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Bjk -- you learned about Buddha in school? I think that is pretty cool. What type of a class was it? Where in the United States? I currently live in the South (North Carolina) and what I see being taught to children has nothing to do with diversity.

Gary -- I've had trouble finding Buddhas and particularly Fu Dogs/Lions that are safe for aquariums. What is the secret? There is a tacky aquarium decoration with 2 Fu dogs that I might have to resort to, but as I said, it is pretty tacky....

Maybe some day I will have an aquarium with St. Francis, Buddha, Kuan-yin, and maybe a few others all hanging out. Maybe I should put a mini coffee cup in the middle Actually, that might be good for my desk at work

[span class="edited"][Edited by SunflwrgrlS 2003-10-26 00:34][/span]

Sunflwrgrls we studied buddhism at school last year. though its a historical study of him and his teachings not on the actual teachings of budha.

Cool P_Wiz. Charlotte is much more forward thinking than my local town, as is Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and even Durham. I'm in the twilight zone.

i see.

SunflwrgrlS = My wife finds all these "treasures". Even a concrete one will do (as this is what this Buddha is, with crackling paint job). I let the statue sit emersed in the tank for one month (doing regular water changes) and then after 1 month starting adding stuff.

Sometimes tacky is good. Plants like to grow on tacky.

Gary

Here is the updated pic of the tank (Oct 26/03)
Gary

Crazygar attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/211590.jpg"]

that is gorgeous....wanna come aquascape my tank wow i like it a lot, enter that into the aquascapng contest man its a beauty.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Patient_Wizard 2003-10-27 19:37][/span]

Thanks for the compliment. And yeah, I have entered the Sept/03 tank into the Aquascaping contest. My Amazon Ovalis is doing great as well as my Rotala macrenda! In fact, all my plants are doing fine. Unfortunately where the tank is located I cannot fire off a good pic without some moving around, some of my Val is right to the water line and beyond, one side of the tank is total different shades and heights of val!

Always working on improving.. though I have definately hit my fish limit. Now I just add plants... I have another tank idea and tank on the way, should be ready for the new year!

Gary

wow im gonna blow that pic up and print it and tape it up in front of my tank :-D . i need to do a lot of changes to mine like get rid of the floating reen algea that makes the tank look like radioactive green pea soup.

sand...never tackled it...hope to in the future...I love the Wardley comment! HAH

Great Tank!

Thanks, a couple of days from now, I will have some "NEW" pics of the tank. Doing some final work on the website and soon to have it up for March 2004. Loads of work being put into it.

Tons of fish pictures as well as a step by step progression of the tank. Also in the new year, another Tank will be started with a theme and look that will definately top this one. I can not wait.

Thanks for the compliments and keep checking!
Gary

Hot off the presses; Zen 12/01/03
Gary

Crazygar attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/234586.jpg"]

Going to start covering the foreground with Crypts. I have planted a Red Wendtti amongst the Lilies (in front of the planter on the left). The resolution kinda is lame (had to bring it down so I could upload the beast).

Having a layer of Crypts will look nice.. but I try and keep a monthly pic up so show progress.

Gary

..Cool, love the tank!!.. dont know how I missed the thread....and for the Buddha its fantastic! we all want to add something different,unfamiliar to our tanks. i was going to place a horse shoe in mine but never got around to it....I love horses so why not!..oh an idea just came to me..have you ever seen those half boat shelves! they sell in the stores,that would be cool for a tank like a ship wreck, with the bow sticking up..

nice pics..

What kinds of plants are those in that big tangle of growth in the middle of the tank in the last pic? They look nice.

Also, I love the wood.

~*~ Caviar? no thanks! ~*~

I will place the "big one" here. Its huge but is the clearest pic of it yet (can see most of the fish in detail).

Thanks for the compliments. Always trying to improve, shortly, Sunset Hygrophila will be a part of the tank.

LC: The tangle of plants (Left to Right) are as follows;

Hygrophila corymborsa "Siamesis 56b", Amazon Sword "Rubin" and "Ovalis", Foxtail, Rotala macrenda, Giant Hygrophila, Water Wisteria and Cardamine Lyrta (right behind the first piece of driftwood).

The plants in the front are (Left to right); Some pieces of lily (Bright red underneath, green on top), Cryptocoryne Wendtii "Red", "Green" C.wendtii, C.undulata.

Gary
BTW:Next post is the pic!

[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/files/~crazygar/sunken zen dec2_03.jpg[/img]
[/font]

I don't remember C-Gar -- do you use C02 or not?

At the far left I use 1 Hagen Plant GRO system. My Foxtail, Rotala macrenda, Hygrophila corymborsa "Siamesis 56b" all require it. Also in back (hidden for now) is a Amazon Sword "Rubin".

Quite a diverse setup of plants in just one Corner.

Gary

Bummer, I was hoping you had success even without C02. I'm a little scared of C02. I'm using Flourish Excel for my carbon at this time.

I managed to take some pictures of my tanks although I'm not sure if they turned out. I will have to find out later today (if my boss comes in to work). I borrowed the office digital camera. My 55 is a mess, but I took pictures anyway. I hope they are good enough to post.

Techincally I did. The Plant GRO system (1) has capacity for a 10GAL Tank. I have not changed the CO2 in there in about 3 months now as like yourself, wanting to see if I can do without it.

If I can, I will be placing it into my "PLANT TANK" (I grow plants for LFS's) and give me that extra boost. I think the trick is the Flourite and lighting.

Gary

I posted photos in the Photobooth! Not great but they're there.

How is your lighting?

~*~ Caviar? no thanks! ~*~

LC: My lighting is 1.5WPG. My MAIN helper is the flourite layer in the tank (in combination of the gravel to help anchor roots and plants from "bobbing up" to provide a nutrient layer for the plants.

The CO2 has little effect except for those plants on the left side of the tank which require it for better growth. Though now that they have taken off, I might move my CO2 unit to my main PLANT TANK to help them grow along.

Gary

I've just seen you tank crazygar and I have to say I love your tank too! I really like bogwood/driftwood and yours is absolutely beautiful! Nice work!

Thanks, I have been slowly altering the tank (plants mainly) to make room for the "new look". Photos and annoucement to come shortly.

Gary

Gary is the Zen master of the planted tank.

To the sunflower girl.
Fu dogs (I know them as Temple Dogs, they guard buddist temples) are made of many materials. Try jade, or quartz. You can find tons of this stuff in your local chinatown.

Looking forward to seeing your next tank Gary !


The Amazon Nut...

Dafishman--thanks, LOL, but I don't have a local chinatown I'd be surprised if there were more than 6 asians in this whole county.

A friend brought me some Fu dogs from NY, but I'm not sure if they are aquarium safe -- so they are guarding me at work on each side of my computer screen.

I might be able to lead you to place in Chicago that might have what you are looking for. Made out of Resin (won't hurt the tank or water); http://www.designtoscano.com

Gary

Great link, C-Gar, those Fu Dogs are a little steep though....hmm, and kinda big!

This is the place Lorrie and I generally deal with. Somehow, nothing really of this caliber in Canada (that we have found yet) so we deal with these folk.

They are a little on the pricey side I guess but they have some really nice stuff.

Zen; 4 Days to new picture. Tank is right now in a "transitional" phase right now. Slowly moving/replacing plants.

Gary

No Chinatown huh ? That sucks, they're lacking culture.
I also have asian art all over the apartment.
Chinese New Year was Thurday. Gung H'ai Fa Choi !

The Amazon Nut...

Sorry about picture delay folks. Things are moving slower than expected. But I do have some updated stock/plant list;

Fish Stock;
2 Julii Corydoras
1 Skunk Corydoras
1 Peppered (Paleatus) Corydoras
12 White Cloud Mountain Minnows (6 Regular/6 Golden)
3 Penguin Tetras
1 Hillstream Loach
1 Whitespot Rubberlip Pleco
1 Clown Pleco
1 Celebes Rainbowfish
2 Fancy Guppies
1 Huge SAE
2 YoYo Loaches
2 Pearl Gourami's
2-4 Large Ghost Shrimp (YoYo's leave'em alone)
9 Otocinclus (4 Adult, 5 babies)

Plant Stock;
Water Wisteria
Foxtail
Rotala macrenda
Hygrophila polysperma
Red Temple Plant (Hygrophila corymbosa Siamesis 56b)
Anazon Sword "Ovalis"
Dwarf Ambulia (4 bunches, 2 locations)
Glossostigma GRADE B
Amazon Sword "Rubin"
Cardamine Plant
Anubias barteri var.nana (2 Plants)
A.hetrocoyle
African Water Fern
"Red" Ludwigia
Cryptocoryne balansae
C.wendtii
C."Red" wendtii
C.undulata
Java Fern
Anachris
Ammannia Gracilis

Gary

Great link, C-Gar, those Fu Dogs are a little steep though....hmm, and kinda big! -SunflwrgrlS

Have you tried Ebay? Plenty of boxwood, jade, etc. there

The tank looks fab! It's great to cycle through the thread beginning to end and see how the tank has matured... Looks like you got rid of your thread algea problem. (Woohoo!)

Fu dog ornaments can be bought from pet stores. They are FOR aquariums. How much easier can ya get? Not as pricey as jade, I'll bet... I think Big Als might have 'em. Not posiive though. I know petsmart had em a while back.

I'm so adjective, I verb nouns!

The only Fu dog ornaments that I've seen for fish tanks have the temple attached to them, and I just wanted the Fu Dogs. No matter though, I've changed my idea for the tanks.

Thanks for the compliments. And yes, its nice to trace the evolution of the tank through the links. When I decide to finally get my act in gear and finish off my website, the evolution is more dramatic.

I also included some "diary" type notes during certain stages of evolution and development. I plan to a rather exhaustive review of my final at home tank project.

SunflwrgrlS; Will look locally for FuDogs. I have a feeling I might know where to get them. How large of a tank do you want these in and how tall for the Fu Dogs?

Gary

Thanks for your help, CGar--but I've decided against the Fu dog thing. I have a Budha I picked up because Quan Yin was gone, but I'm not sure if it is tank safe. It appears to be wood, with some kind of coating for shine. Its that red/burgundy color? I get really worried about putting things in the tank. I'm planning to put this Buddha in the 2 gallon hex. The Fu Dogs I had originally wanted to put in the 20L before I got the 29 gallon.

If you do find a resin that is untreated, or cement or safe stone that is untreated, I think I might still consider the Fu dogs. Probably no bigger than about five inches tall. But, only if you run into them as I've kind of moved away from that idea.

My local Chinese connection (LFS) always looks up things for me. The "wooden" Buddha head might not be a good idea in a tank. It will rot over time. And the stain, might (not sure, but good chance) be toxic. I'd hate to see anything in those tanks for yours die.

You've worked hard on them.

Now, the moment everyone (at least me) has been waiting for; Latest Zen pic;

Gary
[img] http://www.fishprofiles.net/files/~crazygar/Sunken Zen Jan2904_copy.jpg[/img][/font]

Crazygar-
Forgive me if you've already answered these questions, but:
1-What size tank is this?
2-Are you (still) using only the Hagen co2 unit?
3-I see that you have 1.5 wpg, what type of bulb are you using? Brand?
Thanks!
We're all envious!

Whats that Long Leaved plant to the side of the buddha (left) because i think I have it but not sure, Is it sorta like a stem plant? Does it root? umm well could ya give me this info and man i wish i could do that with a tankIt looks very very very very....very good. I love ur plants and still love the buddha.

Wonder Woman asked;

1-What size tank is this?
2-Are you (still) using only the Hagen co2 unit?
3-I see that you have 1.5 wpg, what type of bulb are you using? Brand?

1 - 55GAL US Gallons
2 - I have not fired up the Co2 unit for a while. As you can tell, on the far left my Red Temple has really grown tall and RED. I guess all you really need is water changes, no activated carbon in the filter and attention.
3 - Run of the mill 40W 6,700Kelvin lights. 48" long a piece (I have 2) Plants need anywhere from 5,000K to 9,000K to grow nicely. 6,700K seems to be the standard for "Sunlight"

Thanks for the compliment. The initial setup was lots and lots of work, I am finally at the stage of low maint!

Evan Wayne asked;

Whats that Long Leaved plant to the side of the buddha (left) because i think I have it but not sure, Is it sorta like a stem plant? Does it root? umm well could ya give me this info and man i wish i could do that with a tankIt looks very very very very....very good. I love ur plants and still love the buddha.

That would be my Amazon Sword Ovalis. Though its turning out to be a regular Amazon Sword. If you look real close you'll see Dwarf Ambulia creeping in and out between the leaves. This would be the reason the leaves are growing up and tall. Rather than over and out. Definate rooter! Takes time, I am posting the newest pic of my planted Betta tank in the Photobooth..

Gary

Hey man, your tank looks absoulutly great

I'v been watching this for a while. It looks like you hav thinned out the left side a bit....or is that my imagination??

keep up the good work

Fish_Tank said;

I'v been watching this for a while. It looks like you hav thinned out the left side a bit....or is that my imagination??

You are correct. I finally removed most of the Water Wisteria and did some "creative" trimming with the Hygro polysperma. I have added Ambulia and let my Foxtail grow to the point its turning Orange. Its a neat effect.

Its nice, for me too, to go through from the start of this thread and look at what has evolved with time and knowledge.

Gary

Great job Gary, I've been watching this thread too! It is fun to watch it evolve. <sigh] someday~~~~~~ I'm still working on my husband for at least a 75g right now. Maybe I'll try a super setup with that.

All your hard work was worth it fantastic tank Gary, great job.

Geez guys, you are making me blush. I spend about 1 hour a day "fussing" over Zen. I always try to maintain the tank and keep regular maintenance schedules.

As you can see, it has been evolving for sometime. The original setup (I go to the begining and go AUGH!) was a beast. I had;

Red Beard Algae/Black Beard Algae infestations
A water QC crash that wiped out a whole lot of fish
Replaced the filter as the HOB was "not up to par".
Had a outtake valve turn and jetison 40GAL of water onto my carpeted floor at 1am!

I've had my trials to. I am removing the Cardamine Lyrta and replacing with Red Temple Plant (Alternanthera Rosefolia) shortly. Evolution never ends.

Gary

That really is my kind of tank Gary
I bet your fish totally love it too