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Agree with others, the tank has come into its own.

As for the stocking, I don't see why you'd have to move any back to the 72 if you dont want, we all know how a little dense planting can make up for some slight over stocking...

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Back in the saddle!

I like bare stones, when they fit into the overall picture.

I am not sure about the sand bottom and bare stones though, they may look better if they would be like half way buried in the sand, more natural.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I like the bare stones on the sand, they give it a beach look, maybe add 3 more of varying sizes which would bring the total to 5 right? slightly bury some of them, group them one group of three and two on their own or something, whichever way looks better to you. This one puts me in mind of a Japenese Zen garden, thus the bare stones will go well with the moss covered ones.

Question, does the wisteria do well as a floater or does it prefer terra firma? Have you noticed a difference?

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

Thanks for the comments. Maybe bury half way, I could try more but it might be too overwhelming.

Any kuli loach experts in the house. I always remember these guys hiding all the time and thinking they were a waste of money, because you never saw them, but these guys are always in the open. Is it the sand? Do they feel secure that they could always go into the sand if need be.




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My Scapes

I'd love to see something tall and thin at the back for some height. Not a lot, just a tuft here and there.

O.K. I was definitely inspired by this, but I'm not saying this is exacting what Bensaf had in mind, but let's just say it was a quick fix to see if I like the height in the back. What does everyone think and what plant is it?



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My Scapes

I like it,

I seems to be very skinny and grass like, is that a plant from the onion family?

Or maybe it is a crypt?

But you should get more of them

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Sorry LF, guess again

My Scapes

It can't be a sag either, they would die in that tank

It totaly looks like one of the onion guys.

So what is it?

Ingo

Maybe it is the one I had for one day, forgot the name though.

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Not so fast LF, this is too much fun, guess again.

What did you have for one day?

My Scapes

That was a plant that grows rapidly, is not too rare, gets a little reddish on the leaves,

I think it was called Gayii

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Oh yeah, your gayii is my diandra
So is it gayii -


My Scapes

Blyxa aubertin (or something like it, starts with a though)

Ingo

EDIT: show a close-up

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Sorry . Where is Uncle Ben, I'm sure he can name this very exotic weed.



My Scapes

So last try:

You say it is not in the onion, crypt, or sag families. Neither is it Gayii or Blyxa.

Is it in the Echinodorus family?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

What ever the heck this plant is you should go get some more of them and just tell us what the heck they are.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Not a sword LF. You planted tank people are a tough crowd. It's driving you crazy isn't it. . How 'bout if no one guesses by 8pm EST. I'll give the answer.




My Scapes

What time zone are we going by for the record?


Edit:

P.S.

I am going to steal my friends cammera tonight to show of some pics of my tank. I also got some new fish for it! Pretty pumped!


55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Look forward to seeing your pics Wingdsc. we are talking eastern standard time.

My Scapes

ok cool so will be back in an hour or so to find out whats up. I am going plant shoping!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

O.K. big hint it's common name rhyms with condo. I could here the disapproving voices -

My Scapes

Yeah that's pretty much what I had in mind although maybe thicker bushes.

The positioning is a bit "neat" though, it's like both are the same distance from the side on each of the sides, i.e the right one is 6" from the right side of tank and the left is also 6 " from the left side of the tank. I'd move one a couple of inches closer to one side.

It's hard to tell from the pic but it looks like C.Retrospiralis. Any chance of a close up ?

EDIT: I somehow missed an entire page and didn't see all the above. Are you saying it's Mondo Grass ? Mondo - Condo ? Doesn't look like but the hell do I know about Mondo grass ?

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Are you saying it's Mondo Grass ? Mondo - Condo

Yes, now everyone's gonna say it's not a true aquatic and it will be dead in a few months. This was a piece I cut off from the mother plant that has been growing in my son's newt,white cloud tank for over 2 years. The tank is 3/4 filled to the top, so in an open top same idea.
Your description of "neat" is so dead on to my thinking it's scary It was going to say it's "too organized". I just threw it in an took pic, I will add some more and reorganize it.

My Scapes

OK lets have a talk about this plant....I just bought some.....and couldn't find anything aquaria related....is it doomed?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Are you sure it's Mondo grass ? Doesn't look loike any I've ever seen

But then again my lack of knowledge on Mondo is only matched by my lack of knowledge on how the female mind works

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Yeah it's definitely mondo grass. It has a very stiff emersed plant feel to it. It has a rhizome similiar to an anubias and it was only a few inches long when I bought it. It kinda looked like dwarf hairgrass but thicker strands. I anchored it between two rocks above in my son's tank under a 25watt bulb and it grew straight thru the screen cover with above 25% of the lenght out of the water.

My Scapes

It looks the same as mine. It has a really stiff feel to it. I will post some close ups here in a bit.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I will post some close ups here in a bit

Promises, promises. Where's your pics Wingdsc? You toy with us

My Scapes

Attached Image:

Mondo

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Attached Image:

Mondo

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Sorry for toy with all ya all all the time.

I just posted a bunch of pic of my tank too! I am doing the trial prem. member thing. I might have to fork out the cash. It way easeir to post pictures this way!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Yep, that's the plant wingdsc. Your typical "exotic" plant from Petland Discounts.

Here's another pic of my tank with a few more pieces added. Still not really how I want it, but can only spend so much time before I get dirty looks from

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So can you trim this plant down. The ones that I got are already going to be pushing the top of my tank.

I got mine from Petsmart.....

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

No Wingdsc, you really can't trim. You'll end up with a dead tip. Just remember the one I'e had for 2 years had about 25% of the stem out of the water. I plan on doing the same thing in this tank since it's open top. I'm not sure how the plant will do completely submerged.



My Scapes

hmm.......I might be out of luck. Although I am thinking of setting up a small hex betta tank that I could probably use them for. What is another plan that is like the mondo but for under water.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wings,

All the ones I listed when guessing what this one is are for "under water"

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

All the ones I listed when guessing what this one is are for "under water"

I prefer the term completely submerged

My Scapes

Well at least it works visually. Looks better after been moved a coupleof inches. The extra bit of height adds depth and interest.

If it doesn't work out try Blyxa Aubertii. It will give a similar effect but the color and texture will work well with the Wisteria.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Well at least it works visually

Are you referring to the fact that mondo is not a true aquatic. I'm still alittle confused on how the pundents decide that. Aren't alot of true aquatics actually only submerged during part of the year in nature.

My Scapes

Aren't alot of true aquatics actually only submerged during part of the year in nature.

Yes, but at least they have the capability to adapt and are built to survive submersion long term.

Non aquatics aren't built the same way and supposedly slowly rot.

Know nothing about Mondo or any other non aquatic plant for that matter. Maybe having a good portion out of the water helps

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Yes, but at least they have the capability to adapt and are built to survive submersion long term.

Yes, that would be the distinction between the two. To be honest I broke apart the rhizome so much in this tank I don't know if it will even live apart from the true aquatic issue.

I couldn't leave well enough alone, so I added a few sprigs of rotala to the center just to see. I think I like it or does it make too much noise to the simplicity of the setup? I'm actually pretty happy with this tank partly because it was created with cuttings from other tanks and because it doesn't have anything exotic in it and I think it looks goods.


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I would have to say stick with the grass like plants. The Mondo looks nice in there. KISS Theory. Keep It Simple Stupid!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Please meet the crew of my 12 Gallon (medium light) Sand Bottomed Planted Setup



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Oh, can't forgot the grounds crew.



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Nice crews,

How did you convince them to huddle all together for the picture?

I also see that it is become another Wisteria dominated tank

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Those black neons are nice, much bigger than I thought they would grow to.

The mondo grass is still doing OK submerged?

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Back in the saddle!

How did you convince them to huddle all together for the picture

I started to dance

Well yeah the whole back is wisteria clippings from my 72g.

The neons are very big and sometimes actually nasty. They beat up on some young guppies I had seeding the tank in the beginning. The mondo grass is still fine. I'm trying to keep the tips out of the water and over the edge. Might look good with the open top. I don't expect many of the grass stems to live though becuase I think I didn't retain enough of the rhizome from the main plant.

BTW - Can anyone guess what that little plant is in the right corner.



My Scapes

Not another plant guessing game

Ok, one try only - A stem from your false Stellata or the Diandra

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Ok, one try only - A stem from your false Stellata or the Diandra

Isn't that two trys, yes you are right its from the E. Stella. It has not been conclusively proven what it is. Aquatic botanic says it's E. Stellata. Who am I to argue.

My Scapes

Errr, false Stellata or unusual piece of wisteria...


dang, posted at the same time....

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Back in the saddle!

Too late NowherMan6

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Rats

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Back in the saddle!

Not much new with the tank. My one issue (there's gotta be something right) is that the javamoss get's alot of gunk in it. Probably from the high fish load. I'd might do a fish for shrimp swap with my 72g in an effort to keep the moss cleaner.

Current Pic:




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My Scapes

I haven't posted a pic on this tank in quite some time, because not much has really changed. The tank is extremely easy to care for. I have alittle algae on some of the stems, mainly because I ran out of excel and the plants have been growing very slowly, but I think the huge biofilter has kept algae at bay even runing 2.7 cf wpg for 11 hours a day. I'm dosing a smigden of this and a pinch of that. I dumped all that media that came with the aquaclear 20 and filled it with eheim efhibsubstrate. I also added about 2 pounds of seeded eco complete to the rear of the tank and even the sand is staying very clean.



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Lookig good tetratech!

This tank is so much lighter than your other one. At least thats how it looks in the pictures.

I am actualy doing a similar set up with a small hex tank (5G?) right now. My plan is have it set up for just a male betta and no filter but the water seem to get kind of nasty over the corse of the week. I might have to go with a small filter on it. The trick will be to find one that fits on something that is only 5 inches.

Sorry I went on rambling...

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

O.K. Well since my 72gallon is pretty much a "done deal" I got bored so I messed around alittle with my 12g. Tell me what you guys think. New plant additions include some of my E.Stellata from my 72g. You could see the old layout a couple of posts up. I kinda like this cause it shows more beach.



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Looks good man. Only thing I would do different: less beach on the right, more moss. Make it like a big moss field.

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Back in the saddle!

You should angle the set up from front left to back right. Maybe had Nowher said add moss to fill up the space.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Love it Much better. Becoming quite the masterful scaper aren't you

I disagree with the previous 2 guys. I like the the open area on the right. More depth. It does look like a real natuaral landscape that way.

Should be even better when the Stellaromatica fills in. Having that left corner really bushy will finish it off nicely.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

I am 100% with Bensaf, it looks realllllly nice. Great idea to change the setup .

I also think that having the way left grow taller/bushier will be the final touch.

Sadly though, that means this tank is pretty much done as well . What now tetratech

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Wow, I appreciate the input. Thanks all. Yes, I think I'm really starting to enjoy this hobby, realizing it doesn't take much to create something nice. This setup is bascially javamoss and wistera with a piece of driftwood.

What now tetratech

Im going to disneyworld!


My Scapes

Im going to disneyworld!

They need a tank designer?

... realizing it doesn't take much to create something nice.

Gee, nice. Now you are telling me that I should have been sticking to easy plants for the 125G .

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

They need a tank designer

Yeah ya know that big tank in that restaurant in one of the parks (might be epcot) where you pay off the host to sit you next to it. Their going freshwater planted, I'm consulting

My Scapes

Right and what did you do.. commandeer Ammono's army?

I am in the mind of thinking that simpler the better. My tank I have 7 or 8 types of plants that are all in their own little space. I think it seems to work better that way. Bigger groups of less plants that is.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Right and what did you do.. commandeer Ammono's army?

My Scapes

My Kuhi Loach is a Parrot Head

One thing I find interesting in this tank is the Kuhi loaches. I figured I would never see them, but for some reason they are always visible. I don't have alot of experience with loaches, but I remember going to the store and these guys are always hidden in the tanks. Many times they are just lazily hanging out in the open leaves of the wisteria, sometimes on their side like in this pick. When I first saw this I thought it was dying, but they are not.

I guess the reason for staying in the open is:

1.The feel secure with the ground cover and the sand that they can always hide

2. No predators in the tank






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I think you are right on tetratech,

In particular the secure thing is most certainly a reason why they come out to play (no predators hepls in this department). As has been said any times before: If you give your fish ample opportunities to hide then they will be more in the open

And your wisteria does not only provide hiding spots but maybe also serves as:

- A pillow for them to nap on.
- A Loach Wash (like a car wash) where they get their ski cleaned when wiggleing through it.
- A petting unit, where the gentle movements of the wisteria pet the fish as it slides through.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

- A pillow for them to nap on.
- A Loach Wash (like a car wash) where they get their ski cleaned when wiggleing through it.
- A petting unit, where the gentle movements of the wisteria pet the fish as it slides through.

Not a bad way to go. They also dig through the sand and create air pockets that help keep it clean.

My Scapes

This tank continues on it's merry way. Slow growing, but really no problems. The only alage is some healthy looking spot algae on the glass. I am now doing the full EI program on this tank. I'm pretty much following the schedule on my 72g, except for the excel in place of the co2. I was thinking about removing the stems from the corner and putting a grassy plant in the left back and having it wraparound the corner.

Tank - 12 gallon bowfront
Light - 27 watts cf
Substrate - pool filter sand, eco complete
Ferts: Excel, no3, po4, flourish
Floura: l.aromatica, rotala rotundilia, wisteria, java moss.
Fauna: Gold tetras, black neons, otos, kuhi loaches





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tetra,

Really like the up dated picture. You can really see the moss on the rocks. Looks great.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Thanks Wings,

As I said this tank is a pleasure. Almost no maintenance.
I witnessed something interesting with the kuhi loaches that I never realized . I was watching the loach poke it's nose in the sand and I saw the sand shoot out of it's gills. I honestly did not know they did that. They are also keeping the sand really clean.

Tetra loves Kuhi
Bensaf loves MTS


My Scapes

Wings loves Brillian Rasboras cuz they school so pretty.....

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Yup, very nice, the little island looks good with its beach front .

Say, whatever happened to the Mondo Grass? Did it just not fit in anymore or where there problems with it?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Say, whatever happened to the Mondo Grass? Did it just not fit in anymore or where there problems with it?

When I changed the looked it really didn't work anymore. Some of the stems didn't die, but weren't looking that good. I left none of the rhizome on some of them. Others had new leafs coming out.


My Scapes

my kuhlis in my 10 gallon do all that u said urs do. i also noticed a difference in behavior when sand is used, with pea gravel my kuhlis just hid all day but with sand they just sift through the sand and sit on tops of plants it could also have something to do with the fish; my tank just has herlequins so they are not bothered. how do u keep the gravel so clean? i clean the sand atleast once a week but within hours its covered in ppop just as before as before, could it be the shrimp and snails? how come there isnt any algae on the sand? my tank is only 1.5 watts per gallon with no added sopplements but i get patches of bluish green algae where there is the most flow. know how i can fix this? is it true that mondo grass will eventually die in an aquarium?

p.s. sorry for hijacking your thread

resle,
Don't worry about hijacking my thread. All your questions are relevant to the threads discussion.

Sand,
I do surface clean the sand once a week, but it does stay pretty clean. I did have some BGA develop when I first set it up, but with add'l plants and a larger biofilter it stopped.

As much as I like shrimp they will leave poop visible on sand, same with larger snails.

Mondo Grass will eventually fade away if the stems aren't out of the water. I also think many people plant it in the substrate. It has a rhizome like an anubias and that part of the plant shouldn't be buried. So if you have an opentop tank it will thrive if you tie it or wedge it between a rock or a piece of wood.







My Scapes

well i currently have a hob fit for a 30gal so i dont think that would be the problem ill try adding more plants

one king of algae eater do u use? i got the shrimp and snails because they do a more delicate job then a fish would

how well do your kuhlis sift the sand? so far i havent seen mine even go in it

i do have the mondo grass in the sand but the rhizome is not buried, i dont know what to do with it

heres my tank for your enjoyment

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/6265/pdr16333rg.jpg

Very nice.
I spent awhile reading thru your log, very inspirational I must say. The big tanks are nice to look at, but hard for me to relate to - it would be a very long time before I could devote that amount of space and money to a tank!

I really like where you ended up with the scaping. Makes me think of the sand gardens in Japanese gardening. (all you need now is a little rake...HAHA) I am amazed at how clean the sand is - I've been reluctant to try sand b/c I figured it would just be a mess.

I have the exact same desk light that you are using - believe me, I've thought, "got a light sitting there doing nothing. I could put a little tank under that..." However I was afraid that the humidity would cause a problem with the fixture. How long have you had yours over the tank and have you noticed anything adverse? Also, is there a piece that covers the bulb on your light? Mine doesn't have anything and I can't remember if it came with it or not.

resle,
Nice tank, I think you need more plants though.

bettledance,
thanks for the tank comments. I believe I've had the light for at least 4 months without any problems. You are correct there is no cover over the bulb. As you can see the bulb is a good ways away from the water so I don't believe any moisture is hitting it.

My Scapes

So far so good. I've seen no problems in the tank since starting a regular EI routine. The plants are growing, but slowly, Alittle spot algae on the glass, but nothing to worry about. Notice the kuli loach front and center.



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One of the reasons the sand is staying clean and aerated.





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Wow, they really dig down in the sand - I thought perhaps they would get only just under the surface. How many of those guys do you have in there? And please excuse my ignorance - what does EI mean?

Estimative Index. It is a way of dosing your Ferts so that you get great growth of your plants and no algea. If you have it figured out.

Google Tom Barr's for more info

Edit: Forgot to say something! Nice pictures tetra! Loach is cool and it looks like your plants are doing well as usual.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Yup Tetratech,

Looking nice as usual

There are shrimp in there, right? If so, how are they doing (and what), if not, maybe you should add some. Or maybe 4 cories, I somehow feel sad for the beautiful beach with only one resident building a sand castle. There should be more diggers.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks for the comments
Actually there are two kulis in there, no shrimp, although I am thinking of adding a few. I assume the loaches won't mind. There are also 3 otos in the tank, in which two of them are visible in the first pic, unless LF spots the third.



My Scapes

I think i found all three! But I went to paint them and it made the picture so small that you can't even tell what I did! So I will leave it up to LF!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Ok then,

There are two Otos in the picture (yellow circles).

And the one that Wings believes he has found is a Kuhli Loach (greenish circle).



Attached Image:

Find The Fish

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Very good, but when I looked at the pic again, I'm thinking the one in the green circle is an oto facing forward, but I'm not 100% sure.

My Scapes

Thats what I was look at! And if tetra is with me then we have a 2 to 1 win for me.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Guess I'm alittle bored too.
Here's a current pic, Ignore the Blyxa in the upper right corner. I put them in there to see if they would live, not for scaping purposes.

This tank continues to be clean and easy. No real problems with a combination of 2.2wpg, EI, and Excel everyday.

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I added a few of Yamatos to help keep the java moss clean.



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Very nice tetratech,

How is the moss doing in the areas where the Wisteria is shading it? Does it grow more stringy?

When did you start the Blyxa experiment? Keep us posted how it worked out.

So, when did you go to the LFS and bought the Amano shrimp, and how did you resist buying anything else, or didin't you?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I haven't seen much of a difference yet in the shaded area of moss vs part in direct sun. I've actually been clipping the left alittle each week so it doesn't stay shaded that long.

The Blyxa been in there about a week ever since I expanding my riccia foreground, It bascially got squeezed out and I fiqured I would see if it will grow/survive in this tank.

Actually I stopped at a store coming back from a meeting that I usually don't go to and they had a whole tankload of the shrimp for $1.99 so I took five and put 2 in the 12 and added another 3 in the 72g.



My Scapes

I've decided to use my 12gallon as a sort of "play" tank where I try different things, etc. Here is the result of a 30 minute makeover. You might recognize the main rock

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My Scapes

Tetra,
This looks pretty good. I like how it has different levels.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Thanks Wings,
It needs to grow in a bit and I will be playing around with the rock positioning some more. I thing it creates a nice beach edge with a rocky hill behind it.

My Scapes

I've decided to use my 12gallon as a sort of "play" tank where I try different things

That is exactly what I use my 20QT for. If there are only the main fish in there and nobody to be QTed for a while then I go ahead and mess with it.

Your 30min overhaul is sure nice tetratech, also the way you "package" the picture is getting pretty darn good. You are selling us a rectangulat shaped tank as a cube .

And yes, even before I read the words in your post I did identify the 72s rock.

About the current setup in itself: it looks very nice. The most impressive thing about it to me is how small the fish look, or, in other words, when looking at the fish and then the size of the rock it seems as if the tank is much larger. Ergo: great job on creating space

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

That is exactly what I use my 20QT for. If there are only the main fish in there and nobody to be QTed for a while then I go ahead and mess with it.

At least you have 8 add'l gallons to play with

Thanks for the comments. I cut out the heater that was moved to the right side of the tank, thus the cube shape.

I guess I'll keep this look for a while and fine-tune it.
Right now there is moss and blyxa in the tank, but I might decide to do moss only or change the blyxa since I don't think I want to cater to it's demands in this tank once the
saltwater tank is up.

EDIT: Good observation on the fish size. The rock is very large for a 12g and the gold tetra are very small it does create a larger inpression.

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The rock is very large for a 12g

How much water did it take up?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hm,

Wings brings up a very good point that I haven't even thought about. This rock may reduce your net water volumn quite a bit.

But I assume with a rather small fish load that should not be a problem.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Never really thought about it. It's big, but I don't think it displaces more than a gallon or so. Having taken the 4 black neons out a while ago, there is now:

8 Gold Tetras
2 Kuli loaches
3 RCS
2 Amanos
2 Otos (Lost one, first fish lost in this tank since setup)

I'll be honest I've tossed around the idea of using this tank to try to breed my Bolivians or rams, but I would have to remove the tetras and the Kuli. I thought about getting rid of my 4 rummys and 4 black neons and putting the gold tetras in my 72, but the rummys have been with me forever. My big rummy actually survived the brewery incident and along with my big bolivian is my oldest fish.

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I didn't want LF to think I ran out and got a cube tank, so here is a wider shot with heater in pic.



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El Tetratech

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Dang it tetratech....I was thinking of using the petrified wood looking rocks in my new setup, but I was going to have a very difficult time finding one large enough. I'm not sure I can do that anymore with a setup as nice as this.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Well thanks Matty, but I'm sure you'll do fine. No two tanks are exactly alike so there's always something interesting to do. I personally like using big pieces because of the dramatic effect they have.

I'm getting excited to start working with the live rock soon. Should be alot of fun

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Matty - First my tank dimensions and substrate, then tetratech's rocks, what's next - Bensaf's hotch-potch of plants?

I like the big rock in that tank too, and thanks for showing a full shot

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Bensaf's hotch-potch of plants?

You might have unleashed the beast! He hasn't been around in a while. Maybe it is a good thing that the beast be lose again.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Glad to hear you are about ready to get some LR. Try to let it sit as long as possible before getting fish. Let the critters get a head start, you'll appreciate it later.

Matty - First my tank dimensions and substrate, then tetratech's rocks, what's next - Bensaf's hotch-potch of plants?

Hey my tank is a few inches taller. Obviously I can't use the rocks like tetratech anymore, but I'll try as hard as I can to copy bensaf's "hotch-potch" of plants

Wings - are we talking about bensaf as a beast? I can't imagine any beast with a skirt and flowers in his ear

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Did your mama never tell you not to poke a sleeping dragon ?

Hotch potch "A wonderfully well thought out collection of eclectic aquatic botanic lifeforms arranged in an aesthetically pleasing and eyecatching array of dazzling color, complimenting textures and shapes that provide a visual bonanza to the eyes, while providing a cacophony of sensual pleasures that stir the soul and stimulate the front lobal brain cells of the observer" is the phrase I prefer to use.

Pfft..."hotch potch"

Anyways....I like the new set up, see what you are doing, but the main rock is a bit too thick and plain. Something a little thinner with a bit more shape ?

I won't lower myself to comment on cheap jibes about skirts and flowers. Suffice to say...if you've got it, flaunt it.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

if you've got it, flaunt it.

I have to agree Bensaf, sorry to poke fun. I just wish I could wear a sword at my wedding. Call me jealous, of that, and your plants.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I just wish I could wear a sword at my wedding.

Marriage isn't all bliss and romance. There are days I wish I held on the that sword

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

and all the married men say.......amen

The wife would have loved a sword at the wedding. We did have Betta vaces set up as cake stands though. That was even her idea too! I guess I should scan some pictures for you guys.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I like the new set up, see what you are doing, but the main rock is a bit too thick and plain. Something a little thinner with a bit more shape

I could see what your saying about the thickness and consistent shape. This was a first "positional" setup and I'm still getting a feel for it. The rock will probably be adjusted somewhat, changed before I'm done.

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...before I'm done

Done? I didn't know that term existed in the planted tank world

Anyway tetratech, I like the rock, and albeit a thinner one may look even better, what you have now is not too shabby.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Lobster anyone?

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Niiicccceeee

Very good shot. But I have to decline your lobster offer:

- I don't eat anything that lives in the water (already since before I got into fish tanks)
- I would not be able to eat such a large portion

Tetratech - I have to say that in the last month or so your photo taking skills (or at least the ones that you share with us) seem to have greatly improved. Not too long ago, you never shared a close-up with us and not you deliver one beautiful shot after the other. Wonderful

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

tetra,

I really like the new set up! I think maybe a few more bits of blyxa, or even something thinner and more vertical like dwarf hairgrass around the smaller rocks, and maybe some "normal" hairgras around the large rock would help break up the flatter look of the java moss garden. But that's just a nit, it looks very nice as is.

And don't worry, I'll take care of that lobster for LF. I'll eat most anything that comes from the ocean, ESPECIALLY lobsters/ shrimp/ crawfish. In fact, I think I've eaten MORE seafood since I've started fish/ plant/ shrimp keeping because they sit there in their little tanks and tempt me all day long!

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Back in the saddle!

People sometimes question me about my love for fish tanks and also my love for fishing and eatting fishes. My responce is that they are just as fun to catch and eat as they are to watch. Plus the are good for you!

Nice picture tetra!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

okay well i have to agree the tank has a great feel to it...makes you stop and stare.

I like the look but think if you want to keep the rock maybe soften the apperance a bit.

my idea was(after looking over all the log and at every picture) would be to start from the right side and place just a few wisteria creeping down from the Volcvanic looking part of the island. then behind the Volcano(thats what im calling it because everyone says it an island theme) would be to place some rotala in there again and maybe some ludwiga repens...Just my idea...i kinda have the same thing going on in my 15 gallon and i have some tiger lotus growing over it and some ludwigia on the left side on the corner as well.

it's cool looking

i hope you take this idea and run with it i think you'll be impressed

Tetra, I some random questions...How do you like the sand? Is it pretty easy to clean?

I will be setting up my 38g soon and would like to have pool sand as my substrate. I will be planting it also, so just wondering if people like it.

The tank looks very nice by the way. I like it!

I don't eat anything that lives in the water (already since before I got into fish tanks)

Wow LF...I don't either...and didn't before I got into fish keeping..

*Kristin*

Thanks for the tank comments.


Some of those plant suggestions would definitely work, my only issue with this tank right now is light. Right now I have an 18watt coralife fixture on top. Not sure if I want to bump it up or keep it low light, low maintenance. I ditched the desklamp more for aestitic reasons outside the tank then anything else.

This is far from "done" and I will be adjusting things over the next few weeks.

GirlieGirl8519,
The pool filter sand works out fine. It's really like very small gravel, but gives the appearance of sand.
But I think using it successfully is dependent on a few.

1.In the areas thats that aren't planted keep the sand very low
2.Have something that might stir the sand up to eliminate anaerobic activity (Bensaf recommends MTS)
3.Keep up with water changes and gravel washes.
4.Keep lowest fish load possible.


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Thanks for the tips on the sand...I'll remember those when I'm planning this tank.

*Kristin*

Take Two:

I've fine-tuned this tank a bit and I'm starting to get excited about it. The java covered rocks have been piled higher against the main rock to give it a steeper more rugged mountainous look. The beach to the lower right is more clearly defined with the curves of the shoreline.
I also rotated the rock slightly to show off a more interesting edge. The highest rock to the left will soon be covered completely in java moss to complete the mountainous look. A few more small pieces of rock have been added here and there on the mountain for definition and depth. I will eventually allow some java to cover the left face of the rock to soften it and blend it more into the overall terrain.

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Looking very nice tetratech

You sure made this tank much bigger than it really is (mine look mostly smaller than they are ). I like the end of a mountain range falling down towards a beach layout. It is a very nice theme in nature that pretty much every person appreciates (like the Cliffs in Dover, England, or the Main coast line in the area of Arcadia National Park).

Question: albeit I am sure that the moss is growing slowly, what is your trimming process?

On a little side note: I think that the enourmous black border you put around the picture is counter-functional. The larger-than-life tank seems to be shrinking. But maybe that is only my skewed visual taste

Otherwise, really really nice,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks for the comments LF

Question: albeit I am sure that the moss is growing slowly, what is your trimming process?

Most of the time I simply trim the areas with a scissor that I could reach, but the beauty of this setup is that each rock has it's own hairnet, so when I can't trim in the tank I simply remove that one rock, gravel wash under it, trim it and put it back in.

Kinda of experimenting with different looks that's the reason for the big black border. Thanks for your comments on that as well.

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I am always worried about my mosses if they are close to the ground. I found that they are rather invasive and in particular in my 29G experience other plans dying from moss tangling up all around them.

Having them on rocks and avoiding that they grow into each other, in a sense of interconnecting the rocks and as such more or less locking them in place, seems to be a great solution to avoid my issues.

I still find bits and pieces of Xmas Moss in my 125, although it is over 20 weeks ago that I removed Rock Valley, its original host rocks.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Having them on rocks and avoiding that they grow into each other, in a sense of interconnecting the rocks and as such more or less locking them in place, seems to be a great solution to avoid my issues.

I think it works, although I feel stupid going into drugstores and buying hairnets . Next I'll be wearing skirts like Bensaf It's so much easier than using string. So far I've never had a problem with the nets although there is always the possibilty that a kuli loach can get stuck in one.




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I am getting pretty good at the string thing. All I do is that I make a loop that I can tighten, then wrap it around the rock and plant, tighten it, and depending on the plant that needs attachment (moss, fern, anubias) I may wrap it around this combination a few times. I don't even make a knot in the other end, I finish the string so that it is on the bottom of the rock and that keeps all in place. Tying up all these Anubias and Ferns in the 40G took much less time than planting the crazy Micro Swords, 100 plugs of them .

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Ok, Is it just me or does that big rock look like a monkey skull.

I swear its damn eyes are following me

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Ok, Is it just me or does that big rock look like a monkey skull.

Oh here we go again. When the rock was in my 72g with rotala r behind it Nowher thought it looked like Hendrix now you think it looks like a monkey skull. I thinking your tripping man. I have to rotate it a little more to get rid of that perception. The moss is going to start climbing up it soon so I'm thinking it might end up looking like that tomb in "Raiders of the lost arc" with the vines everywhere. Geez try to do something different and everyone's got serious psychological issues.

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I thinking your tripping man.

You beat me to it

Thanks a lot, now that's all I can see when I look at it!


p.s. I like it, looks great besides the whole monkey skull thing...

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Back in the saddle!

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I've tried to learn the planted tank ways, but your all against me, even my master. Uncle Ben (Obi-One) is jealous because he found out about my midichlorine count and it blows away his puny I.Q. That's it, you've pushed me to the Darkside of the Moss.

Please look for my new 46 Gallon Reef Log coming soon at a marine aqua Forum near you.



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Please look for my new 46 Gallon Reef Log coming soon at a marine aqua Forum near you.

Woot!/:'

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

WOW coming along nicely!!!


Okay so now that your down to only 18 watts,which if i remember correctly, you'll have about a lil over 1 watt, you could prolly still put a nice bunch plant behind the mountain. did you ever think of maybe val. spiralis? might be intresting

Anywho i have a question...im setting up my 55 gallon and want to do the whole sand thing but i wanted to know would you personally mix some laterite into the bottom half? or my other thing would be to use onyx sand?

Tetra sorry if im might be stealing your forum but the question was to you but i know Ben and LF come here i figured they would help to.

But yeah i really do like the tank...i might do a ten gallon this way...just to give it a try.

We're there any plants that you have or had in the tank that have done really well for you? and how is the algae problem going? got it delt with and how did you do it?



Keep it up Tetra and i'll be back hoping to see another pic soon of how it's looking

Anywho i have a question...im setting up my 55 gallon and want to do the whole sand thing but i wanted to know would you personally mix some laterite into the bottom half? or my other thing would be to use onyx sand?

If you mix laterite with sand you'll probably end up with the laterite on top and the sand on the bottom since the smaller grain sand will work it's way thru the laterite during gravel washes, etc. It really depends on how much your planting, ferts, co2, everything. I believe Bensaf has a beautiful "hotch-potch" of plants in all sand.

We're there any plants that you have or had in the tank that have done really well for you? and how is the algae problem going? got it delt with and how did you do it?

Haven't had much in there other than the javamoss since I went to 18w. I could probably put some stems in there, but right now I like the simplicity of the rock and moss. When I had the 27watts I had rotala r and armomatic and they both grew. I might go that route again, because I'm toying with the idea of getting a 28watt coralife cf fixture.



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What I do ???

I like the tank, it's a really nice natural well laid out tank. Simple and effective.

I ain't out to get you.I love it

It's ...just....the eyes....the eyes....they....follow me....every....where......

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

lol okay cool hope to get some new pics of the tank after you get the new tinkering done i might do the java moss rocks in my tank as well

**Warning**
The following pictures might be scary. Some people see monkey skulls. You've been warned

Anyway some updated pics of my 12g since I moved it from the bedroom upstairs to a part of my kitchen downstairs. Some of rocks shifted so I had to rebuild it alittle and fix the javamoss covered rocks etc.



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Since it's an open top tank and my light is an 18w coralife reflected I had to somehow keep a 9" reflector on top of a 20" tank. I accomplished this by hanging it from the cabinet above with picture hanging wire.



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