of stones to the glass surface, which may cause cracks due to point load. With this board, force would be distributed more equally on the glass surface.

Two drain board were nicely fit in my 2ft tank

After that, ADA Amazonia Aquasoil (Powder Type) was added with slope upward to the back right corner.
I also use post-it notes and marker to draw the guiding lines which followed "rule of thirds" accordingly. The front part was marked with 2.5cm for minimum soil depth required, so that I would not keep it too thin.

Big piece of driftwood was put as the focal point of the aquarium. Counterpart is a smaller piece on the other side. River pebbles were added to give balance feeling.

From the top view, I tried to create more space for planting at later stage.

Plastic card case was used as substrate support in my layout.  

Small pieces of plastic were used to support the substrate base

Substrate support was pegged into aquasoil and covered later by another thin layer later to make it invisible.

Finally, the hardscape setup was done

I am quite happy with the final product and the process was really enjoyable. I also found out that sometimes the piece of driftwood or rocks that I like at the beginning might not be suitable for my layout eventually. Hence, the more materials that you have, the better. More options, more choices. The next step is equipment setup. :)

"64.8L Passionately Curious": Treatment for Driftwood and Stones

Treatment for driftwood and stones/rocks takes time. Hence, it would be better to prepare it in advance. 

After getting the driftwood, the next day I soaked it in water so that tannin can be leeched out slowly. After 2 days, it can be seen tannin had been leeching out but not so much. So, I decided to boil the driftwood so that the process of tannin leeching could be accelerated. Driftwood was boiled for a few hours and tannin was leeched out a lot as can be seen from the tea colour of the boiled water. It was boiled totally about 6-7 hours and after 3 times changing water, water seemed much clearer and should ready for hard-scaping. Boiling driftwood also minimize or even eliminate the chance of having unwanted snails or algae or any harmful parasites attached to the driftwood before it is placed in the aquarium. 

My kid's old bathtub was used for driftwood soaking purpose :P

Water was clear at first

And it became brownish after 2 days 

Boiling driftwood in the biggest pot that I have, to accelerate tannin leeching process and disinfect the woods.  

After one hour

After 3 hours, I have some tasty Teh-O colour :P

After the 2nd water change, now I have green tea colour. :)

And after boiling, leave the wood to dry and cool off before using

For the stones or actually river pebbles, I soaked them in water for 2 days and before using I also pour the boiling water on them and soaked overnight in the pot. Interestingly, the pebbles absorbed and keep the heat extremely well as the next day morning when I took them out from the pot, I still could feel the water was very warm. No wonder in the old time, people use to heat the rock, wrap it in the blanket and use that to keep them warm during winter time. With the same reason of boiling driftwood, with this disinfection method, I don't think any kind of harmful parasites could survive under 100 degree C hot water.

Stones were put in the pot and boiling water was poured in for disinfection. They were left overnight there in the pot.

After disinfection, they were brought out to dry and cool off. I also measured the weight of all the rocks, about 10kg in total.

After the treatment and disinfection, now the driftwood and stones are ready to use for hardscaping. So excited and cant wait to explore my aquascaping journey ahead. :) Yay!