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Do you add any Equlibrium or bakeing soda to keep the buffers up or are you cool with low pH.

I like the low ph. I try not to mess with that stuff as much as possible. Creates more problems than it's worth. When not injecting CO2 gas I'd just as well let the pH fall where it may. My KH is fairly low but I think my GH is OK - I haven't measured them in months. Maybe it's time for a new test kit...

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Back in the saddle!

I think it was TW who mentioned that she heard/read something like "while eco loses its effect after 2 to 3 years, ADA soil keeps it for 10 years"

I've now been told that by the 2 Aussie suppliers of ADA - could be a sales pitch though. One of them mentioned Eco, one didn't, but both promised long life for the effects of ADA. I plan on buying the ADA for my 23.7G today. My main prompt for buying it for this tank are it's pH lowering quality (my new imported cichlids are arriving in 3 weeks, yat, yippee, yahoo - not exactly the sames ones Ingo, but I think better). They like pH of around 6.5 apparently and, so I've been promised, ADA will keep my pH where I want it, without having to worry about using other pH lowering products. The added benefits will be the good plant growing qualities & that I don't have to wash it (ha ha).

Cheers
TW

not exactly the sames ones Ingo, but I think better

Better is always good

Well, you and Rick seem to become the ADA substrate Guinea Pigs, actually Rick already is. And he also took on the task of "no water change EI" on top of ADA soil - brave man

Ingo

EDIT: Oh, and NowherMan6 as well, of course

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

BTW, I haven't seen the claims about the life of ADA products in writing anywhere - that's just from the sales staff. So it should be taken with a grain of salt & it's probably an exaggeration.

I'm looking at the shop site of the US ADA site. I can't see where it says how much I need. You gave me some amounts which I emailed to my supplier & he thinks I've got it wrong. I was trying to find it on the ADA site (in the shop, in the substrate section), but can't find recommendations on how much I need. I was hoping to show him where the info came from, as I think it's more likely he has it wrong, as this is his first batch of ADA products - its not been available here before. Where did you find it?

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

I got the information for how much I need based off recommendations from Jeff Senske. I bought two 3 liter bags for my 10G and it filled it perfectly.

The ADA instructions that come in the soil bag (Yes there are actually instructions with ADA soil ) indicate that a 9 liter bag will fill a 15 gallon aquarium. Since yours will be almost 10 gallons larger I would get a 9 liter and at least two 3 liter bags. You could also do two 9 liter bags and have a little deeper base.

Hope that helps.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Week 3 Log.

This week I let the tank stabilize some as well as added a very nice and active Betta. I also discovered the magic pH lowering ability of the ADA soil. They aren't kidding when they say it lowers pH.

Anyway the good news is the addition of cycle earlier this week helped big time as both my ammonia and nitrite have zeroed out. I also measured my Nitrate and it was around 40ppm. I also removed a lot of dead leaves and all the dying Hygro except for the first stem I bought which is doing fine.

This week I will start the fertilizers. However I am curious if I should let the nitrates drop before I start adding more?

And now on to the pictures. I only have two today.

Week 1
Week 3

I am seeing good growth in the wisteria and the only algae I see seems to be a small amount of diatoms. I think it is starting to come along nicely. Let me know what you all think. I can take it.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

Looking good, in particular because your fast growers seen to do what they are supposed to do - grow fast .

I think one of the biggest mistakes I made in my big tank (and hope not to repeat in the "soon-to-be" 40G) was that I tried to style it from the get-go. This limited the number of fast growers that I could add and eventually led to many initially purchased "fancy" plants being thrown out as they didn't do too well in the shading of the "weeds".

You are on the right track and I would hold off with designing the tank until all is stable.

About your Nitrates: This is a manifold problem. For one thing, let us assume we know the source of it, being dead leaves and limited uptake while the plants are settling. Now, the plant "nerds" have ongoing discussions about the reliability of test kits. We mostly agree that at best you can use them to identify changes in concentration, meaning the same kit shows color changes over time (measurements) and lets you know that a situation is improving or getting worse. Actual value reading are basically not trusted, instead plant behavior changes (dying leaves, fast grow) is consulted as well. But we never know for sure what the real value is.

I would say that if you have the kit that adds liquid to a test tube then you could assume your N is over 20ppm. In this case I (IMHO) suggest not to add additional N during the early "feedings". I don't remember, did you get some Potassium Sulfate or any other pure Potassium source? You would need to add that to balance out the high N (at around 20ppm). Then try to get your P to maybe 2ppm and add the micros as instructed.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Sorry I've been so quite. We have a new baby on the way any day now, so I have been pretty busy getting the last minute things done around the house to get ready for the baby and all the attached company.

Anyway... The tank is doing fine. The wisteria is growing really good. Funny thing is that it is growing horizontally because the outflow of the filter blows down on it and bends it over. Saturday I will begin my dosing of fertilizers and will have to trim the wisteria.

How should I go about trimming and what tools should I have handy? I was thinking of pulling them up and trimming the bottoms and replanting the tops. Can you guys give some guidance on how you trim your stems?

Thanks


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

We have a new baby on the way any day now

How nice, congratulations. That would be number?

About the trimming. Just to make it clear, you are asking specifically about the Wisteria, right? Stems are not all the same to trim and it depends on the plant.

But Wisteria, you should be able to cut off the tops, just above a node with leaves. New tops will grow back in that spot. If your bottoms look bad then you could go ahead and dispose of the bottoms at that point. If they are good then you could keep them and plant the tops somewhere else. Either way will work as Wisteria is a pretty undemanding plant, except that new planted stems tend to float up. Oh, another thing you may need to know is that you should remove the lower leaves from the trimmed off tops so that when you plant them again these leaves would not be buried (even half way) in the substrate as they would rot.

About growing horizontally: take a look at my Ludwigia in my 125G log (second or third to last page). It is the tall plant group on the left which is in the flow of the Spray Bar. It grows flat just below the water flow and creates a nice overhanging garden for the Anubias group next to it.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

That would be number?

This baby will be my second. I have a 3.5 year old son already and this baby is also a boy. We are very excited and are excepting the baby to arrive sometime between now and then end of next week.

On to the plants. I am asking mainly about the Wisteria. The growing horizontally is only a concern when I eventually start trying to make the tank look nicer. For now I'm jut glad it growing like a weed .

When I trim the group should I pull all the plants out together and replant the whole bunch or should I trim once stem at a time?

I think I may throw the bottoms away because I didn't know to trim the bottom leaves and some have rotted. That is probably where the Ammonia was coming from before the fish was added.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

That is very exciting

About the Wisteria: As it is a huge group that you have, I would suggest to take out half of it and replant the trimmed tops (as you want to dispose of the bottoms). A week later, do the other half. This way, enough plants are settled and as such algae issues are less likely to happen.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hey Rick,

Exciting news for new baby. Hope all goes well. Good too, that the tank is going well.

Cheers
TW

Week 4 Update.

Here is the tank this week. I forgot to take a picture before trimming but I trimmed about half the westeria group.

Week 4 Pic

Next week I will trim the other half. The nitrates did not seem to go down though despite the good growth. The tank is till testing around the 40ppm level. I added the KH2P04 this week so hopefully that will help. I don’t have a micro solution yet but I will get that this week if I have time.

I am seeing a little more algae. It is the mostly the staghorn variety.

The shrimp however seem to be dead. I have not seen either of them since last Saturday. Now that the tank is cycled I may try a few more.

Ohh.. No baby yet.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

I don't have a micro solution yet ... I am seeing a little more algae. It is the mostly the staghorn variety

Rick,

I could see how this is most likely related. Including the lack of Nitrate uptake. Healthy plant growth though should not occur at the same time. I don't know if you know that, but if one growth element is missing then we call this the limiting factor (I think ). On a large scale, that would be either light, CO2, or ferts. But it is also the case within the ferts group, say you were limiting Phosphates the growth would be restricted by the availability of that element. If you don't add any micros then this may open the door for the algae.

The tank looks fine, but you for sure could add more plants
Also, it seems like your tank is still cloudy, or is that only the picture?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well, I'm back. My little boy was born Monday and mommy and him are doing well!

The tank is doing well. A little neglect actually seemed to help. The water level dropped a bit and the filter was able to disturb the last bit of surface film. The water is crystal clear now. I'm quite happy the way it looks.

I also tested the water and the nitrates were down to 5ppm. Adding the phosphates really jump started the plant growth. The wisteria is taking over. I did a water change and dosed some KNO3 and KH2PO4.

I am seeing a little increase in staghorn algae but it isn't out of control. I just try to remove what I can.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Congratulations on the new arrival Rick

Oh, glad the tank is going well too.

Cheers
TW

Rick,

Congratulations on the new arrival

Glad all went well and mother and son are good, I hope you guys get some sleep.

Tank: did you start adding micros? Don't forget that.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

My shrimp are alive. I hadn't seen either shrimp in almost two weeks and I had written them off. But wait!! What do I see today? To happily eating amano shrimp walking around. Dang these things are good hiders!

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Hello,

Can any of ya'll identify this plant for sure. We thought it was a Hygro but it doesn't look like any of the Hygro species on Tropica.

Mystery Plant Bottom
Mystery Plant Top


Also how many times can I just cut the top off of a wisteria stem when trimming? After so many times do you reach a point that you have to pull the bottom and replant the top or can you keep cutting indefinitely?


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

I would give it a 0.1% chance that I am wrong, otherwise the plant in your picture is Hygrophila corymbosa "angustifolia". I thought we talked about that plant before - does that mean you don't believe me ? At the Tropica website, it is listed Here. I know the picture looks a little different, but that is a drawing with some artistery. The plants in my tank looks 100% like the one you picture.

I think that no stem plant can endlessly be trimmed,but it would be a few trimmings before the bottom wears out. Most of the time, people dispose of the bottoms because of the lack of leaves (shaded too much) and/or the amount of water roots that may make it unsightly. Wisteria bottoms should stay nice for quite a while though.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks Ingo. I was just makeing sure. Would I trim the Hygro like the wisteria?



Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

I trim my hygro differently. I pull out the whole plant, and then I cut off lower the side branches at their base. These would be ready then to be planted by themselves. The upper part of the main stem, and maybe the higher side branches (2 to 4) is then planted as well, after removing the bare bottom part of that stem.

I hope my explanation makes any sense, if not then feel free to force me to do better

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Week 5 Update

I just finished the trimming of the tank. I have been adding my fertilizers and have seen a lot of growth. The wisteria and hygro have been growing pretty fast. Even the crypt wendeti and Anubias have new leaves coming in. I have had a little bit of staghorn but only on the older hygo leaves. No other algae that I can see. The only plant that is not doing well is the balanase. It has hanging on but I don’t see a lot of new growth.

Thank Pic Week 5

The tank seems set up for the most part. I shouldn't need any more water changes excpet for an occasional one every couple months. Wish me luck!

I really like the ADA soil now. The growth is great, and once the plants start to root it really holds them well. Plus my water is crystal clear now so it apparently wasn't the soil that was clouding it. Also my pH is hanging around neutral.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

Looking very nice, much clearer (except for the room light that reflects in the tank )

Glad to hear that all seems well, I will keep my fingers crossed for you on the no-water-change EI method.

If the Balansae is anything like my Crypt Retrospiralis then it can take a while until it is settled. But once this point is reached you better watch out (might get too tall and shade the other plants).

Foreground - any thoughts on what you would like to do with it? I know someone who says that Hair Grass is really taking off in ADA substrate. I don't remember, are you still on the 30W incand. or 20W PC? Might not work with this light, but buying one small pot should be enough to experiment.

Again, getting nice there,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks Ingo.

That reflection bugs me too. How do you guys get those straight on tanks shots with out any reflections. Masters please share your secrets.

The wisteria and Hygro are still growing good. Even the balanase is finally starting to look better on some of the plants.

I do have some algae growth coming in slowly. A mix of staghorn and hair algae. I just started the micros though so hopefully the tank will stabilize.

I don't know what I want to do with the foreground. I have 20W of light on the tank. I'd be afraid the hair grass would grow too tall for such a small tank. I'll have to think about that some more.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

When I cut the top of my westria off the new leaves came and they were all ugly and looked big no pattern.
Do you have a Co2 filter?


10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta
1oto
2platys

Rick,

Taking pictures:

- Best done in a darkened room, like in the evening with no lights on but the tank light
- No flash use
- If exposure to long to get a sharp shot while holding camera, use a tripod or similar device

Or - Get a better camera

20W over 10G is not much, as you may know. I believe it would eliminate glosso or HC as options. Hair grass may or may not grow. On the other hand, you have an excellent substrate so maybe these plants would be ok. If hair grass is getting too tall, simply trim it like a lawn .

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Week 6 Update

Everything is going good this week. The hair algae has disappeared and after trimming some of the old Hygro leaves the staghorn is pretty much gone. Like everyone else on the board the wisteria is growing good and is really filling out the left side.

Here is the picture for this week. Thanks Ingo for the photography tips. While I can’t get a better camera right now, they did help eliminate the glare. Pardon the blurry ness though. I'll try to prop the camera up on something so it doesn't shake any next time.

Week 6 Pic

Also I finally have the tank stocked. Went the LFS on Saturday and my wife liked these Golden Tetras. I bought six for the tank. When I got home I realized that they gave me 8. I am a little concerned about being over stocked but all seem to be doing well. No Ammonia or Nitrites yet but I’ve got an extra packet of cycle handy if they start showing up. It's very cool watching them eat, the look like little shiny gold streaks in the water. They also love the wisteria as they swim in and out of all the stems.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Looking nice Rick

I still think that your tank could handle more plants, in particular the spot in front of the driftwood base seems too vacant. How about a small crypt or some nana petites for that spot? Or maybe a small narrow leaf java fern?

Glad to hear that all seems to be going your way, just keep an eye open for ammonia and such as adding 8 fish to a 10G at once is a major change.

Ingo

PS: When can we see a picture of these fishies?

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi Rick

Your tanks looking very nice and very clear. I hope you're liking the substrate as well as I do. Hope your golden tetras settle in happily. Looked up their profile and they are very pretty.

Cheers
TW

Ingo, Robyn

Thanks for the complements. Your tanks have been very helpful in teaching me what I need to do so you all get some of the credit!


I defiantly have room on the right to plant some more and I may look for something to fill in the bottom right. Right along the front I would want something that stays very low. Could I plant a petite right in the gravel?

And a few more pictures. I seem to be getting a better hang on my camera. Although the close ups still have a little blurr, but the are alright for a low end camera.

First a clear tank shot.
Week 6 Full Tank

And the new Tetras
Picture 1
Picture 2

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Yes Rick,

That is a much better full tank shot

About Nana Petite in the substrate: It can be done, I have it in my 125G (look at the small plants (5 of them) in front of the big driftwood trunk), but it is a pain in the neck. The plant would need to have a significant root lenght (not rhizome) so you can bury the roots and hold it down with that. I think it would be easier to tie it to a small rock and then bury the rock in the substrate so that only the top part is exposed. I know you would not notice it, but the leftmost of my 5 Petites is actually on a rock as the plant came lose when I vacuumed and I couldn't get it.

Interesting: the new tetras look just like Black Neon Tetras, but without the black. Do you have any info on them being the same fish but a special breed? ( And didn't tetratech have them? )

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Found this profile here http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/431.htm on the golden tetras. They are very pretty. Wish I had room for some of those too. Ahhh, maybe some day, when I can afford to set up my 4ft.

Cheers
TW

Week 7 Update

Not much to update this week. Everything is still pretty stable and growing good. All the fish are doing fine.

Week 7 Picture

I am still looking for some foreground plants and getting the hang of trimming the wisteria. I want to start thinking about how to make it look a little nicer. Suggestions are welcome.


Also I had a question about lighting on an Eclipse hood here. I'd apreciate any thoughts.

Eclipse Thread

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Everything is still pretty stable and growing good. All the fish are doing fine.

... and your picture taking qualities are improving as well .

About the scape: I am not too thrilled about the yellow plants in the front, towards the left. Colorwise they look like they are dying, even if this should be their natural color.

Foreground plants are a constant struggle between light requirements and the willingness to put in some major extra work. Having a rather small tank, your foreground plant has to be small too, I even would assume that a carpet of Pearl Grass, neatly trimmed, could be too high. Glosso is very invasive once it takes off and needs lots of pruning and cutting off side branches that otherwise would go on to smother surrounding plants. Bensaf, and I agree with him, think that HC (don't ask for the real name, I think it is Himantheum micranthemoides or something) may be a good candidate, but it is hard to come by and grows rather slow, so you would require quite a bit of it if you don't want to wait forever until a carpet is formed.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Week 8 Update

This week the plant growth stalled a bit. I did a water change Saturday and already the tank is looking better. I think the tannins leaching into the water are shading the plants some.

Here are this weeks pictures.

Full Tank Shot
Wisteria Jungle Shot

Work has been really busy so I have not had a chance to look at any new plants for this tank. Hopefully things will settle down these next few weeks and I can find a nice foreground plant that will complement the tank.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Hey Rick, for some reason I can't get your picture links to work.

EDIT - Refer to Frank's post below. That's the same error message I get too.

Cheers
TW

Hi Rick,
When I click on your links this is what I get:

Google
Error


Forbidden
Your client does not have permission to get URL /?imgmax=576 from this server.


Dunno what the problem might be...
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

OK Try again. I'm beta testing the new Google Web Albums so I am still getting used to it. IE doesn't seem to like me linking directly to the picture. It works OK if I link to the album.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

I did a water change Saturday

Rick,

Does that mean your water got so yellowish that the plants suffered? Wow, it must have been quite tea like then.

Of course you broke the rules of Non-CO2 EI, and I really would like to have seen how this works when performed "by the books". It will be interesting to see if there is any consequence, like algae, from changing the water.

But besides all of that, the tank looks very well. All is green and shiny

Keep us posted on the tannins, and maybe even capture a picture of it before the next water change (if you should do another one).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi,
The links worked this morning.

If you are having problems with the tannins leaching
into the water and you are bothered by the "tea" color,
add carbon to your filtration system. The carbon will
remove the tannic acid. If you already have carbon in
the system, you might want to do one of two things.
Change it for a fresh batch and/or increase the amount
of carbon.

Usually the tannins will not affect the plants and the drop
in pH is not generally enough to affect the fish. Many
like the "look", while others opt for the crystal clear
"look." If the tannins are discoloring the water so much
that the plants are being "shaded" by the tint of the
water then you are borderline with the watts/gallon rating
of your lights. You would need to do regular water changes
to dilute the "soup."

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank,

I'm not so worried about the way the tannins look or their acidic properties. I think your last point is right on. I am running 2WPG on a 10G tank. The wisteria is listed as a medium light plant and I think I am right on the border. When the water darkens growth slows to a crawl. This leaves the door open for algae to start growing. When I keep the water clear the wisteria shows pretty good growth.

Unfortunately Ingo until the tannins have finished leaching out of the Driftwood or I upgrade my lights (My LFS sells 20W CF bulbs which would give 4WPG) I'll have to do at least some water changes.




Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Hm,

So I am wondering:

If you have to do some water changes until the tannins stop leaching, wouldn't it be better to do them on a schedule that is consistent, like weekly? I would assume that changes on a "once in a while" basis could be potentially more harmful as they solemnly depend on the tannis and not on any other water parameter, and when looking at these it would appear to be random with regards to ferts concentrations etc.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Good point Ingo. Back to weekly to water changes for now.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

I bought some DW for my 46Gallon about 2-3 months ago and I still have tannins leaching out the wood. Weekly water changes keeps my water from getting too dark.

Tank looks great, Rick.

-chris

Hey Chris,

Thanks for the compliment. When are we going to see thread for your 46?



Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Tank Update Week 9

Well this week was kind a turning point in my tank keeping hobby.

First here is the picture...

Tank Picture Week 9.

If you noticed some missing plants you are right. These were taken out.

Here is the background. The tank was looking good and the plants were starting to get overgrown. When I was trimming my wife (being that this is in the kitchen) had some comments on the plants. She didn't like the Crypts or the tall plants (Balanase or Hygro). So out they came.

And where did they go? They went into my 25 Gallon. This makes it official that I no longer have any tanks with fake plants!!

Granted the 25 Gallon is very sparse right now, I am going to the LFS to get some more plants to start filling it in this week. I'll post picture of the 25 later.

Right now that leaves the Wisteria, Java Fern Wendlov, and the Anubias as the only plants in the tank. I'll probably add something else to this tank to fill in the front now that it looks really bare.

The 8 Golden Tetras, 2 Shrimp, and the Betta are all doing fine after I rearranged their world.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

I can't wait to see the pictures of the 25G then . One more tank we can use to mess with your mind .

This tank is doing just fine and I am not too concerened about your current plants as I am most certain that they will change a few times before you found the ones you want to keep.

I assume you made at least one large water change during this replanting, right?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi Rick

I think once you have real plants in one tank, it would be hard to be happy with plastic plants in another.

So it appears you are now hooked on planted tanks.

Your tank is looking nice.

Cheers
TW

Rick,

Tank looks great - I have to say your wife may have been right on - the tank looks more balanced w/ the wisteria on both sides and the tall plants taken out.

Gonna buy new substrate for your 25 now too?

-Chris

Week 10 Update,

Hello everyone. How's it going? I've kind of fallen out of the board for a couple days but I am getting caught back up on what's going on.

Anyway the tank is doing good. The weekly water changes have lightened the water up and I am getting good growth from the wisteria.

I am getting some brown algae film on the glass. It comes off easily with a scrubbing pad, but I am not sure how to get it to stop.

Anyway here are the pictures.

Full Tank Shot

Also it looks like my Anubias may be getting its first flower.

Flower Forming

Anyway that's all for now on this tank.

I am defiantly hooked on planted tanks. Check out my 25 Log I am starting.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

I am defiantly hooked on planted tanks.

Glad to hear that, Rick

Also, seems like your tank is doing well, although I don't see too many changes from last week. Any vision on more/other plants?

The brown algae are diatoms and will go away by themselves when they run out of food (silica from glas, substrate, etc). By suggestion I added Otos to my new 40G and they ate it right up.

And yes, this is an Anubias flower. Others will be rather jealous as they seem to have problems getting any flowers a all. But that wouldn't be me, as I always have them

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Very nice - getting flowers.

Rick, what macros/micros did you decide to use on this tank? and in what concentration? I think you must have hit the nail on the head.


-Chris

I'm using the same fertilizers I use in the ten, Dry KNO3, KH2PO4, and Seachem Micros.

I saw this in your other log - what type of Seachem Micros are you using ?

-chris.

Week 11 Update
Here is this week's picture. I am quite happy with this tank it seems so easy. Growth is slow an steady and I am more happy with the overall look than I have ever bin. The only downside is it is pretty much done. I'll have to focus my attention on the 25 for a while.

Here are the pictures.

Full Tank Shot
Anubias Flower Still Growing
Betta Flaring

As always your comments and advise are welcome. Thanks

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Good job Rick, especially on the flower.

Cheers
TW

The only downside is it is pretty much done. I'll have to focus my attention on the 25 for a while.

Yeah, I know how that feels, its like "what am I gonna do with all the time that I have now, maybe I should get another tank".

Looking nice Rick, but I think you are not done yet. One thing that you can think about is plants, meaning replacing some of the existing Wisteria with other plants that create a pinch more variety in the layout. Also, maybe a second Anubias would look nice, grouped with the first one. Right now, your Wisteria is in "visual" control of your tank.

Otherwise, if all is good, is it time to stop the water changes then?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Slickrb..... I have truly enjoyed your planted tank log. I too have started a 10 gallon planted tank Here are the specs:

I recently started a 10 gallon planted tank (6/23) and I am having a blast. My plants are growing and seem to be thriving very well. The fish are wonderful and very active. The red cherry shrimp are amazing and funny to watch. I was hesitant when added them to the tank but no problems with compatibility. Here are some specs:

10 gallon tank
2x15 watt compact flourescent bulbs
Eco-complete with thin layer of natural gravel
2 pieces of bogwood
Aquaclear mini fro 5-20 gallons with added sponge pre-filter
50 watt Marianeland Neptune heater

6 gold tetras
12 red cherry shrimp
??? pond snails

1 Anubias petite
1 Anubias coffeefolia
1 red Wendtii
8 dwarf sags
4 Anachris
6 java ferns and new additions of java moss and Christmas moss.

ammonia: 0ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: less than 5ppm
ph: 7.4
cycled with Bio-spira
Currently using flourish( 1x per week), flourish excel( 2x per week). I ordered some Flourish nitrogen and potassium. (will have it this week).

I will post some pictures on July 12th because my 3 year old broke my digital camera. I need to purchase a new one!
Anyways, I am glad to hear the tank is going well.

hb3133,

Thanks for the nice comments. I'm always glad to know that someone is ready the log and enjoying it.

Ingo,

Water changes will probably stay for a while. The tank seems to like them plus I don't want to be on again off again. I'll probably stick to this routine until I can get the 25 to stabilize and then I'll think about it again.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

You know that I am not opposed to water changes anyway, you may remember that I rather questioned the non-water cange method. I would have liked to see you trying it out just to show me that my concerns are not applicable, but I guess I will have to wait for that.

In the meantime: Isn't the point of no water change to greatly reduce the CO2 in the water so that plants don't depend on it for growth? If so, and if you do water changes now anyway (I would suggest weekly 50%), have you thought about the addition of Flourish Excel during the week?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Week 12 Update

No full tank shot this week. But I do have a shot of the flower. Unfortunately my camera over exposes the flower no matter what I do. It looks like some divine glowing flower. What is even funnier to me is the tetra to the right sitting their worshiping it.

Flower Shot

I don't want to start using Excel on this tank. I'd just get hooked. I want to keep it simple and keep my attention on getting the 25 running smoothly. Although Excel on the 25 might help me increase my plant mass faster? Hmmm...


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Week 13 Update

Here is this weeks tank shot.
Full Tank

Pretty much the same. I've been using this tank as a grow out to fill the 25 Gallon. I pretty much just thinned out the wisteria.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Hi Rick

Your tank is looking good. I like how you have the wisteria sloping up to either side of the wood & then how it copies & emphasises the curved shape of the wood. Nice looking flow.

Cheers
TW

Yup Rick,

Pretty nice, but I wonder how much longer you can go without getting bored of the "almost-exclusive" Wisteria setup. You got all this fancy soil in there for an Anubias and Wisteria, come on!

And - what's wrong with adding Excel once or twice a week if you should stick with doing water changes?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I'm defiantly not against putting any new plants in this tank, but it seems like my options are limited. With only 2 WPG I haven't found many interesting choices for plants.

I would like something low and small that would fill up the foreground, but am unaware of anything that will live in my light.

I also see that the Anubias, Wisteria, and Wendlov all have about the same color and blend together. But don't most plants with more color also require more light or high CO2 levels?

As far as Excel, I just haven't really felt like it. I like the growth rate I have, and Excel can get expensive.

Overall I am really happy with the tank. There are some things I would like to improve upon but I think these low tech tanks suit me.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,
Sorry for some reason I've been missing this thread. I like the overall layout of the tank and the placement of the DW, but I agree with LF that it's too much wisteria. If your interested in giving the tank better depth and contrast I would get rid of the wisteria about 2" or so past the DW going front to back and cover some stones with java moss. Once they are covered scatter them around the DW and work your way to the sides. You'll have an easy low-light foreground that will constrast nicely with the Wisteria. Just my 2 cents.



My Scapes

Tetratech,

Don't worry, we took good care of him



Rick,

Have you thought about Crypts? Most kinds don't need that much light and they come in various colors from green to brownish red. Although I know that a Crypt Wendtii may grow a little too tall for the foreground, it could spice up the mid to background a little.

And there are other kinds as well that are nice, like Lutea and Lucens (and many others). Go check them out.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Week 14 Update.

Welcome Tetra. Ingo and company have taken good care of me and all my questions , but I am always glad to have new eyes on my thread. I've still got a lot to learn.

I am having a hard time picturing what you are saying. If you look at the top of the tank (I'll try to get a top down pic) the wisteria forms a kind of U. The narrowest part is behind the DW as it holds the wisteria back, but the corner the wisteria grows closer to and sometime touching the front of the tank.

Are you suggesting that I strip the wisteria back so it more or less forms a straight line even with the narrowest part behind the driftwood and fill in that area with the moss rocks?

Am I over thinking this?

BTW
Full Tank Shot

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Are you suggesting that I strip the wisteria back so it more or less forms a straight line even with the narrowest part behind the driftwood and fill in that area with the moss rocks?
Sorry I know it was hard to follow what I was saying, but I think you got it.

Cut the wisteria about 2 inches from the edge of the DW that is toward the front of the tank and plant moss covered rocks in basically a line across the remaining wisteria and wrap it around the edge of the DW. It will give it some good constrast and develop a low-light foreground.




My Scapes

Or:

Add some different plants to create variety in color and shapes, like crypts. I would think that they should take off after a while in your tank. How about at the right side, middle to back?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

If you went with Excel I think you could make e tenellus work for you. As it is you can definetley get away with dwarf sagm though it may grow a little tall for a foreground plant. You could make it work though.

Crypts will like the shade, but they may grow taller in less light.

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Back in the saddle!

Week 15 and 16.

Another double picture post. I gave the wisteria a hair cut. It was doing all right, but I noticed that the bottoms had a lot of dead looking leaves so I topped everything pretty good. I'm thinking this tank could use a regular dose of micros to.

This does however leave me more room to plant. I may try the moss rocks. If anyone has any pictures showing how they prepare moss covered rocks that would be helpful.


If not I'll just give it a try.

Anyway here are the pictures.
Week 15
Week 16

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Hi Rick

Your tank is looking good.

Re: the moss rocks. In the past I have secured it with fishing line, but I am going to try tetratech's method of using a lady's hair net. I'm trying to get hold of some riccia, but that's not easy over here. When I find some, that's when I'll be trying the hair nets.

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

Thanks for the input. Take pictures of you netting the ricca. I'd love to see how it goes.

Well luck would have that one of my co-workers trimmed his Java moss and dropped a nice full bag of Java Moss off in my office. Thanks Chris!

So now I just need to find some rock. Will regular smooth river rocks be OK or should I get a certain type of rock that will allow better adhesion.

Also In the mean time will the Java Moss be OK floating in a bag in one of my tanks? If so for how long. I did fill the bag with tank water.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

I will if I can actually find riccia. So far, only found it a couple of times on ebay & I've always missed out on winning the bid. Negotiating now for a BIN price with the seller, so I hope to get some soon.

Don't know if it matters what type of rock - just aim for one that is inert & doesn't effect your pH.

Java moss pretty much grows either attached or just floating. I have some free floating in my fry nets since April & it's doing just fine. Therefore, I'd say it would do fine in a plastic bag. I've even kept it for weeks at a time in a cup of water in a darkened garage, when I had too much of it. Never seems to die off, that stuff. However, you might be right about the smooth rocks being harder to adhere to

Cheers
TW

Week 17,

Here is a quick update on the tank.

Full Tank Shot

Not much new. The java moss is still floating in the QTank while I hunt out rocks I like to cover. You'd think that would be easy but I haven't found any I like.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Rick,

Tank is growing nicely, I see the difference from last weeks shot to this week.

About the rock: It doesn't really matter what you get (as Robyn said), as long as it is inert and has a good overall shape. Your moss will cover it eventually and then there will be no details visible anymore, not even its original shape.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Week 18 Update,

Just a quick pic today.

Full Tank Shot

Not much new here.

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Yup,

You are right Rick, there is not much difference between the last two shots. How come? To me, there is quite a difference between week 16 and 17. Does that mean that the growth is slowing down? I assume that would not be a good sign. Did you do anything special during this week?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club