RoboTastic

Well…  I learned the hard way that when you bind XAML UI elements to an array of classes, you have to bind to Properties, not Variables.

For example, bind to:

Public string TagText
{
get { return tagText;}
}

Not…

public string tagText

Lesson learned!

I have added the critters that used to be living in that aquarium back. First up:

My White Cloud Minnow… it is an unheated tank and he loves this stuff, or she. I really have no idea

Yea Ghost Shrimp. I got about 6 of them in here. Its a party

And finally!! Yep, here is the setup. There is actually a window behind this, I am just using something for a background so you can get a better idea.

So after doing a TON of reading, I decided it was time to take action. Instead of waiting to get a fancy setup, I went ahead and tried doing a planted aquarium with a tank I already have and some plants I have lying around. The Eclipse 6 gallon aquarium I used does not have enough light to grow plants, but I positioned it near a window. It still won’t be receiving much light, but since I am not using CO2 or a lot of fertilizers, it shouldn’t be a problem. Everything will probably just grow slow.

I got the rocks and substrate from a local creek. It took a ton of washing to make the sand clear. Big Pain!

Here is the tank empty

With rocks, plants and sand

All filled up.

I will definitely post more as things progress

So here is my latest thing… Planted Aquariums. I have two small aquariums that don’t look too good. Adding a bunch of plants seems to make every aquarium look good.

Here is my random brain dump on the topic:

- There are two different approaches, those that pump a system with lots of light and CO2 using either yeast based CO2 reactors or tanks of CO2. The other approach is to use less light and not push the fertilizers like CO2 or other nutrients. The low tech approach is much more stable. The high-tech systems can go off the tracks easier because the are running faster, there is much more potential in the system.

Here is what I have been reading:

Low tech, high tech or mid tech? – Good overview article on the different approaches

Starting guide for planting a 10 gallon aquarium

 Aqua design amano are the leaders of the hi-tech approach, and this is their US shop. Here is a tour of the shop in Japan

Aqua Forest Aquarium in San Fran also stocks ADA stuff. They also have great FAQs on all the product categories.

Nano Aquarium – follow the creation of a planted nano aquarium, down with the higher tech approach

Aquatic Plant Forum – great forum on the topic

Good overview of some of the equipment need for an aquarium.

Great prices on CO2 regulators and controllers

Source for DIY lighting equipment

How to build a yeast powered CO2 generator

Follow the growth of a low tech planted tank:

• The Start
• Week two
• Week three
• Week four
• Week five
• Six Months

Great collection of info and FAQs on a bunch of topics from lighting, to CO2 systems, to plants

A bunch of setups people have and documented:

• Tank 1 – 50 gallons
• Tank 2 – another 50 gallons