Next is the soil. I have gone with the Shirakura Red bee Sand. I had to test it out.
It buffers to 6.5. I will be probably adding cherries and tigers in these tanks to (maybe some cross breeding fun).
Before adding the substrate, I sprinkle Benibachi Bee Max (the last of what I had), Mineral Powder and Boss Booster.
I then added the substrate.
I added water to just cover the substrate for the first two days, to let the bacteria settle throughout the soil layer.
I then filled them up. I use the old soils bags floating on the surface of the water, to avoid stirring up the substrate in the process.
At this stage I added the Salty Shrimp GH+ to get the TDS up to 135.
I then added the Ebi-line feeding bowls. I have set the soil so the tube is just above water line for easier feeding.
I had also added BioSpon filters. I removed the mineral balls they come with and replaced with bakki balls. I have adjusted the outflows to be above waterline to increase surface agitation.
I have also moved some of the moss ledges in before any algae develops on the glass.
I have also added to each tank the following:
Minerals balls x 2
Benibachi Mineral Rock
Indian almond Leaves
Alder Cones
and also some Benibachi Fulvic Grain just as an additional buffer.
So after a few tweaks to get water flow even and to make sure no further leaks have been occurring, I felt I wanted to finish this off better than the previous rack. Again, inspired by the original Bossman (Dean). I have used Black corflute from Bunnings and cut to size, attached with Velcro for easy removal.
Has had the desired effect, even though not cut too neatly.
From this:
To this:
I have two tanks on bottom right hand side that are going to run separate from the sumped system. These are going to be fille din the next week and will be udated soon..