AquaRank.com

FishProfiles.com Message Forums

faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox
# FishProfiles.com Message Forums
L# Freshwater Aquaria
 L# Planted Aquaria
  L# 72 Gallon Bowfront Setup Log
   L# Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119
 Post Reply  New Topic
Subscribe72 Gallon Bowfront Setup Log
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
obvious...

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Little...

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Fish.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
That's a pretty bad survival rate for cardinals, but I bet your lfs doesn't quarantine them for a week when they get them in. Mine generally all survive, but like I said my lfs quarantines them(and the neons).



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
The 10 cardinals made it thru the first 24 hours, but today when I checked my tank one had died, and another has lost it's color on the back half of it's body and is not swimming with the school, so that's probably going to be two down. I'm shooting for a 70% survvival rate. Here's a pic:



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well not sure. I've purchased cardinals from probably 5 different stores in the past year and they are very tough to acclimate. Some of my lfs have stopped selling them completely. Other's have told me they simply lose to many. Once you get them past the first few weeks their actually pretty solid. I have otos and rummynoses in my tank as well and I never have a problem with them as long as the tank is cycled. Some LFS have told me the supplier keeps them in RO water, which is another problem, because once they hit regular water they are dealing with things they were never exposed to.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Do you notice a small white pimple like growth on your cardinal’s mouth?

I had that on my Neons and all, except 2, are dead by now. I first suspected NTD as well, but Heidi (Houston) asked her fish store guy and he mentioned to her about a strange, still unnamed, disease that cannot be cured and sooner or later (depending on the individual) kills the fish. He said that would be explicit to Neons, if I remember right, but I guess cardinals are so closely related that they could get it too. The white blister did not always stay on their mouths, sometimes it disappeared and the fish died later anyways. I treated with Melafix and Primafix to no avail.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF,

Check out my other thread on the cardinals. I think I figured out what is causing the demise of this group.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Tetra%20Talk/66224.html?200511140924

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
skystrife
 
*********
-----
Enthusiast
Posts: 199
Kudos: 132
Votes: 37
Registered: 30-Aug-2002
male usa us-illinois
Eep...

I remember having a cardinal school go down like that- same strange discoloration starting at the base of the tail and creeping it's way up to the head, resulting in death.

However, I think my problem was infected tubefix worms. I fed them all tubefix worms one day, and then next they're ALL dropping like flies. This was after they had survived 3 days in the thank, so I would hope it was not an acclimation issue.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well I couldn't let day 50 go by without some picks. Here's some of the occupants fighting it out for an algae wafer.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a shot from the right front side.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Front Shot



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Are those the pencil fish in that first shot? They're very nice And I love that ram! Any more cardinal deaths to report (I hope not)?


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Yes, those are pencils I have 5 right now and they seem to be really hardy. Very active, but not really schoolers they move around thru the plants and chase each other around. They even chase the bigger black neons.

I lost a total fo 5 cardinals thru the first 4 days. I seemed to have stablized at the remaining 5. I was really hoping for 70% survival.

Here'a a pic of one of the pencils.





tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Well,

I mentioned already how beautiful your tank, plants, and fish are, so I am not going to do it again .

But for the first time I seem to understand why you recommend to everyone that they should have some driftwood branches sticking out of their thickets (as I see them for the first time in your tank now).

And, for some reason I didn’t see that earlier either, the closeup of the Pencil also shows the “main” rock of your group in detail. Well, that is not a rock – is that some form of concrete with gravel mixed in? I though all your rocks are fossilized wood?

Sorry about all these Cardinal losses, I know I am not going to get some anytime soon. What are your plans there? Will you still try to increase the size of that group?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Driftwood,
Actually as you experienced it's tough to find good pieces I have three pieces left center and right and the only one really good is the one on the left. I need to take a pic with more light on top cause it's hard to see the DW with the black background.

Rock
The rock was sold as petrified wood from a very specialized aquatics store on Long Island. I believe it is petrified wood and the pieces of stone in it is just part of it's natural formation. I actually like it because of it. If it's not petrified wood, I'm going to be really pissed. If you look at my full tank shot you could see from a distance it looks like petrified wood.

Cardinals,
If the group of 5 hold on I will increase the school. These 5 look really good as of now, but with these fish you never know. BTW - Took you advice and added two more rummys. The acclimated same time as the cardinals and they are fine, so now I have 4. I'll probably add a few more. I might move the black neons into my 12 gallon with the 8 gold tetras. The black neons, pencils and belive it or not the otos all of the same basic colors.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well all 9 cardinals so far are looking good, the 4 new ones I bought look fine thus far. For me, it's cards or bust. Nothing else looks as good in my tank. I think I'm going to move the 4 black neons into my 12 they should be o.k with 8 gold tetras. That will pretty much max that tank.

So my current stock is:

9 Cardinals (plan to increase to 35 to 40)
7 Otos (plan to increase to 10)
5 Beckford pencilfish
4 Black Neons (plan to move to 12 Gallon)
4 Rummynoses (Increase to 7)
3 Corys
2 Bolivian Rams

34 Total Fish (Plan to increase to 67-70 fish)

I still plan to add a few other interesting fish that I might find. The cardinals and rummys are great schoolers and occupy lower 1/3 of tank. The Pencils and black neons occupy top 1/3. Bolivian rams stay on the bottom.




Last edited by tetratech at 16-Nov-2005 11:08

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

But if you remove the Neons, then the 5 Pencils are the only fish that occupy the top 2/3rd of the tank. That’s a little empty.

You know, Gouramies will sound very interesting to you in no time .

Also, how about a nice school a Hatchet fish for the top?

Ingo

EDIT: so you plan on 1 fish per gallon, does that mean I should plan on 125 fish?

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 16-Nov-2005 11:39


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Actually I forgot about my guppies. I have 4 of them in the tank and have no where to put them. They actually stay on top as well. I was thinking of a few hatchets, but my glass cover doesn't completely cover the tank. I left the plastic shield of the back. I find it to be a pain and I'm afraid some of the hatchets might jump out.

Here's a pic of the cardinals. If you look closely you could see my new ram and some other fish as well. The pic is kinda blue looking I was experimenting with the settings.

I'm going to keep looking for one of those sparkling gouramis they are just like the croaking ones, but have nice color.

BTW - I think your probably way over with all your fry on the 1"/gallon.








tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Nice fish tetra

How are the rams getting along? Any signs of aggression? I'm curious how your will work with a few of them, since they're unsexed and whatnot.

Cardinals look great too.

As for the lighting, looks like you used either custom WB or tungsten... or maybe a flash/ flourescent preset. Am I right?


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Rams
So far a little agression from the original one, which by the way is alot bigger than the new one. I think I have two males, based on fin and color, but I'm not 100% sure.
I guess if I get one more and it's a female it wouldn't be good.

Cardinals,
I'm holding my breath. I 5 from the original group seem fine after the purge of 5 in 4 days and the new 4 I added all seem good. Problem with cardinals is that I got into this too relax, not worry.

Lighting,
Excellent catch. It's tungsten. I think the best way to get good pics is to hang extra light on top of your tank before you shoot.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
You need more corys, tetra!
At least 3 more, but I would probably add a bunch more (you have the space) because I love 'em.

Sparkling gouramis would probably be too shy in that tank with the boisterous pencilfishes and the Rams. I have 3 in my dwarf tank and even with other dwarf, peaceful fishes they tend to hide a lot in the broad-leaved plants.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
upikabu
How colorful are the sparkling gourmais? They had a pic of them in TFH Magazine and they looked really nice. Supposely they are very hardy as well.

Your probably right about the corys, My big problem with this tank are bottom feeders. Everything seems to uproot the hairgrass runners, even the cory's alittle.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a pic of my old ram and my new ram (mini me) I think they are both males. See them swim amongst the "weeds"



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 16-Nov-2005 20:02
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
My sparkling gouramis are quite colorful, similar to the pics you saw in TFH. But since they are very small, you'd have to look closely to see the sparkles. From a distance they look quite plain, unlike some bright colored fishes like cardinals, Endlers, etc. Here is a pretty bad pic of one (with Endlers) that I took a while ago. They are pretty hardy fish IME, just make sure you get a group of at least 3. I made the mistake of getting only two initially and one (the one pictured above) bullied the other literally to death. I added 2 more and now they get along fine.

Ah, I didn't think about the hairgrass. Do hairgrass root well eventually? I have E. tennellus in one of my tank with a bunch of corys and their roots do anchor well so the corys can't uproot them easily when they're searching for food.

Love the pic of the Rams - looks like Dad & son. Who knows though, the small one could turn out to be a female.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
The hairgrass does root pretty good, but the runners are so close to the surface that any little movement from the corys or something else will uproot them. I honestly think hairgras is more trouble than it's worth. I also think you need a powerhead directly at them so everything doesn't get stuck in it.

I might add a third ram, but I'm afraid I might get a female and the two males will fight (assuming I have two males)

BTW - I really like that gourami, I haven't seen any yet in New York.

Last edited by tetratech at 16-Nov-2005 20:29

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
dvmchrissy
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 477
Kudos: 301
Votes: 38
Registered: 09-Oct-2005
female usa us-indiana
Jsut thought I would pop my head in and say Hi. Also, I wanted to tell you how great the tank is looking. I love the rams. They are SO cute. I think I woudl probably stick with jsut 2 for a while then mayb eadd another one after you get soem other things in the tank, jsut to see how they react to everything else. By that time you will probably be able to tell what kind of personality they have, that might make it easier to decide whether or not a 3rd one would get picked on or vice versa. I have been looking for pencil fish because now I want some after looking at the pictures of yours!
Great Tank! Please post some more pics soon. Maybe another full view of the tank please?


Christina
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

I like the Ram couple. I am wondering if 2 would swim side by side when both are male, even when they are of clearly different ages. Or was that the only time you saw them together in harmony?

And what is tungsten? A light type?

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 17-Nov-2005 08:49


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF,

The new one does follow behind my original one at times, but when he gets too close the bigger one pushes him away. Reading up alittle on the fins male/female I do think I have 2 males. I'm ont interested in breeding them so I might add a third if I could get another male.

Yes, Tungsten is a light type. Did you see upikabu pic of his sparkling gourami

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/witje/Fish/sparkling_gourami.jpg

Nice fish!

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Christina,

Here's a full tank shot as requested. I changed something in my tank. Could anybody tell what?



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Anubias barteri, middle next to the rock!!!


EDIT: tungsten lighting is the basic type of lighting you see in normal light bulbs. take a picture of a lamp in your house with your camera WB on the daylight setting - the picture will have a yellow, warm tint to it. now change the WB to the tungsten setting (the indicator for this usually looks like a little upside-down light bulb) and you'll notice the pic looks more natural, much "cooler". this is good for taking pictures of people/ things indoors without flash. IMO I find I take my best pictures of the tank on the regular daylight setting, under-exposed by a stop or so.

Last edited by NowherMan6 at 17-Nov-2005 10:05


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
No, Anubias Nana

Just to say something different

Ingo

EDIT: Actually, Nana is Anubias Barteri var. Nana

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 17-Nov-2005 10:02


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Very good

If that's nana, it's the biggest-leaved nana I've ever seen...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
But it is tiny in the picture

We need more than one opinion anyways so that a winner can be declared.

My Nanas and Barteries have rather similar leaf sizes (will check tonight to verify this statement), but the Nanas are shorter stems.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well I'm staying out of this one, I really don't know my Anubias. Do you guys think it looks good there. Not sure if I'm going to keep it in there. Would it look better with a few more scattered around.

Last edited by tetratech at 17-Nov-2005 10:16

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Actually, when I look at the Amano books I see that he rather often prefers to group them rather than scattering them around.

I like the grouping, although mine are scattered, at the moment.

And I like that you got one as it breaks up the leaf type (small fizzle stuff ).

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Anubias is a funyn thing, I think it depends more on conditions. I have anubias barteri with short stems and large leaves, and also with long stems and smaller leaves. The leaves on my anubias b. nana are small, but that's because I left them floating on the surface to grow out, so the high light made them come in smaller. So the question is, is this a mature v. nana grown in lower light, or is this a small, immature barteri? Only time will tell. As for placement, I think it kinda looks awkward where it is - doesn't seem to fit in with the other plants being that high up. Maybe move it to one of the red circled areas below? IMHO, of course...



NowherMan6 attached this image:



Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF, Are the anubias easy to break at the rhizome into two plants.

I think my Anubias is this:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=24&category=lighting&spec=Low

Nowher, we posted at the same time. Yeah that was my other idea lower and multiple places. I guess I'll have to experiment. My LFS also had a Anubias barteri 'coffeefolia' It was quite large and sold for $15.

Last edited by tetratech at 17-Nov-2005 10:36

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
ANUBIAS BARTERI VAR. NANA



Tetratech,

I would say that NowherMan6 and I have a tie, as either or could be right. Both are very similar and equally pretty, it is just a question of size. What makes you think you got that one? Did you order it there?

About the rhizome, I never separated my Anubias, but there are 2 basic procedures I have heard of:

1) use a really sharp tool (razor) to cleanly cut the rhizome in half.
2) Wait until the Anubis develops a side-shoot (for a lack of better words), and cut that one off. One of mine has that stage, new leaves are growing on both sections. One section is about 90 degrees sideways to the other.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
No I bought it at a good LFS, but it wasn't labeled specfically. Just looking at pics on that PlantFinder link mine looks like the ANUBIAS BARTERI VAR. NANA.

BTW - The 5 original cardinals are all doing well and I didn't lose any of the 4 new ones. So I might go back this weekend and pick up some more, assuming the 9 hold solid.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
dvmchrissy
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 477
Kudos: 301
Votes: 38
Registered: 09-Oct-2005
female usa us-indiana
Why did you decide on cardinals instead of neons?

Have you thought abotu getting neons instead of more cardinals?

After all the bad stories I have heard about the cardinals lately. I have decided to stay away from them for atleast a while.

Good Luck with the ones you have though.


Christina
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
If you could get a close up shot of the leaves of the anubias we can tell for sure. Nana leaves will be mreo heart shaped, as in the pic from that link. I haven't given up on barteri yet!!

Also, good to ehar about the cardinals. They do look pretty good in that tank.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I've always preferred the look of cardinals over neons, richer color, more elongated shape as well, but also the neons are e to NTD, neon tetra disease. Although the cardinals are tough to break in, once they are situated they actually do quite well. But to keep these fish you must be willing to put up with some losses initially and keep your water very clean.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
If you could get a close up shot of the leaves of the anubias we can tell for sure. Nana leaves will be mreo heart shaped, as in the pic from that link. I haven't given up on barteri yet!!



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
I think he's right...



The replay shows that the evidence in inconclusive. Therefore, the ruling on the field that it is anubias barteri v. nana stands! First down!


p.s. damn that's a fat oto!


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Whatever you guys say.
I guess my 7 otos in my 72 are kept rather busy. I should probably add a few more.

What do you think of
Anubias barteri 'coffeefolia' It looked pretty large, but I guess it depends how big your tank is. To Little_Fish it must look small.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I agree,

This Oto is very well fed. Mine are not skinny, but not like this. I guess he eats a whole algae wafer in one sitting .

And to the First Down:

It is not that important

Ingo

Edit: Here I am not that sure, but I think Anubias barteri 'coffeefolia' is a form of Anubias barteri var nana.

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 17-Nov-2005 14:00


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
I had a lovely coffefolia anubias once. I think it's my favorite type. The leaves come in with a reddish hue and eventually turn dark green with deep grooves in them. It also grows much lower and is shorter than barteri. Big leaves, low growing plant. Mine melted when I transferred it into my shellie tank a few months ago Wish I had another one...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
It looks like Nana to me. Barteri's are serioulsy big. There's a sure way to tell. If the length of the petiole is greater then the lenght of the leaf it's Barteri, if it's shorter it's Nana. Could be the other way around ?!

It's placed in about the worst possible location. Looks like an afterthought that's just plonked in there.

Get the Coffeefolia. Not just the most beautiful Anubias species IMO , but one the most beautiful aquatic plants you can own. It brings instant class to a tank. A must have.

Move the existing Anubias to one of the areas highlighted in red, another in the opposite side. Coffeefolia somewhere between the 2 , hunt down the some Anubias Nana Petite for to fuill out the reamaining areas around the rocks under wood etc. You'll be quite amazed at what does to the tank. It's a very attractive tank but it's "flat". There's a foreground and a background but there's nothing in between. The Anubias at the base of rocks and wood will fill that void and really add depth, use the bow front to maximum effect. They are practically zero maintenance, put them in a and let them do their thing. They bring an istant natural and matured look to a tank , but need to be tightly grouped to get this effect.

Definitely try to get some Sparkling Gouramies (or any gourami for that matter). You won't see so much of them. Not so much because they are shy or timid, it's more that hunting around plant thickets are their "thing". I like that. It's more of a thrill to see a beautiful fish pop out once and a while rather then just parade in the middle of the tank all the time. Their behaviour brings a grace and sense of natural tranquility to a planted tank no other species can . It helps transform a tank from a "flower display" to a "slice of Nature"

If you can't find Sparklers, a great, easy and cheap alternative ? Female Bettas. Same size, shape and behaviour. Pick the color you like. I’ve got a few they work very well. Great for hunting down small snails and pests like hydra.

Pic of my coffeefolia included.




Last edited by bensaf at 17-Nov-2005 21:53


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
HE's BAAACK!!! Good to "see" you again, bensaf! We've missed you.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Forgot the pic.

bensaf attached this image:



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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Bensaf,
That must have been some vacation. We'll as usual you are very perceptive. I basciall threw the anubias there because there was a place to squeeze it in between a "rock and hard place" Then I took a pic just to get opinion. I already split the thing in two and placed it lower on both sides. To be honest I'm not sure it goes with the flow of my tank, but we'll see. I now have the wisteria growing across the entire mid-grown of the tank in an arc, with the hairgrass coming in to the front. The anubias breaks the flow, but maybe it needs to be broken to show depth.

I was actually thinking about adding a few batches of Blyxa around the rocks, but the anubias became available to me from the other tank that I changed.

Anyway welcome back. I gotta get some sleep.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
We'll as usual you are very perceptive.


Careful, that's verging on over-glorification.

I haven't been on vaction. For various reasons just wanted to take a break. Still do. My postings will probably be very few and far between, but just thought I'd let you know I'm still alive and kicking.




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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Bensaf,

If you have a moment please read page 18 of Little_Fish's thread

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/64425_18.html

About half way down there's a funny exchange where you a mentioned.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Wow,

I didn’t read Bensaf’s last entry in your thread before I welcomed him back in my log.

Now that is sad news, I for sure will miss (as I have been in the last few weeks) the old Irish guy’s input. Don’t know what to say.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
dvmchrissy
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 477
Kudos: 301
Votes: 38
Registered: 09-Oct-2005
female usa us-indiana
I am thinking about putting pencilfish in my 55 gallon I am going to set up. What kind of pencilfish do you have? I looked at the profiles on here and there were a few different kinds.


Christina

P.S. Thanks for the full view tank shot. Tank looks great!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I have Beckford Pencilfish. They seem very hardy and are interesting to watch. Not really schoolers they like to work thru the plants and pick at little pieces of algae, etc.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Made a little enhancement to m layout. Not exactly the driftwood I wanted, but fiqured it would be fun to play with it alittle. Let me know what you think.





tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
I like the added driftwood a lot, tetra Youve done a nice job with those branchy pieces.

What'd you do with the anubias?


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Hey Nowher,

I took a shot at splitting the anubias. So there's two pieces on either side of the main rock. If you look closely you'll see a few leafs.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

This is coming together nicely.

I have a hard time comparing your driftwood now to how it was before as it was not all that visible . Nevertheless, I like how the long branch on the right side reaches “out”.

This might be only me, but I think that your process of reaching out from your main group will continue as I see that you are getting bored with the single highlight of your tank. I think that the branch is just the first sign of it.

The one thing in your tank that I am not too keen about is the symmetry of your main group. It looks like a head with shoulders, and thinking about it, the branches are the arms. All 3 “bushes” have the same diameter, it appears and the left is the same height than the right. I would say some asymmetric trimming is coming up.

Hope this helps (did you see my 125, 20, and 29 entries from yesterday?),

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF,

Thanks for your comments. I guess if you look at any scape you could see things. Someone else I forget who it was thought they saw the rock as jimmy hendrix and the rotala as his hair.:%)

The plants do need to be trimmed to relate to the hardscape arrangement. The driftwood extending to the right I think looks really good overhanging the wistera.
Ideally I wanted thinner DW all the way arround, but couldn't find any. I might try cutting some with my sawsall.

Here's a pic of new branch of wisteria. What I find really interesting is who big schools of fish change their swim patterns based on the layout. My cards are going under and over the new branch.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Yeah, new things or re-arrangements have interesting effects on fish, from changed swimming behaviors to new territories being staked out.

I don’t think the branch is too thick and agree that it looks very nice, but how about some moss on it ?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks. I have to tell you, there is nothing like cardinals. They are really swimming the tank in tight formation. So far all 9 look good 5 from original batch and all 4 from the second batch. I guess I'll use the LFS from the second batch to increase the school. One group of fish is going to go into my 12g, not sure if it's the 4 black neons or the 4 rummynoses.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
They are really swimming the tank in tight formation


Hm, have you seen pictures of my Espei? Talking about tight formation there. Ha, my guys can do that too .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I did once have harquelins they are amazing schoolers.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Someone else I forget who it was thought they saw the rock as jimmy hendrix and the rotala as his hair


::meekly raises hand::

Ahem, that was me....



Aaaaaaaanyway, I'm wondering if the cardinals schooling so well right now is a temporary thing. My harleys school like mad when they're introduced to a new environment, but after a while they settle down and just kind hang out and spar over territory. I hope for your sake this doesnt happen, but I have observed it...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
"Someone else I forget who it was thought they saw the rock as jimmy hendrix and the rotala as his hair"
Don't worry, whatever your mind sees I certainly cant control, but when you use hardscape you could really picture anything.

That's true about the schooling when they first stake out hte tank. I'm hoping the other fish like the rams and pencils will keep them together. Also a big factor is the plantings. If you don't have tight groupings the fish will eventually go through the stems, etc, but if it's dense they really don't. When I setup my tank, I really did take into consideration that a large school of tetras schooling was going to be the main livestock focus.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
This schooling reminds me of an intersting picture I saw in one of the Amano books:

A tank with 180 Gallons (680 liters), if I am not mistaken, and a whopping 500 Cardinals. Now that was a school. He has a picture of the same tank 6 months later as well, to show the plant growth progress, but it seems there are a few Crdinals less now. I wonder why?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Amano I believe even mentions in one of his books all the fish he lost when he first got into planted aquaria. Really a trial and error thing like most of us.

Since I haven't stated it in a while, my current dosing schedule:

Sun, Tues, Thurs
1/4 tsp no3
1/16 tsp po4

Sun only
5 ml Flourish Potassium

Mon Wed, Fri
5 ml Flourish

Levels
co2 - definitely in the 30's.
96 watts 11 hours 1.3 wpg
192 watts 6 hours 2.7 wpg

I haven't measured po4,no3 in about a month.
My kits ran out and I haven't replaced.
I'm currently running a microbubble airstone into my intake and I've vertically arranged my spraybar to whirl it around the tank after it gets chopped up through my eheim cansister.




My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
[quoteI haven't measured po4,no3 in about a month

Bensaf would be so proud of you

Hey, why are you adding air to the water? Have there been any signs of distress in your fish?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I'm currently running a microbubble airstone

Sorry, I should have been clearer, I'm actually using the airstone as my diffusor which is being sucked up by my intake and going into my Eheim. I've been using my hagen ladder diffusor up to this point. I actually put the spray bar on to get current over the hairgrass so I decided to spread the co2 via the same.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
So tetratech,

Let me see if I get this straight:

You have your CO2 hooked to an airstone that sits under the filter intake, the filter sucks in the bubbles and shoots them out via the spraybar, right?

If that is what you do then I have to say that I was considering something similar at the time when my Reactor was sitting next to the filter intake. My concerns here were that the CO2 will benefit bacteria in my filter and as such less would be available for the tank itself. Not to mention that I don’t know if it would benefit bad bacteria or algae in the filter as well.

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 22-Nov-2005 09:36


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Megil TelZeke
 
**********
---------------
Fish Addict
Posts: 863
Kudos: 890
Votes: 393
Registered: 21-Jul-2003
male usa us-northcarolina
Ingo. the CO2 would only benefit Autotrophic bacteria. the
bacteria in the filter that break down nitrogenous compounds
and the like are all heterotrophic obtaining their energy from
breaking down the compounds. CO2 would be of no benefit to
them as it is not useful in respiration. so CO2 going into
the filter would be used only by a ver small percentage of
autotrophic bacteria and algae that may line your filter,
though if it is a sealed canister very little light would be
enterting th e filter so photosynthesis would be at a stall
and most of the autotrophic(photosynthetic) organisms would
die.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 22-Nov-2005 09:46

Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks Megil,

So maybe I should strive to having my Reactor output as close to the filter intake as possible.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
That was some explanation Megil. I'm very impressed or it sounds very impressive.

To be honest I hooked up the spray vertical at an angle to the front of my aquarium so I have a flow whipping around the front where my hairgrass is. I'm definitely getting some BBA in there from the stagnet water (I'll wait again for LF to stop laughing)...... I'm still waiting..... O.K. anyway after I hooked up the spray bar I decided I wanted the co2 to whip around the tank as well, that was really my inspiration for changing. Up into this point I was using my cheapo Hagen ladder, the only component from my original hagen nutrafin co2 kit I was still using. Now the eheim becomes my reactor. LF, either way the co2 was going through the filter, The only reason I'm even using the airstone is because with a large bubble size some people have experienced impeller problems, noise, etc.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Surprise, surprise. This guy appeared for the first time since I bought him about 3 weeks ago. I thought he was dead. I think he came out when I rescaped alittle. I purchased two yamato shrimps and hadn't seen any of them until now. He even survived a coppersafe treatment.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Nice Shrimp

I am sure that the wipping around the front of the tank works very well for you as you have a curved front panel. That should create some nice flow.

I haven't yet finalized my spraybar arrangement. Initially (and up to almost 2 weeks ago) it was vertically along the back, but that created a strong current on the back wall and all plants were blown to the right. Now I have it horizontally on top blowing from left to right. I will see how I will arrange it next .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks, I was just really surprised to see it. And I don't remember it being so big when I first got it. I'm thinking I should move my intake to the right side since the spraybar is attached to the left side wall. This way any debris will be caught on the other end and won't work it's way back into my main grouping. What do you think LF?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Hm,

I think that the position and arrangement of intake and output are different not only for each tank but also for each scape per tank.

Generally, I would think that you should have them together on the left so that the back of your tank does not become stale. I wish there would be some colored water that one could add to the tank that shows you the current flow, then - within minutes - the color should disappear. I try to derive mine based on food flow.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Perhaps your right about the flow. Speaking of stale I need to get used to virtually no aggitation on the surface. Now that the spray bar is completely submerged the only distrubence is from some pearling and some co2 not getting into the intake, but it's extremely minimal. I'm awaiting my oil slick.

BTW - You very quietly became a FISH MASTER. A belated congrats /:'

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
It's confirmed their in love, or it's big brother love. My rams have not left each other's side for the last few days. They've been spotted togeher all over the tank:



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 22-Nov-2005 16:44
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
If my experience is anything to go by, I think your Rams are going to get busy with it in the very near future. Have fun!

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
luvmykrib
*******
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 585
Kudos: 256
Votes: 27
Registered: 08-Nov-2005
female canada
They do look really nice swimming together like that. Me and Mini-me. I really am liking the look of them though. When my betta goes I may need one for my 10g if possible. I now have two favorite cichlids, kribs and rams. Are they really easy like kribs, or harder to keep?

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
If my experience is anything to go by, I think your Rams are going to get busy with it in the very near future
Oh great, another tank. On second thought a perfect excuse to get another tank. My wife's a softy for babies.

Luvmykribs,
They are hardy fish, but different water conditions than kribs.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
or it's big brother love. My rams have not left each other's side for the last few days


Not that there's anything wrong with that...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Thanks for the “upgrade” congratulations.

Now we are waiting for the pink spot on the female’s belly. Any signs there yet?

Yeah, when the surface agitation is removed a film forms easily on the water. I am not sure if I should be worried about it or not, so far it doesn’t seem to harm the fishies in any way. Also, I moved the spraybar to horizontal again a few weeks back and now no film occurs anymore.

Ingo

NowherMan -


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I took my ph reading last nite and it was around 6.0 - 6.2, it was a shade of yellow, which on my test kit is 6.0. I guess I'm getting better co2 diffusion now with the airstone than I did with the hagen ladder. I had to adjust the needle valve (always a scary thing to do) for the first time that I could remember. With a kh of 3 the 6.0 ph would give me a co2 ppm in the 40's. I was currently running at around 36 ppm. Still high, but I see no problem with any fish, including my oh so sensitive cardinals. All 9 look tight.

EDIT: Actually with a kh of 3 and ph of 6 I would have 90ppm. I don't see how that is possible looking at the fish.

Last edited by tetratech at 23-Nov-2005 11:14

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
No sign of pink belly yet. I don't any fry will survive in the tank, especially with the pencilfish, they are quick and cunning and go after everything.

BTW - I saw both of my yamato shrimps alive and well. I think the new flow in the tank probably brought them out.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I would assume that the Rams will turn into fierce fighters once they have babies (except if they come from a strain of tank raised Rams that supposedly lose their parenting skills). Maybe it would be a good idea to get a QT set up . You know, just the usual 55G spare tank that otherwise would look so empty .

Ingo

You didn’t happen to take your water sample from within the spraybar stream? There, the CO2 concentration might be higher.

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 23-Nov-2005 12:41


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
luvmykrib
*******
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 585
Kudos: 256
Votes: 27
Registered: 08-Nov-2005
female canada
I remember in one of these logs, someone mentioned anubias needs a host. What sort of host is suitable? I have no room for more driftwood in either tank. Would rocks be an ok host? Right now I have the anubias and the lace java fern just stuck into the gravel in both tanks. I'm sorry if this question is in the wrong thread but it might take me forever to find it. Thanks in advance.

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
luvmykrib,

You can attach anubias & java fern to rocks. Just tie with a rubber band until the root attaches itself to the rock.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Looky what I found at my LFS today. Just in time for the holidays.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Another pic, beauty amongst the weeds.




tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
Is that the pencilfish that you were looking at before, tetra? (I don't feel like digging through the pages to find it ) What was it labelled at? It looks like a variation of nannostomus marginatus (dwarf pencilfish), but with more red in the body and tail.

Oh hang on, I think I found it: nannostomus marginatus mortenthaleri]http://www.aquabase.org/picture.php3?action=view&id=685[/link]. More info [link=here]http://www.pecescriollos.de/go/nannostomus-mortenthaleri[/link] and [link=here. LF should be able to translate the last one.

Anyways, very pretty fish! Never seen them around here. How many did you get?

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Yep that's the one upikabu. I ended up buying three of them. This is the first time I saw them in any LFS. This fish is so bright, that it really does give the cardinal a run for it's money. The LFS had just gotten them on Monday, so I'm hoping they do already. I hate buying fish tha have just been acclimated at the LFS and then having to acclimate again. Thanks for the additional info, where's LF when you really need him. ]:|

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
Just 3? I would've gotten at least 6 they're so colourful! I'm having trouble finding more n. marginatus for my dwarf tank (only have 3, b/c that's all that was available).

But I take your point about waiting until they're more acclimatised in the LFS - I do exactly the same thing.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Sorry, was out drinking .

I know, I am no use - never here when really needed - If all the advice asked of me is to TRANSLATE ]:|



The home of this form is Peru. Here, the upper parts of flowing waters are their living area. The species was initially classified as a sub-species of Nannostomus marginatus but became its own species in 2003.

This fish is cared for in either a species tank or with similar small decorative fish. They appreciate a dark substrate and, besides dense vegetation, open space for swimming as well as clear slightly acidic water created by peat moss.

The omnivore eats all kinds of food as long as it fits in their mouths. Fine live food should be offered to get them into breeding conditions.

For breeding, a small darkened tank is sufficient. The water in that tank should be very soft and acidic (< 6° dGH, pH-Wert < 6,2, Temperature > 25 °C). The constant egg layers, which can be bred every few days, lay 30 to 40 eggs per session. Hatching happens about 30 hours later, the fry is free swimming after 3 to 4 days. First foods should be infusorians (Ingo Edit: the usual small fry food, don’t know how that is spelled) or tiny critters (again, the very small live food, like green water etc.).

Distinctive is the extreme territorial behavior of this species' male fish. (Ingo Edit – Oh Oh)

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 24-Nov-2005 03:36


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF how many drinks did ou have or are you translating from that German website that Upikabu linked to me?

You sound like a pencil fish encylopedia. You already have them breeding, I still have them floating in the the LFS bag.



upikabu
They one had a few more and two of them had alot of torn fins, and as you knon they were just in the store since Monday. I also have 5 beckford pencils in the tank, so I'm assuming they'll interact with those.


Last edited by tetratech at 24-Nov-2005 06:35

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa


tetratech,

You know, drinking was from 3PM to 7PM

I got up for you this morning (at 4:30) and translated the German article, that was my entry above. Guess that’s why it sounds like an encyclopedia.

I sure hope you read the last line of that entry as it might explain the torn fins.

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 24-Nov-2005 06:39


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Distinctive is the extreme territorial behavior of this species' male fish

Oh great first the rams now this. I should have just used my tank as a backup to your espei. When I first saw them at the LFS I honestly thought they were dyed fish.

So if my red corals breed with my other pencils will I get pink coral.





My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
They one had a few more and two of them had alot of torn fins, and as you knon they were just in the store since Monday.


Man, you both sound drunk and isn't Thanksgiving Day only *today*?

Thanks for the fascinating translation, LF. That's interesting about the male's aggression in this species because the regular n. marginatus I have are very peaceful fish and never bother each other or other fish. Sometimes they even get chased around by the botia sidthimunki. Perhaps their personality is more like the Beckford's, which would fit right in your tank, tetra!

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Does sound like a drunk statement.

So far they are very peaceful, but probably too soon to tell. What surprised me is the Black Neons. They seem to be very aggressive toward the red pencils. I was going to move them anyway so I guess this clinches it.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF,
Well if I would have know my co2 diffusion methods would have made such a stir, I probably would not have posted the change, but this is a log. LF I feel bad now, I was just trying to get a point across that different things work for different people and it's tough to draw absolute conclusions sometimes. For example, I have seen at least 10 different methods of co2 diffusion that aquarists who have incredible tanks use, so again, few things are black & white. You didn't need to delete your log entries, but since you did I'm going to delete mine as well.
Let's keep having fun.

TT


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
OK


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Hey Man,

Where is your weekly update?

No falling asleep on the job permitted .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well, I think my rotala had run it's course after topping it 5 or 6 times, it simply wasn't growing anymore, so I decided to savage any good stems and completely uproot it. I think Bensaf, had said you could go along time without uprooting, well after 2 months the plant had it. Unfortunately, I had just topped some of them about a week ago, so I didn' have that many stems with tops, so I had to replant stems that I had topped a week ago and now I threw out the bottoms, so basically I'm replanting the middle. By the time I got done it was lights out, so I'll try to post a pic tomorrow or Tuesday.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Well, at least in one point I seem to have been right about rampant growth and high maintenance :

Rotala – …, but here is my observation. Constant trimming will make the stems look ragged and at some point the stems will have to be taken out and replaced with new cuttings.


This was on [link=Page 9]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/64496_9.html" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link], in case someone cares.

I think that your middle sections will provide a good base for new growth. I remember to have cut stems at least 3 times and planted them all back in the tank when I was increasing the size of the initial group in my 29G.

But I wonder if you would like to keep on doing this in the long run, replanting every 2 months.

How are the lower sections of your Star Grass looking? Mine in the 20G basically have no leaves on the lower parts of the skinny stems.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
"Rotala – …, but here is my observation. Constant trimming will make the stems look ragged and at some point the stems will have to be taken out and replaced with new cuttings."

Yes, you did say that on page 9 and this was my response also on page 9.

Yes, this I believe will happen, but the area behind the rock is actually quite large and accessable. It's tough to tell from the photo.

So we were both right, the area was easy to replant, there is alot of room back there. It was only a matter of how often you need to replant. I really like the look of stem plants in my setup, so I don't mind uprooting every 2 months. I don't think I have much of an option.

As far as the stargrass one grouping looks very solid still the other I think hasn't been as thick for a while (remember the flow conversation) so I'm thinking of restarting that one as well.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Is the Star Grass group that is not as strong the one on the left (when looking at the tank)?

If so, maybe it could have something to do with the larger Rotala group shading this area.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Yes, the smaller group to the left when looking at the tank. Could be the shade, but the light is directly overhead, so not sure how much of a factor that would be. I also noticed each individual leave is not as elongated as they were on both groups.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Day 65 (I think) - 9th Week.

This has been a transition week for th tank. I had to pull out the main rotala grouping because it seemed to stop growing after about 5 or 6 toppings. I also pulled out one of the stargrass groupings for the same reason. I also added a big piece of DW to the center. Right now it looks a little heavy in the hardscape and I still don't have the DW I really want but I plan to have my stem plants grow around tha middle piece just exposing the top third of it. I also don't have the heart to remove it because for some reason, my two yamato shrimp are calling it home. I don't know if it's because of the height or the crevices in it, but they seldom leave it.




tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Another pic as it sets in my kitchen. You could also see the only visible equipment now in my tank is the green eheim return. I'm still not sure why the company makes these an ugly mint green. I actually ordered a black intake from another brand of filter. You probably can't even see my heater which is just to the right of the return. It's a visi-therm stealth and is all black. My diffusor is now an airstone inside the intake and the airline tubing, what else black stealth.



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 29-Nov-2005 18:55
[/font]

Last edited by tetratech at 29-Nov-2005 19:07

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
**********
---------------
Fish Guru
Posts: 2755
Kudos: 1957
Votes: 30
Registered: 09-Sep-2004
male usa
Stealths are the best heaters ever.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Cup,
I would have to agree!

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
I really like that minimilist "iwagumi" look. Something tall and very thin in thick solitary group at the back wopuld be an amazing look. Cyperus Helfiri or Vallisnera Nana would be stunning. Really show off the Cardinals too. Not the entire back , just one thick grouping.

If you go back to the old look, I'd swap out the Rotala (not uprooting for 2 months was pushing it a bit - I didn't mean you could go THAT long) for something more dramatic, bolder - Limnophilia Aromatica or Ludwigia Cuba or Ammania or if you're feeling real brave Eusteralis Stellata.


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

You know, I think it looks just awesome the way it is now. Maybe you shouldn’t plant anything else at all and just let the Wisteria and Hair Grass cover the entire ground.

On the other hand, that would mean that you are done. And that would be really boring . And if you should decide to go with Bensaf’s advice and try his Cyperus Helferi idea then tell me where you got it as I seem not to be able to find it at any online retailer (it’s either out or they don’t have it at all). This plant is No1 on my wish list.

About the filter return. Eheim has kits (called No1 for intake and No2 for return) that are not green, more of a dark gray. You can look at my tank pics to see them. Maybe the No2 is an option for you.

Again, I like the current look very much,

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 30-Nov-2005 03:26


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks for the comments, To be honest I didn't think anyone would really like the tank right now, because it is in transition and alittle off balance.

I like those pinkish plants Bensaf mentioned, I'll have to see if I could locate. I know aquariumplants does not have them.

LF I did see that Eheim return you have sold as a kit, but as you said it is grey so I'm trying at this point to get all black.

You can't tell from my pic, but my tank does has a haze to it. I'm not sure if it's from the distrubance of removing the plants or the fact that my plant mass is smaller. There seems to be a very fine line between clarity and cloudiness in my tank.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
I like those pinkish plants Bensaf mentioned, I'll have to see if I could locate. I know aquariumplants does not have them.


All apart from the Stellata should be easy enough to find. Try Aquabotanic. The for sale forum on APC should throw some up.

Helferi is a bit more difficult (very slow grower)but again they pop up on APC from time to time. Try a WTB post.



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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Helferi is a bit more difficult (very slow grower)but again they pop up on APC from time to time. Try a WTB post.

I just checked AB. The only thing they list as available is the Helferi. Everything else I can't find when I search their site. I guess I need to make more friends at APC.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Yeah tetratech,

I ordered it about 40 min ago

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
You mean you beat me to the last stem. You Jersey guys are all the same when it comes to New Yorkers.

Is that all you ordered and what do they charge to ship?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
What

Does that mean that there was only one left? Or none? I sure didn’t mean to do that.

I bought 5 and I also bought 5 Potamogeton gayii – looks like an interesting plant, will se what it does (and where it goes).

I was reading about shipping after I placed the order as I assumed it would come up in the ordering process (but didn’t). They charge around $ 18 to $ 24 for shipping in handling, if I read that right. I should have put my shipping preference in the field “Note to us”, but I didn’t know that when I placed the order (you know, I had to rush to beat all the NY guys to it ). It will be shipped next week (I hope) via UPS 2day.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I think I have to put together a bigger order if I'm going to pay $25 for s&h. I just did my monthly BigAls order and the wife see's all the bills? I was just kidding about the last stem.

BTW - Off topic, what is your current temp in your 125G? Mine is at about 78F. Wondering if it's more beneficial for plants to reduce to 75F. I got into a habit of keeping it warmer for the cardinals and too make ich tougher to establish itself.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

You almost made me feel guilty .

I have both of my smaller tanks at about 80F but decided to keep the 125G a little cooler (mostly because of heating cost considerations). I have two thermometers in the tank one left front one right back side. The first one reads 76F and the other one 78F. The are both glass thermometers and I assume my true value is in the middle. My heaters (Visi Therm – but not stealth) are set to 76F (I believe).

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 30-Nov-2005 09:28


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks for the temp reading. I'm pretty much right where you are, maybe alittle warmer. I'm glad I don't have the ebo heater anymore, set it at 75 and 81.

Maybe you shouldn’t plant anything else at all and just let the Wisteria and Hair Grass cover the entire ground.
It's funny that you said that, because if I do nothing my wistera will completely take over the substrate. It does not grow vertically anymore. It crawls along the substrate. I used to get all kinds of algae on the wisteria, it was almost like a magnet, but now it grows too fast and incredibly clean. In this pic the wisteria reaches all the way to the back glass and will probably reach the right side glass next week. It kinda looks like a thick field going uphill to the rocks and main group.



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 30-Nov-2005 11:07
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
* imagines tetratech standing next to the tank with a whip saying “crawl Wisteria, crawl” *



Yeah, I know I am crasy.

It would be interesting to see what will happen when it wants to grow and the glass is in its way. Will is “crawl” up the glass or start to grow vertical again?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
* imagines tetratech standing next to the tank with a whip saying “crawl Wisteria, crawl” *

(Scratches Head) How did you know?

Switching to stargrass. I find this to be a really weird plant. It's not dying, but the leafs are more compact now and I'm getting some black and I have good light. It's supposely a macro hungry plant and I know I have no3 and po4 cause I've been dosing. The flow is hitting a gently. I've even replanted some tops and it's really not taking off. I've heard of alot of people not being able to figure stargrass out. I knew you had problems in your 20g with light, but mine is directly under my light :%)

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Are they getting black at the bottom or on the leaves?

If it is at the bottom then maybe the compact leaves create enough shade to have the bottoms die.

If it is on top then I don't know. It doesn't seem to grow in my 20G as well as it used to. Some pieces came lose and I took the chance to plant a few in the corner of the 125G. Maybe in a few weeks I can tell you my experience (if I still have it then).

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
It pretty much has black areas all the way around, not just on the bottom. Leaves are smaller and not as "lack of a better word" flurry. I guess that's a disadvantage for me only having a few dense stands. If one goes down it puts a big hole in my scape. With all your plants it doesn't affect it as much.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Since I have such a fine line between clear and cloudiness I've decided to purchase a UV sterilizer. Some aquarist have never used these others swear by them. I think it all depends upon your situation and who knows maybe one's tap water and it's contents plays a role in water getting cloudy.

One of the reasons I've decided to purchase one was also fish-based. Since I plan on having a large school of Cardinals which have shown themselves to be e to internal infections I feel the UV will help since it destroys harmful bacteria and parasites. I believe it will also save me money in the long run in both replacement fish as well as water clarifiers, etc.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Interesting... and I guess it makes sense in your situation. Rather than buy from an LFS that does not use them, you're just going to get one yourself so that "conditions" stay constant.

How much do those run on a tank your size?


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Nowher,

I bought this one at BigAls. Treats up to 125g

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22513;category_id=3247

I would love to support my LFS, but this unit would probably be twice as much if you could even find it.

Last edited by tetratech at 01-Dec-2005 12:36

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Yeah tetratech,

It sounds interesting. I know there are many debates about them destroying all kinds of bacteria the good ones and the bad ones (whatever that means). Others say that they create an environment that is as far from nature as can be as a sterile river/pond/lake does simply not exist.

Personally, I would like to see the long term consequences you get while using it. It sure makes sense with regards to the Cardinal sensitivity.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I did alot of thread reading before buying. But your right, people are on both sides of the fence. It falls in that "if it ain't broke, why bother" category, but I think it makes sense for me.

I did read that someone named "Greg Watson" uses one 24/7 and he's in the states. Who knows what's in that magical south american water where Bensaf lives. I bet it's alot different than our water.

Others say that they create an environment that is as far from nature as can be as a sterile river/pond/lake does simply not exist.
Some do say that, but others say it actually mimics nature more since their are more problems in a closed ecosystem than in nature where rain, runoff, etc is constantly refreshing things. Remember the only thing sterlized is the stuff moving thru the water colum. Like GW algae, pathogens, etc. The bacterial filter is unaffected since it's affixed to things. If Greg Watson - Mr Ferts is running one 24/7, I'm not too concerned about the ferts. As you said it will be interesting and that's part of the fun.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Others say that they create an environment that is as far from nature as can be as a sterile river/pond/lake does simply not exist.


Meh, trimmed and groomed rotalla and wisteria also are found nowhere in nature but you don't see me complaining

I'm also curious to see how it works out with your tank tetra, keep us posted


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Who knows what's in that magical south american water where Bensaf lives. I bet it's alot different than our water.


Huh ? Have I moved to the depths of Brasil without knowing it ?
But I can tell you my S.E. Asian water is not so magical. Kh of 5-6, Gh 8, pH 7.6 out of the tap. Not the soft tropical water one would expect. Sometimes all we get from the tap is brown sludge. You wouldn't drink it if your life depended on it. It is a perfect temp though. No hot or cold faucet, just one. Water comes out at 26 -28o C. No or very low levels of Chlorine. The fact that if you drank it would doubtless result in you spending 3 days never more then 10 feet from a bathroom would suggest it's a haven of parasites.

Never had Stargrass, for some reason impossible to find here. What I've heard is that it's a real hungry plant, likes high levels of everything. Most seem to think the black is caused by a shortage of Iron.

Increasing micros is usually a good idea in a well growing tank. The lack of color in your Rotala recently would also indicate low micros, especially Iron. I'd try increasing micros or at least give an extra shot of chelated FE.

In my own tank which is almost the same size as yours I dose 10ml of TMG and 5ml of Chelated FE 3 x week. Works well.

Almost forgot, The UV. I've never used one. But as you mentioned I know a lot of good planted people do use them. Can't see a reason where they would be detrimental.Even in the unlikely event they affected some of the micros it's real easy to add more to compensate. I think it's one of those thing that's by no means neccessary, but if you can afford it it's a nice tool to have at your fingertips. Go for it.

Last edited by bensaf at 01-Dec-2005 21:11


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Sorry Bensaf, not sure what I was thinking. I guess I'm always thinking S.A. cause of the fish. What I can't figure out is everything just stopped. I continued to dose everything and it just stopped. I shouldn't say everything. The wistera and hairgrass are fine, but the stargrass and rotala which were so lush just stopped. I don't even see any growth on the replanted tops. First off I have eco-complete, they should be uptaking some stuff from that. I actually tried dosing 5ml of Flourish everyday this week, no change, I even upped my dosing of no3 and po4, nothing, I pulled up some of the replanted tops and found very little root growth. My pho has been a steady 6.4 and kh 3, so that gives me real good co2 levels and my tank has gotten alittle cloudy again, maybe from reduced plant mass or FE dosing. The only thing I'm not really adding is CA/MG, I know I'm getting some from flourish/flourish trace as well and it's in the eco.

I just don't understand how these plants totally stall like this?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Lets try to break it down a bit.

If your GH is 3o dgh or above you should have no need to dose additional CA or Mg.

Are you seeing any new growth at all ? When you say stunted has it just stopped or is the new growth coming out really small or twisted not fully formed leaves.

If it's simply stopped growing , how are the existing/old leaves looking.Are they yellowing or disintegrating ? Holes ?

The fact that there's roots , even if only small on the tops you re-planted is good. There's hope.

The reason I'm asking these questions. If you are getting new growth but very small, or the older or existing leaves are dying off we're dealing with a nutrient issue. Depending on the answers we can zone in on which one.

If the plant has simply stopped growing and no other signs of problems it's more then likely not a nutrient issue , more one of over zealous pruning. The plant may be just re-establishing. The new roots are interesting. Generally a stressed plant, especially a cutting, takes a bit of time to bounce back. Most of the plants energy is put into producing new roots. The roots are mainly for anchoring not nutrient extraction, it's finding "a home". Once it's found that home and is secured it will then focus on extracting nutrients. Generally from the water column, they extract nutrients through the roots only when the water is lean.

I'm guessing from what you say it may just be a wait a bit thing. If the plant was truly "dead" it wouldn't produce any roots and the existing leaves would decompose pretty quickly.

You answers should clear up the nutrient issue.

Usually when there is a shortage of one or more nutrients the plant will continue to grow but, depending on the nutrients involved, the plant will exhibit stress. Some nutrients are movable by the plant from old growth to new, hence knowing the leaves affected is a big clue.

Bottom line I've never seen a nutrient shortage cause a plant to simply stop growing, rather it will disintegrate or show deformities.

Nutrient toxicities or imbalances on the other hand may cause a plant to stop. I've seen it and I've seen it bad in Rotalas. But it's usually a very select group of nutrients that cause this.Also it's a relatively small selection of plants that get affected. Rotalas are definately one, some Ludwigias, Ammania and strangely enough Wisteria seems a bit fussy about levels of one specific nutrient.Stargrass i'm not sure , as I said never had any. Your answers will tell me a lot.

I can rule out Nitrates. Rotala likes lower NO3 levels , stargrass likes higher levels. If the NO3 was causing a problem for the Rotala, the Stargrass would do well. And vice versa. The fact that it's affecting both rules out No3.

One last question: are you dosing Potassium apart from what is in KNO3 and KH2PO4 ? K2SO4 or KCL ?
If you are can you please look at the newest leaves of your Wisteria and tell me if you see anything unusual. Any new leaves look like they have bits missing ?

I feel like Sherlock Holmes here :%)


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And where is Dr. Watson?

Bensaf,

Your explanations are, as usual, wonderful and extremely informative.

tetratech,

I sometimes wonder about my CA as well.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
If your GH is 3o dgh or above you should have no need to dose additional CA or Mg.
KH IS 3 GH IS 5

Are you seeing any new growth at all ? When you say stunted has it just stopped or is the new growth coming out really small or twisted not fully formed leaves.
ROTALA - SMALL RED GROWTH, I GUESS I HAVE ENOUGH FE OR LOW NITRATES, WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN STARGRASS PROBLEM?

If it's simply stopped growing , how are the existing/old leaves looking.Are they yellowing or disintegrating ?
NO YELLOW, NO HOLES

The fact that there's roots , even if only small on the tops you re-planted is good. There's hope. I ALSO ENDED UP RUNNING SHORT ON GOOD STEMS SO I REPLANTED SOME STEMS THAT I HAD JUST CUT THE TOPS OFF, SO BASICALLY I REPLANTED THE MIDDLE, NOT MUCH HAPPENING ON THOSE.

Any new leaves looks like their are bits missing?
NO WISTERIA LOOKS AS GOOD AS ALWAYS. LEAVES ARE COMING IN DIFFERENT SHAPES, ETC, BUT IT IS DIFFORMIS.

I guess what surprises me is I didn't change anything and the plants were growing so lush and then (Hits brick wall).

Yes, In addition to no3 and po4 I am using Flourish Potassium. I'm only getting my FE thru Flourish I am not dosing Flourish Iron or any other Iron fert and according to the Fertilator my 5ml dosing 3/weekly would give me .18 ppm for the week and whatever the plant is getting through the Eco.

See what happens when you disappear for too long. Feels like old times, thanks again for meddling

One las thing, In a tank like mine, where it's mostly ground cover and a few thick (was) stands of stems, I'm still not sure how the whole EI calculation fits in. Although Wisteria is taking up a considerable amount of real estate it's low and crawling and I know it's a n03 sucker.

BTW - Observation, It doesn't look like the plants are reacting to light. They aren't reaching toward it.


Last edited by tetratech at 02-Dec-2005 07:03

Last edited by tetratech at 02-Dec-2005 07:27

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Hmmmm....ok.

Keep an eye on the Rotala. If the new small shoots stop growing and the plant produces new small shoots that also stop growing report back to me, corporal.

If the shoots continue to grow but just stay smaller that's ok, you've just over trimmed.

The fact that the Wisteria is still normal rules out one suspect.

Stop the additional Potassium dosing. You don't need it you'll get enough from the KN03 and KH2PO4.

Stunting has become a problem for some people. It's quite the little controversy in the planted world.Some say it's the CA/Mg ratio going out of whack, some say it's too much Potassium blocking CA uptake , some say it's too much Potassium full stop.It's tricky one , usually hits the same species of plants, looks like a CA problem but's hitting tanks with decent Gh which should plenty of CA.

Got my own opinions but don't want to get into them here. I'm pretty convinced Potassium plays a role somewhere for a very few plants. Difformis is one of them.

I've noticed lately Tom Barr is reccomending Mg additions if the GH is over a certain level as part of EI. Suspect he has his theories on this issue.

I don't think that's what we're dealing with here but back off the extra K and keep an eye on things. If you see pinholes showing on old leaves up the K again. If not leave it out apart from what you are dosing with No3 and PO4.

Sounds like you just over trimmed the plants and knocked them back. Keep a close eye on the Rotala.

You can always get a new bunch of Rotala and watch that. If it grows as normal you've just over trimmed. If it shows the same problem you've got a nutrient issue.

As to your plant mass question. Well if you truly believe that excess nutrients don't cause algae well you don't have to worry about the plant mass in relation to your dosing so much. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I don't think you have a nutrient issue. If you do it's not going to be NO3 or PO4. But you can test them anyway.



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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks! I hope your right that it's just a nasty trim. Thing that concerns me is the bottoms and the tops aren't growing. Thing I need to address is the relationship between root uptake and leaves for micros. Part of me always thinks I got the eco, so I don't have to worry about micros as much as the next guy, although I have been dosing 5ml flourish 3/weekly and sometimes I throw in some flourish trace. Anyway here's a couple of pics of the wistera (looks normal to me) and the stargrass (just about every leave in this pick has some black on it.

BTW - I haven't tested kno3 and po4 in probably 3 weeks, ran out of test stuff (really get sick of testing), but since I ordered some stuff I did reorder a po4 and no3 test (hopefully last one).



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
See that Rotala stem in the lower left. It looks healthy, but it's been in that position probably for 3 or 4 days doing nothing.

Here'a wisteria pic:



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Rotala Pic (crappy pic)

See the circled areas those show little buds that came out pink, but haven't grown any bigger over 3 or 4 days.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Hey tetratech,

Is this plant in the red circle one of the Star Grasses? It looks like it has long stem parts between the leaves which could indicate a lack of light.

If it is, are the other ones, when looked at one at a time, looking the same?

Just trying to guess my way to the answer of the no-grow phenomenon.

Ingo

LITTLE_FISH attached this image:



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF you definitely have an eye for detail. Actually that one stargrass stem I kinda pulled through from the main stand to wrap in front of the dw. I could be wrong, but the main grouping looks just like that stem pretty much. It's black on top as well and it's right under 192watts of light as it was from the getgo. I've actually increased my 192watt time from 5 to 7 hours to see if it sparks anything. When I first planted the stargrass even little cuttings were growing low at the substrate level.

BTW - Sorry to hear about the Gourami

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Bensaf,

Do you know how much FE is in TMG vs Flourish. I've been dosing 5ml Flourish 3/week for a total of FE of .18ppm.
You said your also dosing Chelated FE, so what is your total ppm of Fe weekly?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Sorry don't know. Can't get Flourish here.I would imagine pretty similar. I do remember that TMG uses a different chelating agent - ETPA. By all accounts this is superior and will keep the Iron from oxidising much longer then Flourish.

How many PPM am I dosing a week ? Don't know that either.I suppose I could check the Chelated FE bottle (it's Azoo BTW)

What's my levels ? Nope , no idea.

I have an FE test kit somewhere. I've used it once, I think it was 0.5ppm.

You should know me by now. I don't test, I watch the plants.My test kit for FE is Mayacca Fluviatis. The color tells me how I'm doing for Iron. Right now it's telling me I could take a bit more Iron.

5mls of Flourish is not a lot for a tank that big.If the tanks is established and running well a bit more micros is always a good idea.


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks Bensaf! My main stems groups look like they just stopped, literally. They aren't dying although the stargrass has black edging, the rotala looks like it just totally stopped. So I think you thought that is from unkind trimming and should restart eventually.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
Do you know how much FE is in TMG vs Flourish


Not sure if you've seen this before tetra, but according to it, Flourish has 4.6x the amount of Fe than TMG for the same dosage amount.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks Upikabu. That is very handy.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well my tank is definitely starting to get a greenish tint to it. I definitely think it's from the reduced plant mass now that two of my three groupings are much smaller.

I eagerly await my UV.

I was also in aquarium adventure today and purchased 5 more cardinals and 3 more otos. Assuming all the cardinals acclimate O.K. I'll have a total 15 cardinals and 10 otos in the tank.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Fish - Excellent
Greenish Tint - ]:|]:|]:|

Not again, I hope it holds off until you get the UV filter. Then we can put it to the test right away .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
My favorite plant (single-celled floating) algae continues it's domination of my tank. My tank look like Nowher's on steriods.

Anyway pretty sure it's from all the reduced plant mass since 2 of my 3 main stem groups are not functioning. I think the UV will help, but not going to be here till Tuesday. I did order some Seachem Clarity in my last BigAls ordered and I dosed some last nite and it hasn't put a dint in the cloudiness.

Some parameters of my tank I took this morning:

ph 6.6
kh 2
gh 5
nh3 0
no3 10-20 ppm
po4 (waiting for new test kit)

The only surprising think here is the kh at 2. This has been 3 pretty consistently. At the gh of 5, maybe I should be using the Seachem Equilium product. On the otherhand my PH is incredibly stable only moving between about 6.2 and 6.6 at the most extreme times.

Wisteria, hairgrass, anubias continue to grow great. I've been dosing flourish 5ml 3/week which gives me about .18 Fe each week, plus the eco complete. So I think the plants have what they need to grow.

I'm vexed, terribly vexed.

On the bright side, the fish seem fine, all my cardinals are doing well and I have no algae on the plants themselves.





Last edited by tetratech at 04-Dec-2005 09:10

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Megil TelZeke
 
**********
---------------
Fish Addict
Posts: 863
Kudos: 890
Votes: 393
Registered: 21-Jul-2003
male usa us-northcarolina
algae are not plants they are protists



Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 04-Dec-2005 11:01

Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
My favorite plant (single-celled floating) algae continues it's domination of my tank. My tank look like Nowher's on steriods.

Megil,
Technically you are right, I acutally meant it as a joke ]

I guess it wasn't a good one

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I liked it




Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I liked it
Thanks LF!

Well, did something constructive today I calibrated my testing procedure using the PPS System. Here is the link explaining it if your interested. This is for no3 and po4.

NO3.PO4.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://ca.geocities.com/pps@rogers.com/01.01.Test.NO3.PO4.pdf

Bascially we all have problems interperting the color on the test kit charts, so the calibration allows you to use tap water and add a set amount of N03 for example and see what color develops. You do the same testing for different levels like 5ppm, 10ppm, 20ppm then when you test your water you'll know what the color really means.

After doing my no3 test, I realized I have low nitrate. I honestly thought my no3 levels were fine, before the calibration. Here's a pic showing 3 different levels that I calibrated and then my tank water. You could see by the color I have between 5 and 10ppm no3 and this was after I dosed 1/2 tsp today, which according to the FERTILATOR adds almost 6ppm to my size tank. So I basically had 1 and 3ppm based on water changes, etc. I'm hoping this has alot to do with why my plants haven't been growing that well. I know stargrass for example is no3 hungry.




tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 04-Dec-2005 19:36
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
algae are not plants they are protists


Does that mean they don't believe in the Pope ???


A bit of good 'ol Irish Catholic humor.


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
**********
---------------
Fish Guru
Posts: 2755
Kudos: 1957
Votes: 30
Registered: 09-Sep-2004
male usa
I laughed.

Also, the term "algae" doesn't really have any taxonomical significance whatsoever. TECHNICALLY, certain "algae" as they are commonly called, are in fact simple plants, IIRC.




Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 04-Dec-2005 22:24
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
My favorite plant (single-celled floating) algae continues it's domination of my tank. My tank look like Nowher's on steriods



So sorry to hear this tetra. You were doing so well too. Does this mean you won't be sending me the willow branches and magic fairy dust?

But yeah, it's good that your UV is on the way, it'll be a good test to see how well it works.

besaf - .....


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
So sorry to hear this tetra. You were doing so well too. Does this mean you won't be sending me the willow branches and magic fairy dust?

Thanks Nowher!
Just when you think you have it all figured out ]:|]:|]:|

I always had a very delicate balance between clear and hazy water, so I think when some of my plant mass got reduced after I replanted my rotala and it hasn't grown back so well, there was not enough mass left. One thing I don't understand my wistera which is suppose to be an excellent fert sucker is growing great and literally takes up 85% of the bottom of my tank, grantly I have it growing like a carpet, but it's still alot of mass, so I'm not sure what's causing the GW. There are some aquarist, very advanced ones that use UV because they simply can't get away from green water. I actually use the seachem product Clarity and it did absolutely nothing. The P-Clear product from Hagen always cleared the GW but it would eventually return.

BTW - No one has mentioned the calibration testing procedure I did for no3 and po4 testing. Look above 5 or 6 posts. It's very simple and will give you a much better read on your macro levels.


Last edited by tetratech at 05-Dec-2005 14:04

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
I did take a brief look at that article, though I didn't read every word. However, the first thing i thought of was how Tom Barr (the Pope is it?) always mentions how most test kits are off and give readings that are higher than they should be. This looks like a good method to get a better idea of where your levels really stand when calibrated to the test kit itself.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I skimmed through the article as well, but I didn’t really have time to focus.

I got confused in the part where you have to add a solution to 10 liters of water or something like that. Then I wondered off in my mind and started to think about if 6ppm are enough and 20 are only the max after which one would do a water change of 50% given that there is zero nutrient uptake, and then my old brain got confused .

But I promise I will make a better effort to understand it the next time I read the article.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF,

Glad you conscious once again from your holiday celebrating

It's really very simple. You just fill a bucket with 10l of water and then add in the recommend amount of no3 for each ppm you want a color for. Then when you test your tank water you could match the color to the controlled sample. As you could see from my test, I had much less no3 than I thought once I matched it to the control.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
ohhhhh, it said 10 liters ?? That explains a lot. Glad i wasnt the only confused one


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
You just fill a bucket with 10l of water and then add in the recommend amount of no3 for each ppm you want a color for


What water do you use – tank water? I thought it would be tab water – but what is the NO3 concentration in tab water?

It also appeared that you had to add hundreds of drops of test solution to the water then, did I read that right?

Ingo

Yeah, I am half way back


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Half way back? maybe a quarter.

No, you guys are making it way to complicated. All you do is:

Fill a bucket with 10 liters (10.5 gallons) of tap water.
Add in 2ml of no3 - test the bucket for 5ppm color
Add in another 2ml of no3 - test 10 ppm color
Add in another 4ml of no3 - test for 20 ppm color

*I only did up to 20ppm, but you could go further.

After you done with the color tests, than test your tank water and see where you color falls. I took a pic of the all the test tubes so I would have a photo of the colors. Now in the futre if you set up the same photo conditions you could match the color. The test really is meant to train your eye to see low, normal, high so you'll know what's going on in your tank, but the photo will help if you think you'll forget what the color means.

BTW - I don't know what's in your tap, it can't be that much no3, but either way your using tap in your tank so that's the color.




Last edited by tetratech at 05-Dec-2005 15:34

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
upikabu
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 591
Kudos: 393
Votes: 44
Registered: 08-Jun-2005
male australia
Tetra,

How do you measure the KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4 to make the standard solution? Do you have a scale that could measure those precise amounts given in the article? I don't reckon using tsp/tbsp equivalents would be very accurate.

-P
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
How do you measure the KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4 to make the standard solution?

The article will tell you how to do this for no3 and po4, not sure about so4. The po4 is similiar to the no3 they tell you how much po4 to add to 10 liters to measure the different ppms.

NO3.PO4.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://ca.geocities.com/pps@rogers.com/01.01.Test.NO3.PO4.pdf

Last edited by tetratech at 05-Dec-2005 20:23

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
We make it too complicated?

Fill a bucket with 10 liters (10.5 gallons) of tap water.


Hm, last time I checked 10 liters where 2.64 US gallons .

I hope this was only a typo because otherwise your conclusions would be way off.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Hm, last time I checked 10 liters where 2.64 US gallons

Sorry guys, I meant quarts. Yes that would change things just a bit. :%)

BTW - I should be getting my UV sterilizer today. So say your prays you single-celled Protists. This is the
"Algae Wars" Yes I really am 42.



Last edited by tetratech at 06-Dec-2005 09:03

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Give 'em hell, tetra! The only good single-celled Protist is a dead one.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Give 'em hell, tetra! The only good single-celled Protist is a dead one
I couldn't have said it better myself.

Nowher, are you in the middle of your blackout. I'm sure you did this, but don't forget to stop co2.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

I know that you are not too keen on posting pictures of your tank when it is not in top shape, but please be so nice and give us the "before the treatment" shot .

And then go ahead and put your Luke Skywalker uniform on and fight the "Algae Wars".

May the force be with you .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Actually my tank still looks like the pics I posted on page 19. The cloudiness doesn't really show up, but I promise to take a before and after pic and post. I guess if I adjust the camera setting I could show the cloudiness more, I think you could see it looking through the side.

And yes, I believe I will need the force!

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
So just to recape a bit.

On this site we have people who:

1. Read to their plants every night.
2. Play slave driver to get their plants to grow.
3. Now play Algae War/Star Wars with their tanks!

What is next??

LF,

Sould have said.....May the Flurish Excel be with you!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
bananacoladafuze
-----
Enthusiast
Posts: 170
Kudos: 147
Votes: 19
Registered: 20-Mar-2005
female usa
You guys are awesome.

______________
Cake or death?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Actually my tank still looks like the pics I posted on page 19. The cloudiness doesn't really show up, but I promise to take a before and after pic and post


Woah woah woah... then what was all this talk about it looking like "Nowher's on steroids" ??? If you can see more than 2 inches deep into the tank, it can't be THAT bad...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I think you take better pics than me Nowher. I was only ablle to capture the true extent of the green from the side. Tonite I will take a before pic as LF alluded to and than I will take another on the same setting to see what affect the UV is having.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
At approximately 6:30 est the eradication of the single-celled protists (thanks Megil) has begun.

Here is a pic of my setup under the hood that now includes the UV Sterilizer.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Yeah tetratech

Now all you have to do is to get up every hour and give us an update on the progress.

And where is that "before" picture?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
O.K. you asked for it. Here's a pic from the side, from the front you can't appreciate it. At least I could still see the faint glow of Paracheirodon axelrodi



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a pic of wisteria with alittle Lobelia cardinalis in front of it. My bristlenose almost completely consumed this plant, but it's making a comeback.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
luvmykrib
*******
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 585
Kudos: 256
Votes: 27
Registered: 08-Nov-2005
female canada
Even with the greenish haze over it the wisteria looks so good! Hope you get thet under control it has been bothering you for some time. Could it be too much light? Not enough CO2? I'm just tossing stuff out there. I haven't had an algae bloom yet (knock on wood). Did the willow branches work before? Or I also read about philodendron cuttings, they would actually look pretty neat I would think. And they would take root, then you could pot them up and put in new ones. I really have no idea what I'm babbling about so I'm shutting up now!Still love the tank!

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Very nice picture of the green tank. I guess you will have to let the UV filter run for at least a day to see any changes, right?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
From what I'm reading it probably will take a few days and different flow rates kill different things, so I might have to tinker with it.

On the otherhand if it doesn't work, look for the big sale on Ebay in a few days titled:

"Tetratech Special - Complete GW Tank Setup"

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa


"Kills single-celled Protists! You don't have to know what that means, it kills them just the same!"


Nah, I'm sure it'll work just fine. And if it does.... hello BigAlsOnline for me!


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
"Tetratech Special - Complete GW Tank Setup"



Oh really? I have been wanted a bowfront for a while.......

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I'll send you guys a PM if it does go up on Ebay

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a pic after 24 hours with the UV. Not much change although I think it's slightly clearer.





Last edited by tetratech at 07-Dec-2005 19:28

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's the pic:



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Well tetra, it's definetely working... slowly but surely


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Yup,

I can see the difference, or did you change your camera settings .

It seems like you are winning this battle, now go on and win the war, yeah.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I did keep the setting the same but available light, extra, I can't conrol. I think the 48 hour pic will tell the tale.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
O.K here's a 40 hr UV update water definitely clearing (LF did not play with camera settings)

First the photo from the other day



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Now 40 hrs (actually 39 hrs) after UV startup:



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 08-Dec-2005 08:36
[/font]

BTW - Looks like my Rotala has started growing again, but I think it's just the replanted tops, which would make me thing it was the trimming and not the water itself. I'm also having good growth from an Anubias I split into two pieces a few weeks ago, I have about 3 new leaves on one and the other is developing as well.

Last edited by tetratech at 08-Dec-2005 08:39

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Looks good

You're right, the rotala definetely is growing well, even in a short time span like that. I've found that plants go through HUGE growth spurts when there's green water... i guess it's just a great big ol' ice-cream social in there for Protists and higher Plants alike...

Good to hear about the anubias too. I understand why it's called a slow grower, but with CO2 and high but shaded light I've found that it's capable of putting out a leaf to a leaf and a half per week.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Yup tetratech,

It seems to work very well, I guess NowherMan6 will have to place an order with Big Al's soon ().

Yeah, I agree on the Anubias findings, mine grow pretty fast as well. In particular the Barteri get a new flower stem once every 2 weeks .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Definitely something up with my rams, the bigger one's fins have turned bright orange and the two are really getting funky. Maybe it's the UV Radiated water





tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
It seems to work very well, I guess NowherMan6 will have to place an order with Big Al's soon


You're gosh darn right on that one.

Clears the water, makes fish want to get down/ get funky too?? To heck with the satellite radio, I want a UV sterilizer for xmas!


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Yeah, who needs a radio when you can listen to your fish :%)

Good luck on the Rams being funky, maybe you should make sure that you have a flat surface (stone) ready for egg laying. And get that fry tank going, while you are at it .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks, Any ideas on how I could conveience my wife to let me put my old 46 in the bedroom? So far I came up with:

1. The gentle splashing of water will put you right to sleep.

2.?
3.?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Bob Wesolowski
----------
Mega Fish
Posts: 1379
Kudos: 1462
Registered: 14-Oct-2004
male usa
2. It comes with a diamond tennis bracelet?

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Actually 1.) was the reason I almost moved my 46 OUT of the bedroom... instead of putting me right to sleep it made me get up every 10 minutes and go to the bathroom...

2.) Who needs a painting when you can have a living work of art on the wall instead!

bob -


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Man,

I have many ideas but,

a) none is as good as Bob's
b) none is suitable for this forum (so don't ask)

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Those are all very funny guys,

How 'bout this:

"I promise there will never be any algae in the tank"

I put that with all those other thing you say in the bedroom!

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Uh,



Just saw that we have now a Guru in the mix.

Congrats tetratech, and take a picture of yourself sitting on a needle bed.

Ingo

PS: Number 2000 was in NowherMan6's thread

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 08-Dec-2005 12:15


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
The fish tank puts off a romantic glow?? #3??

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks LF, I think I'll change my avatar for the occasion.

Wingdsc - Funny! Your on a hot streak with your tank and your jokes

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Well lets see here. I am done with my classes for the winter break so I just don't have much else to do. Thanks though!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
goldfishgeek
********
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 667
Kudos: 412
Votes: 38
Registered: 27-Oct-2003
female uk
I sleep loads better with my tank in my room, falling asleep to the fish swimming around, the light is an excellent night light cos it goes off on a timer, when you can't sleep you can watch the fish and fall asleep without thinking about it too much.

GFG

_______________________________________
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
Harvey S. Firestone
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Homepage Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
GFG sounds good to me.

Anyway here's a pic summary of the UV treatment. The tank didn't look tha much different to me from this morning at 39 hrs and this evening at 47 hours. I also kept my co2 running which several aquarists said helps sustain GW, The think in the morning with the co2 off all nite will tell the tale.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Latest Pics

tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Bob Wesolowski
----------
Mega Fish
Posts: 1379
Kudos: 1462
Registered: 14-Oct-2004
male usa
Tetra,

How about a 50% water change tonight before you go to bed? Can't hurt as the murk draws you closer and closer to darkening the tank...

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Bob,

Well if I hadn't gotten the UV I would have darkened the tank already. I've done big WC on GW doesn't do anything. Here I'm testing just the UV and it's ability.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
It's been about 10 days since I posted a full tank shot, so here we go. Here's a shot on Tuesday before the UV was activated.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
It's been about 10 days since I posted a full tank shot, so here we go. Here's a shot on Tuesday before the UV was activated. As I said the front shot doesn't show as much difference, but looking at the next two shots separated by 72 hours shows a big difference.

Tuesday's pic before UV:





tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's the tank today, about 72 hrs after UV start:



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
At closer inspection:



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
At closer inspection....



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 09-Dec-2005 18:25
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
My rotala has breached my main rock and is back growing again.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
My ram has a new brownish area in the middle of it's body.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

Well, without any doubt the first step of the UV functionality has been verified, without a doubt it killed off the GW . Now it is time to wait and see if it has any longer-term negative effect, although I wouldn’t know what that would be.

When I saw the text and picture of the Ram I was first excited as I assumed it is the female’s spot marking readiness to breed. Then I got a little worried though. If you refer to the area in the red circle then this is most likely what it is, although German Ram’s have a rather pinkish-red spot that stretches from one side to the other around the belly. If it is further up then I don’t know.

Ingo

LITTLE_FISH attached this image:



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Untitled No. 4
----------
Big Fish
Posts: 488
Kudos: 452
Votes: 33
Registered: 07-Nov-2004
male uk
Your ram is just colouring up, this is how they look like when they're happy, and it gets more intense just before they breed. Actually, it's only brown because of your lighting and it's actually yello. This is, of course, a male ram, both males and females have that yellow bit.

That reminds me... I wanted to ask why does your tank always look so dark? Is it just the pictures or the lighting on the tank? It's very atmospheric, but it's hard to spot details on the wood and rocks.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Now it is time to wait and see if it has any longer-term negative effect, although I wouldn’t know what that would be.
Let's make a list with different possibilities:

1. Fish start to glow.
2. The existing protists that don't get sucked through the UV stage a major revolt and start attaching themselves to the fish turning them green instead
3. A new breed of protist evolves that is UV resistant and is even greenier than the original breed.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Actually, it's only brown because of your lighting and it's actually yello.
It really does look brownish rust under 96w and under 192w.

I wanted to ask why does your tank always look so dark? Is it just the pictures or the lighting on the tank?
As you know I have a black background and black substrate, plus when I take most of my pics one set of lights is off, so I only have 96w over the tank. If I use a slower speed it's not as sharp. To be honest, I like the way my tank looks under the lower light.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Week 10 has been a good week after using the UV since Tuesday the water has attained a level of cleariness I don't think I've ever had except in the very beginning.
Here's a full tank shot.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a shot a little closer in. A few have asked why my shots are dark. Remember I have a black background and dark drifwood and a dark substrate. If I take the pics any lighter it looks washed out and not what it really does look like. If you look at the plants they are bright and that's pretty much what I was looking for. I probably will search for a new plant group that will add extra drama. This pic you could see the rotala r starting to burst once again behind the main rock and the anubias I split and has grown many new leaves.



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 11-Dec-2005 09:18
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
This pic captures how thick my wisteria is growing. Besides some black fringes on some of the lower leaves the plant is really full and very soft. It really has become a carpet to 80% of the substrate from back to mid surrounding the main island:



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

The Wisteria really looks lovely and the UV filter worked wonders.

What are the maintenance requirements on the UV filter? Do you have to frequently check if the bulb is still working? How much does a replacement bulb cost and did you already buy one (just in case this one breaks)?

It is too bad that the Rotala group is so diminished. I hope it grows back soon or you find another plant that you would like to put in its place.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
What are the maintenance requirements on the UV filter? Do you have to frequently check if the bulb is still working? How much does a replacement bulb cost and did you already buy one (just in case this one breaks)?

The unit I have as a sort of translucent window to the side of the chamber that allows you to see if the light is working. the bulb supposely lasts 8,000 hrs and is about $10 and it's only 9watts, so very little long-term costs.
Havent' bought a new bulb and considering that GW isn't a dangerous thing just asetitic I probably won't bother until I see that this bulb has become ineffective. The entire unit was only $74.99 no tax and no shipping when I bought it for VIP members from BigAls.

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to run it 24/7 or put it on a timer and have it run at night only. Supposely turning the light on and off decreases bulb life. I guess I'll see how my plants do, because the UV supposely has the ability to unchelate FE, but many have said if you dose FE every day it's not an issue. It makes me feel better that Greg Watson uses one 24/7 as well.



Last edited by tetratech at 11-Dec-2005 10:15

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's another pic looking through the right side of tank showing the clarity.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
**********
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 5108
Kudos: 5263
Votes: 1690
Registered: 28-Dec-2002
male usa us-colorado
Hi,
Regarding the UV sterilizer, if you are running "raw"
water through it (unfiltered water) then you will probably
have to clean the insides out at a regular interval as the
detritus (floating debris) from the tank eventually will
coat the UV cage and dim the light reaching the water.

Best results are obtained when the output of the canister
is plumbed through the UV filter.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Good point. I did actually set it up on the output side of my canister, so this way any debris is obviously caught by the filter media. I know some people run the UV just off a powerhead and they do recommend a prefilter.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
After consulting the PPS system I realized my no3 and po4 levels where low, which might have accounted for my stalled growth during all that trimming here are my current dosing levels:

no3 .5 tsp 3/week
po4 .05 tsp 3/week
flourish 10ml 3/week
flourish trace 5ml 3/week

I stopped dosing so4 since I think I get enough through no3, po4 and my eco substrate.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
hey tetra, how exactly do you get .05 tsp of po4? I mean, how exactly do you measure out such a small amount.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Good question nowher,

You know some of those nh3 test kits come with the little spoon. Anyway my old nh3 test kit add three regents for nh3 and the first you add to scoop with this little spoon. Well it takes 20 of those spoons to equal my 1/2 tsp, so I know what the 10 to 1 ratio is. So if I'm dosing .5 tsp no3 than I know I need 2 spoonfuls to get to .05 tsp

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I use a smidgeon spoon to measure small quantities for up to 1/32 tsp, which is a little more than 0.03 tsp.

tetratech &#8211; you say you stopped SO4 ( as in KH2PO4? ). Where do you get your K from? Shouldn&#8217;t the K be as high as the NO3 and doesn&#8217;t KNO3 contain less K (in ppm) than NO3?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
tetratech &#8211; you say you stopped SO4 ( as in KH2PO4? ). Where do you get your K from? Shouldn&#8217;t the K be as high as the NO3 and doesn&#8217;t KNO3 contain less K (in ppm) than NO3

As in Flourish Potassium. Actually when I ordered my kh2po4 from Greg Watson also ordered k2so4, but haven't even used it because I still had alot of Flourish Potassium. Anyway without dosing Flourish Potassium this is what I get per dose.

N - 5.85ppm
P - .72ppm
K - 3.98ppm

My wildcard with the K is the eco complete, so I'm not worry it's not enough. This is based on the fertilator. Another interesting observation with this fert calcuators, is that they compute these ranges based on the size of your tank, but do they take into consideration they actual water volume. I have alot of DW, rocks, pretty deep substrate which obviously reduces the water volume, could be as much as 5 gallons, so whatever your dosing based on calculator your probably putting even more in.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
as in KH2PO4?


Actually, I meant k2so4, not the one mentioned above.

Well, sounds good to me .

I hear you on the inconsequence of measuring based on the described tank volume vs. the actual water mass.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well, it's been about a month since I changed my diffusion from the hagen ladder to a micro-airstone inside my filter intake and it's working flawlessly. My co2 is in the steady high 30's and I've had no problem with my filter either mechanically or biologically. If my biological filter was destroyed I would expect some nh3 to show up and it's testing zero. Although in a large tank that's planted how much of the bacteria is actually in the filter as compared to the tank itself.

The only maintenance on this diffusion method is that "gunk" does build up on the airstone and it must be cleaned or probably replaced every few months.

I also like the ability to adjust my spraybar so the it's either below or slightly above the water line so the co2 enriched water either goes in under water or I can create alittle bubbling.


Last edited by tetratech at 14-Dec-2005 14:14

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I have to say I really enjoy the UV sterilizer, so I put together my 5 favorite reasons for having one.

5. If I&#8217;m thirsty during the day I could drink the water
4. I could dance around my tank and shout, &#8220;try to get cloudy, just try it&#8221;
3. I could stir up my substrate and say &#8220;like that, how bout that, and that.
2. No more willow branches ever

And the number one reason is:

Go ahead make my day you protist!




Last edited by tetratech at 15-Dec-2005 07:57

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
# 6 (pending): Keeps cardinals alive!!! Hallelujah!


Tetra man, you're really making me jealous with this UV talk. Right now I'm banking on, lack of po4 is my limiting factor which is stunting my plants and allowing algae to bloom - I'll remedy that problem this weekend. C'mon po4, dont make me get that UV sterilizer...

Glad to see it's working out for you


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Yes the cardinals! I'm going to buy another batch this weekend and see if any effect on the survival rate. Right now I'm down to 10 from my first 21.

Actually I know you said you lost a fish after 2 years, my albino bn died the other day after having him about 2 years. Fish will die, it's that simple.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
"5. If I&#8217;m thirsty during the day I could drink the water
4. I could dance around my tank and shout, &#8220;try to get cloudy, just try it&#8221;
3. I could stir up my substrate and say &#8220;like that, how bout that, and that.
2. No more willow branches ever

And the number one reason is:

Go ahead make my day you protist!"

Oh no, he lost it

Live is going to be boring for tetratech now that his arch enemy is defeated

Ingo



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Not so fast LF,

There's now the 12 gallon high light tank... cross your fingers...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
LF,
Don't worry something else will come up.

Nowher,
Thanks for remaining me. I'm already seeing alittle BGA in that tank. (You could start laughing LF)



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Ok Then




Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well it's been a while since I posted some pics. Really hasn't been much change since some of my stem plants stalled. In this pic my main rotala grouping is growing really well. I've already trimmed it once and replanted so you can't really appreciate it behind the rock yet. I've also decided to replant the tops of my stargrass after watching it just kinda freeze. It wasn't dying or melting it just was't doing anything. I am now noticing some fresh bigger leavess coming out of the replanted tops.





Last edited by tetratech at 18-Dec-2005 11:58

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's the pic:

tetratech attached this image:


BTW - I replaced that ugly eheim intake with a black marineland one, it's alittle short, I need to get an extension, but now there is really nothing distracting from the layout and I don't really need to plant to cover something up in the future. I like that flexibility.

Last edited by tetratech at 18-Dec-2005 12:15
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
To be honest with this tank if I simply had wisteria surrounding all the protruding hardscape and had a big school of lemons, blues or something dramatic I would probably like it. Because the simplicity would show of the big school of fish more I think. But I'm going to regrow my stems in the center as I did before.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
This pic from the left size will show the rotala and some fresh growth on the Stargrass (bottom left). I find this plant very strange and from what I have read many other do as well. I would like to see what Bensaf would do with it if he ever got his hands on some.

Pic looking through the left, see how clear my sterilized water is.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Another shot thru the right side. The main rock is about 3 feet thru the tank and you could see how clear it is (nowher - not rubbing it in, just showing the facts)



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a good shot of my colored up ram and his/hers mate, friend, partner:%)

tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I know many consider the wisteria to be a weed, but it really grows soft and billowy in my tank;



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

I hope the rotala and star grass group will come back nicely. I really like the shot of the Ram, what a lovely color it has.

And when I talk about the Wisteria as a weed then I don&#8217;t mean that in a negative manner. I agree that it is a lovely plant, in particular when one is able to tame it so it crawls

Ingo



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
luvmykrib
*******
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 585
Kudos: 256
Votes: 27
Registered: 08-Nov-2005
female canada
Love the little oto in the last pick, and those rams are so cute! I finally found Bolivian rams at Big Al's in Edmonton, couldn't find them anywhere else in the city. Poor Buddy the betta may not get his 10g tank, a ram may move in on him.
The tank looks great, I also really like the simplicity of it. Very Zen! It must be very relaxing to sit and watch, if one doesn't have any water issues to worry about. I find I sit and watch the tanks until I start dozing off, they are not as Zen as yours but they have the same relaxing effect on me.

Does the UV sterilizer impact the biological filter at all? It is certainly keeping the tank all nice and clear!


"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
nowher - not rubbing it in, just showing the facts


I know. The tank looks great. Just out of curiosity, how big were your bolivans when you got them?


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks for the comments

Luv,
No the UV will not impact bio-filter. It only impacts things that are free floating and pass through the UV and yes I find my tank very relaxing as well.

Nowher,
The big ram with all the color I've had about 18 months and I think he/she was the size of the smaller one I that I've only kept a few months.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Ok thanks. I've been looking around for bolivians. Found a store with them, but they seem pretty full grown, 2 inches or so already. But i found another store selling german blues and they were maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. I'd like to buy them smaller rather than larger, but i wasn't sure if maybe it was common practice for stores to sell them larger rather than smaller. Oh well, thanks.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
NowherMan6,

Problem with buying them smaller is that it is almost impossible to sex them. And don't you want to have a nice pair?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
If you want to be sure you have a nice pair and you can't buy a bunch then take them back, the best way is to contact a breeder that has established pairs already. I think tetra got lucky in that his two seem to have formed a domestic partnership, they could just have easily been fighting. I'll see about the rams, maybe i will maybe i won't go for it, but just wanted to see what tetras expereince was with buying them.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
From my experience in about 6 different lfs's I haven't seen any really small and your right the blue rams I have seen smaller sizes, but remember the bolivian is a bigger fish so I guess you need to judge size accordingly.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I'm definitely seeing some nice new growth now on my stems and I think I might have bottomed out on something due to my low EI dosing and test kits being tough to interpret.
Bensaf did warn about this and I think it explains alot of the stalled growth.

Current dosing

3/weekly
no3 - .5 tsp
po4 - .05 tsp
flourish - 10ml
flourish trace - 5ml

Current levels

co2 38 to 57 ppm (no way to know for sure)
ph 6.2 to 6.4
kh 2.5 to 3
no3 20ppm
po4 2 ppm
temp 78f



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

I would like to bring something up again that we have talked about recently (yesterday or so) in other threads.

I don't think it is a problem though, but 20ppm should be, by EI standards, the maximum that is reached before the next 50% water change. I know that Tom Barr also mentioned that No3 can go up to 30ppm without problems for the fish, but I am curious why you try to have a constant of 20ppm.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
but I am curious why you try to have a constant of 20ppm.
I'm really doing it to see if it will bring back new life to my stargrass. I understand it likes high no3. I am noticing nice new growth with those big full leaves that I had when I first bought the plant. I'll post some pics tonite. As you could see I've upped everything in my tank and have seen no sign of new algae. Of course I have the UV, but on the plants very little. The only place I'm having an issue is on the hairgrass which I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the maintenance. Even with the flow directed there, everything still get's caught in it and there is definitely BBA in their as well.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The few pieces of Hairgrass in my tank have never done anything

By now they have been taken over by the Glosso and only 2 or 3 stronger sections still fight for survival. But that was a battle that I foresaw a while back anyways.

My Hairgrass also always stayed a dull dark green which I think is not too nice for a ground covering plant, I like it brighter at the bottom.

Maybe you should give the Glosso a try

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
My foregrounds gonna be a tough one, because the wisteria I thing has a similar color to glosso and many other foregrounds so it's not really gonna show that well. My tank might be better suited for a few small foreground plants scattered around in front of the wistera with open space. I pulled up a few of the hairgrasses and they have grown quite and extensive runner system but many as I said I covered in BBA.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

You remember a few weeks back when I treated my tank with Excel for all kinds of algae?

The one that did not come back was BBA, maybe it is worth a try.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I guess so, what did you do treat like 5 times normal dose right for a few days?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Nooooooo,

First I treated the tank to a full dose, means the amount for the total gallons (because there was no Excel in the tank yet) - 50ml

Next I used the same full dosage again because I did a 50% water change. - 50ml

The next 5 or 6 days I used a limited dosage just as a refresher - 20ml

And that was it, I could see the algae turn red and die.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I meant the 5 times regular dose not the initial or wc dose.

Another thing I'm realizing in regards to high no3 is that it seems that the stargrass likes it, but I know to get a reddish hue on the rotala you need to keep no3 lean, so see it's hard to be balanced on everything. I've started over the last few days to stop my uv during the day so when I dose FE the plants will take it all in, in case the UV is unchelating it.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
A couple of new pics and a couple of changes. First a full frontal. I decided to remove most of the hairgrass. It was growing and it pained me to take it out, but it was a pain in the hairgrass. Gunk and BBA kept getting stuck to it and when I really looked at my tank the hairgrass really didn't look that great with the wisteria right behind it. I decided to wrap most of my hardscape sorta of on an island of wisteria if you will. As you could see.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's another shot taking from the right front. You could see the Rotala has made a good comeback and was pearling today. I actually saw my wisteria pearling as well, I believe that's a first. If you look closely I left a little patch of hairgrass in the right front.





tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
To be honest, with the wisteria acting as a carpet midground I like the constrast with the almost black eco-complete. I might put a foreground, but it's gonna have to really work well I think it's neater looking this way with a few scattered rocks and maybe a few scatter grass short plants here and there. Here's a close up shot of stargrass. I pretty much started from scratch with small top clippings, but the new growth is coming in very full like it used to be. I attribute this to increased no3 dosing.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
and the rams continue to be inseparable.

1.



tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 20-Dec-2005 20:06
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
2.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
and 3. Notice the nice color on the fins in this pic.
they are definitely up to something alot of dancing around and very warm orange coloring.




tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
saltnewbie
-----
Enthusiast
Posts: 277
Kudos: 168
Votes: 1
Registered: 04-Feb-2004
male usa
really nice man..i love that set up the dark substrate and the light green plants are awesome together and the tank looks like its really thriving..i am in the peak of planting my 46 gal bow and i really enjoy reading ur log!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
While the Wisteria is nice, the way it is now going across the tank at almost the same height, it looks very flat and there's no sense of depth.

Something mixed in with the Wisteria would help. You want to keep what everb goes in there low maintenance.

One option is something like Blyxa Japonica , the grassy look should contrast well with the Difformis.

Different sized rocks covered in either moss or Riccia to form mounds would be nice. Easy enough to maintain, just pull out the rock and trim once in a while.

Just rocks mixed in would be ok, but they'd need to be interesting rocks with varying heights.

What would I do ? A couple of decent size rocks or small pieces of wood, planted with Narrow Leaf Java Fern. 2 or 3 strategically placed. I know I keep going on about NL Fern, but it's an incredibly beuatiful verstaile plant that requires almost zero maintenance. Notice how almost every single tank Amano has done recently is using N.L Fern as centerpieces. In good light the leaves grow out almost horizontally and into a thick ball. Mine is just starting to fill out now and it's almost all horizontal.



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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
One option is something like Blyxa Japonica , the grassy look should contrast well with the Difformis
Wow you and I on the the same wavelength. I just went shopping and bought a few plants online.

1. Blyxa japonica
2. Eusteralis stellata
3 Didiplis diandre

I obviously know what I want to do with the Blyxa. The other two I plan on kinda placing in and around the rotala to make a centerpiece and softing up all that hardscape. I might not keep them all I'll have to see what works and what doesn't. I guess I was getting bored.

P.S. I'll have to get some NL Fern.


Last edited by tetratech at 20-Dec-2005 21:49

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Wow you and I on the the same wavelength.


That's a pretty scary thought

Nice choices. Those plants would work real well with the look and shape you have. Tricky though.

Stellata needs the nutrients kept well under control and decent light. It'll stunt at least excuse, but once the nutrients are always available it's not so difficult.

The Didiplis can be a bit finnicky, it's like the Stargrass in that it can cause problems for no reason. Mainly the problem is with stems suddenly blackening and rotting. Other then that it's generally fine, nice color.


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Looks nice,

I had Didiplis and Eusteralis on my initial shopping list as well but didn&#8217;t buy them as they are better &#8220;raised&#8221; in a mature tank (which you have by now). Both are to my knowledge pretty light hungry to show their best. In particular the Stellata will need the light to turn the leaf color to a nice reddish tint.

Now I don&#8217;t want to have them anymore because I want to reduce the amount of trimming and replanting I have to do. Obviously you don&#8217;t mind that this much.

Cute Ram couple, I just wish you could make some brighter photos so we could see their beautiful colors a little better.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I just wish you could make some brighter photos so we could see their beautiful colors a little better
LF - So hard to please.

A few things I think lend themselves to my slightly darker pics.

1. I take most pics at night when I only have 96watts
2. The rams in particular are in in the front and on a bowfront it is a darker area.
3. I have a black background and gravel.
4. I don't have a camera with a high iso setting.

Most really high quality pics of tanks they put extra light above to get better pics, etc.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
LF - So hard to please


That's right

It is just that your Rams have almost convinced me that Bolivians are a very attractive alternative to Germans (Rams - that is). I love to see their colors as they seem to be way more colorful as I imagined them to be.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
When you see the rams in the LFS's they looked more washed out, but after they acclimate they develop better color. The body itself really can't compete with the blues, but he fins are equally flourscent and my big one's body right now as a sort of orange brown tone to it.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Bolivians are better looking than Germans (rams...) anyway, they have more of that Geophagus "real cichlid" look to them. Can't wait to get mine, although if they dont work out with the yo-yos then i dunno what to do.

And tetra, take a chair, stack a couple books/ phone books/ dicitonaries on it and stick that camera on top. Set 10 second timer, shutter 1/40, f/2.8, fire away! Then 1/30, then 1/20 and so on...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Bolivians are better looking than Germans (rams...) anyway


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
And tetra, take a chair, stack a couple books/ phone books/ dicitonaries on it and stick that camera on top. Set 10 second timer, shutter 1/40, f/2.8, fire away! Then 1/30, then 1/20 and so on...

Thanks Nowher, I actually use a tripod on many picks and the rams are one of the easier fish to catch using those shutterspeeds because they have a stop and go motion, but for example tetras are much harder.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder


I know, I just assumed everyone agreed with me because, well, I'm so damn smart


Aaaaaaanyway, tetra, looking at the way you've been tinkering with your tank, do you plan on keeping things low? I know you just ordered some new plants, but is the plan to keep them low the way the rotala and stargrass are growing? It seems like that piece of driftwood is the highpoint in your tank, just wondering if youre going to keep it that way or grow over/ around it.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I plan on growing the rotala and any othe stem in the middle pretty high. I'd like it to be that the middle DW only is seen from the top half. I other DW left and right will be surrounded by low cover. I think my new plants are coming today.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
O.K. this is 1/5, 2.7.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well I got my plants today.

The BLYXA is much taller than I thought. I have 9 total stems. I'm going to put them in groups of 3's. I don't know if that will be to crowded, I never worked with the plant before.

The EUSTERALIA has a really thick stalk and is very purple.I have 3 stalks, again group of 3 is that too crowded.

The DIDIPLIS loooks like it gonna be alot of work, I was almost tempted not to bother with it, but I put it in.





My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Nice picture of the ram

I think Eusteralis and Didiplis are not planted with multiple stems together. They should be so far apart that the leaves don&#8217;t shade each other.

The Blixa I don&#8217;t know, sorry.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
My ram is really freaking me out. It's colors keep changing like a chamelon. This pic is not altered.
It now has a aqua color dorsal fin.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Very nice, but I can't get past the time lapse shot of the cardinal, very pretty

That may be a good idea for a shot: keep the camera at a low angle, looking upwards in the tank, then try to get a very slow shutter speed shot of the cardinals against the black background


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
This that would be very nice Nowher.

BTW- I planted all my new plants, I'll try to post pic tonite. I'm having a hard time getting used to the variety, but we'll see what I keep and what I don't.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Interesting color change.

Is that the smaller one? Looks like a female belly marking there (or my imagination is running wild).

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Nope that's the big one.
This guy was a $5 fish from Petco about 18 months ago.


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
O.K Here's the new layout



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
New Layout with Labels



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
tetratech,

So far, the new plants look good. It is going to be interesting to see how they look once they have grown in. Most of the time I see the Stellata and the Diandra used as streets while you seem to use them as bushes. I wonder if you have to cut the front ones rather often to maintain the picture of a full group rather then having long stems visible. Time will tell .

I also like that we finally get to see your tank with some light on it .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks LF,
As I said I'm more into an overall dramatic look than growing different plants, so I might not even keep all these in. I also have alot of plants that have reddish and purple hues and it will be interesting to see how well they color up with the UV running. I might start putting it on a timer to run only at night.

BTW - Looks like after I started my cardinal addition back on Nov. 10th I hav ended up with 10 solid ones out of 21.
I'll probably add one more batch and see if the UV keeps the infections away that they seem to get during the first week of acclimation.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Adding more Cardinals sounds like a good idea, if you made up your mind that they are the ones of which you would like to have a BIG school.

And serves as a nice Xmas present to yourself as well .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Rams have spawned! This explains all the color changes, etc.

Pics and details to follow

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Uh

tetratech is a father yet again

How exciting, what now? Large school of Rams?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Eggs have been located on a piece of petrified wood all the way in the back. The smaller ram is guarding the nest. I already saw small agression for the first ime when the annoying pencilfish got close. I'm playing catch up now and trying to read up on them. I know they take turns guarding the nest so I'm still not sure which is the boy/girl. I've read there sometimes not the best of parents, but they are suppose to grab fry in their mouth when they stray to far.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Congrats tetra

They may eat this batch though... after a few more they should get the hang of it. The parenting, that is.

If you do raise these up, you may want to consider selling one or two to your old pal NowherMan6, maybe?


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks Nowher, if I do raise some a few have your name on it. I just read that the fry ar sensitive to nitrate, so that could pose a problem right there. They usually hatch in 3 days. If that happens I guess I will try and scope out a few and put them in an empty 5gallon I have or I guess I could hang a breeder tank on the 72.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Putting them up in the spare 5g sounds good. Wouldn't want that hanging breeder tank to ruin the polished look of your tank

It must be nice to actually be able to see where and when your cichlids bred. When my Brevis breed the only way I know is when I see 10 more fry wriggling along the sand...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Wouldn't want that hanging breeder tank to ruin the polished look of your tank
This is true, especially since I just got my new plants. Did you notice pic a few posts up.

Anyway, I don't know exactly when they spawned but the choice a small piece of petrified wood all the way in the back that is partially covered by wisteria, but I could see the eggs. Gonna try to get a pic, might be tough. I could remove the entire rock and put it in the 5g. I was reading about how aquarists artifically raise them, but one I don't really want a 100 fry, two it will probably freak out the rams and might cause stress. I understand they could breed every few weeks.

Last edited by tetratech at 23-Dec-2005 09:37

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Here's a shot of the eggs taken from above the tank.

tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Yes I did see the pics up top. In my opinion it already gives the tank a bit more dynamic, contrasting leaf shapes to the bottom which is dominated by wisteria. I'm not sure what LF means by it's normally used for "streets", but it will be interesting to see how it grows in.

And re the rams - if they're anything like brevis, they may be cycle spawners - they may spawn every two weeks or so, then stop for a month or so, then pick up the cycle again.

EDIT: Wow! That's actually a very clean shot. Well done... yep, that's a proud parent keeping watch there.

Last edited by NowherMan6 at 23-Dec-2005 09:47


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks Nowher, I guess the smaller one is the female, because she on the eggs most of the time and the other one is in the area, pushing fish away. Even if some do survive and I scoop them out, do you know if it's a must to feed them new hatched brine shrimp.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Even if some do survive and I scoop them out, do you know if it's a must to feed them new hatched brine shrimp.


I don't know about it being a must. I've been feeding my fry frozen abby brine shrimp/ brine sheimp eggs. They also go for finely crushed flake that falls to the bottom. When they get a little bigger I notice they go after sinking New Life Spectrum small cichlid pellets, which is always funny because the pellets are about the size of their heads Never got them to grow any bigger than that, because at that point they get big enough that they're not as quick and unintrusive as they used to be, and the parents eat them Then a new batch comes along. Ah, the circle of life.

Anyway, you could also try putting a patch of java moss down near the eggs. That will help cultivate some little bits of algae and what not that the fry will use to feed themselves. They're surprisingly good at feeding themselves once free swimming.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Thanks for the fry advice. I guess I'll have my 5aga (future nano) ready for the fry if it gets that far. If the fry are sensitive to no3 I don't know if any will make it anyway.

I'm not sure what LF means by it's normally used for "streets", but it will be interesting to see how it grows in. He's referring to scaping a plant from back/mid to the front of the tank so it looks like a "street" between plants. This is popular in dutch tanks which my tank definitely is not. I've actually seen the plant in question used many ways. Look I'm using wisteria as ground cover.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
"Streets"

Are you talking about me?

Yeah, I know your reputation as wisteria tamer, that's why I say it will be interesting to see how these turn out.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Yeah who else.

It's been an interesting week:

1. New plants
2. New eggs
3. Bigger shrimp

Let me explain number 3. I found what I thought was a dead shrimp, but it was simply the old skin after the yamato shrimp molted. I have 2 yamatos and one is huge. These guys stay 24/7 in that piece of tall DW in the middle of my tank. I think they are feeding off of the javamoss. I might add a bunch more. LF, you might want to consider a crew as well. Maybe they will help with the thread algae.




My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
You know,

just the other day I was looking at shrimp and there are a few kinds that I liked, like Amano shrimp and Red Cherry shrimp etc.

I am just thinking that I might hold off with them until I finally know where what plant in my tank will end up. I am too worried that I might kill them by mistake during my replanting events.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I guess that could happen. The cherry shrimp definitely show up better. The Amano/Yamato are almost invisible on driftwood,etc. The ghost are almost completely invisible.
I don't see that many cherries around me and when I do they are expensive. I pay about $3 each for the Amano.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
New colorful plants, big shrimp and 100 little eggs what more could one want for the holidays.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all! Be safe and enjoy

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you too, tetratech.

Hope you still can make time though to keep us posted on the egg situation.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I'll be around LF. I'll have to decide if I want to intervene if I do see baby rams swimming around. I might try and pull a few out and put them in the 5g I mentioned.
I read an article of aquarists artifically raising the fry by putting the eggs in a small tank with an airstone and a heater and then raising them that way, but that would require me removing the rock they are on. Don't think I'm going to do that.

Happy Holidays - LittleFish!


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
dvmchrissy
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 477
Kudos: 301
Votes: 38
Registered: 09-Oct-2005
female usa us-indiana
[font color="#C00000"]Well, if you do happen to save some then please save me a mated pair if possible! lol I have been looking for bolivians everywhere and I cannot find any near me at all! It really stinks because I want a pair for my 55 SO bad! Yours are so pretty I would LOVE to have a pair from yours! [/font]

[font color="#C00000"]Happy [/font] [font color="#008000"] Holiday [/font] [font color="#C00000"] Everyone!!![/font]
[font color="#008000"]Have fun tomorrow, and make sure to stuff yourelves to the fullest extent! [/font]


[font color="#000080"]Christina[/font]


Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1978
Kudos: 1315
Registered: 08-Apr-2004
male ireland
Just popping in to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Hope you all have a good one.

Living in Indonesia, I don't have any holidays as it falls on a Sunday this year. I'll probably spend tomorrow trying to finding somewhere that has a good Turkey dinner on offer.Hmmmmmmm......roast spuds I miss me spuds

Enjoy yourselves.

Congrats on the fry tetra Green water is great fry food btw , maybe you can borrow a cupful from nowhere


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Same to you Bensaf, a Merry Christmas for you and family.

maybe you can borrow a cupful from nowhere
That or pull the plug on my UV

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
O.K. Eggs were moved to a borrow and have hatched in the substrate. Fry are not free swimming yet, but remain in borrow as the male stays over them.

The male is under a leaf of the Didiplis diandre.





tetratech attached this image:


Last edited by tetratech at 27-Dec-2005 11:02
[/font]

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
That is fantastic tetratech,

It seems like there are quite a few of them in the circle. Are the other fish showing interest in the little wigglers?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Instinct is an amazing thing. The borrow is down low between a piece of driftwood and a rock where there was no wisteria. So the ram is down there and the fish are passing right over it. Once the babies become free swimming that's when the other fish are going to go crazy.

Here's the location of the borrow. Th ram actually uprooted some of the Didiplis diandre and threw eco on the wisteria.





tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Nice,

Are you interested in removing the fry to a net breeder or something like that?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I'm going to attempt to remove some of them to either a breeder net or the spare 5g I have. I've also heard that the fry do not do well with high no3 levels, so if that's true none might survive. I think in this case my no3 at 20ppm would be high to non-planted tank aquarists.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Some new pics. Close up of the rotala and Didiplis diandre which is growing nicely. In the front you could see some of the the Blyxa which is also taking root.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Closeup of the Stargrass that has made a comeback after cutting it way back.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Full shot from right front.



tetratech attached this image:


My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
I leave to go home for a week and boy do I miss a lot! Your tank looks very nice like this and congrates on the rams doing their thing. I started looking for some rams over my break and I had to hold my self back from buying them. I have to pay the rent first.


55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Looking nice tetratech,

But, now I am wondering if the leaf structure of Didiplis Diandra, Star Grass, and Rotala Indica is too similar and the plants blend too much into each other.

There should be some color differences between them though, but I cannot really tell from the pictures.

The Blixa looks very nice; It will be interesting to see how it grows. If I remember that right then it can reach a medium height which would fit that area just nicely.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
# Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119
Post Reply  New Topic
Jump to: 

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies