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Week 6 Update

So this week has been a pretty quiet week. No trimming needed, but i am still having problems with the water sprite. It just doesnt want to take hold. So here are some updates of the tank.

Losts of new shoots comming from the Vals. Almost ready for planting


I moved the Apons to a better situation with more access to light to see if they do any better.



This is a little hard to see but to the right of the picture you can see alot of root structure growing on the Ludwiga, so i thought it would be time to plant it.





The Crypts are doing much better now, they are growning slowly. Some tiny new leaves. Also the Difformis is doing great aswell. Alot more submerged leaves are on the plants.





Overall the tank is looking good.


The Params are great. Fish were doing great until today when i had a problem with a Bolivian Ram. Any help on that would be appreicated. Posted in the hospital.

Thanks

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Tank is looking great Monster, I am very proud.
You are getting a scape going that looks really good, the wood adds some interest too.

Once you add more plants and the current plants gorw in more(which shouldnt take long they are growing great) then it will look amazing.

Sorry to hear about the ram. I hope he gets better,

tank looks great!


BTW, any pairs forming with the rams?

fishmonster, Fantastic , love what you've done .
You "should" be a bit restrained now and let things grow in Easier said than done I know
I'm sure you have got most of it in good shape and it will look even more brilliant in a few weeks .
But we always want more don't we ????
Oh well it is our passion , anyway well done and love the photo's,keep them coming
(love to see some of the fishies as well )
Keep up the good work

Garry

Opps , sorry to hear about your Ram , hope he's ok
Garry

We lost the Ram this morning. However RNJ i would like to know how to distingush Male and Female Bolivian Rams.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Im soo sorry to hear that.

Males are usually larger, have longer fins (extensions). Females are usually have rounder bellies, and a reddish pink color on the belly. That is the basics of sexing them.

Week7

Well after loosing the RAM and talking with lots of people in chat and Mr LHG i decided to change the tank around. I moved the heater to the back of the tank again. I then made the internal filter 90 Degrees to the left of what it was. Thus making the water have a circular motion in the tank. This works great for water movement but as you can see from the pics below it kills the look because of the water movement LOL.

The bolbitis is having a very hard time growing. It doesnt seem to do well at all in my tank. Infact one of the ryzhomes i have is almost dead and i have no idea why. The vals are the complete opposite. They have babies on their babies LOL.

The Difformis is doing well also. I think the water sprite is comming back and the Hornwort will probably need trimming at the next water change. Hopefully I will be able to move that to my 10 gallon to start that tank again.

The anubias are doing great. However i think im going to remove the Apons from the tank. I might try and get them to grow back in the 10 gallon with the rich substrate.

Anyways here are some pics of the tank changes on the right side.





And I was asked for some pics of my Fishies. So here are some pics of my Rams







Anyways Thats the update for this week.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Hi Shane , looks like your getting good growth on most of your plants well done .
From what I read in LF's log the bolbitis is very hard to establish and very slow early
but will grow out of the tank eventually , so you should perservere as it will look
sensational when it does grow . If the rizome is rotting it could be to close to the
substrate , but I'm sure you know that .

What was it you were told in chat that made you change things about?
I always try not to have too much current pushing things around to much in my tanks .
I tend to try to bounce the heavy current's off the front glass to break it up ?
Don't know if thats what I should do? Just interested in learning?

Like the shots of your Rams , love to see some of your Golden Barbs
( they are hard to get, I know )

Tank looks great .

Garry

Garry

I was talking to LHG and some of the peeps in chat and they told me that having two currents in the tank both pushing to the front of the tank will cancel each other out and cause a problem in the center of the tank. They told me i needed a more circular water movement to distribute the temps in the tank. So i adjusted the tank so that the water had a circular motion. However i took out the internal filter and so the only thing i have is the AQ300 in the tank now. However I lost another Ram sometime between when i changed the water and about 2 hours ago when i went down there to trim the plants. As far as the bolbitis was concerned the piece that looked to have been rotting was between a rock and DW. I moved that back to the DW with the other piece and I have removed the dead leaves from the Ryzhome. Hopefully that will do the trick. I just need to leave it alone.

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

man FM, that tank has really taken shape... I had no clue that the wistera would change, no wonder I couldn't figure out what I had... There aren't many pics of wisteria in the form I have.

That's a bummer about the Ram, those are one of my fave species... I intend to keep those in the 55g I am going to do...

Scott yeah, it was another member that told me about the changes. I dont remeber who it was tho. But yeah they raise alot of plants emersed in water and so they grow different. When they submerge they change. Interesting tho.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Week 8 Update

This week has the tank not lookin as full as it has been.
I removed the Apons from the left side and I also removed the baby Vals also. So there isnt as much going on down that side. The Wysteria is growing well and has almost reached the top of the water again. I cut the Hornwort so that it doesnt have any reach the top. The pieces you see are floating pieces of hornwort I left behind.

Here are some weekly pictures of my plants.

Here is the Crypts showing good recovery and growth. Slow but good.



As you can see the wysteria is doing well. Cant figure out how to make it grow out and be bushy to help fill in the tank.



The Water sprite is hanging on in there. I think it is just starting to get settled as i am seeing some root growth from the stems.



The ludwiga is showing signs of new roots also off the stems. Im finally seeing it settle down and start to grow



The Anubias Nanas are doing spectacular, their root system is doing really well and im seeing alot of leave growth.



Left Side of tank



Right Side of tank



Closeup of the ottos hanging out



So this is the tank last time i took a full shot



Full shot now



Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Shane , I see you got a shot of the Golden Barb as requested . Not sure that's what you intended
but its a great shot never the less.
Trust me the Water Sprite and Wisteria will settle and then take off and you will have plenty!!!!!!! to
spread out . Like all things it just takes time . I cut my Wisteria right back and its taken a little time to
recover ( 3weeks so far ) but its really starting to thicken up now . The Water Sprite just keeps growing
no matter how many times I trim it . My point is you have enough for a tank full in the near future.

Anyway tank looks good, Btw what have you done with the water circulation . Plants don't look to be
being blown about so much ?

Garry

Garry

Thanks for the complement on the pic. And the barb just got in the pics as i was trying to get the crypts LOL

I removed the internal filter from the right side of the tank So there is only the AQ on the left side. So the water cirulation isnt as hard.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Update Week 9

Well it has been a difficult week for me in regards to this tank. I thought I had figured out what the problem was with my water PH rising. So i removed the old substrate and added new. So here are a few pics from the new looking tank.

So here is the new left side


The New center


The new Right side


And so the old tank look was


And now it looks like this


Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Looking good, fishmonster! It's interesting watching your tank evolve. I actually kinda liked how it looked in one of the earlier pics, but it's so fun watching all of the changes!

The pottery that growls!

Well VCP, let me know which one you were looking at. I had to change out the substrate because of a problem with leeching calcium.

However the changes keep comming. Need to add some more plants to it tho.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

I did a quick little edit to show you what i'm talking about with your tank here:
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7660/fishmonstertankvr6.jpg

I liked the old tank setup a little better because that big bushy plant I circled in red helped fill in that area with the green plants. I think you reIt gave the tank more of a v shaped composition.

The newer pic had the plant more sparse looking, giving the plants negative space between each other. Then the outlines kind of break up and are more jagged. Just my personal preference, but I don't like the jaggedy outline as much. I hope that makes sense!

The pottery that growls!

Well what happened there was that the older leaves fell off as they were submersed style leaves, so the plant only kepts the submerged leaves. So thats why it thinned out.

I also had to remove some rocks as well. Im going down there on sunday to re-do the Look of the tank. I like the right side but the left needs alot of work right now.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

whats that nice yummy looking plant smack dab in the middle? She's a beauty. Nice fishys! Ottos are CUTE!

Hi Shane

Your tank has come a long way. I like the river you've created with the stones. Looks great.

What type is the new gravel? I do like it better than the previous - I always like dark gravel.

I know there are lots of people who prefer no background, but I always like a solid black background on a tank. Just my opinion. I think it adds depth.

Look forward to seeing your next update.

Cheers
TW

Robyn

Unfortunatly due to PH problems i have had to remove those stones from the tank as they were raising the PH. I am thinking of looking for some sand stone maybe or something that wont raise the PH. As far as the background is concerned. I havent decided what im doing with that yet. I have a background on my 10 gallon and it looks takky. So i might remove that also. I have seen people paint their tanks black or blue, again i dont have a decision on that at this point.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

My tanks new tanks are all painted black.

I don't like backgrounds that have picures on them (eg planted scenes, etc). Only dark black or maybe dark blue. After always going with black paper backgrounds in the past, I am pretty well sure of my decision to paint this time, instead of papering.

Anyway, you have to like so you should set it up however your please.

Have fun

Cheers
TW

Shane , so you've taken lots of action to fix your problems . How have the fish gone
during all these changes ? All ok I trust .?
How is the water testing now . Stable ?
You have been thru a tough time , I hope its all coming together for you now .

Garry

Have you found anything for your new redecorating yet monster? So sorry to hear about your rocks having to go! As you know from us talking in chat, I loved the look of those rocks in there! I hope you can find something light colored again, as I think it goes good with your dark substrate.

Commenting on backgrounds, you could try something quick, cheap & fun? I put tin foil on the back of one of one mine, & I rather like the look!

I wish you luck in your redo! Post pics when your done.

Well guys, this has been a long time comming, So its been a while since my last update, i have been working my butt off at work and i havent had alot of time to sit down and work on my tank nor my log. So tonight i went and did some work on the tank. I had some plants growing in my 10 gallon, i used the hornwort to establish the tank and i have had several other plants in there growing.

So tonight i decided to change things up a bit and see how it goes. I spoke with a few people in chat because i have been having a browning issue.



However my Vals are growing strong and have lots of babies. Infact they are almost as long as my tank now.


So i decided to redo the tank. So i started by splitting the Vals and moving them back to the left side of the tank. I also moved the DW and the Bolbitis there also. I added the nanas under the DW as i thought they wouldnt be shaded for some time. I also added a plant behind the nanas aswell but not sure what it is.


I then Moved the crypts to the center of the tank and split the Ludwiga another new plant. Not sure what it is at this point. However it has been growing well in my 10 gallon.



On the right side i added two sword plants and split the wysteria per some advice to see if they would grow better and fill out.



So here are a few shots of the full tank at angles and in the dark.

Before


After



Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

So now my 10 gallon is pretty bare as far as plants but i still have some in there.



Also what is this floating plant?


Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Shane , good job , like what you've done with the hardscape and the plant placement
looks really interesting . Can't wait to see more pics as the plants grow in .

Well done mate ,BTW how are the fish, all ok with tank params now ?

Garry

I also like your hardscape, especially the rocks on the right.

That plant looks very similar to the duckweed that I have in my tank. I'm sure someone will come along with the right answer though. Thanks for the update.

Shane:

this going to be a really great looking tank when the plants have grown in, good job! I am looking forward to see it mature. However, be careful with these floaters - how big are the individual plants? I hope it is not ordinary duckwood - I am having a hard time gettimg rid of this pest as it covers the surface within two or three days after removal.

Claudia

Hi FM

I love the new scape.

The dark substrate looks great (makes the plants look more vibrant IMO) and the new hardscape arrangement makes more of a feature of that funky twisted driftwood. That DW is a fantastic almost sculptural piece that was not as evident in previous arrangments.

Well done. Looking forward to see how this lastest look develops over coming weeks.

G_T



Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

I agree with the other comments, that's a nice improvement you've made to the scape. The tank is looking good

Cheers
TW

Hey Everyone,

I would like to first answer some questions.

Shane , good job , like what you've done with the hardscape and the plant placement
looks really interesting . Can't wait to see more pics as the plants grow in .

Well done mate ,BTW how are the fish, all ok with tank params now ?

Garry

Garry i havent lost anymore fish since i changed out the rocks. Thanks for the comments.

I also like your hardscape, especially the rocks on the right.

That plant looks very similar to the duckweed that I have in my tank. I'm sure someone will come along with the right answer though. Thanks for the update.

Patty, im not sure if it is duckweed or not. But its been there in the 10 gallon a month and i barley took out a handful and it only has an 8th of the tank covered right now.

this going to be a really great looking tank when the plants have grown in, good job! I am looking forward to see it mature. However, be careful with these floaters - how big are the individual plants? I hope it is not ordinary duckwood - I am having a hard time gettimg rid of this pest as it covers the surface within two or three days after removal.

Claudia, The individual plants are maybe 3 inches in size. However the Vals have to be at least 2.5ft long as they are up the entire 20Inches of the side and about halfway across the tank.

GT, Robyn, thanks for the great comments. Infact thank you all for your comments and questions. I hope to take some new pics in the next week or so. So far not alot of changes. But Im hoping for some in a few weeks.

Thanks again
Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Hey all,

So here is an update of my tank.

So far no real major growth. Have started to add Flourish every other day, and Excel twice a week at 1/3 a dosage. Reason for that is that i dont want my Vals to melt as i have heard from others.

The brown has started to go away on my wysteria. I have started my second job so hopefully in a few weeks i can improve the lighting on the tank.

I Also added about 15 fishes. I added 5 Black Skirt Tetras to fill i the school. I also added 5 Julis to keep the pandas company and I added 6 Ottos to the tank also.

Here are a few pics of my Fishies and my tank..

My Rams are always nosey.




Here is a pic of the tank at last update


Pic of the Tank now


Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Lovely pics, Shane

but you will have to increase the dosing of the excel to see some real growth and don't worry about the melting of the vals. I am constantly removing vals from my tank and they are taking over again despite excel to the max every day.

The Bolivian rams look particularly cute, I hope you will be more lucky with them now that you have the new substrate.

Claudia

Interestingly, your fast growers in the last two shots seem to be almost of the same height, do I see that right? Did you trim them in between or are they not growing?

Shane, the tank looks nice, albeit it does not have enough plants for my taste, but this should be no secret to you

Adding 15 fishies, hm, at once? That is quite a change in load and may have an impact on the tanks attempt to stabilize. Keep your eyes open!

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Looking really good Shane. I think you have a good eye for decorating.
Beautiful little rams. Did I read you have 2 sword plants in there? I sure hope they don't as big as mine did!
I wish you continued luck with this tank.

Hey Guys, thanks for the replies. Ill comment on each.

Claudia

Lovely pics, Shane

but you will have to increase the dosing of the excel to see some real growth and don't worry about the melting of the vals. I am constantly removing vals from my tank and they are taking over again despite excel to the max every day.

The Bolivian rams look particularly cute, I hope you will be more lucky with them now that you have the new substrate

Thanks for the comments, i am slowly increasing the excel so that the Vals can get used to it. I am having my mother in law do dosing every other day. And the Excel is being increased to that also this week. Thanks again on the bolivians, i have not seem to have had any more ill effects on my tank however my PH has leveled out at 8.0 now.

Ingo

Interestingly, your fast growers in the last two shots seem to be almost of the same height, do I see that right? Did you trim them in between or are they not growing?

Shane, the tank looks nice, albeit it does not have enough plants for my taste, but this should be no secret to you

Adding 15 fishies, hm, at once? That is quite a change in load and may have an impact on the tanks attempt to stabilize. Keep your eyes open!

I dont know what is going on with my fast growers in the corner at the back. They were browning off and then they came back and now they are starting to brown again. Im not sure if i need to cut off the tops and replant or not. Id like to hear your thoughts on this. Also adding 15 fish at once has not had an ill effect on the tank at all. I added the fish on thursday, did a water change on the tuesday and Ill be doing one on wednesday also. My Params have been awesome now for over a month straight. I havent seen the nitrates above 5.0 I was thinking that is why the plants were not growing anymore as they had gone through all the nutrients given out by the fish.

As far as enough plants. I am wanting to grow out the ones in there to see how that goes. If you look at an earlier post i have some more growing in my 10 gallon which i was able to stablize also with fast growers. Thanks again on that info.

Fish Patty

Looking really good Shane. I think you have a good eye for decorating.
Beautiful little rams. Did I read you have 2 sword plants in there? I sure hope they don't as big as mine did!
I wish you continued luck with this tank

The swords are in the front right corner opposite the vals. They are doing well. Im hoping they will grow large so that in time i can replace maybe the wysteria or the vals at the back so its filled in more.

Thanks again all for your input.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

My Params have been awesome now for over a month straight. I havent seen the nitrates above 5.0 I was thinking that is why the plants were not growing anymore ...

Good thinking! So you basically say that plants were growing with unstable params and now that they are stable (meaning no or little nitrates and possibly all the other goodies missing as well) they don't? Go figure

I think you answered your own question,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Shane , excellent photos Mate , the one's of the Rams are so clear . Well done.
Sound's to me like your plants need some Macros at least .I've been keeping my
Nitrates at about 10ppm ocassionally 20ppm .
As Ingo intimated you at least need N,P,K , taken care off to use up the
Excel( Carbon) your increasing .I use Seachems Ferts as well as excel and it seems to be working well .

I'm so glad your tank has stablilsed for you,although 8.0ph is still a little high.
But its obviously working well for you.

Are you going to start transferring some of those plants in the 10g into this tank?

Look forward to some more close ups of the plants and fishies.

Garry