How to do aquarium like this? Aleksey (LEXUSS) told us.

Aqua Maxim: Hi, the aquarium looks great! What kind of water, light, filtration do you use here?

Aleksey: Tap water is used here (and a diamond tetra has bred in this aquarium), which is soft and contains very little chlorine, that is probably why there are no major problems. Previously, I would add 20 liters of reverse osmosis water for every 100 liters of new water, but now I have stopped doing that.

Aqua Maxim: What is the TDS of the water you use?

Aleksey: I didn’t measure it.

Aqua Maxim: But how then did you come to the conclusion that the your tap water is soft?

Aleksey: A consultant from an aquarium store suggested that he also creates plant aquariums using plumbing. I was skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, it worked perfectly!

Aqua Maxim: So you have osmosis and you don’t use it?

Aleksey: Yes, and it is very fast, it produces 1.5-2 liters per minute! I haven’t fully connected it yet, because I need a long hose to the lavatory, but at the same time I don’t see any problems with how the plants are feeling now and this is further delaying the purchase of this tube 😊

Aqua Maxim: You have a curious approach to the aquarium. Many people get very steamed up (you can even notice this from our chat), especially when they reach a certain (high) level. You have everything, let’s say, “on faith.” What do you think: maybe people complicate the plant aquarium and everything is much simpler?

Aleksey: Good question! I would not say that they are complicating their lives, as their approach is more practical. I have always wanted to understand the life of an aquarium, but not through tests, but through my own observations of plants and fish, and drawing conclusions based on that information. Out of curiosity, all the aquariums I have been in have had the same problem — a Vietnamese woman — which was actually the biggest issue. Therefore, I do not see the need for tests and constant monitoring (at least for now). The problem with algae really went away after I started cleaning the filter more frequently. And all other information (about algae control, what plants like, etc.) comes from the our chat, and that is enough for me.

Aqua Maxim: Great, so the chat is working as expected! We can move on. Did you not use an another light in this aquarium before?

Aleksey: No, there has always been Chihiros and it has been hitting at 100% power from the very beginning. The height of the suspension is 30 cm on the left, 34 cm on the right. Although I have experience using ADA Aquasky too.

Aqua Maxim: Can you compare them? Not in the numbers of characteristics, but based on your feelings.

Aleksey: I’m for Ada)). No matter how banal and “sectarian” it is, but after all the lamps, aquariums, I am certainly for ADA. What they did seems did especially for me — everything is as simple as possible. This is a strew, hang it up, use this type of substrate and get high. And the fact that the remineralization is not necessary with ADA, so it’s a general joy)))

Aqua Maxim: So, do you prefer Aquasky over Chihiro’s lights as well?

Aleksey: Yes, if you were asked to choose between Chihiros or Aquasky, I would choose ADA Aquasky.

Aqua Maxim: Do plants feel different somehow, or do you like visual perception more (using ADA)?

Aleksey: Visually better, the color rendering is more pleasant, all colors are balanced, more natural-like. Plus, when I switched to ADA Aquasky, the aquarium generally became different, it became “easier to manage”. I could have given up on him for a couple of weeks and he was fine. Although it was a cube aquarium. There was no carbon dioxide, the plants grew, but slowly. I.e. there is no carbon dioxide, there is no fertilisiers and everything is normal. Visually, everything is fine, but according to the tests “who knows”.

Aqua Maxim: So, would you also have ADA in a large aquarium? By the way, are you referring to Aquasky, which is the regular or RGB version?

Aleksey: I was talking about the usual one. Yes, I would have used it on a large aquarium, but there was no opportunity, there was no normal delivery. And I hung Chihiros because they all hang them, so it must be great))) And it was much easier to buy.

Aqua Maxim: Okay Let’s move on to the filter. What is the reason for such a non-trivial choice in favor of OASE?

Aleksey: 1) Marketing from GreenAqua 2) I always wanted to buy Oase specifically because of its prefilter. Eheim didn’t want to and I don’t remember why anymore. If you simplify everything, then just a wish and good PR))) However, it seems as if Oasis is more widely known than the same eheim. You can say I’m a victim of marketing)))

Aqua Maxim: Are you satisfied with the filter that you have selected?

Aleksey: Yes, that’s why I would choose him again. Filter is very well, I don’t see any reason to replace it.

Aqua Maxim: But what about Eheim 4 or 5?

Aleksey: Maybe I would have considered them if they were mentioned more often in the Green Aqua. I would have chosen it for the sake of the test. It would be interesting to look at them from someone, and then put them at home.

Aqua Maxim: Moving on. Did I understand correctly that the soil here is completely according to the ADA system?

Aleksey: Not quite. There are Power sand Advanced M — 2 bags and 3 bags of Amazonia ver 2 with capsules (that’s what sticks are), they didn’t pour anything in addition. At the start, I threw 5 Bacter 100 balls. I have not seen such fatty plants anywhere else)))

Aqua Maxim: And what do you pour out of fertilizers?

Aleksey: You’re going to hit me right now.I haven’t poured anything for 3 weeks already. But if I apply fertilizers, then so:

Potassium ≈ 80 ml
Маcrо Dennerle 40 ml
Мicrо Dennerle 35 ml

And this is almost always the case, I dose fertilizers very unstable.

Aqua Maxim: Is there any guideline by which you decide that it’s time to add fertilizer?

Aleksey: 🙃🙃🙃  My inner star. But I pour potassium all the time, because anubias and bucephalanders suffer a lot. Everything is eaten up by Hygrophila pinatifida and Bolbitis heudelotii.

Aqua Maxim: And how often do you pour potassium?

Aleksey: Once a week, I do not forget this, because I see the suffering of plants without adding potassium.

Aqua Maxim: Once a week, potassium, and micro and macro — how would your left heel want it?)

Aleksey: Yep

Aqua Maxim: It turns out that since the launch of the aquarium, you have not done any tests yet (at the time of 04/02/24)? How long has it been?

Aleksey: Yes, the launch was on July 9th.

Aqua Maxim: How often do you make water changes?

Aleksey: On average, once every 2 weeks. But sometimes there are no substitutions for a month. No more than once a week for sure.

Aqua Maxim: Thank you for your answers! Would you like something from yourself to aquarists?

Aleksey: Thank you for asking)) I think you expected something more, but here I have pure faith in the best))) I wish you less fuss, but more than me, peace of mind and feel the aquarium.

Aqua Maxim: Thank you!