STOREWIDE BLACK FRIDAY SALE- 15% OFF (Min US$20)
STOREWIDE BLACK FRIDAY SALE- 15% OFF (Min US$20)
We are a brand born of an obsession with performance, a belief in good science, and a knack for invention.
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We are a brand born of an obsession with performance, a belief in good science, and a knack for invention.
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October 16, 2024 2 min read
Above: "A200 Balsamica" grown at 31C/88F. For hobbyists aspiring for a vibrant, algae-free tank, a higher temperature is not the single biggest barrier.
A warmer tank even has some upsides compared to cooler tanks:
Faster Startup: The initial phase of a tank's lifecycle is often frustrating, as it takes time for the all-important, yet invisible bacteria / microbial population to establish itself. It can take 1-2 months in cooler tanks, with Diatoms and other algae. At higher temperatures, this can be twice or thrice as fast.
Faster Growth: With faster overall metabolism, a new tank can reach what we call 'Summer' 50%-100% faster.
1. Hardware: CO2, Lighting & Filter
Important caveat: Without CO2 injection, algae has a distinct edge. This is the bane of most warm tanks.
We use an inline atomizer to deliver 20ppm. Light is set at 200 PAR (but 100 PAR would be OK), 7 hours a day. External canister filter at 6~10X flow rate.
2. Warm-friendly Plants.
The tank above showcases species that display good color and form in higher temperatures.
Above: Hygrophila balsamica has a distinctive leaf pattern and is easy to grow. Below: The 'Happy Trio' of Limnophila 'Vietnam', Blyxa japonica and Eleocharis parvula (dwarf hair grass). These 3 species display particularly lush, green forms in warmer temperatures.
3. Good plant mass.
Sparse tanks invite algae, in the same way that an unplanted open land attracts weeds. A key principle of the 2Hr Way is to plant densely at the start. The picture below shows the tank above immediately after planting.
(If your scape is intentionally sparse, than lower light is critical, as we describe here)
4. Software: aquasoil + APT.
A warm tank is like driving a fast car- small advantages are amplified (and vice versa).
Fertile, deep aquasoil (4-8cm in depth, enriched with APT START) not only supports the all-important microbial ecology, but healthy growth. APT3 provides the added boost.
5. Water Parameters
Putting it all together:
We have a longer article on warm tanks here.