Warm, vibrant and algae-free

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.

Warm Tank Setup

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

• pH 5.5 (very normal in our tanks with aquasoil and CO2 injection)
• 0.5 dKH (naturally 'soft' tap water)
• 150 TDS

Putting it all together:

1. Dark Start for 1 week (lights off, filter on), Aquasoil + APT START.
2. 90% water change before planting.
3. Plant densely, begin standard dosage of APT3.
4. Monitor Co2 closely.
5. Add fish in week 4.

We have a longer article on warm tanks here.