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72 Gallon Bowfront Setup Log | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Here's a closer shot of the riccia covered rock: LF, notice some BBA on the DW. See I have algae too. My Scapes |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 05:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | An even closer shot. Here you could clearly see pearling (no water change in 9 days) and some of the hairnet that is holding the riccia in place. My Scapes |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 05:04 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | Now that's a tank that's devloping real nice. The re-arrangement of the rocks and riccia is fantastic. Suddenly it's a tank with lots of interest (without being fussy or distracting) and life. Brighter pics too ! You know have different levels and depth that was lacking before. Great great job You can dump the still life avatar now. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 12:03 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well thank you Sir! I had a feeling you would like it. I tried to make it more "random" with some wisteria just growing loosely across the midground and having it mix with the other plants. You might have also noticed the Blyxa coverage has expanded and is slightly more random occupying different levels. You can dump the still life avatar now. Oh good, I was getting bored looking at it. My Scapes |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 13:28 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now that is just wonderful Was that the reason you didn't update your log in the last week or two? If so, well done, the surpirse is truely a good one. I am with Bensaf, depth and the whole nine yards, excellent. But, I wouldn't be myself if I would not have a work of caution: You have greatly reduced your wisteria farm, the one plant I claim to be responsible for your extreme stability with regards to algae. Have a keen eye on the developing tank, just to make sure that it stays stable. And, Riccia, IMHO, has one disadvantage, it hides algae very well in its lower regions. I know that you perform regular trimmings, so this may not apply to you. Besides that, BRAVO Ingo |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 13:30 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Is it just me or did you add a larger riccia rock to both sides of the mound? I really like the new look. It creates a slightly more wild look to your tank. A good change from the still life, clean cut scape. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 14:09 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Was that the reason you didn't update your log in the last week or two? If so, well done, the surpirse is truely a good one. Well I timed the "refresh" a few days before I left so I would enjoy about a weeks of growth when I returned (a week with no ferts anyway) You have greatly reduced your wisteria farm, the one plant I claim to be responsible for your extreme stability with regards to algaeYes I did think of that, but I had already taken out every wisteria stem prior to the redo in about 3 phases. The lower stems that were being crushed from 10 months of horziontial growth were looking pretty ratty. There's still alot of wisteria in there and the tank is that much more mature. So I'll keep my fingers crossed. The riccia will definitely be more maintenance than the wisteria that I was able to get away with clipping the tops for 10 months. Is it just me or did you add a larger riccia rock to both sides of the mound? If it wasn't clear from the photos there is a large rock deep-midground on both sides of the mound. The rocks were positioned to angle up toward the mound keeping the effect. My Scapes |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 14:25 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Aw, no more riccia foreground? Well, i guess this new gorgeous set up will have to do... Really well done. Your tank has a different feel to it that's been hard to pin down. I think it reminds me a lot of a tropical island, with the wisteria acting like big palm trees. |
Posted 23-Aug-2006 16:01 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | The new look is really nice, but then I always loved the old look too I saw you say in LF's log that your pH is under 6 in the evening. Do you know what it is in the morning, before C02 turns back on? Cheers TW |
Posted 24-Aug-2006 00:51 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn, My best guess is between 5.8 and 6.0 at lights out and between 6.4 and 6.6 at lights on. My Scapes |
Posted 24-Aug-2006 02:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Current pic of large riccia covered stone inbetween some foreground and "background wisteria. The stone is about the size of my head, believe me that's pretty big. My Scapes |
Posted 25-Aug-2006 19:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I found these rocks in PA last weekend. They look alot like petrified wood so I grabbed a few. I was going to use the acid test on them. I don't have any muratic acid, but I heard you can use PH down (Sodium Biphosphate). Has anyone tried this. My Scapes |
Posted 25-Aug-2006 19:46 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I have heard to use Vinager. If it bubbles then you shouldn't use it because it will raise your Ph, Kh and/or GH? Isn't it fun to go out and pick up rocks and not pay big bucks /pound! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 25-Aug-2006 20:18 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Sorry I'm late, but ooohh...aaahhhh. Looks great as always Tetra. I particularly like how the wisteria wraps around the new rock on the right. It makes the tank look really deep front to back. And I'm not sure there is a rock out there as big as your head with all this kneeling and grovelling over your tank:. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 26-Aug-2006 00:29 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the tank comments and this And I'm not sure there is a rock out there as big as your head with all this kneeling and grovelling over your tank : My Scapes |
Posted 26-Aug-2006 02:45 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Ahhh I crack myself up.....but you had to expect it, right? Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 26-Aug-2006 03:03 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A couple of shots. I added more riccia to the left and right corner foregrounds. I feel the Blyxa is more "incorporated into the tank instead of just in the corners. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Aug-2006 16:07 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Here's a shot showing the bigger riccia stone with pretty good growth. Also my largest rummynose. This guy has been with me along time, surviving the brewery. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Aug-2006 16:10 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, Interesting tank shots, in particular the first one. Reason: when I see your other full shots they never contain the surroundings (I guess you took this one because of Matty's crocket shot requests ). In this shot, your tank seems much smaller than in the others, even smaller than it really is. I wonder why, no idea! BTW, I was on your island for the day (mother-in-law) and on my way back stopped at your fish store. Not much there, the wood wasn't all that good and I found out (sales person told me) that they carry Apistos only maybe one group in 4 months (and she bought the last group of your Apistos). Interesting. Plants where in pretty bad shape too, lots of algae - in particular BGA. I assume the reason for the bad stock is the fact that today is the last day of their anniversary sale, with some fish up to 40% off, wood 25% off, and what not. Ingo |
Posted 27-Aug-2006 23:08 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I was on your island for the day (mother-in-law) and on my way back stopped at your fish store. Not much there, the wood wasn't all that good and I found out (sales person told me) that they carry Apistos only maybe one group in 4 months (and she bought the last group of your Apistos). Interesting. Plants where in pretty bad shape too, lots of algae - in particular BGA. You have to hit it at the right time for plants. Those plants are pretty much mush if you don't get there within 5 days of delivery. I don't get those marineland tank displays. They put this MH light right in the middle where the three joined tanks met. It sucks and it's designed for hugh turnover of plants. The Apistos are hidden in a large endcap tank in the back of the store (Bad idea) They have usually 4 or 5 varieties. Same thing as plants, you have to hit it right, but you are right the sale probably has something to do with it. They really use the store to get highend custom installs. Without the installs the store probably wouldn't make it. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 01:27 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yes, I agree, these tanks for the plants don't seem to work too well. They have the Apistos somewhere else? Do you think the sales person would have known about this? She seemed very knowledgable as she tried to explain a mother and her young son that 3 sharks (customer didn't know which ones) and one cory are more than enough in a 10G . Even after repeated warnings from this sales person, all answered by the woman with "That's OK", she bought another fish anyway (first choice was one clown loach, I don't know what she got in the end). That sales person told me that she bought the last apistos they had. Ingo |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 01:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Doesn't surprise me. Had nothing better to do on a rainy New York, so I decided to put my hand in my tank to see what would happen. The fish couldn't care less, but this Amano decided to jump from this DW/BBA Tower to my hand. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 02:10 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 02:11 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Wow, Matty has sure caused some good pics in all the planted gang's tanks to turn up. I like the one with the amano on your hand, pretty cool. But I also like that I've now seen what your tank looks like with that light on top. If I did convert my 43.5G tank, mine would look pretty much identical - as mine has that black stripping on the top & even that cross bar for added support. I can now show that to hubby, as he doesn't want me to convert the tank. He likes it how it is. He will still probably ob Cheers TW |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 02:30 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Glad I could help Robyn. If you look closely you could see the little rubber feet under each front corner where the light meets the glass top. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 02:35 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Gee, I guess in order to top tetratech I will have to make a photo with my foot in the tank Either this shrimp is really stupid or you are a very trustworthy person (or you had some algae glued to your thumb). During feeding, I once in a while can pet my pearls and the male Apisto, but only briefly Ingo |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 03:10 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra, Very nice pictures. Your tank has always looked super huge until that full tank shot. The picture with the shrimp is quite interesting. At work the skunk shrimp will do the same thing. My fresh water shimp seem much more skiddish though. It is always interesting to hear about other LFS's as I work in one. Right now our plants are taking a turn for the worst. That is what happens when they don't let me ferts like I like to. 3WPG and no ferts tends to lead to hair aglae and I just started to see it in the Display tank. Plants are not a really big part of our busness but they are picking up. Being that there is not a really fast turn over it is best to plan on keeping them alive for a while. If you don't plan on keeping them alive then they look like crap and you can't sell them. Ahh.......sorry things are messed up at work.... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 28-Aug-2006 03:12 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Right now our plants are taking a turn for the worstWhat kind of setup does your store have for the plants? Guys I'm giving serious consideration to uping my light to a 260watt 48" CF fixture, that would give me 130watt and 260 midday. I'm considering this for several reasons: 1. I'm growing more riccia toward the corners and it's defintely a challenge with the 36" fixture. 2. I need a 36" light for my saltwater setup and I can use my current fixture and just switch the bulbs.(Yeah Matty, I'm still coming to the darkside) 2. Like to see if it colors up the aromatica alittle more. 3. Might looks "alittle" better I'm reluctant of course becausse "why change a good thing" and I would be going to 1.8 and 3.6 from 1.3 and 2.6. What do you guys think? My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 01:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well tetratech, That would put you at least in my ballpark of lighting, if not more. Your tank has pretty much the dimensions of a 55, with a dent in the front glass. With this I mean that the brunt of light will hit a smaller area than the 72G may make one assume there are. Do you know what I mean? Remember that I am down to 1h of high light only. Ingo |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 02:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Your tank has pretty much the dimensions of a 55, with a dent in the front glass You have such a way with words. Did you ever consider being a brochure writer for AGA. Anyway, yeah I know exactly what you mean and to be honest I wouldn't feel comfortable going with the high light for more than a few hours and probably not with my existing fishload. Although I believe the tank is more mature and might be able to handle it now as opposed to 5 or 6 months ago. My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 02:23 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Bah I don't believe it. I never got a second timer for my lights. 192W for 12 hrs per day. So far it's working out, but I don't know how it will be when I get more fish in there and feed more. Right now the plants LOVE it. The baby's tears have pretty much gone bananas and the hygro has reached the surface and started to bend over, the ambulia is almost there as well. No algae. I don't know how long it can last to be honest, I'm starting to worry about how things are going so well. With all the nonsense you guys gave me about fishless cycling you almost got me believing it would crash as soon as I turned the lights on. There is that whole why change a good thing, though. Personally, I'd upgrade though. It's a perfect oportunity. I took advantage of a similar oportunity as well. And Tankwatcher...don't blame me for the better pics. All blame goes to the photographer Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 03:07 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Matty, don't blame me for the better pics. All blame goes to the photographerDo you mean when I said your marine pics are nice & that your's looks better than ours. Definitely you're the better photographer - as a photographer, I suck. But it's more than that. The tank is hubby's & I don't necessarily like his arrangement of rocks or choice of corals. So the compliment was for how you have things arranged, just as much as the photography skills. Cheers TW |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 03:18 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Nope, I was responding to this comment: Wow, Matty has sure caused some good pics in all the planted gang's tanks to turn up. I like the one with the amano on your hand, pretty cool. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 03:51 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | I was confused by what you meant, as I forgot about that photography comment & thought it was funny that you'd mention the marine pics here. Dopey me Cheers TW |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 03:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, Well, if you have the spare money I would say you should go for it, the least it will do is to put your theory on light vs. algae to the test So, 260W are 4 65W units, if I understand that right. Did you think about splitting the K spectrum or are they all gonna be 6,700? And Matty - "All blame goes to the photographer" - How should I have known that you like crocket angles for your tank pictures. That only became clear to me after I saw the Picasso installation in your tank . Ingo |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 10:20 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well, if you have the spare money I would say you should go for it, the least it will do is to put your theory on light vs. algae to the test Well not much of a theory, more light, more waste, more algae Still two camps out there, macros (no3,po4) cause algae or not. What's the difference between the no3 produced by our bacteria friends and the no3 we dump in? My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 13:00 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | What's the difference between the no3 produced by our bacteria friends and the no3 we dump inOrganic and Synthetic? As for the lights. I would say go for it if you have the cash. I am running strait 3.25WPG on my tank with out any problems. I don't think you will have a problem with it. Edit: Forgot about this... What kind of setup does your store have for the plants?For plants we have: (4) 15G with PC (1) 40G Long with 130W PC (1) 120G with 322W PC 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 14:24 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Well one difference between the KNO3 and the nitrate that comes from fish waste is that fish waste is ammonia first. Everybody should know by now that it's ammonia that is the major cause of algae. Either that or you have a major imbalance causing your plants to stop growing. the Picasso installation in your tank I think you are referring to my glossofalls there LF, and please the name is "death star" anything else just falls short. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 14:54 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | For plants we have: And no real co2 and fert program Well one difference between the KNO3 and the nitrate that comes from fish waste is that fish waste is ammonia first. Everybody should know by now that it's ammonia that is the major cause of algae. Either that or you have a major imbalance causing your plants to stop growing. Your preaching to the choir. I'm with you on the ammonia thing, but I'm referring to the biological filter converting ammonia into nitrate as the end-product of the nitrogen cycle. Is this product pretty much the same to the aquarium as the no3 we dump in? My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 15:02 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | And no real co2 and fert program Well there was a fert program but that has ended. I haven't been into work in a few days but the last time I was there the hair algae had started. See what happens when I get to work tomorrow! Pretty cool ehh? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 15:10 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 17:50 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | and a shot from the side showing the riccia growing on the big rock. You could cleary see the hairnet on the back where there isn't any growth. My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 17:51 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | You could cleary see the hairnet on the back where there isn't any growth.If you wouldn't have pointed it out only LF would have caught it. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 17:52 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | If you wouldn't have pointed it out only LF would have caught it. Amongst other things I'm sure My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 17:57 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Very true tetra! Nice plant colors BTW! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 18:03 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Nice plant colors BTW! Thanks Man! I think if I go up to 260w I will get better color in the Aromatica. I've tried experimenting with many levels of po4, macros and lowering no3, helps alittle, but not real deep color. I think this plant needs more wattage! My Scapes |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 18:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | only LF would have caught itMe, noooooo I like the shots from the side once in a while as it shows how much you made out of a rather narrow tank. I think this plant needs more wattageOr - a permanent waterproof marker Ingo |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 20:11 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I am kind of thinking of adding more Wattage with my tank too for colors.....I keep forgetting I have another PC ficture laying around....If I ran both fictures I could have up to....390W's... thats....almost 10WPG......Oh the colors I could have.....or aglae! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 30-Aug-2006 22:24 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Your aerial shot looks great, and I never would have seen any hair net. If the new light means more colour, why not go for it. BTW, I've been watching your converstation over the last day or so, about upgrading the lights. This decided me. Since way back, an on-line LFS has been holding my payment for either 36" or 48" fixture for the 4ft tank (or maybe even upgrading the 43.5G). I haven't been able to decide till now. I've called them & their sending out the 48" today. I'm not allowed to set the tank up yet, but I'm getting everything ready for the great day when I get the go ahead. I even have a regulator & solenoid I bought on ebay. Cheers TW |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 00:24 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Oh the colors I could haveWings - If you are not talking about a Nano tank here (and you aren't) then I would strongly suggest to reconsider hanging 10wpg over any normal sized tank. But on the other hand, I would be very interested to see the effects. If the new light means more colour, why not go for it.Robyn - because with every watt added to your light your margin of error is equally (not in a strict mathematical sense of things) reduced. And tetratech would be addding quite a bit. With that, IMHO, he risks running into the same issues that I have on the 125G. But at least he has a UV light that kills floating algae. BTW tetratech, did you replace the bulb in it yet? Ingo |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 10:26 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Well, it's too late now. The 48" fixture should already be on it's way to me from Brisbane. I hope I don't regret it. But the decision's made, so I'll try not to even think about it again. I may not even be able to set it up for a very long time & besides, I think I will sell the 4ft I have, as it is a small 4ft (only 14 inches wide & 18inches tall). I will get a tank instead that is 18 inches wide & 20 inches tall. I would not have 260W, but 220W over 72G & for the majority of time, I would run 110W, only 220W for maybe an hour - building daily maybe to 2 hours. I don't think I'd really be up for much extra in the swap over, as I have the tank & the stand to sell (I don't need the stand it came on). By the time I am allowed to set it up, maybe I'll also have saved enough $$$ for a UV too. (Sorry tetratch to talk about my non-set-up dream tank in your log.) Cheers TW |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 13:18 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | BTW tetratech, did you replace the bulb in it yet?No not yet, but your right it's probably due for a change. Depending on usage, I think you could wait a year. As far as the 48" light. I guess I'll lose a little intensity when raising it up on the coralife stands. Right now it's pretty much on the glass. My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 13:35 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I think the intensity loss is minimal when raising the fixture by about 2 inches as all that the light has to pass in that space is air. But you will get a better spread Ingo |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 13:48 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I would strongly suggest to reconsider hanging 10wpg over any normal sized tank. But on the other hand, I would be very interested to see the effects.Thats why I am temped to try it. The Rotalla Magenta is not doing really hot in my tank and I am guessing it needs more light. Maybe I will start out with extra 130W's and see what happens. That would put me at 6.5WPG. I could probably pull that off....... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 14:20 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, Where did you buy your fixtures? I think it was Hellolights but I don't know for certain. ba My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 14:58 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Last nite I took out the DW and scrubbed it down a bit and repositioned it slightly. In this pic you could also see the additional riccia toward the left and right corners. Notice how dark it is. My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 15:50 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Very nice, Now you are even polishing the driftwood, how about a chrome la Coralife and nothing else, today I purchased a 65W unit for the 20QT, the only tank that didn't have a PC lighting system. Now all my tanks are Coralife Ingo |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 16:35 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | ..and Tetratech wrote: Where did you buy your fixtures? I think it was Hellolights but I don't know for certain. ba Thanks for the compliments, BTW - I scrubed the DW of any BBA. I like to use it as an indicator whether there s still new BBA growth, since it seems to only really attack the DW. EDIT: Matty,Wings anyone: Do you guys know if a full canopy (you know the one's LF hates) fits over a coralife fixture on legs. So if you have a 4 foot tank and a 4 foot coralife can you easily take the top off and on. My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 17:06 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I am not sure if you will have problems or not with the fixture and a canopy. We normally don't get canopies for our tanks unless somone wants one. In which case they are normally locally custom made. In short... I can't help. Sorry. Are you just trying to make LF angry? The best bet would be to call and find out some measurements on one. The biggest thing is making sure its not a super tight fit on the sides of the tank being the legs hang off the sides. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 19:36 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Are you just trying to make LF angry? The best bet would be to call and find out some measurements on one. The biggest thing is making sure its not a super tight fit on the sides of the tank being the legs hang off the sides. Well my wife still is bugging me for one, since she it's in her kitchen and the canopy will make it look more like a built-in. Ah, if I only had a Fish-Room and not a Fish-Kitchen My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 20:01 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Wow tetra, you're a good man, truly a man willing to comprimise. Putting a big ugly canopy over your tank? I'm impressed... |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 20:30 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yeah I'm the man, who knows who the boss is - my wife One thing actually that I do like about the canopy is that it looks more like a public aquarium, where the room is dark and all the light is n the tank. You aren't distracted by the light that you see coming from the reflector. My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 20:35 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I do agree that the tanks seem to look much more built in when you have a contraption on top of the tank but I am willing to bet that it will be a big pain in the butt with the amount you will have to take the thing off. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 21:04 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | No an all-glass canopy won't fit over a coralife with legs. Just the 4 ft fixture on a 4ft tank will fit under a canopy, as the fixture is slightly less than 4 ft. I guess the only way to do that would be to cut a couple slits in the side of the canopy for the legs. All of the weight of the canopy rests on 4 corner pegs so cutting some on the sides would be ok. That would take care of the length wise problem, but I'm not sure if the coralife with legs will fit height wise either. For that, you could cut a couple peices of wood to place in the four corners bringing up the canopy. EDIT: on the other hand a couple of T5 HO bulbs will fit up into the canopy VERY well. A 2 bulb 4 ft T5HO(icecap) retrofit kit from reefgeek would be nice in there. Other places sell them, but usually don't include choice of bulb and are therefore more expensive. Plus I've delt with them twice, with success. Really if you are planning on a canopy I'd go ahead and do a retrofit kit, even if it's pc. it'll save you money, and won't be as bulky. Fixtures were designed for tanks without canopies. Retrofits were designed for tanks with canopies. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 21:44 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for detailed breakdown matty. So pretty much without the legs it will fit. The retrofit sounds interesting, but as Wings points out I'm gonna be taking this thing on and off quite often especially with all the trimming I do, so it's got to be smooth and easy. My Scapes |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 21:55 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | How much smoother can it be than just taking one thing off? If you have a fixture on the tank, you have to take off the canopy and the fixture, unless you can work around the fixture. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 31-Aug-2006 21:58 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I don't think the AGA canopies are designed for massive light and with it massive heat, but I don't know that for fact. One thing is for sure though ( - or not, but I think so): a massive canopy makes any tank look smaller as it appears without it. Oh, and as for where I got my lights: The super sized fixture on the 125 was from Hellolights, they were the only ones to offer a 72" fixture for shipping and had a great prize as well. My other fixtures are all from Big Al's as the price is pretty much the same, but I get points and fast delivery at less cost. Ingo |
Posted 01-Sep-2006 13:59 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks LF for your comments on the females and the lights. I guess the drama continues, because I'm not convinced of anything with these females and I am convinced the stores don't know what they are getting some times. Anyway as far as the lights. I too like ordering from Big Als when I can for the reasons you stated, but right now the lighting prices I'm getting for the 48" are: BigAls $230 (some reason the salt one with lunar is $200) AquaBuys $200 HelloLgt $195 DrsF&S isn't listing the freshwater one, but the salt is $200. I've started to notice their pricing is beating bigals alot lately. Also why are the freshwater aqualights always in the alumimun housing and the saltwate ones in the black? Any clue? My Scapes |
Posted 01-Sep-2006 14:27 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | The ones we get at my store are all the aluminium just with different bulbs. Changes are they are trying to make them different for less confusion. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 01-Sep-2006 14:50 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah, I don't know why they do that either. My 72" unit is black, but it has by default 2 actinic and 2 10,000K bulbs in it, aka saltwater setup. I am with Matty on the female Apistos, they all look alot alike, well - at least most do. It may be interesting to start bets on how long it will take until all sub-species are mixed up in one gene pool. Ingo |
Posted 01-Sep-2006 16:16 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A couple of rare morning photos of my tank. Tough to take morning shots with the glare coming from the back of my kitchen hits the tank, but here ya go. Here is a full tank shot. A couple of changes to note: The rocks have been reworked alittle more to show more constrast between the riccia and the blyxa. In order to do this I had to remove some more wisteria (holds breadth, right LF) I think the tank is even more random, even the center area is not as "manicured" I also like the way the wisteria randomly exists around the foreground keeping it together. My Scapes |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 14:48 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A closeup shot showing the different levels and such in the tank. Also alot of fish activity. Those 4 rummys who have been with me since the beginning still school nicely. Much better schoolers than the cardinals, but unfortunately for most hours of the day they don't show up well in the tank. My Scapes |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 14:51 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I had about 10 rummys about a year ago, and I never saw them. The tank was planted up with (gasp) fake plants and driftwood so there were plenty of places to hide and they used them all the time. The water stayed very clean, they had a TON of color, and there wasn't a whole lot of traffic in front of the tank or anything, they just hid....all the time. I think they were the most disappointing fish I ever bought. Once in a while I'd put my hand behind and on the sides of the tank to scare them out...this was the only time I ever saw them. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:09 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Very nice tetratech, and looking way more diverse than before. I like how the wisteria is arranged in a cresent shape on the right of the tall group, coming taller from the back and wrapping low to the front. Currently, I find the tall rock with Riccia too massive for the rest of the arrangement. And it hasn't even fully grown in yet. Most other places in your tank have smaller spots with the same plants, as you point out the break up of Riccia in the front with wisteria. This one though is one big Riccia spot. Just my opinion, Ingo |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:11 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Nice shots & nice changes. Those rummys look really nice. Cheers TW |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:17 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Matty, That is pretty much the opposite of my small rummynose school. They are pretty much back and forth in front all day. Did you have any predator type fish with them? LF, I like how the wisteria is arranged in a cresent shape on the right of the tall group, coming taller from the back and wrapping low to the front. Glad you noticed that, it is one of my favority spots of the tank right now. Currently, I find the tall rock with Riccia too massive for the rest of the arrangement. I don't disagree with you, I'm still playing around with the placement of the large riccia rocks. The right covered rock is alot bigger than the right covered one. I went with rocks I had (remember I'm the other Jeff) and the left one is really too small or the right one is too big, I'll probably end up replacing the left one and making it bigger. Robyn, Thanks My Scapes |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, I agree, the left one could be a little bigger, but the right one should be a little smaller as well. It right now has the size of the entire plant species to the left of it (rotala, right?). Maybe not in height but in width it does so. Ingo |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:43 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, I've made a quick change just for you. See if you can notice the difference: Here's the first photo again: My Scapes |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:59 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 15:59 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | You raised the rock on the left, or replace it with a larger one Right? Makes the left side more fitting to the right, nevertheless, IMHO the one on the right is too big. Sorry to be such a PITA, but there is nothing else to bicker about in your tank Ingo |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 16:03 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yes, I raised the rock (couldn't cover a new one with the riccia that fast) and put some pieces of wisteria in front of the rock. Your right though the rock on the left actually had already been lifted by another rock underneath. I simply adding another rock to lift it higher. I'll probably go looking for better rocks but I'm pretty much using what I had. Actually the rock on the left is a petrified wood and the big rock on the right is a moss stone I had in my backyard. My Scapes |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 16:11 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | and the big rock on the right is a moss stone I had in my backyardYou know, my wife has some small bolderish looking rocks as borders for her flower beds. You have no idea how often I had been tempted to steal one or the other so I can add them to my tank Ingo |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 16:14 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | You know, my wife has some small bolderish looking rocks as borders for her flower beds I would take one and replace it with a fake rock. If she's like my wife, she won't notice the difference. My Scapes |
Posted 03-Sep-2006 16:18 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Did you have any predator type fish with them? Well a couple of apistos, but that wouldn't bug them I don't think. That's all that was in the tank other than a clown pleco. I was a bit tired when I wrote that post and forgot to actually comment on your tank I think the new "LF" change really helps balance out the tank in a way I personally(in my lack of scaping skills) couldn't put a finger on. One thing I like are the little stand alone "adventuresome" wisteria here and there. It looks very realistic in the "it just happened to land right here" sort of way. I'm hoping to get this affect in my tank eventually. I don't want blocks of plants, but sort of a natural blurring and a few adventuresome plants here and there. A little bit of blyxa or chain sword popping up out of the feild of baby's tears or something like that. Maybe an epic battle between the oncoming rush of glosso coming down the falls and the bit of moss clinging for dear life on a rock popping out from the falls. Something like that would be pretty cool, and I think you have a bit of that in the random spots you've been working on. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 04-Sep-2006 03:56 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Lately, a couple of us have talked about new rocks & sometimes finding them (or stealing from wive's gardens). I wondered if this link I stumbled across might help, in making sure the rocks are aquarium safe. It seems to say the vinegar test may not always work. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/rock_me Cheers TW |
Posted 04-Sep-2006 04:02 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, Good article Robyn. We carry dilute HCl in to the field to test for carbonates. Vinegar will not work on all carbonates for a few reasons. First, the carbonate bond may be too strong and the acid too weak to break the bonds. Second, could be due to surface weathering. As the rock is exposed to the elements, it develops a la the surface that can be a few microns thick to fractions of an inch thick. This weathering rind will prevent the acid from reaching the unweathered carbonate below the rind, and give a false reading. Generally, to eliminate that possibility, we scratch the surface of the rock or cleave a piece off the the sample so we get a fresh, unweathered surface and test on that surface. The idea of the vinegar was to use an acid that is most commonly found in nearly every household. Not everyone has access to HCl. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 04-Sep-2006 06:44 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Robyn, Frank wrote what I thought once I was finished skimming through the article. Even if I had access to such chemicals, how often would I need them? Maybe once in 6 months if I have multiple tanks, maybe only once at all. Any chemical that I don't need to store in the house is a good one Vinegar and a little bit of faith will have to do, at least for me. Ingo |
Posted 04-Sep-2006 11:52 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Thanks Frank & LF I received the article via a newsletter I get from having signed up to a US cichlid forum. I wonder why they advise the use of something that is not readily available - seems a bit pointless doesn't it. Just out of curiousity, I'm going to ask around here in Aus how hard it is to get, but experience tells me that if you find it hard, so will I. My children are all older, so I need not be so worried as LF in regards to having chemicals in the house. I was interested, cause I tried the vinegar test on my gravel in the 43G & even after scratching the surface, I got no result. But something affects pH & hardness in that tank, even during a time when nothing other than fish, plants, wood & gravel were in there. So I was already doubting the vinegar test, before I read this. Cheers TW |
Posted 05-Sep-2006 01:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well I think one of my bolivians has died. I haven't seen him in 7 days even at feeding time. One of my bolivians is about 2 years old. Great now I have one bolivian, one bosemani. I might bring the bosemani back along with maybe the 5 pencils to reduce the species count. My Scapes |
Posted 06-Sep-2006 19:19 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Sorry about the Bolivian tetra. We discussed his age a few weeks ago, I wonder if it was indeed him. If so, at least you know he lived a good long life... after the hwole, ya know, brewery thing... |
Posted 06-Sep-2006 19:43 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Sorry for the loss tetratch. Will you get a new friend for the surviving bolivian? Cheers TW |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 01:51 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks guys. Yes, we did talk about it Nowher and I knew it was coming. Robyn, I probably won't replace the ram, because the other one is pretty old too and I'm currently reevaluting the stock in my tank. Don't like to get rid of anything, but I'd like to move more toward a one species schooling fish. I still have the two young blue rams in there to compliment the schools I have. My Scapes |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 03:06 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Sorry about the Ram, tetratech Do you think it has been completely eaten by the tank mates? I would seriously start looking around in the tank for any remains. Ingo |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 10:36 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Do you think it has been completely eaten by the tank mates? I would seriously start looking around in the tank for any remains Thanks LF, I honestly can't find it. I started poking aroudn the back but no luck. I also have about 7 Amano shrimp in the tank. They probably picked at it as well. My Scapes |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 14:10 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Sorry bout the ram, tetratech. It seems like everybody is having fish drop off, bummer. In well established tanks(especially one with inverts or scavengers), unless you find them right away, you probably won't find them at all. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 16:02 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | In well established tanks(especially one with inverts or scavengers), unless you find them right away, you probably won't find them at all. Yeah, I'm sure your right. Between the shrimp, kuli, corys and otos I'm sure it's pretty much gone..... Does seem like a bad month so far for Cichlids here at FP My Scapes |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 16:37 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Between the shrimp, kuli, corys and otos I'm sure it's pretty much gone.....I didn't know you had corys in there too! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 07-Sep-2006 17:48 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah, I think he has one Cory in there, right tetratech? Isn't he the sole surviving cory when your former tank had a nuclear meltdown? Ingo |
Posted 08-Sep-2006 10:07 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Hence the Bensaf fish stocking style. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 08-Sep-2006 14:12 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I think he has one Cory in there, right tetratech? Isn't he the sole surviving cory when your former tank had a nuclear meltdown Yeah, he seem pretty happy. I know the cory addicts don't approve, but I don't have much of a foreground otherwise I would get more. Speaking of single fish I think I might return my one bosemani to the LFS today. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Sep-2006 14:20 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Sounds good tetratech, I am sure he is a lonely fellow in your tank there. Although one never knows where he will end up next, there is a chance that he will be better off. Ingo |
Posted 08-Sep-2006 14:44 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I am sure he is a lonely fellow in your tank there. Although one never knows where he will end up next, there is a chance that he will be better off. You are right of course, but I know of one LFS that has an endcap 72g with all rainbows in it and supposely they don't sell them. It's just display so I'll try to get him in there. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Sep-2006 14:51 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 10-Sep-2006 22:12 | |
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Posted 10-Sep-2006 23:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | and how the tank looks right now after a major trim. I also lightened up the stargrass groupings, making them more like accents. I just feel the plant is too much maint.in a hi-light, co2 tank. The aromatica, rotala and of course wistera are much more manageable. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Sep-2006 23:17 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I've also repositioned the wood on the right so it's resting right on the ricca covered rock. Something about ricca in contact with DW My Scapes |
Posted 10-Sep-2006 23:20 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | The larger ricca stones closer to the light pearl much more than the lower stones in the foreground. Since they are in the same tank, the conclusion is pretty solid that hi-light is important for the riccia to pearl, although the lower ricca looks fine and does pearl sometimes, especially after a trim when the main group isn't shading it as much. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Sep-2006 23:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | When cardinals school they are tough to beat IMO.And therein lies the problem, "When" they school. I am sure you had to get the whole family to dance around the tank and to scare them stiff in order for them to school so tight No seriously, nice shots tetratech. Not surprisingly do I concur that the Riccia does much better with more light. Ingo |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 02:10 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | And therein lies the problem, "When" they school. I am sure you had to get the whole family to dance around the tank and to scare them stiff in order for them to school so tight We danced, we sung and of course we "blessed the rains down in Africa" My Scapes |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 04:22 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | But seriously, how come that they schooled so nicely? Or do they do that on a frequent basis? I thought I remembered that you mentioned the lack of schooling in your cardinals. Ingo |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 13:36 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | So speaking of cardinals. Yours look quite nice. We got in some very nice cardinals and neons from FL sometime last week. Needles to say the Neons are gone and the Cardinals are almost gone. I was very tempted to bring some home because they hardly ever look that good. They were always schooling rather tightly too. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 14:56 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | But seriously, how come that they schooled so nicely? Or do they do that on a frequent basis? I thought I remembered that you mentioned the lack of schooling in your cardinals. No they usually don't school that's why I took the pics. I've noticed though now that the other bosemani is gone the remaining one chases all the fish around so that might have somthing to do with it. Wings, I don't know if you remember, but the survival rate of my cardinals went up dramatically since I installed the UV. Absolutely without a doubt it made a hugh difference. Once cards make it through the first few weeks their actually pretty tough fish and the UV helps them through the acclimation process when their immune systems are compromised by all the stress, thus open them up to parasites that are usually in the water. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 15:02 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | A UV filter is one of the few gadgets that I am looking into. The problem I see would be to get the right flow on a filter to assure that the light would kill all free swimming algae, my main concern. If, at the same flow rate, it would kill parasites and what not as well, that would be even better. Ingo |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 15:11 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A UV filter is one of the few gadgets that I am looking into. The problem I see would be to get the right flow on a filter to assure that the light would kill all free swimming algae, my main concern. If, at the same flow rate, it would kill parasites and what not as well, that would be even better. I think that's another testament to how slow my flow rate is in my tank. The flow rate for killing parasites is slower than that for free floating algae and I'm obviously convinced of the effect the UV has had on cardinal survivability. I don't know how exact the recommended flows are for killing parsites, bacteria and/or algae. I'm sure it's not black and white, but rather how effective the kill rate is. Let's face it. There are parasites probably in most fishes if not all. Why do you think fish get ich when they are stressed. I think it would be almost impossible to buy fish that you know don't have parasites (like untitled suggested with Blue Rams) I don't believe that's a realistic alternative, it's more realistic to keep the parasite suppressed so the fish lives a normal life. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 15:28 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Yeah I know that your Cards did way better after adding the UV. I have thought about adding one but that is a lot of extra cash to spend on something that I probably don't need right now. Some day if I get into fish like Card or Neons I might get on. I was just saying before that the fish that came in were hard to resist from buying. They hardly ever look so good. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 15:35 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | A UV that is in charge of killing parasites would be rather useless to me in the big tank as all fish go for 3 to 4 weeks into the QT first anyway. And rigging that tank to include a UV seems more trouble than not. My main ob Ingo EDIT: Closing in on 2000, aren't we? |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 15:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A UV that is in charge of killing parasites would be rather useless to me in the big tank as all fish go for 3 to 4 weeks into the QT O.K. so because your little fishes are in QT for 3/4 weeks they don't have parasites. I honestly think it's more the other way around. The UV almost makes the QT useless. With the UV I know it's continuosly killing anything that gets into the water with the QT, just because the parasite doesn't rear it's ugly head in a months time doesn't mean they aren't there, lurking, waiting for an opportunity. If the fish visiblity looks good when purchased, without any obvious signs of illness, I would take a UV over a QT anytime. EDIT: And yes you could use my 2000 post to respond My Scapes |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 15:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And yes you could use my 2000 post to respondThe I will do that First off, Hey 2000 If the UV is that good then I agree. If it wouldn't be for all kinds of "issues" that could be carried in with a new fish that are outside of the parasite vs. UV battle. Ingo |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 18:10 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Here is my view on things. I think most people have problems with their fish when they don't take care of them proporly. Most people don't do Water changes the corect way, often enough or their tank is not yet cycled. This lack of tank care leads to weak fish and opens the door to things like parasites or any other issue a fish may face. If you know the cycling process and are good about your water changes you shouldn't have many issues with most fish. Though there are some fish that are touchier than other. Things like your cards. When adding new fish to your tank a drip method will work wonders. Also it is good to buy fish from a good source. Make sure there hasn't been any losses in the LFS tank. Personaly I think a QT is a good idea because who knows what a fish might come with. Plus it is easeir to pull a fish from a QT than a thick plantet tank. On the down side once the fish gets used to the QT and you are sure its healthy you are going to move it again causing more stress. Where the UV may come in handy. I really think this is a six to one and half a dozen to the other type of argument and it will really depend on the situation. for 2000 post in your log Tetra! I will be happy to hit 200 with mine! I guess a camera would help maters... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 18:30 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well, thanks for the 2000 congrats! I'll just say 2000 posts to my thread and I'm still married. Anyway, I'm not saying the QT is a waste. It could only help detect something, but I don't think because a fish spends a month in QT it could be declared healthy. Yes, of course there are things that the UV won't catch or destroy, but most problems with fish happen in the first few weeks, thus the logic behind the QT. The fundamental difference I have is that fish have parasites or are e to infection when they are stressed. So if you put a fish in your tank after QT and something stresses it and there is something in the tank the fish might still become sick, but if you have a UV constantly destroying things, than the fish will not be open to infection when it gets stressed. I noticed this first hand with the cardinals and of course my blue rams look fine. I don't think you could ever say you bought a fish without parasites just by looking at it. BTW - I've never had a QT. Ever fish I bought for my 72g went straight in and I've never had an outbreak of anything since the UV went in. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 19:11 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | bought a fish without parasites just by looking at it.Really who knows! Can you see them when they aren't hanging off the fish? One other thing. Don't add LFS water to your tank will help matters also. I buy all most stuff now from my own store and I don't mix waters. So point of the story is for fish like rams and cards a UV is the deal? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 19:16 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | If I could afford a UV sterilizer, I'd plumb one in under my tank in a heartbeat. I wouldn't use it all the time, but if I were getting new fish, or the fish seemed stressed for some reason, I'd turn it on for a few weeks. Unfortunately, they'll never come down much in price without suffering in the effectiveness category, due to the crystal(not glass) used for the UV bulb sleeve. those things are just down right difficult to make, ship, and on top they break easily. They make all different sizes capable of handling different flow rates. I'm not sure if that was answered. A higher wattage bulb is also longer, meaning that parasites are exposed to the UV longer, so a higher flow rate can be used. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 19:17 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I'm not sure if that was answered. A higher wattage bulb is also longer, meaning that parasites are exposed to the UV longer, so a higher flow rate can be used. That's a a really good point. The stronger uv will not require as slow a rate as the smaller ones. I have the coralife 9W, about $70 online. That's another reason why I think my flow is pretty slow, because it is killing parasites (from what I could tell) The eheim is only 185gph to begin with, plus you have the height, the UV on the return, plus I can't remember the last time I cleaned it. (probably 3 months) My Scapes |
Posted 11-Sep-2006 19:57 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | O.K. I usually don't like my tank right after I trim, but for some reason the tank I thought was looking pretty good. So the following are 3 pics that start out as a full tank shot and then go further into the center. Driftwood is a funny thing. I was never really thrilled with my DW(preferred LF's ADG Wood, but the pieces in these pics are the same pieces I've had for a long time just rearranged and they actually don't look to bad. First a full tank shot with baby nano (update probably within a few days) to the left: My Scapes |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 01:36 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 01:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 01:39 | |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 01:40 | This post has been deleted |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I see floating wisteria Looks great, but I think you should keep going, and make a flip book animation, where it looks like you are falling from outside the tank into the riccia rocks or something. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 06:27 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | preferred LF's ADG Wood Now if I only knew how to make the ADG wood glow tetratech, Looking nice, and the word that struck me first when looking at the tank was "compact". I guess with that I mean that the plants seem full as a mass in the entire tank. There are no gaps or empty spaces, at least not in the areas where there shouldn't be any. The only thing that I think does not quite fit, and I mentioned this before, is that the large Riccia rock at the right of the main group in the back, is too large of an even structure. When the Ricca there is in full swing it will take the focus away from the main plant group. Ingo |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 10:49 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Looks great, but I think you should keep going, and make a flip book animation, where it looks like you are falling from outside the tank into the riccia rocks or something. uh, thanks LF, My young grasshopper. Yes the riccia rock on the right looks big I agree, but the tank was just trimmed so the stems are small. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 13:48 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | My young grasshopperGlad you didn't call me "Old Man" Yes, you just trimmed the tank. But I made the same statement when it was not trimmed. And I am sticking to it. What else can I do? Otherwise, all I would have to say is "Looks really nice" and that would be boring, wouldn't it? Ingo |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 14:28 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | But I made the same statement when it was not trimmed. And I am sticking to it Ever since you got that promotion. Anywho, I guess we'll see next set of pics in a few days when things grow in a bit. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 14:48 | |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 14:48 | This post has been deleted |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Looks good tetra. I can see you eventually replacing the wisteria on the right with more big riccia rocks and then planting some stems behind them, like some of Amano's old tanks or not but I definetly like the use of big riccia stones |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 15:30 | |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 15:30 | This post has been deleted |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks nowher Yeah the big ricca stones are really . The thought did cross my mind to actually take out all my stems plants except the aromatica and add different levels of riccia stones throughout. Notice the blyxa group on the left looks much fuller. It's getting better light since the riccia doesnt' shade it as much as the stargrass/wisteria used to. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 15:58 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | It's getting better light since the riccia doesnt' shade it as much as the stargrass/wisteria used to- I think it gets its light from the Nano - Big Riccia rocks Ingo |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 16:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I think it gets its light from the Nano Never thought about that Big Riccia rocks You know you want some Amano with eggs: My Scapes |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 16:22 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Something about an Amano shrimp on riccia. I think an image like this is what got me into planted aquaria. I've fulfilled a dream. "A shrimp on a piece of floating weed held down by a woman's hairnet". My Scapes |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 16:28 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | So do I still need to send you some salt for that shrimp of yours? As always Tetra...Very nice! Any thoughts of adding more wood? Maybe just one or two more chunks? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 12-Sep-2006 20:19 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Very nice Amano shrimpsters, tetratech Cool to see the eggs in the first shot. Just the other day I was looking into some thread here at FP (don't remember the forum) where Cali linked to some shrimp site. Either directly on that site, or by perusing the web thereafter, I read that Amano shrimp babies have a larvea stage that requires almost pure saltwater for them to survive. Oh - now my old age is setting in - did I get this confused with your Ninja shrimp? Or maybe it was both? Man, I really can't remember now Ingo |
Posted 13-Sep-2006 13:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | No, you got that right. The amano fry supposely need some salt to survive. Supposely the adults live in freshwater streams, but the fry when born float back to saltwater and eventually end up back in the stream. It could be worse, you could be a salmon. My Scapes |
Posted 13-Sep-2006 14:17 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now this is really funny. Well done tetratech, I guess you couldn't stand the non-dynamic title anymore |
Posted 13-Sep-2006 15:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the acknowledgement LF! and on with the show............ You know your a plantgeek, when things like this are more exciting than the fish swimming around. Here is shot of how my wisteria runs through the riccia covered rocks in part of my foreground. These have not been clipped by me and are crawling through from the larger wisteria group seen in the midground. My Scapes |
Posted 13-Sep-2006 15:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 13-Sep-2006 15:17 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I see you are still cracking the whip! It is nice to see your wisteria still moving around. Mine isn't doing that much any more. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 13-Sep-2006 18:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Full tank shot from this morning. I added an extra DW in the middle but I think it's too thick a piece (yes Wings, I thought about it myself and then you mentioned as well. Some fish changes as well, nothing new added but I decreased my species count by two. I turned in my 5 pencil fish to a good LFS and my 4 black neons. The pencils and black neons I had from the getgo and only lost one black neon from an ich outbreak prior to my UV. The pencils and neons really disappeared into the tank and because they were about the same size as the cards just added clutter to the look of the tank. I'm probably going to move the bosemani since I only have one and I know a good LFS that has a 72g endcap display tank of all rainbows. Because I still have twenty-something cardinals I'll probably add another 10 or so right off the bat. Actually I did add three more amano shrimp to the tank giving me a total of 10 (I think) My Scapes |
Posted 17-Sep-2006 16:04 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I'm not too sure I think it's too large/thick a peice of driftwood. I think it fits right in like it's been there the whole time. I actually had to go back in the log to make sure I knew which peice it was that you added. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 17-Sep-2006 16:14 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra, Nice work on the DW. It looks very natural but a thinner chunk might be better. Leave it be for a while and see if it grows on you. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 18-Sep-2006 03:34 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | So what's the general consenous about me putting my agassizi in my 72g with the bolivian and the blue rams? I really don't like the way they look in the 12g and I really want the shrimp crawling around Monkey Skull Island. My Scapes |
Posted 20-Sep-2006 16:31 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | I think it'll work, tetra. My guess is the agazzssszsszszszs's will find a territory and hang out there, maybe get a little pushy there but nothing terrible. I know this tank has probably been long torn down, but Amano managed a 40G tank with 4 rams, a pair of a. borelli, pair of cacs and a pair of aggazsamajiggers. Im sure it'll work fine. And good call on the fish stock. It's nicer to have one big group than a few small ones, but these sort of things happen when you get into the hobby and develop your tastes and style along the way. What we started out with (tiger barbs in my case ) sometimes ends up being far away from what we eventually like and gravitate towards when it comes to fish. |
Posted 20-Sep-2006 16:37 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks nowhere, I'm probably gonna do it. I think I'm alittle gun shy, because long ago as you said when your sorta feeling out fish I threw a pair of kribs in my old 46g and I had some rams at the time and I'm pretty sure I lost a few from the stress that the kribs gave them, but I don't think the agassiz are nearly as agresssive as kribs. I might have issues if and when they decide to breed. Yeah I'm definitey happier with less species at this point. I will probably move the rainbow later this week. Even though I'll still have 9 species in the tank only two really patrol the middle of the water column. The rest are either bottom feeders or rams that pretty much stay on the bottom. Cardinals (23) Rummynose (4) Blue rams (2) Bolivian rams (1) Apistos (2 - if added) Otos (7 or 8) Cory (1 - might add a few more) Kuhli loaches (2) Amano shrimp (9 or 10) My Scapes |
Posted 20-Sep-2006 16:50 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | The only theoretical conflict I could see would be the apistos and the cories - there are more than a few cases of apistos doing some eye-pecking at cories when they breed. Could be an issue, might not be. But there's a good deal of precedent for it, so just one thing to consider. |
Posted 20-Sep-2006 17:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | The only theoretical conflict I could see would be the apistos and the cories - That doesn't sound good since I only have one cory and he would need his sight to get around since he doesn't have a school to rely on. Well it is done. I ordered the 48" coralife reflector. So I'm moving up to 1.8/3.6wpg lighting schedule. What am I getting myself into My Scapes |
Posted 20-Sep-2006 23:41 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Well it is done. I ordered the 48" coralife reflector. yay. Can't wait to see the colors POP in your stems. I'm actually thinking of going with another 96w pc strip on mine. It might just be initial growth, but things are a little leggy down on the substrate and a lot of the glosso growth was straight up. I'll give it some time, though. And nowhere, don't make fun of the tiger barbs....they are still one of my fav fish ever. I think the apistos will be fine in there too. Not an ideal situation, but I think it should work fine. There's lots of cover and plenty of room. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 21-Sep-2006 00:04 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | So I'm moving up to 1.8/3.6wpg lighting schedule.Yeah whatever. I am running 3.25/6.5wpg. I think the 6.5 is now up to around 2 hours. About 10 minutes after that light comes on the plants pearl like crazy! Overall lights is only at 9-10 hours. No signs of bad stuff poping up in the tank though the Otos have been extra crazy eating.... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 14:40 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 15:09 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | The 48" light is pretty good, that's what I have for my new big tank now. I like Coralife fixtures, definetely good quality. Made me realize one of my rookie mistakes - I must have gone through 3 light hoods on the 46 before settling on a good one. The moral of the story, of course, is to just buy the best one you can right from the beginning, because you're wasting money in the long run. I have the 4X65 one, and I'm interested to see how it makes a difference on your tank Matty, I'm actually still a fan of tiger bards, I think they're absolutely beautiful... just not in their personalities. One big male killed off some smaller ones. I couldn't add anything to their tank, when i first added BN they pecked at it whenever it came out of its cave. Like little pirhanas. They used to peck at my hand when in the tank. I would love to do a 30 or so gallon species tank with them, but that's for the future. They just dont fit in with the "peaceful" planted tank theme. |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 15:46 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 16:14 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | The 48" light is pretty good So were gonna have the same light you on your 65g and my on my 72g . So your pushing 4wpg, not as much as wings 6.5wpg, but we all can't be total animals. BTW - everything work out O.K. with Glass Cages. I heard some iffy things about them. Matty, It's O.K. you could show your killer fish on my thread. Nothing scares me I have a tank full of starving cardinal tetras. They are cousins to the piranha. EDIT: Forgot to mention when I ordered the 48" light I also orderd 10,000k and Actintic 96watt bulbs for my 36" fixutre that will go on my reef tank. So that will give my 192w on the 46g. Yep I'm almost there Matty............... My Scapes |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 21:11 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Actually, I'm probably not going to use the 4WPG. For what I'm going for it won't be needed, but again, I just wanted it just in case someday I do decide I want to make my life harder than it is a have a full 4WPG tank Everything went smooth with glasscages. I think a fair comparison with them is B&H camera in NYC. If you go in there and you know what you want, everything is fine. But if you go in all iffy about what youre looking for, they'll probably get a little short with you. I knew what I wanted so everything was fine. Plus the quality of the product is very good, and the price was unbeatable. No complaints. That said, I can see where people would call them iffy. Some of their glass aquariums look sloppy in the seals on the website. I also wouldn't get a very very big tank from them, especially a rimless even though they say they'll make them. But like I said, I'm very happy with the product I got from them. As for Matty's pic, those plants seem to be crying out, "Nitrates!... give us nitrates!!! and potassium!" |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 21:23 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | And what the crap is that on the bottem of the tank Matty? Did your girl friend pick that out for you? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 22:05 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Boah, Gone for a little while and when I come back I see that the light(sabre) wars have broken out . Anyway, I find the idea of getting a longer light unit a good one, but I think I stated that a few times already And I must have missed most of the camera talk, so no comment there. Ingo |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 23:01 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, I would take that plant out of that plastic plant and replant it in the substrate. Let the plant grow and spread its roots and it will get even more nutrients. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 23:13 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Frank, I guess I should have stated that the pic was taken 3 years ago now. The anubias was eventually taken out of the pot and grew to about 2 feet before I had to get rid of it this summer. I only have 2 tanks now, none of which have blue gravel. I think for the most part the plants were crying out for light and CO2...there was plenty in the way of nitrates...maybe not potassium, but it was just a wreck of a tank. I just thought the pic was fitting for nowhers comments. Did your girl friend pick that out for you? *Shakes fish at wings* Glad to hear the SW tank is coming along, I was starting to get nervous! Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 22-Sep-2006 23:29 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I decided to move my apistos into my 72g. They just didn't loook right in the 12g. I guess I'm more into the scape and the fish are secondary. Also the java covered mountain is perfect for a bunch of shrimps to be walking on and keeping it clean. My Scapes |
Posted 26-Sep-2006 16:15 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Good move, IMO. I thought the male looked a bit too big for the 12 as well. The shrimps will probably make that tank zero effort, cleaning up the java moss. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 26-Sep-2006 16:51 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah, Sounds like a good move to me as well. Just keep an eye on the potential territory fights that may happen soon, once they are settled it should be peaceful again, until breeding season kicks in Ingo |
Posted 26-Sep-2006 17:30 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Sounds like a good move to me as well. Just keep an eye on the potential territory fights that may happen soon, once they are settled it should be peaceful again, until breeding season kicks in Well if my saltwater tank is not successful, the 46g bow could one day be a breeder tank. I'm waiting for my lights to come in (should arrive Thursday) and I should be ready to start setting up the salt water tank. My Scapes |
Posted 26-Sep-2006 17:59 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Hey...I don't want to hear any of that negative thinking tetratech. BTW what are you using for water...RO? Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 26-Sep-2006 23:33 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I guess it's become a tradition so here's my one year recap: Initial setup of tank with just the hardscape. My wife took one look and say "Apolcalyptic" I was off to a great start. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:36 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Day 1 with plants added didn't look that much better. Nice bubble ladder on a 72g. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:37 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Day 14 brought nice plant growth but with it Greenwater and a willow tree. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:39 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:40 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | At 3 months the lush growth was gone, due probably to an underdose of macros. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:42 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | But the depleted plant groupings gave me a chance to order some new plant species. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:43 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Jumping ahead to 6 months, the "Stellaromatica" clearly become the dominate plant in my setup: My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:45 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:46 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | At 10 months I started to cut back some of the wisteria to make room for more of a beachfront with more riccia, rock and blyxa. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:48 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 04:51 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | During the year I certainly had my down points, which included: greewwater, fert deficienies, some interesting comments that included: "..your center rock looks like Hendrix with a frow", "crushed crab legs", "still life", but overall I received far more positive comments so I think it was an up year. Special thanks to LF, Nowher, Wings, Matty, Tankwatcher for posting in the thread and of course to Bensaf who pretty much schooled me and forced me to stick with EI even when it was as alien as ET. Anyway here is the tank at 1 year. After adding these big ricca pieces to the midground the tank still needs some fine-tuning. So the pursuit of perfection goes on.... My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 05:04 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Very nice review tetra but I wish you would have really shown the GW! It was really bad in there if I remember right. For the newer people the green water being gone didn't have much to do with the willow trees but the UV. Did you add more cards? I count 16! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 13:59 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well tetratech, Thank you so much for your annual update, it shows how the tank evolved over time in just a few pictures. If there would have been a competition (which was not the case) on who of us has achieved more (in the scaping department, at least) during that one year then you would have been easily the winner (everyone who would say otherwise just doesn't want to hurt me, ). After a relative short ride-in time you started to successfully change small things in the tank to make it look better and better, very nice. Ingo |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 14:34 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | BTW... See my log! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 15:05 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 16:50 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks all for the comments. Looking forward to seeing yours one day Tankwatcher. BTW - Did anyone notice the cardinals in the middle of the tank on the last shot. I've noticed better schooling behavior since I reduced the species of tetras. Probably just coincedence. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 16:56 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Probably just coincedenceI don't think so. You may remember that I once wrote about the schooling of my Espei (not tetras - I know). When the group was really large there was no schooling at all anymore as fish were everywhere. Once reduced in numbers, the schooling started again. I see the same possibility with your tank. There was just no need to school. Ingo |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 17:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I don't think so. You may remember that I once wrote about the schooling of my Espei (not tetras - I know). When the group was really large there was no schooling at all anymore as fish were everywhere. Once reduced in numbers, the schooling started again. Thanks, but in this case the reduction is with other species of tetras not the cardinals. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 17:29 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Same deal tetratech, Schools form because the fish stay in formation if there is too much open space in which a potential predator may hide. If fish are in the open everywhere then there is no space left for a predator anymore, or he would have eaten one of the fish already. Ergo: Fish, not even from the same species but similar in size and as such similar "food" for predators, will see no need to hold formation if there is no chance that they will be in danger. At least this is my reasoning, Ingo |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 17:37 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Did you add more cards? I count 16!I saw the Cards. They look nice. What is your count! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 17:49 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I saw the Cards. They look nice. What is your count! I've had 22/23 for a long time now. I'm actually thinking about adding 10 more, but not before I get rid of the rainbow. It's a beautiful fish, but it really doesn't fit in the tank and makes a difficult to feed all the cichlids, let alone the waste he produces. Once gone I think all of my fish will be south american. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 17:57 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Nice Summary there tetratech. I really have to say I like the current version the best. The extra DW peice really stands out along with more of the riccia rocks. I know the stems in back probably aren't full due to the addition of the DW so once those fill back in it will be even nicer. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 19:07 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the comments Matty. Needs some tweaking but I like the current pics too. Well I guess it's fitting that I'll be starting off the second year of the tank with a new lights that should be arriving today. I'm going from 192 to 260watt total. Hopefully it wasn't a mistake and the tank can handle it. I guess if it's too much light it would be a good excuse to use the new 4 foot fixture on a 5 foot tank. With the new lights, I did think about making a fresh start and tearing the tank down and build something completely different. Maybe that's a good plan keep the tank for a year for better or for worse and then try something new every year. Unfortunately I don't think I would have the time to do that right now and besides I do have the darkside tank to setup shortly. Another concern is the light will make the plants grow faster and I'll have to trim even more. The "10 second tidy" coined by Bensaf will become a "20 second tidy" and believe me 10 seconds a day adds up One thing I like right now is the growth rate of the riccia. It grows fine by not so fast that I'm constantly trimming it. The foreground riccia pearls at times, but the midgrond stuff is another story. With the new lights I'll probably have to trim all of it more, not to mention the pearling gives the riccia more boyancy and pulls it away from the attached rock. Here's a pic through the side last nite showing massive riccia pearling and the rotala joined in too. This is true pearling and not ba My Scapes |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 19:53 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | As you know I am running 260W on my 40G now for a few weeks. I have found that my growth hasn't really taken off that much but the plants pearl much more often. I don't think they are trying to get to the light as fast being they are getting good light. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Sep-2006 20:16 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Nice pearling there tetratech..I'd love to see a nice supermacro of that...It would make me want to get a 125G full of pearling riccia so I can lay down in it. IMO the real limiting factor for actual upwards growth in most well lit aquaria is not light. It's the other stuff like CO2 and N and P. I kinda agree with wings. I haven't noticed faster upward growth with more light(as compared to my 38g with 2ish wpg), actually less. Most things tend to grow bushier instead. I have noticed more growth from the chain swords and the baby's tears have really startled me with their rate of growth. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 28-Sep-2006 01:22 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | the real limiting factor for actual upwards growth in most well lit aquaria is not light. It's the other stuff like CO2 and N and P. I kinda agree with wings. I haven't noticed faster upward growth with more light(as compared to my 38g with 2ish wpg), actually less. Most things tend to grow bushier instead. I have noticed more growth from the chain swords and the baby's tears have really startled me with their rate of growth. Well I hope that applys to the riccia as well. Bushier sounds good! My Scapes |
Posted 28-Sep-2006 01:30 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | I'll watch what happens with your light very lots of interest. I couldn't decide for longest time what light to get for my still empty 4ft. Firstly I paid & ordered the 48" light, then I rang the guy put it on hold while I thought about putting the 3ft light on the 4ft tank. He kept telling me the legs wouldn't work, but the light manufacturer said he'd make a 4ft light, but only put the light fittings of a 3 footer in there. As usual, I procrastinated for the longest time - but when I saw you've ordered the 4footer, I did the same. So, I'll really be interested to see how it goes. I think bushier growth, rather than upwards growth, sounds good too. Upward growth just means more frequent trimming. Can't wait to see all that bushy new growth in your tank. Cheers TW |
Posted 29-Sep-2006 15:31 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well I installed the new light today. Some pros and cons right off the bat: Pros: -Consistent light across the entire tank. I could really see my riccia in the corners now. -It's easier to clean the glass top, since the light isn't sitting on the top but is up on the 1.5 inch legs. -Visually it looks alittle nicer that the light is the length of the tank. Cons: -Becuase the light is raised 1.5 inches it lights up the glass top as well, showing off the dirt, etc. I guess I'll be clean this more often. -It's very tempting to go without the glass top, which I'm sure one could do, but you see all the braces on the AGA tank. -And the biggest con is that it makes me want a braceless tank even more My Scapes |
Posted 30-Sep-2006 16:07 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Can we see a picture of the tank with the new light, pretty please. Cheers TW |
Posted 01-Oct-2006 13:39 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I am with Robyn, Can we see a shot of the whole tank with the new light in place? Also, what is your plan for lighting hours? Ingo |
Posted 01-Oct-2006 15:11 | |
saltnewbie Enthusiast Posts: 277 Kudos: 168 Votes: 1 Registered: 04-Feb-2004 | It may not look like I follow this thread, but I do. This and LITTLE_FISH thread are so much fun to read, but I hardly post. I'd like to see a full shot with the new lights, also. |
Posted 02-Oct-2006 19:20 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | -Visually it looks alittle nicer that the light is the length of the tank.Really? Prove it! -It's very tempting to go without the glass top, which I'm sure one could do, but you see all the braces on the AGA tankYeah don't do it. I did it for quite a while on my tank. I didn't mess up the fixture but if I kept going with it I might have. When I pulled my bulbs to throw into the Current I found one of the screws that holds in the reflecters a bit rusty. Trust me it does look much nicer but we don't want fish tank caused house fires. Your wife will never let you have a fish tank again! And that my friend would be 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 05-Oct-2006 14:18 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Heloooooo...... 's for echo. *taps foot impatiently for explanation of prolonged absense* Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 16-Oct-2006 23:23 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Methinks tetra has moved on to "greener" pastures... |
Posted 17-Oct-2006 17:29 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Without even saying goodbye but you can't fool me....he still visits. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 17-Oct-2006 17:51 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I am telling you: Either he is busy with his new dark side project and wants to keep it a secret until it is set up, Or he is about to win some major scaping award and wants to await the results, Or he is bored of us Ingo |
Posted 17-Oct-2006 20:18 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Well, Matty, I'm glad that is evidence that he is ok & no tradgedy prevents him joining in, and that is a relief. Cheers TW |
Posted 18-Oct-2006 00:23 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | TETRA SPEAKS!! Sorry for my disappearing act, but it wasn't ba I do research for large corporations. These projects are usually large and take alot of time to complete. Most of the time I'm able to stagger my deadlines, but over the past few weeks I had many projects that were due at the same time. My wife saw me on FP and said "see that's why your up all nite, yada, yada, yada... So hence the bet, stay off FP for a month. Although I have checked in here and there (couldn't fool the DIY Man) I haven't posted since Sept 30th. I'm almost thru with the tough part of my schedule and the month period will end soon, so I will be back. Looking forward to catching up, looks like some interesting changes are going on with everyone's tanks. Looking forward to discussing (LF style extreme makeover) and talking alittle herpetology with Matty. BTW - Other than the riccia in the corners growing better, I haven't noticed much change since installing the new light. My Scapes |
Posted 19-Oct-2006 14:27 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | He is alive! I might have to make one of those bets with my wife too as she has called me out for playing on here a lot! Have a good one and look forward to having you back! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 19-Oct-2006 14:45 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Yep I finally got permission for a non-fish setup.....the frog just had to be "cute" . Can't wait fo some input on those guys from you....but I won't be getting them real soon so no rush. Good to know you're just busy. Give us a heads up next time. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 19-Oct-2006 15:39 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, Glad to hear that the only reason you didn't post is some silly bet Good idea to keep updated with the happenings here, I always loose track when I am not around for even a week. Til soon, Ingo PS: Of course I checked your profile daily and knew that you are around, but don't tell the DIY Man |
Posted 19-Oct-2006 17:22 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Hey tetratech How is the new light going? Any issues? Can we see a shot with the new light? Cheers TW |
Posted 08-Nov-2006 00:19 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | With out pictures to prove otherwise we are all going to have to guess that your tank, tetra, is covered in algea. Proof is in the picture! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 09-Nov-2006 15:19 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the interest guys, but I've decided to make some changes. Please stay tuned: My Scapes |
Posted 09-Nov-2006 20:43 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | WOOHOO!!! Tetra's thread can continue now!!! /:' |
Posted 09-Nov-2006 21:24 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now I am sure that he will surprise us real good. A 2000G full wall planted tank paradise? An African Cichlid tank with no plants? Low tech? Riccia Heaven? What is it? Ingo |
Posted 10-Nov-2006 10:58 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | What is it?Some funny guy with his head stuck in his fish tank! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 10-Nov-2006 14:50 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Ahhh....the speculation runs rampant like a plague of mass proportions. My guess is it's just a bit of rearrangement/exchangement of the hardscape, maybe a new plant or two. I doubt he'd go low tech or non-planted after investing in a new fixture. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 10-Nov-2006 18:52 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Good call on the lights Matty: Actually my current tank lineup/status is as follows: 72G - Hightlight planted Under construction/refresh 46G - Saltwater My problem is location. I definitely want to go with sump and it will be too noisy for bedroom. So I might have to change this to a corner tank for den, which would require me to buy a new corner (55g) and stand. I could corner the 46G bow, but I would still need a stand for it. Current equipment includes: amiracle slimline sump (which I plant on removing biotray/drip and simply using a sock and skimmer and alot of liverock) Mag 9 pump, livesand, 192watt cf light, overflow, heater 12G - Lowlight planted Looks good, no problems, but I'm deciding if I want to keep this tank long-term, it get's kinda boring after a while and it's in a location (pantry/bar hallway) that I don't spend alot of time in. (except when I'm stealing the kids snacks) One thing I've learned, don't put a tank where your not gonna be spending some time. 0.5G - Definitely enjoy these little nanos, so much in fact I gave it a brother. So now I have a second 0.5G going on now. I'm debating whether I want to scrape the 12G and put another hi-light co2 tank in my bedroom and eventually have the saltwater in the den. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Nov-2006 19:27 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | 72G - Hightlight plantedI know I know! Slow moves! But I want to see some pictures! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 17-Nov-2006 16:25 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I know I know! Slow moves! But I want to see some pictures! Wings you know I'm a "Drama Queen" I might have some pics later in the weekend /:' My Scapes |
Posted 17-Nov-2006 17:54 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I know I know! Slow moves! But I want to see some pictures! Wings you know I'm a "Drama Queen" I might have some pics later in the weekend /:' My Scapes |
Posted 17-Nov-2006 17:55 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Can't wait to see the updates tetra I'm guessing it had to do with a massive pull up of the wisteria because that hasn't been done in a while. The riccia was spreading, I expect that trend to continue. My guess is it's no longer rock-centric, but mor ewood-centric maybe? I don't know if tetra was ambitious enough to pull up the substrate and have a sand foreground, but I wouldn't put it past the protist destroyer... |
Posted 17-Nov-2006 18:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I'm guessing it had to do with a massive pull up of the wisteria because that hasn't been done in a while. The riccia was spreading, I expect that trend to continue. My guess is it's no longer rock-centric, but mor ewood-centric maybe? My Scapes |
Posted 17-Nov-2006 18:18 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I think Nowher might have hit on something! I guess I will have to keep my cool to find out! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 17-Nov-2006 20:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 22-Nov-2006 03:06 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Amazing tetra! How are we soposed to keep up with that? I don't even know what to say! Dang....... Tell us about how you did it and such? Any problems? Do you have any pictures of the process? Wow... Your tank is now my wallpaper! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Nov-2006 04:38 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Very Interesting Tetratech I am with Wings, I surely would like to know more about the process of the change, the physical as well as the psychological (what made you do it) parts of it. It looks very nice, and I see that you maintained most of your plant species. Are you intending to keep the Wisteria or will it all be replaced by Riccia once you have enough of it? Ingo |
Posted 22-Nov-2006 10:32 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I would also like to request some close ups. If I may... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Nov-2006 15:11 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the comments guys and Wings I'm honored to have my tank represent part of your wallpaper collection. I'm not worthy. As I think I had mentioned this was a refresh and not a total redo. I think I just got alittle bored and felt it was time for a change. I had seen a few pics of tanks with a two islands through my web-travels and when looking at the beach front I already had, it was easy for my to invision just "wrapping the beachfront all the way around into two islands. Basically I went out and bought 6 or 7 good size pieces of petrified wood that I needed to add to the tank. During a water change I pushed some of the eco toward the sides and held it back with some of the new rocks. Once the "islands" were established I replanted the stems, etc. After doing this there was still alot of eco left in the middle, but instead of using a net and making a mess I siphoned it out with a hose. This took out the eco and the dirty water. This I did over several water changes so I left the tank with less and less eco in the middle over the course of several weeks. Doing it over several weeks was necessary because the large siphon sucked out so much water that I had to stop to refill the tank it also fit into my "slooow moves" MO. The only problem I ran into was since it was a refresh and not a redo from scratch some of the rocks were resting on the eco so when I got to the end of the eco some of the rocks on the island to the left started to shift so to prevent a collapsed I left some of the eco on the bottom and covered it with some flat shale rocks I had. This prevented the eco from mixing with the sand which I poured on top of the rocks. It also allowed me to use less sand than I would have had to. Additional plant species is a Crypt (one on each island) and I also added a lotus (right foreground) that I happened to find at the LFS when I was buying the rocks. (I also found an Anubias Nana that I added to the 12g). This is my first crypt and the store didn't know what it was, so maybe you guys can give me some pointers and help me ID. I try to post a closer shot. One minor issue when you do a tank with two areas of different substrate are bottom-dwellers. In this case the kuli loaches are mixing some of the eco into the sand on the sides, but I knew that would happen and I could just suck that out and throw more sand in. The sand is the same pool filter sand I used in the in 12g. One 50lb bag is like $7. Anyway thanks again for the feedback and Happy Turkey Day! My Scapes |
Posted 22-Nov-2006 22:08 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Very nice "refresh" indeed. Was it messy adding the sand with water & fish in there? I added some ADA soil to my tank, with fish & water there (although less than half full) and left myself with a filthy mess & temporarily rehoused the fish until things cleared. You had no such issue? Cheers TW |
Posted 22-Nov-2006 23:28 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Very nice tetratech Looks equally good, which I couldn't have expected any redo or refresh to instantly match the last tanks good looks. I'm inpressed as always. Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 05:39 | |
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004 | Very attractive. Question; are you going to do anything with the two extreme sides of the tank? The empty space looks rather barren, although, to your credit, I cannot aquascape for the life of me, and the tank is already looking gorgeous. |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 07:31 | |
Tainted Glory Hobbyist Posts: 97 Kudos: 41 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Dec-2005 | I love the new layout. Everything looks fantastic. I've stared at your last pic for a few minutes trying to come up with something critical and insightful. My only complaint is that it is too symmetrical, if that makes any sense? I'd like to see something one on island to mix is up. Heck, maybe some brancy driftwood on one side would do the trick. But please, post more pics! I'm going to reread this thread from page one now! |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 08:07 | |
ricanboy57 Fingerling Posts: 17 Kudos: 4 Votes: 5 Registered: 20-Nov-2006 | i don't think it's real! lol. it's just too perfect. i've seen people do (what i call) "the-spilt-tank" and it has never looked that good. I think there mistake and what i like about yours is that it's not overdone on each side. You get the idea with the different colored sand you don't need a dense towering forest on each side. _________________________________________ I'm the classic newb. I went out and bought the smallest tank and a fish at the same time. Now I'm kicking myself wondering how could I have been so stupid. But I'm hooked. |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 12:00 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Boredom, The situation that sets in once a tank is "finished" and no new tanks can be set up and as such way too much time is available for the hobbyist to think. In your case, it turned out very well. Thanks for the detailed, and extremely helpful, info on the process of performing this change, but, like Robyn, I am curious about how you managed to add the sand in a filled tank. About the tank in itself: I believe your "Two Sides of Paradise" shot (nice name, BTW) is not head on, right? As such it only appears that the "halves" are actually equally sized but in reality the right side is larger. Correct? There is one thing that I am not too keen about (I know, how can I criticize your tank if mine doesn't even look remotely as well, but I do it anyway ): You have now two different colored beach fronts, the sand and a small stripe of Eco in the front. I would either plant all the way to the front (probably not the best) or slowly keep on replacing the eco there with sand. Do you remember "Rock Valley"? What I liked about it was that is seemed to have been a cut in the landscape, as if the earth opened and shifted an existing scape apart. As such, the two sides were striving to come back together again. What I want to say, and that is only my personal preference, it would be nice if your halves would not be separated by heart but by nature and if the scape could mimic that. How? - By emphasizing the rift edges as you have partially done already. Thinner branches from both islands reaching towards each other (and as such towards the gap) may be the solution. But again, that may well be just me Ingo |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 13:05 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the commments everyone! I must be doing something right to have some new posters in my thread. Let's see, oh yeah the sand that Robyn and LF inquired about. As I mentioned it's pool filter sand, I filled a bucket about one-third the way up and rinsed it repeatedly with the hose from the backyard. Swirling it with my hand and rinsing until it looked pretty clear. I used a plastic cup and slowly lowered it to the bottom and slooowly poured it into the middle. I have a sand smoothing tool (remember my scaping gift from wife) that I used to spread it around. There was no cloudliness. As far as the scape. I was going to wait longer before posting the pic to allow the stems to grow in a little fuller. LF is correct the right side is alittle bigger than the left (hard to tell from this pic), also the green extends on the right becuase of that big riccia covered rock extending over the middle. I also tried to add more depth by having rock toward the front on the left and rock toward the back on the right. As pointed out by cup-of-noodles it is a little barron on the sides, but the real focus is the chasm and I like to keep things simple with fewer species. It's easier to see the focal point that way. Right now this is actually a very easy setup to maintain. A few stems, the stargrass has been reduced to one small cluster to the right back of the void. The two issues with the tank that LF did bring up are one the wood. Everything in the tank other than some new rocks, crypt and a lotus were all in my previous arrangement, but I am considering branchier wood for the middle that would overhang the chasm below. I was going to acquire some before posting the pic, but what the hell. The other is the beachfront. Do I make it all green by covering the eco with glosso, hc or do I swap out the eco for more sand. I'm sure I'll try it both ways before I'm done? I guess I have alot to ponder over turkey today My Scapes |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 15:55 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I guess I have alot to ponder over turkey today- don't we all? Anyway, that's what keeps it interesting. I am very glad you did not wait to show us a picture until all is said and done. Viewing a tank in progress is very exciting, at least for me. Ingo |
Posted 23-Nov-2006 17:04 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | Can't say much 'cos I'm in the middle of moving house But it's a stunning tank. Much more life and interest then the old "still life". Great job, really nice vision. Much more depth in this one. You've come a looooonnnnggggg way, my friend. AGA entry ? Slight niglle the big piece of wood may be a bit too square. But that's a minor thing. Could be easily swapped if you found more interesting pieces later. Can't see the crypts so can't id. Close ups?? Sorry got to get back to packing. And trying to figure our how to move my tanks. Only going half a mile down the road but it may as well be across the world it's so chaotic. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 24-Nov-2006 14:24 | |
Posted 24-Nov-2006 14:24 | This post has been deleted |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the comments Bensaf, especially during your move. I think my wife and I have moved 7 times since we were married so I know how stressful that could be. Although in all the time I never had tanks to move as well. As I was placing the rocks, I could hear your words about depth, depth. I guess having a chasm running from front to back doesn't hurt in that department. Yeah I'll be swapping out some rocks and most definitely the wood especially the one on the left. As I mentioned the wood and many of the rocks are from the other setup. I'll probably be placing a Manzanita wood order. I'm thinking branchy pieces. I'm gonna try and post some more pics to help ID the crypt, etc. soon. Does your move mean we get to see another setup of your 60g. My Scapes |
Posted 24-Nov-2006 16:19 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A couple of shots (not the greatest) of the lotus and crypt additons. I'm sure there common varieties, but I'm not really up on my these plants. My Scapes |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 04:45 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 04:46 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I'd say that's either red or bronze wendtii, and red tiger lotus. Nice little splash of color Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 05:01 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I think Bensaf once identified this crypt for me, so in his own words (to be found on page 101 in my log): I believe the first one to be Lutea.They get quite big about 8ins. Albeit the review of the picture in my log on page 100 makes it seem different, by now the leaf coloration and shape looks just like in your picture. Ingo |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 12:40 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the IDs. The red tiger lotus reminds me of a banana plant. It's not even planted, just sandwiched between two rocks. Yes the Crypt does look like yours LF. Do the original leaves usually survive? There is actually another one on the rightside, but it is smaller and still hidden. My Scapes |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 14:57 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Do the original leaves usually survive?All I know is that mine took forever to settle and in the process most, if not all, original leaves desintigrated. But that may well be the "special" conditions in my tank at that time, where one algae outbreak followed another and Excel treatments (which I think have an influence on crypts) were the norm. Ingo |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 15:01 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | First of all, I just want to congratulate myself on caling this a few weeks ago. Thank you, thank you Oh yeah, and tetra, that looks pretty wonderful. Very Senske like, I love it. Nice colors, nice depth. Well done! P.S. ditto LF's comments about boredom Although even Ammano says that a tanks lifespan can be no more than a year, and that an overhaul may be necessary that often. |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 16:05 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | First of all, I just want to congratulate myself on caling this a few weeks ago. Thank you, thank you Next time your going to "call it" can you draw me a schematic. It would make it alot easier Thanks for the comments. I guess you could refer to me as the other Jeff My Scapes |
Posted 25-Nov-2006 16:29 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | even Ammano says that a tanks lifespan can be no more than a yearOne full year? I cannot wait that long "The Other Jeff" - does that mean that from now on I can order my ADA stuff directly from you? Ingo |
Posted 26-Nov-2006 13:06 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | tetratech As everyone says, a stunning re-do. Very clever to, it looks like it should be easy to look after too. Not many of those fast growing stems. Is it easy to look after? Also, I know you have told me before, but I can't remember if it was in my log or yours. What are the dimensions of your tank. How is the new 4ft light going? Cheers TW |
Posted 27-Nov-2006 23:53 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | The Other Jeff" - does that mean that from now on I can order my ADA stuff directly from you Yes you can. I'll take a slight markup to put the "other Jeff" stamp of approval on it. Also, I know you have told me before, but I can't remember if it was in my log or yours. What are the dimensions of your tank. How is the new 4ft light going? My tank is a 48"x 18" x 22", although the 18" is misleading because it's only 18" at the widest part of the bow. The sides of my tank only measure a slim 12.5". I haven't seen much difference with the new light in terms of growth of the stems. Biggest difference is the consistency of the light into the corners of the tank. Here's a full tank shot of the stems filling out and some overgrown blya on the right side. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 04:22 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Focusing on the two big blyxa mounds on the right. The one nearest the valley is a hugh rock covered with the stuff, but the other one more to the right foreground is actually a small rock and the blyxa has grown very full trying to float. The line on this pic shows you were the hairnet covered rock actually is. All the other growth is ricca on ricca with the fullness created by the riccia's own buoyancy. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 04:26 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Are we talking about riccia or blyxa in the last two posts?.....cause I'm getting confused. Anyhow, looks great. There's something about the newest picture that is 10X better than the first one you showed us of your new setup. It seems less grainy or more focused or something. I can't put my finger on it. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 06:01 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Are we talking about riccia or blyxa in the last two posts?I am sure we are talking Riccia, cut the old man some slack . Nice shots tetratech You know, if you get a chance then do me a favor and document a Riccia trimming for me. I am very courious about the individual steps (with photos, please). Ingo |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 11:17 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | am sure we are talking Riccia, cut the old man some slack Yes, LF is right we are talking riccia. Sorry Matty, I had a senior moment. Wait to you have 3 kids, fish tanks and a hairy dog. LF, yes I'l try to document the trimming of the riccia. Actually that rock in question I'll probably trim over the next couple of days. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 13:24 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | yes I'l try to document the trimming of the riccia.Excellent, I am really looking forward to it. I am most certain that it will help quite a few people in learning how to trim this plant (or to discuss what they would do differently and why). Ingo |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 14:23 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Yes seeing how you trim this stuff will be highly useful to me as I am getting ready to trim some myself. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 28-Nov-2006 15:00 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | tetratech Thanks for the full shot & tank info. I'd like to see the riccia trimming. I remain ever hopeful that one day I will be doing this too. Cheers TW |
Posted 29-Nov-2006 00:29 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra, Do you have any problems letting the Riccia get that thick on top of itself? I know mosses will start to die if they are overly thick, does riccia have the same problem? Also, looking around in my tank I have found that some riccia has been floating around and getting caught in my Java moss. It is actualy growing well there. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 29-Nov-2006 15:18 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Do you have any problems letting the Riccia get that thick on top of itself? I know mosses will start to die if they are overly thick, does riccia have the same problem? Believe it or not if I cut off the top half of that big mound it's just as green in the middle as it is on top. I do notice some die-off closer to the rock itself. I think it also depends on where the riccia is in the tank. If it's somewhat shaded there might be more die-off higher up. My Scapes |
Posted 29-Nov-2006 16:15 | |
Dr. Bonke Moderator Posts: 367 Kudos: 215 Votes: 36 Registered: 15-Apr-2004 | I don't think I've commented on this tank in a while... let's just say that I was stunned into silence I really like this new setup, it looks simply gorgeous, but with these sand strips I always wonder how it'll look in the long term. One of my worries for example would be how to keep it clean? when I suck away debris and dirt during water changes I often end up getting quite a bit of the substrate along, doesn't the same happen with the sand? Or do you just add fresh sand after each change? You did mention the kuhlis mixing up some of the substrate with the sand, are those the only fish you have that do such things? Adding cories would be a complete no-no then, correct? I'm still thinking about a makeover of my own tank, and something like this would look greta, but honestly, I'm afraid to do such things Final question: How much time a week do you spend maintaining this? (I'm curious whether I could keep to a way of living like that ) |
Posted 29-Nov-2006 17:15 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Thanks for the info tetra. I will let mine grow out a little bit longer before I give it a trim. It might be almost an inch tall off the rock right now. Riccia grows much faster than I thought it would. I should have known better if I paid more attention to your log. Look how much riccia you have after having just enough for a single rock. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 29-Nov-2006 17:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thank you for those nice comments Dr. Now if I could stun my wife into silence that would really be something. One of my worries for example would be how to keep it clean? when I suck away debris and dirt during water changes I often end up getting quite a bit of the substrate along, doesn't the same happen with the sand? Or do you just add fresh sand after each change? You did mention the kuhlis mixing up some of the substrate with the sand, are those the only fish you have that do such things? Adding cories would be a complete no-no then, correct? As with other fine-grained substrate some will come out during gravel washing/water changes, but not really that much. If you squeeze the tubing leading to the gravel washer when the sand is the wide part of the washer, most of the sand will fall back into the tank. The sand is also not the finest grain, it's pool filter sand and it's really in the middle of fine sand and regular gravel in terms of grain size. The more bottom feeders the more issues one would probably have, but it also depends on how well you separate the two substrates. If rocks are choosen that fit nicely together that hold back the other substrate the kulis or other bottom feeders would have a harder time mixing the substrates. In my case it's not the greatest because I didn't start from scratch some of the rocks weren't even moved from the previous setup so I'll probably have to remove some sand and yes add some fresh sand. Good thing about pool filter sand is the cost. It's about $5 to $7 for 50lbs. I have a 50lb bag in my gargage. In terms of maintenance time. I don't think it will be that bad, since much of the real estate is hardscape and wisteria. The wisteria is really a very easy plant to trim. It takes very well to just cutting the tops anytime and anywhere. Other than that there are only a few bunches of stems and of course the riccia. The riccia is good for at least a month before I have to trim or completely remove the hairnet covered rock and replace the hairnet with fresh riccia (about 3 minutes per rock.) I think bensaf once used the term "10-Minute Tidy" this is pretty much what I do. When I pass the tank and something doesn't look right I tidy it up. I'm fortunate that I work from home alot and am able to do this on a regular basis. I once discussed this before with LF and other members. It makes things easy to maintain. I still do my weekly water change and trim whatever is necessary. My Scapes |
Posted 30-Nov-2006 01:54 | |
slickrb Enthusiast Go Gators! Posts: 238 Kudos: 47 Votes: 99 Registered: 19-Jan-2006 | Wow. I really love the new look. I've been to Jeff's gallery here in Houston and your tank could be picked up and dropped off in the show room and people would be none the wiser. Rick See all my pictures at Google Web Albums |
Posted 30-Nov-2006 05:11 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now if I could stun my wife into silence that would really be something Well said, tetratech. Say, don't you think that you could get some small rocks and over time start to separate the substrate and the sand anyway? Sounds doable to me and for sure would help you in the long run. Ingo |
Posted 03-Dec-2006 15:26 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | tetra, meant to ask you, is that still Eco? |
Posted 05-Dec-2006 16:45 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | meant to ask you, is that still Eco? Yep still eco. I'm not that ambitious. What made you ask? My Scapes |
Posted 05-Dec-2006 17:10 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Something about the texture just looks different, looks more consistent maybe, fuller - whereas Eco is a mixture of fine grains and larger grains. I thought maybe you had switched to AS. |
Posted 05-Dec-2006 17:37 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Something about the texture just looks different, looks more consistent maybe, fuller - whereas Eco is a mixture of fine grains and larger grains. I thought maybe you had switched to AS. You have a good eye. The replacement bags that I received from Carib-sea after I realized I had corrupted eco where much smaller grain overall. In fact much of the eco is the same grain size as the pool filter sand. I have heard other aquarist state the same thing about the grain size. I gave the front area a good gravel during the makeover and much of the smaller grain size is on top. My Scapes |
Posted 05-Dec-2006 17:46 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Really strange, my Aromatica has stalled. Looks healthy it just doesn't seem to be growing. I've already upped all dosing to make sure nothings bottomed out. My only thought (it's a stretch) could the change in lights be having some affect a few months later or has my eco bottomed out an the Aromatica likes to feed from the roots. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 18:26 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I wish I could help you tetratech, but me being the master of the 100% static tenellus does not give me any credentials here I can't think of anything in particular either, did you up the micros as well? I don't know how this plant feeds either. Also, I don't know if the plant may go through a stagnant phase like a few other plants do, Apons come to mind here. Ingo |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 18:46 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Interesting point about the eco being "used up" - is it normally a heavy root feeder? Have you pulled it up before and looked at it? |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 19:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I can't think of anything in particular either, did you up the micros as well? Thanks LF. Yeah I've increased micros as well. This happened to me a long time ago with rotala and stargrass when I used to chop the tops all the time. I wasn't sure if that was due to a no3 shortage or chopping the tops one too many times. Other thoughts: Can only move stems so many times, before plant stalls. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 19:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 19:02 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | How long have you had this plant - and how many times have you trimmed and replanted tops? You may be right, it may just be that the vitality has run out of these stems, and they may need to be replaced. |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 19:35 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | How long have you had this plant - and how many times have you trimmed and replanted tops? You may be right, it may just be that the vitality has run out of these stems, and they may need to be replaced.All my aromatica are from my original 1 stem order from about a year ago. My gut tells me you are right. I think you can only get so much mileage from a stem. I don't see this discussed much. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 19:44 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Occasionally, the plant suddenly stops growing but after a while adventitious shoots will normally develop and the plant resumes growth. I found the above quote on a website selling Eusteralis stellata, which is what my plant was sold as, but it was determined to be Aromatica by the majority of experienced planted tank gurus. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 21:31 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Occasionally, the plant suddenly stops growing ...Hey, that would be pretty close to my last guess Ingo |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 22:17 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Hey, that would be pretty close to my last guess Your right you did say that. What do you think of Nowher's comment that a stem might run out of vitality. I could put the eco question to bed by buying some root tabs and putting them under the aromatica. It's definitely not a deficiency in ferts, because I've upped everything. Some plants just might grow fuller with very good substrate (Bensaf not around anyway to scold me) But take alook at Nowher' Blyxa. It's very full in that ADA Magic Mud, but mine doesn''t grow nearly as full even with 3.6wpg, heavy co2 and ferts. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Dec-2006 22:56 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | But take alook at Nowher' BlyxaIt is made out of plastic, that's why it looks sooooo good What do you think of Nowher's comment that a stem might run out of vitalityHm, I know too little about biology to make a solid statement, but I doubt it. It is not like fish were inbreeding may lead to infertility or othere reasons why no new fry may survive. What would be the reason for plants to stop growing? Do they think "yeah, almost at the light" and then you come with the scissors and they say "darn, short again, I have enough of this"? I think as long as there is everything a plants needs to grow it will do so, and if this requires a "rest" period, then it will continue after that. Ingo |
Posted 09-Dec-2006 13:59 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | This question has been on my mind quite a bit too. A good hand full of my plants just are not growing like they used to. I can't quite figure out why. Granted I haven't been really great about water changes or ferts latly but I would still think that the plants would do something. None look like they are in bad shape but seem to be stalled in growing. Substrate might have a bit to do with this. How old is yours right now? Mine (flourite)is at about 1.25 years. It wouldn't hurt to try some root tabs just to see what happens. I also wonder if the plants just need a break from growth every once in a while. We do seem to push the growth factor with our high light, CO2, and heavy ferts. Maybe they just can't take it forever. Now if this were the case why would all my plants stall at the same time? BTW ~ come see ~ http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/28915.15.htm?357# 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-Dec-2006 15:23 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Regarding the "vitality of stems" thing, i know I've read Amano talking about it. Actually, I'm pretty sure he writes something to that effect in the same issue of TFH that Ingo's espei article appears in. He redoes a lot of those stem-filled tanks once a year, give or take a few months. Wish I had the exact words in front of me, but I'll check it out later. It's an article on redoing tanks. I think there's something to some plants just running out of gas after some time. I can't quite put my finger on it though. It doesn't seem to make sense because when you buy plants, you're essentially buying someone else's stems and clippings, right? And they last for some amount of time. But at the same time, my eyes and experience - and input from the experiences of others - say otherwise. I'll look for that article when I get home. It's very full in that ADA Magic Mud, but mine doesn''t grow nearly as full even with 3.6wpg, heavy co2 and ferts. I always thought so myself, but it may be that the 26 watts about 6 inches above it help out too. p.s. speaking of Blyxa, it does NOT like too much excel, just to warn anyone. I tried using the excel method on some BBA spots on the DW, and I guess the overdose of it spread around the tank - lots of Blyxa melting within a day. That's one of the over-looked danger of nano tanks - it's SO easy to overdose, one must always be careful. |
Posted 11-Dec-2006 17:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | It's an interesting point. Definitely let me know if you could find the article (actually I think I have the Ingo Issue). I remember opening up the issue and saying "that tank looks familiar" Anyway your right about the cuttings you aren't buying baby plants. I'm pretty sure there have been discussions about cutting the tops too often that's why LF and I always replant the tops with plants like stargrass. Someone else told me that Armomatica doesn't like high light above 3.5wpg, but I'm doubtful of that and I'm only running my 260watt for about 3 hours. When I looked at the aromatica this morning, I'm pretty sure I said new shoots coming out of the stems two-thirds the way up, so maybe there is a lifespan on an actual stem that you continuously replant or cut the top from, but what makes it strange is that all the aromatica stems have stopped growing which makes it seem like it's water issue, but I haven't changed anything. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Dec-2006 17:42 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, First, as far as Fluorite is concerned, my tank is over 13 years running and the stem plants are still going strong, and I'm throwing the stuff away each week. I have noticed with the stem plants, that after a while of trimming the tops off, and either replanting them, or throwing them away, that the bottom portions eventually get paler, and grow with fewer leaves per inch. At that point, I uproot what I call the "parent" and plant the new growth tops. I've been doing it this way for years. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 11-Dec-2006 17:56 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Thanks for the info on the flourite Frank. Are you doing Ferts in the water too? Everyone must be super busy. This place is dead! I even post picuters of my tank and only one person comes to check them out. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 14:52 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | FYI - this is from the August 2006 TFH, by Takashi Amano, page 87: "Even when plants are trimmed at the proper stages and intervals, the stems, roots and leaves gradually age after repeated trimming and their growth slows down. As the substrate ages, the growth of aquatic plants slows down as well." Just throwing it out there. The quote is a little ambiguous as to whether or not he's talking about newly planted stems or just the trimmed bottoms, but since the timeline he's using is a year + or - a month or two, I imagine he's talking about both, since trimmed bottoms don't usually last that long. |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 15:04 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well, I'm starting to feel what Frank said and what you are quoting from Amano is true. The stems do lose their vitality after repeated usage and new shoots have to be used. When you replant the tops your using the same top over and over, but when you keep the bottom your getting new shoots from the bottom which will last longer I'd imagine if those are used. Another thing to stay on top of if you always want full lush growth in the tank. As far as the substrate, I don't know if they are all created equal. Amano is a big believer on the substrate as opposed to dosing more. Either way the plants are getting what they need, unless some species are just better root feeders. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 15:16 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Current full tank shot: Everything's going pretty good. Only current issues: -Stalled Aromatica growth as discussed (see new shoots coming out on stems) -Blyxa still not full -Kuli loaches crawl through the rock crevices of the chasm and mix up substrate. The tank is actually a pretty simple tank plant wise. I think the foreground and rock work allows this. There really are no background/foreground plants in my tank the riccia occupies front/mid/back, the stems are mid/back and the wisteria shows itself in all three locations in varying degrees. Look like I am winning the battle of BBA growing on some of the hardscape and a few leaves of the blyxa. I thing Bensaf is right about the substrate eventually having more and more organics as the tank ages this makes it that much more difficult to keep bba in check and of course keeping the filter clean will only help. I recently did 4 things and I can't say for certainly (can anyone) which helped the most, but the four things are did were: 1. Cleaned filter (first time in 3 months) 2. Reducing light period from about 10.5 to 8.5 hours 3. Increased Co2 a bit (Got unbelievable pearling, by 3pm everyday. It got to be actually annoying and distracting) 4. Changed lightbulb in UV, first time in over a year. All the above simply reduced organics in the tank and the ability for algae to grow. I happen to think number 2 (light duration) helped the most. Not intensity, just duration. When the plants shut down after 8 or so hours there was no light available to the algae. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 17:00 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Just noticed the lotus Very pretty it really does come down to organics, don't it? Just keeping everything clean helps so much in keeping algae small and unnoticeable. Helps with fish health too, I'm sure. One thing: I notice that the entire top half of your tank is empty space, and you don't have many plants that will grow high enough to occupy that space. Ever wish you had a tank with different dimensions, to fr |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 17:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | One thing: I notice that the entire top half of your tank is empty space, and you don't have many plants that will grow high enough to occupy that space. Ever wish you had a tank with different dimensions, to fr Actually what's going on here is that I'm keeping the rotala low because the aromatica is behind it and hasn't taken off. The aromatica and rotala as they did in my previous setup are fully capable of growing to the top. If your referring to a complete background of plants and not having any black space that is something I personally don't want to get into not only from a maintenance standpoint, but also and think the use of black space can make the tank really pop. Interesting thing about this setup and the bowfront is that the wide mouth of the chasm is inline with the widest part of the bowfront. I kinda thing it brings you into the valley. I do know what your saying about the bowfront tanks though and my next tank will probably not be bowfront just so I can have something different. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 17:43 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | That looks real nice tetratech. One thing on the aromatica...you said you cut the light duration, my guess is you are seeing less growth from it for that reason. I do agree that reducing light will reduce algae growth though, but there are some trade offs. My glandulosa doesn't like the reduced light schedule much either it's not as deep red/purple anymore. It's even showing some green. I haven't changed anything with the ferts, so I doubt it's that. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 12-Dec-2006 18:21 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, You know that is a beautiful tank. You guys should start entering some of them in the various shows such as the annual AGA show. I do have to tease a bit though.... I look at that tank and see the symmetry, and then "Yikes! thar's a red weed in that garden on the right!" Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 13-Dec-2006 01:31 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks Frank Yeah your right about the weed, I never had a lotus so it was an impulse buy and I just kinda put it there to break up all the green. It actually doesn't look bad when it it stays low and spreads out just about the other weed "Wisteria". Maybe I could enter my tank in a weed contest since about 60% of my scape is considered weeds by many. My Scapes |
Posted 13-Dec-2006 03:33 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Speaking of the Red Weed. Lower would be better and what if you moved it one rock over to the left? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 13-Dec-2006 14:58 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | You guys should startI just got done looking at the 2005 (yesterday) and the 2006 (today) AGA show. I was kind of thinking the same thing as Frank. The 2006 show was much better than the 2005 show but I think you would have done great in it tetra. Some of us others would probably get picked on a bit but we are still working on figuring things out. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 15-Dec-2006 16:36 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | I'm late for this comment - but on the previous page, are you all saying it's okay to trim the stems from the top. It is so tedious pulling them out, cutting off the bottoms & replanting the tops. Cutting from the tops would have been sooo much easier. Another reason I'm late for the conversation is that I didn't even read it, until after I pulled out all of my stems in 43.5G. Other than that - back to your tank. I agree - it belongs in a competition. Cheers TW |
Posted 31-Dec-2006 03:19 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Well he could enter his tank if he was still alive! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 31-Dec-2006 04:27 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well he could enter his tank if he was still alive! Yeah I'm still here. Thanks all for the contest consideration. I still don't know if mine stacks up against some tanks I've seen. Some are just incredible. Altough as I said in the past some of these tank pics are taken with thousands of dollars worth of photo equipment and it's hard sometimes to tell if it's a scaping contest or a photo contest. Remember Amano was a photographer first. My Scapes |
Posted 03-Jan-2007 23:42 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Very true tetra but I think that your tank would fair well with the rest. You have a nice style that is a bit different from the mainstream. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 04-Jan-2007 15:20 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well it's been some time, but here's an updated tank. As you'll see the scape is dominated by Rotala R, riccia and of course wisteria. The aromatica is still there, but has a less prominent role in the scape, since it's really hasn't been growing robust anymore and I'm too stubborn to get new stems, but I don't know if I really even need it. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 03:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Full tank shot: I've taken the light off the legs. After looking at the tank with the legs on and off, I thought it looked better without the legs. You don't get as much glare and your not lighting up the always stained glass top. There is no problem with cracking the top since the coralife runs pretty cool My Scapes |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 03:44 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra I really like the center of the tank. Rock work and Riccia is quite nice! I am not qutite so sure I like the Westeria and Rotala for some reason. Don't really have a reason right now. Let me sleep on it and I will get back to you. Thanks for posting. I might get some shots of my tank up someday.... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 07:29 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Tetratech, No nitpicking here, the tank is too nice to mention whatever minor detail may be enhanced I like the valley you created very much, and I like how I can view the individual sides that - albeit containing the same type of plants - are in themselves very interesting. I like the mix of Riccia covered rocks with plain rocks, the occasional Blyxa poking through, the depth created even within the sides and not only with the valley, the thin sticks, the little openings on the front within the sides, and what not. In short, it looks really nice. I notice that you seem to let your Wisteria grow a little taller than you used to. Is that by design (as it fits very well) or is it due for a pruning? What fish are in the tank these days? Do you see any difference in growth ever since you removed the legs? I guess you have to take off the light when you do maintenance, right? Enough questions, hope you find the time to answer, Ingo |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 13:12 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I like the valley you created very much, and I like how I can view the individual sides that - albeit containing the same type of plants - are in themselves very interesting. I like the mix of Riccia covered rocks with plain rocks, the occasional Blyxa poking through, the depth created even within the sides and not only with the valley, the thin sticks, the little openings on the front within the sides, and what not. As always your very observant and notice the small details. The rock area is still being changed and improved. It's hard to find the right rocks or break them on my gargage floor. LOL I notice that you seem to let your Wisteria grow a little taller than you used to. Is that by design (as it fits very well) or is it due for a pruning?Actually the wisteria does need to be trimmed. I noticed that over time (5 months or so) there is a space between the substrate and the lower level of wisteria. (Not sure why) That combined with five or six levels of the plant make it too high. When that happens I do plan on completely removing the plant, but cutting off the really nice top la What fish are in the tank these days? Well it's been a while, so let's see. Last we spoke my female double-red had the inverted stomach so she's gone, the male as well. Both my bolivians gone, probably from old age (about 2 years) I got rid of my other rainbow. I just didn't like it in the tank. It would pick on the cardinals and I also found an amano shrimp in it's mouth one day, The amano was so big the rainbow couldn't eat it, so I don't know if it found the shrimp dead or killed it. I've taken down my 12g skull island tank. No problems with it, I was in a place were no one looked at it and it simply wasn't worth it, so the school of gold tetras (8) are in the 72g now,along with about 16/17 cardinals still going strong. The otos are still going strong as well spotting 6 of them the other water change. Do you see any difference in growth ever since you removed the legs? I guess you have to take off the light when you do maintenance. No, I just did it for astestic reasons. Also I have not found it necessary to remove the light for maintenance. The opening front of the glass top can be leaned against the light and I've had no problem reaching even into the back of the tank. P.S. Wings for some reason I can't send you a PM. LF I saw you had another meeting. Nowher I you amongst the group or is no one talking? LOL My Scapes |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 15:13 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Tetratech, Thanks so much for answering all the questions, helps me understand the tank better. Your plan with Wisteria trimming is similar to how I plan to trim mine in the 125. So far, I only cut off tops as I needed them in the two small tanks for ground cover. Soon I will start to do your method to reduce height in the 125. Yes, we had another meeting, and we are going to have our 4th today. I am not planning on getting any new plants in the traditional plant swap, but so far I could not resist. I think I will bring in the largest of the runners of my Tiger Lilly as it shades out the Riccia rock to a point where the Riccia is no longer growing. The main plant has a few more young ones on it, but they are too small to be harvested. Have fun, Ingo |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 16:03 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yes, we had another meeting, and we are going to have our 4th today. I am not planning on getting any new plants in the traditional plant swap, but so far I could not resist. Must be nice to be able to trade plants, etc. Makes it much easier and more economic than buying all the time. If you need any Riccia, let me know I have plenty, in fact in the pics it's way overgrown and actually is to dominant in the scape at the moment. Hard to notice from the full tank shot, in these pics one from each side you could see the branchy twigs (Courtesy PierOne Imports) and the different supporting plants on each side. First the right side with stargrass (small group, less maintenance), crypt. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 16:32 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 16:35 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 16:40 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Wings for some reason I can't send you a PMMy mail box was full. Sorry about that! Send away! What is it about shrimp on riccia? Maybe it's just me:Oh it is not just you! I have it pretty bad too! Right now my Cherry Reds are starting to take over the tank. Some are either going to start going to the store I work at or friends I have in the hobby. Bright read CRS on anything really looks good to me. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 16:52 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Very nice tetratech. Those are great shots...especially the amano shrimp. I can't nitpick either....except on your lack of posting, and the fact I haven't seen an update on your SW tank Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 17:34 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Nice shrimpsters And nice close-ups as well. Hey - I just came back from our club meeting and guess what? Well, it is next week, I showed up a week too early How embarrassing, Ingo |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 20:53 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I showed up a week too earlyBetter early than late. At least now you can still go next week. As long as you don't have other things to do. Pretty funny though! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 10-Feb-2007 20:55 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Very nice tetratech. Those are great shots...especially the amano shrimp. I can't nitpick either....except on your lack of posting, and the fact I haven't seen an update on your SW tankCan't put it better that Matty does above. LF, hahaha. Hope next month you are not a week late. Cheers TW |
Posted 16-Feb-2007 15:13 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well It's been about a month so a few current pics. Not much really know, I have to admit I'm getting alittle bored with this tank and am debating whether I should take the whole thing down and try something completely different. I am having no issues other than the aromatica not growing. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Mar-2007 15:37 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A closeup shot of the left show the aromatica sort of frozen in time. Not dying, but not growing large either. These stems are new shoots that are took off the old stems and replanted. They seem to grow 5 or 6 inches at most and then stop. I've increased dosing of micros, macros and there was no change. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Mar-2007 15:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | A closeup of the right shows nice color on the rotala and you could see the crypt, wisteria worked into the valley. My Scapes |
Posted 11-Mar-2007 15:45 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Updated Pics start on previous page The lotus actually looks pretty good when the leaves are smaller and lower. Here are got to big and needs to be trimmed again.... My Scapes |
Posted 11-Mar-2007 15:49 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 11-Mar-2007 15:50 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | You certainly seem to have no difficulty in keeping the substrates so neatly separated, yet if it were me, I'm sure I would have messed things up by now. As ever, I am impressed with the beauty of this tank. Cheers TW |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 00:20 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, Very nice looking, as usual. Very tidy as well. I have to admit I'm getting alittle bored with this tank and am debating whether I should take the whole thing down and try something completely different. Makes sense to me. Your tank is done, not much to enhance, but maintenance still taking its time. But for what? Simply to look the same all the time? Booooring!!! I think you reached the point where a tank is as good as it gets. Any change would be rather major in order to make something different of it. That's the point when some people start to buy different gadgets, like ADA stuff. That keeps them happy for a while longer, but eventually leads to the same boredom. What are the plans? Ingo |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 00:36 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | You certainly seem to have no difficulty in keeping the substrates so neatly separated, yet if it were me, I'm sure I would have messed things up by now. Thanks Robyn, actually the substrates do mix in certain spots mostly due to the two kuli loaches I have in there. I seem them squirming through the crevices and as they go through they thrash some of the eco onto the sand. Every water change or so, I do vacumm the sand area and sometimes sprinkle new sand down. It's pool filter sand and only costs $5 for 50lbs. Makes sense to me. Your tank is done, not much to enhance, but maintenance still taking its time. But for what? Simply to look the same all the time? Booooring!!! I think you reached the point where a tank is as good as it gets. Any change would be rather major in order to make something different of it. That's the point when some people start to buy different gadgets, like ADA stuff. That keeps them happy for a while longer, but eventually leads to the same boredom. Thanks and yes, I agree. I'm probably going to start a new tank before I take this one down. Probably ADAish just for the reasons you stated. Not sure of the layout yet, maybe Iwagumi, maybe not. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 18:52 | |
OldTimer Mega Fish USAF Retired Posts: 1181 Kudos: 1294 Votes: 809 Registered: 08-Feb-2005 | As always a gorgeous setup. It always reminds me of an immaculately manicured and maintained Japanese style garden. Just super. Jim |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 19:39 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks and yes, I agree. I'm probably going to start a new tank before I take this one down. Probably ADAish just for the reasons you stated. Not sure of the layout yet, maybe Iwagumi, maybe not. You know, an Iwagumi tank has even less action. With your talent you will have that sucker set up in a few weeks Ingo |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 20:12 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Oldtimer, I appreciate the compliment! You know, an Iwagumi tank has even less action. With your talent you will have that sucker set up in a few weeks Yes you are right, I would probably setup the next tank knowing it will probably change every 6 months or so. BTW: Meant to ask you, I'm looking to buy another regulator. I know we both had the milwaukee first, did you buy that other one from aquariumplants (the best), more pricey, but supposely higher quality. I wanted to see how you liked it. My milwaukee has a busted low pressure guage, but it stll works. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 20:37 | |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 20:37 | This post has been deleted |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 20:42 | This post has been deleted |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Lookin good tetra Thanks and yes, I agree. I'm probably going to start a new tank before I take this one down. Probably ADAish just for the reasons you stated. Not sure of the layout yet, maybe Iwagumi, maybe not. Let me know when you have a better idea of the timing on that. I finally made some changes and I'm almost ready to start up my new 65G, so we can start competing logs for the new tanks |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 22:27 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Let me know when you have a better idea of the timing on that. I finally made some changes and I'm almost ready to start up my new 65G, so we can start competing logs for the new tanks Tetra vs Nowher...Interesting The King of Protist Destruction vs The King of the 4G Nano.....Exciting New York vs New Jersey, again.............priceless! My Scapes |
Posted 12-Mar-2007 23:34 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | And for everything else there is..... Frank (I could not resist ) -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 13-Mar-2007 01:28 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah baby I wanted to see how you liked it. Eh, the main difference is that the needle valve has a much finer threading. Nevertheless, I still have to tinker with it once in a while, no such thing as "set it and forget it". Also, my low pressure gauge is turned up much higher than on the other regulator, I don't know why. The needle valve seems to react more to the surrounding temperature and as such changes the bubble count when the room is warmer or colder, which is a frequent thing in my ba Ingo |
Posted 13-Mar-2007 13:29 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, I'm not sure I understand the "tinkering" with the needle valve. My tank valve is all the way open, as it should be. I attach the regulator firmly using plumbers tape (teflon tape) and then open the tank valve all the way and then back it off the seat (prevents seat damage) a 1/4 turn. I set the regulator valve for 1 pound of pressure, and then adjust the needle valve for the desired number of bubbles per second (watching the pH with known KH). The only time I have to touch the needle valve, is to close it when changing out CO2 bottles. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 13-Mar-2007 14:39 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | New York vs New Jersey, again.............priceless! Perfect, and we can both use some identical plant species to see how they grow in NY and NJ waters. It'll be like the Iron Chef... for aquariums... |
Posted 13-Mar-2007 18:41 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | It'll be like the Iron Chef... for aquariumsIt will be fun to follow the battle of the new Tetra vs Nowher logs. Plus I don't think I've ever seen a pic of Nowher's tanks. but maintenance still taking its time. But for what? Simply to look the same all the time? Booooring!!!How could looking at such a beautiful tank be booooring. If only I could achieve something like this - which needs just needs a touch of regular maintenance, I don't think I could bring myself to tear it down. Cheers TW |
Posted 14-Mar-2007 23:05 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Here's a current pic after a massive riccia trim, so the foreground has to fill in a bit. On the other hand the rotala hasn't been trimmed and has pretty much made it to the top and has some nice color to it. What to do now? I guess instead of redoing this one at the moment, I'll have to save what's left of this old man's creative juices for a new tank which will face the envitable showdown with that checky young pup from Jersey. My Scapes |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 02:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 02:30 | |
Budzilla Enthusiast Posts: 288 Kudos: 197 Votes: 90 Registered: 18-Jul-2006 | I think that it looks good now that the rotala has grown upwards in the middle, it gives the little valley alot of depth. Also, I have a question, are you selling riccia on ebay because i was browsing for plants and i saw a thing of riccia on there with a pic that looked like a portion of your tank, i don't need any though -Vincent |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 02:43 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I guess Vincent found you out tetratech No doubt this is his tank, with the offering of Rotala as well. And the tank looks very nice, although after the trim the sand street looks a little too clean for me. But I am sure this will be more natural by itself in no time. Ingo |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 13:52 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I guess Vincent found you out tetratech Geez, everyone knows everyone's business. Actually it was my wife's idea, since she sells stuff on ebay. Not much action though. Maybe I'll put my whole 72g up, scaped and all. Local pickup only I'll have to get a club going here on the island so I could trade plants. There's plenty of cabomba in the lakes here. My Scapes |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 14:27 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Love the rotala shot When it gets near the light and it's feeling good, it gets that beautiful yellow-orange-red glow - love it. I don't know if it's a fair fight, I've had my creative juices flowing on this 65G for a few months now I can already tell you java fern and crypts will play the lead role. But accept the challenge regardless. or, we can make this like the Iron Chef: you, me and matty can meet somewhere in upstate new york. Then he'll say, "Today's tank special ingredient is..... corkscrew vaaaaallllssssssss!!!!!" Then we both grab a bunch and get on our respective trains home and get to work. What do you think |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 22:26 | |
Posted 21-Mar-2007 22:26 | This post has been deleted |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | The tank looks great tetratech. I do think the rotala is just a taaad tall, but looks good regardless. I'd definitely show the tank in any ebay auction. As far as this Iron Chef style tankoff goes...I think I'm unfamiliar with the style, but sounds fun I did just get some plants today. We'll see later what I can do with it. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 22-Mar-2007 00:08 | |
Budzilla Enthusiast Posts: 288 Kudos: 197 Votes: 90 Registered: 18-Jul-2006 | Hey I don't blame you tetra, How many plant clippings I just give away to friends, I should be selling to, its a good way to get money back from the tank since it is expensive to buy. -Vincent |
Posted 22-Mar-2007 00:19 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | We have a local fish club that has auctions 2x's a year. I took ten bags of stuff in and got my check for 40 bucks just the other day. I did how ever walk out with a bag of Cherry shimp to mix up my population for 15 bucks. I am guessing there was at least 10 shimp in the bag and some hatching babies. You could also talk to a LFS to see if they will take in trades for store credit. I know my store will sometimes. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Mar-2007 02:16 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, At least you guys have an outlet for your surplus, I throw hands full of plants away nearly every week. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 22-Mar-2007 08:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Below I have reveiled my secret for algae control. If you haven't had a chance to see the national geographic special: Galapagos, do yourself a favor and see it. It was one of the most breathtaking shows I have every watched, especially in high def. My Scapes |
Posted 25-Mar-2007 04:28 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I don't think it will live long in your FW tank Tetra, you better give him to me for my SW tank. That's hilarious. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 25-Mar-2007 06:32 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I don't think it will live long in your FW tank Tetra, you better give him to me for my SW tank. That's hilarious. Spoken like a true darksider But yes, you are right, he would fair better on the darkside. My Scapes |
Posted 26-Mar-2007 15:33 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | As good as Galpagos was, "Planet Earth" on discovery last night was amazing. The footage they had of Snow Leopards was once in a lifetime stuff. Amazing footage. |
Posted 26-Mar-2007 15:35 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | As good as Galpagos was, "Planet Earth" on discovery last night was amazing. The footage they had of Snow Leopards was once in a lifetime stuff. Amazing footage. Yeah, I caught some of it, absolutely fanastic and I know one of the shows was ocean-related, but some of the algae shots with the fish on the galapagos show hit home with this thread. Did you see the footage of the great white eating that poor sea-lion, that was unreal. I actually starting watching it with my kids, seemed like good family entertainment, but then when the animals got eaten, my little guy got pretty upset and went to bed really made at me for making him watch the show. My Scapes |
Posted 26-Mar-2007 17:19 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra, Good thing you don't have Oscars or Piranhas! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 29-Mar-2007 18:02 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Did you see the footage of the great white eating that poor sea-lion, that was unreal. I actually starting watching it with my kids, seemed like good family entertainment, but then when the animals got eaten, my little guy got pretty upset and went to bed really made at me for making him watch the show. I hear ya tetra. I was watching it with my girlfriend and she was really enjoying the opening sequence of the first one with the polar bears. Then the next sequence featured an overhead shot of a pack of wolves hunting and killing the most adorable baby elk you could imagine... she wasn't so happy after that. The footage was so intense at times though that it really became an emotional experience. And that shark shot was amazing, especially since they were able to slow it down to show the 1 second strike spread out over 45 seconds. Still, the worst sequence I ever saw was a pack of killer whales killing a grey whale mother and its baby. They held the baby under water until it drowned Ugh It was too much. Animal planet usually has some better family oriented shows I think, especially come out with that show starring Bindi Irwin, Steve Irwin's little girl. |
Posted 29-Mar-2007 19:04 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Updated pic, but not much new. I've been triple dosing micros in an attempt to jump start my aromatica. It might be working as I see some more fullness. I've also seem some growth that has enabled me to place seems on both sides of my valley. Downside to triple dosing seachem florurish was a clouding of the water, but this was gone by morning probably thanks to the UV. My Scapes |
Posted 02-Apr-2007 01:48 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Finally tested my PH with a probe(milwaukee 600). For me I simply can't tell the color differences on the chart. So after calibrating this is what I got on my 72G. At lights out - 6.0 At lights on - 6.5 Tap water PH - 7.5 So that gives me a range of 20 to 60 ppm. This is pretty much what I thought was going on so I was glad the probe confirmed it. You know your pushing the co2 when you can't acclimate fish in the afternoon. My Scapes |
Posted 07-Apr-2007 15:57 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, Does that mean that you have a KH of 2dH? I think that 60ppm is not considered pushing it anymore Although I don't dare to mess with a CO2 this high, and I actually don't see a need for it either, I know people with around 100ppm, as can be seen when looking at their drop checker (another gadget I don't need). But, I cannot believe that I didn't see your picture entry from almost a week ago. It looks very nice. Somehow it seems to me as if the sand gap towards the back has gotten narrower, can that be? I think it gives it more depth this way. The one minor fix that I see is that the left front of the sand/rock edge is too sharp, you know what I mean? Like compare it to the right front edge, that side is smoother. Ingo |
Posted 07-Apr-2007 23:38 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | hey tetra, that diffuser needs a bleach bath other than that, lookin good as always |
Posted 07-Apr-2007 23:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, Yes, you are right dkh of 2, I forgot to add that. Interesting thing about testing the co2 level is that I'm already seeing benefits of increasing both micro and macro ferts, assuming the high co2 demands it. Anything interesting thing is that I'm chaning half of my water sometimes in the evening with tap water that has a ph of 7.5 and the fish are swimming around in 6.0 without any problem. And this takes place over the course of 30 minutes or so with the python. You are right about the left edge. Usually there is a riccia covered stone separating the substrates in this case their isn't one so it really doesn't fit well. BTW - I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the lotus leaf all the way up in the middle. The actual plant is right inside the those rocks (1st and 2nd ones) on the left side and get's almost no light. Nowhere, Yes you are right the diffusor, but if I clean it I'll probably drive the co2 to 100ppm and then I'll have to touch the Milkaukee regulator which I'd rather not do. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Apr-2007 00:35 | |
fish patty Fish Addict Posts: 539 Kudos: 223 Votes: 255 Registered: 04-Oct-2006 | I don't know what you're all talking about (lol) but beautiful is not a good enough word for that tank in my opinion! |
Posted 08-Apr-2007 02:45 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | BTW - I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the lotus leaf all the way up in the middle. The actual plant is right inside the those rocks (1st and 2nd ones) on the left side and get's almost no light.Thats why it is so dark in the middle of the tank! You should probably trim that thing! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 08-Apr-2007 03:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the lotus leaf all the way up in the middle I thought it is a floater that you forgot to take out Only now do I see that there is a thin line connecting it with the rock group. Cleaning the diffuser - you know I am in the camp of never cleaning it with bleach. Instead I put Excel on top of it once it is exposed during a water change. Well, that's what I did for I don't know how many months in a row now, but last week I had to bleach it as the resistence on restart was so strong that it blew off the hose. So - my new rule is, maybe bleach once in about 3 months. Ingo |
Posted 08-Apr-2007 11:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Fish patty, thanks for the nice comment and to all the regulars as well. Here's an update full room shot of the tank lastnite. I did make some changes. The big rock on the right now is bare and doesn't have riccia covering it, although there are some patches (experiment). I also reduced more wisteria on the sides and you could see more rock work. I might actually decided to gradually ween the tank off the wisteria and use a smaller leafed plant, not sure yet. I Also cut the cord to the Lotus leaf that was at the surface, it was kinda annoying. You could also see more aromatica on both sides wrapping around the front of the rotala. My Scapes |
Posted 08-Apr-2007 16:00 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I like how the rotala was trimmed in this shot. More of a gradual slope up rather than WHAM here they are. I also wanted to ask about what looks like a crypt poking out of the rock...does it grow? It always has 2 leaves. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 08-Apr-2007 17:16 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I find it interesting that when you show us the tank without surroundings it looks much larger than when seeing the surroundings. Or am I the only one who thinks so? Ingo |
Posted 09-Apr-2007 00:44 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | I'm with fishpatty - it's very beautiful. as can be seen when looking at their drop checker (another gadget I don't need).So what is a drop checker anyway? I take it it's not the probe tetratch mentions? For me I simply can't tell the color differences on the chart.I agree it - it is total guess work for me using any of these colour charts. Cheers TW |
Posted 09-Apr-2007 04:34 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Robyn, A Drop Checker can be seen here. It works by adding a solution in the bubble and see its color change depending on the CO2 content of the water (it is submersed completely in the tank). Look at the extended information tab in the screen to see the colors associated with CO2 levels. From what I hear, "too much" really means very high values of CO2, but I am not certain how much that would be. Ingo |
Posted 09-Apr-2007 13:32 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Wow, for $40 and shipping I'd rather put my money towards a digital readout. Probably cost 50 cents to make Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 09-Apr-2007 19:13 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the comments everyone. Matty I know its hard to see but the crypt actually has about 5 leaves at the moment and I end up cutting off some that grow into the stems. I actually have a few baby crypts on the left that were spawned from the main one on the right. Yeah, your right LF, the tank does look smaller in the room shots, but I would think that would be normal, no? You can tell how big it is by the fish. I agree about the drop checker, I really don't want to spend $40 to put more equipment in the tank. I bought this ph meter and with the calibration fluid it was only $26. http://www.aquariumplants.com/pH_METER_Hand_Held_Milwaukee_pH600_p/pr1408.htm Seems to work fine, I initially measured my ph at lights out and it was 6.0, in the morning it was 6.5 and at about 1pm it was 6.5, makes sense. My Scapes |
Posted 09-Apr-2007 21:28 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | ... in the morning it was 6.5 and at about 1pm it was 6.5, makes sense. Not to me, somehow. That would mean that your CO2 in the morning has no effect at all, or not? Ingo |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 00:16 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | That would mean that your CO2 in the morning has no effect at all, or not Well here's the logic: My co2 is at it's highest by lights out, thus the 6.0 ph. In the morning co2 diminishes of course and I awake to a ph of 6.5. Lights come on around 10:30 as does the co2, so by 1:00 the co2 hasn't built up enough to move the ph off the 6.5 but between 1pm and 7 there is enough of a buildup to move the ph. That or this probe sucks My Scapes |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 00:50 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Did you get calibration solutions with the tester? It might need recalibration. Also, make sure you don't do what I did & accidently stick the good end in the water. Mine never worked again after that. I have a pH controller (I know, I know another unneeded toy - which I love BTW), so my pH is always constant at around 6.6. If my bottle runs out my pH will rise to 7.5 & above. If I reconnected a fresh bottle at 10.30am & looked at the pH reading at 1pm, I am positive there would be movement. Cheers TW |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 01:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Did you get calibration solutions with the tester? It might need recalibration. Could be, Robyn how often do you recalibrate yours? Yes I did calibrate when I first got it with the solution. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 01:52 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Well, if you are talking about my little pen one like yours - it is kaput, due to me sticking wrong end in the water - but I think principle of regular recalibration would be the same. With my fancy smanshy C02 pH controller/solenoid combined, I do it monthly. Being electronic, it's simple. I punch in approx room temp, put the probe in pH 4 solution & it buzzes when it's happy with that, then I put the probe in pH 7 solution & it buzzes again when it's happy - then I'm done. Easy-peezy. I think with my little stick pen thing, it involved dipping it in the solutions & adjusting with a little tool until the readings agreed. Did you get instructions? I might still have mine & will check tonight, but think from memory you are to recalibrate if:- - the unit was not used for an extended period of time - otherwise monthly My cleaning system is that the first water change to occur after the 1st day of the month is where the "extra" bits get done, eg - clean the filter media, hoses, tubes - recalibrate the pH controller & clean the C02 diffuser - & now I'll have to add cleaning the pesky UV filter (which I'm a little nervous of how to do without water going everywhere). Hope this helps. As I say, I am positive that between 10.30am to 1pm, my pH would have moved. Cheers TW |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 04:28 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yep, sounds familiar that's pretty much what I did dipped it in the ph4 and ph7 solutions. After you use the solution to dip, do you discard the used solution or can you reuse. It did come with instructions, but didn't mention any of this. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 04:35 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | By now I will have Ingo gnashing his teeth & yawning in boredom with talk of these unnessary toys Just skip reading this post LF & also any post I make tonight correcting my info. Sorry Ingo I will check tonight. Definitely for my fancy one, I discard used solution. I'll see what my original instructions for the pen one say (if anything). My guess would be to discard, unless you are really, really careful to make sure that no tap water, pH4 or pH7 cross transfer in your used solutions. Plus the solutions aren't expensive anyway. (Yay, at least something isn't - you don't want to know what the controller cost me, but the cost is one reason why I am very protective of it - but lucky, it's easy to care for) So for my fancy smanshy one, I have a dipping container for pH 4, another for pH 7 & yet another container for a neutral solution (distilled water I think) that I dip the electrode in before I move between the 2 solutions. Film cannisers or old tubes from test kits work well here, as they are narrow enough that it means you only need a little solution each time you do this - so waste is minimal. My C02 now runs 24/7, but it turns on & off according to target pH (6.5). I'm happy my tank has a more stable pH now, as my natural pH is really high & I have some aspistos & nigerian red in there that don't like high pH. Regularly each morning my pH was between 7.8 to even 8.0, before C02 brought it back down daily to 6.5pH. No one gasps at night & funnily, my C02 is lasting longer, as it no longer has to play daily catch up - but merely keeps things steady. I know I am told not to worry about this daily catch up - but I worry did anyway. All my pH 4 & 7 solutions are from Sera (the brand of my fancy ph controller) and the distilled or neutral solution is from Dupla. I'll double check all this tonight & give you the corrections. Cheers TW |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 06:03 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | By now I will have Ingo gnashing his teeth & yawning in boredom with talk of these unnessary toys. No you don't. Besides, this is not my log and tetratech did not grant me a monopoly on thread entries (with regards that they all should have to interest me) . tetratech - if your observation would be true then this would be the first time that I hear something like this, meaning that the CO2 would have no influence on ph and only after a certain saturation point is reached it would change the ph. Somehow I would imagine that this is a rather linear event, meaning more CO2 = lower ph and visa versa. A tank with a certain KH and a certain ph has automatically a certain CO2 content - adding any more CO2 should therefore alter the ph. Ingo |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 10:32 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn thanks for all the info on the calibration, etc. I checked my ph this morning a little while ago and it was 6.8, so maybe the previous 6.5 wasn't first thing in the morning as I had thought. Then I put the probe in my 5g nano and it came out 7.5 (same as my tap). That tank doesn't have any co2 to speak of so it made sense. Ingo yes that does make sense that it would be a linear event, but if co2 is consumed by the plants as they wake up wouldn't there be less of a jump in concentration until the tank is so filled with co2 that it pushes the number up making it a nonlinear event. I'm not a scientist just thinking out loud. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 13:01 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I'm not a scientist just thinking out loud. Hey, that could be my line as well Anyway, I don't think that there is such a thing as "sucking up CO2" until a saturation point of it is reached. Main argument: Any additional CO2 added after such a saturation point would have no effect on the plants (as they are saturated) and as such useless to the tank. Furthermore, even if it would be true then you should actually see an increase of ph a little (like an hour or so) after the lights come on as not enough CO2 has yet been added to the tank to saturate and the plants use what is available so far (like the 20ppm at the time of lights on). Ingo |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 14:18 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | The procedure for the fancy gadget is more or less as I said earlier. But the instructions for the pen type one - very vague indeed. Just says to re-calibrate when: * it has been used for a long time since the last calibration * if it has been used in particularly taxing conditions * when the utmost accuracy is required. Doesn't actually say to discard the calibration solution after single use, but I think it is implied between the lines, as it talks about being careful to minimize contamination. When I water change, I will notice how quickly the C02 changes the pH by degrees. Cheers TW |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 14:50 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | If you have a constant input of the same amount of CO2 throughout the day you will in fact see a decrease in pH at night and an increase in pH throughout the day as plants use CO2 during the day to photosynthesize and give it off at night to respire. No real conclusion can be made by those of us without the means if you change the amount of CO2 input at any time of the day. It would be guesswork only to try to decide what observations in pH fluctuations are in the morning if you had just recently turned the CO2 on along with the lights. To classify a change decisively, everything else needs to be constant. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 16:21 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn, thanks for the additional info. Matty that makes alot of sense. You mean if running co2 24/7. Anyway I confirmed (I think) that my co2 is pushing 60 ppm at it's peak I've been increasing ferts all the way around and I believe I'm seeing improvement in my aromatica. They are now playing a more prominent role in the main areas of the tank. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 17:58 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Yeah, sorry, instead of saying "all day" I should have said 24/7. I definitely notice a positive change there for them. I'm thinking I need to get a digital pH jobby and I've been thinking that for quite a long time. It just feels useless to test with the color test kit. Even the salifert kits are hard to read, though better than the others. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 18:42 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yeah, hopefully the aromatica is for real this time. I can't remember the last time it looked good. These guys don't seem to mind the high co2. Well you could see why these guys are on the glass. How embrassing My Scapes |
Posted 10-Apr-2007 18:51 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Don't worry... Non of us noticed the algae on the glass Nice, Healthy, Ottos! Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 11-Apr-2007 01:34 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | We can all see why the Otos are so fat! Add more Phosphates! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-Apr-2007 01:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | "Everybody Sing - La La La La La" In reference to the Wiggles song that each parent of younger children probably knows all too well. Nice shot of tank and Otos, tetratech, Ingo |
Posted 11-Apr-2007 14:19 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Everybody Sing - La La La La La Right you have very young kids. Have you checked out Ditty Doodle Works on PBS? A close friend of mine created the show it's for youngsters between 1 and 6. My Scapes |
Posted 12-Apr-2007 00:02 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Man, the Wiggles. Here I am working a desk job, while they sing goofy songs and dance around - which i do in my free time anyway! - and make megabucks. Makes me think I'm in the wrong business... Anyway, I think Bensaf would have a thing or two to say about that GS algae tetra - more phosphates! |
Posted 12-Apr-2007 16:43 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Anyway, I think Bensaf would have a thing or two to say about that GS algae tetra - more phosphates! Yeah, I think I've been underdosing everything especially with the co2 so high. Is that pretty solid that GS is caused by low phosphate or is it similiar to saying BGA is caused by low nitrate? My Scapes |
Posted 12-Apr-2007 19:39 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | IMO low phosphates is one possible cause of green spot. I get some green spot and I know my PO4 levels are good. I'm not sure it's worth messing with things too much, just from where I'm sittin' and lookin'. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 12-Apr-2007 20:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I don't know this for sure, and I have not been in a serious discussion about it either, but I doubt that low P causes GS. I always had some GS developing on the glass, and if you don't clean your glass frequently it will multiply (not as in making more out of one, just simply more). And as you all know (or not) my tab P is already 2ppm and I add some to it during the week (2 to 3 times) as well. I made an overservation in my 125 over the last few weeks. As lazy as I am, I did not clean the back glass of my tank for quite a while. Over time, I saw a buildup of GS in the open glass area behind the Blyxa on the left of the tank (here is another side observation - I usually don't see GS behind plants, just in open areas). The interesting part is that there was a clear horizontal line about half way down on the glass with GS below but barely any above. And guess what? This is how low the water level falls during water change. Makes me think that exposire to air is not so good for GS. What do you think? Ingo |
Posted 13-Apr-2007 13:31 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | What do you think?I think that you might not get as much light in those areas. I have been doing some pretty large water changes the past few weeks and I still have some GS abover where my water line goes down to. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Apr-2007 19:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Oh Oh tetratech, Did you run out of your Premium Membership again? Ingo |
Posted 14-May-2007 19:49 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Looks like he did, LF. Time to pass the collection plate for tetra! |
Posted 14-May-2007 20:44 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yeah I got a couple of reminders and didn't do anything. I'll have to decide if I'm going to renew the premo. There's really only a few dedicated planted enthusiasts here. Let's see Skywalker(nowher), Solo(LF), Darth Vader (Matty-darkside), Wings(C3PO)and Princess leia(tankwatcher). Of course the great Obi-Wan (Bensaf) is somewhere out there, probably in a galaxy far far away............ O.K. Frank you could be Yoda My Scapes |
Posted 14-May-2007 23:30 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Nah, I think Frank is the Emperor! |
Posted 15-May-2007 02:22 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Princess leia(tankwatcher)Glad I didn't end up being a female version of Chewy. Must tell the family they have to treat me more as a princess now and less as their personal slave ? What happens if you re-new now ... will all your older pics come back too? I hate to think we won't get to see your beautiful tanks again. However, it is good to learn that once you cease membership your older pics disappear. I never considered that before - just thought you wouldn't be able to post new ones. Thinking about it, I can understand it's fair enough for FP to do this - I just hadn't thought about it. Thought my log pics would always be there, as my textural & pictorial record of tank's life. Makes me think I should also keep this in a home document as well, as you never know what might happen in the future. BTW, I've read here and there of your previous brewery incident & know it had something to do with your C02 system - but can't imagine how this happens with a pressurised system. What happened & did you have DIY at the time? Just curious. Is there a thread here you could point me towards, if that's easier than rehashing it here Cheers TW |
Posted 15-May-2007 02:34 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Must tell the family they have to treat me more as a princess now and less as their personal slave Now you sound like my wife. The brewery incident was when I had DIY Co2. In fact it prompted my conversion to pressurized. I'm still not sure exactly how it happened, but somehow enough of the mix got into the tank to start reacting and it really smelled like a brewery. There was a big billowy cloudy that was moving about the tank it was pretty freaky. It happened in my old 46g before I started the 72g. If I find any pics I'll post them or should I say link them. My Scapes |
Posted 15-May-2007 02:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, I guess that would leave Chewbacca and R2D2 for tetratech, make you pick young man BTW, isn't your birthday sometime in May? Ingo |
Posted 15-May-2007 13:44 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | BTW, isn't your birthday sometime in May? Actually it was May 3rd. 44 I guess that would leave Chewbacca and R2D2 for tetratech Yeah, I let you guys have all the cool characters. I guess I'll be Chewbacca since he most resembles what I look like anyway. My days of being incognito will soon be coming to an end as I will probably reveal myself sometime in the near future. Please make sure the kids are not near your computer as you gaze upon my most heidous form. My Scapes |
Posted 15-May-2007 16:43 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | So tetra, You are setting up your old 46G bow? What are you plans? Did you ever get that salt set up running? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 15-May-2007 17:12 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well the salt setup never happened because I simply didn't have a place to put the setup. All the equipment (sump, substrate, sock, etc are setting in my garage) You are setting up your old 46G bow? What are you plans?Yep this one is underway. I'm deciding on what kind of layout I want to do. I already have all my equipment and the tank will be in my bedroom. I couldn't have put the salt setuip in the bedroom because the sump and setup would have been too noisy. My Scapes |
Posted 16-May-2007 22:29 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Very good to hear you're setting up a new one, looking forward to seeing it come together. Guess we wont have our competing tanks afterall, mine isnt close to being ready |
Posted 17-May-2007 01:03 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I'm too young to be a father.....but I still like being vader. Can't wait to see the new setup.....too bad about the SW. You should def get your premie renewed...it's only a few bucks, and it's a different atmosphere here than on a larger site. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 18-May-2007 16:57 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | it's a different atmosphere here than on a larger site.Very true. Thats why I keep coming back here. Plus we all have a history together! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 18-May-2007 17:24 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Me? The Emperor? Isn't he the "Old Dude" in the black cape/hoodie with all the wrinkles and bad speech, one of the "Bad Guys?" Actually, I would think that keeping the Premium Membership would be an ideal thing unless you were only casually visiting FP only once in a while. The site, its software, and staff, have provided a first rate place for you to exchange ideas, theories, and facts about a wide range of subjects. In this one forum alone "We" have covered various fish species, snails, shrimp, and even frogs. And thats not counting the various substrates, lights and lighting, filtration and filters and hundreds of plants. If one takes the time to actually read all of these posts (and I have not just because I'm one of the moderators, but because the topics interest me) there is an amazing amount of knowledge here and it continues to grow. We now have new members with new tanks, that are interested in plants, lighting, and substrates. I expect we will see many of them posting questions and logs here. There are other sites, many for plants, but they seem "Stuffy" and not as "open" or friendly as FP is. I would hope that you do renew, and continue to support the site that has given you so much. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 19-May-2007 01:34 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | My days of being incognito will soon be coming to an end as I will probably reveal myself sometime in the near future. Please make sure the kids are not near your computer as you gaze upon my most heidous form. Oh Oh, I guess that means that you are into something big. Why else would you all of a sudden after many years decide to show yourself? I am looking forward to it. And now go and renew your subsc Ingo EDIT: I assume you have seen my mug-shot at the latest event published on NJAGC, right? EDIT EDIT: And belated "Happy Birthday" to you, welcome to my age (and Bensaf's ) |
Posted 20-May-2007 13:27 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, Thanks for the belated BDay Wish Oh Oh, Oh, it won't be something that big. You know me, I'm such a drama queen. Now that a darkside presence has been discovered here within the moderator group, I might have to go into hiding and seek out (Obi-Wan/aka Bensaf) and return to fight the Protists and the Tdapbaraf (Threads disquised as planted but are really about fish). My Scapes |
Posted 21-May-2007 15:07 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | Of course the great Obi-Wan (Bensaf) is somewhere out there, probably in a galaxy far far away............ Try an airport far far away....... Don't have a life anymore, at least not one that doesn't involve work Logged on to look at the pics and see how the tanks were coming a long, but yours are all gone I'm sure it looks way better then my neglected overgrown moss infested ones anyway Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 27-May-2007 05:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Try an airport far far away It's alive!!! Now I have to just talk you into showing us your moss-dominated tanks, maybe next airport layover. Glad all is well with you. If you check back in go here for the most recent published pick of my tank. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquarium-pictures/files/1/8/9/5/IMG_7967crop_original.jpg Best regards, Jeff My Scapes |
Posted 28-May-2007 04:32 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Great to see a pic of your tank again tetratech. Those are great rocks you have there. I can never really find any that I think look natural, no matter where I look. Did you buy them, or did you collect them bushwalking? Cheers TW |
Posted 28-May-2007 04:41 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Hi Tetra , Love the design of this tank . Want to see more of your work . Look forward to it Garry |
Posted 28-May-2007 11:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | It's alive!!! And so are you tetratech, And I am with Robyn, nice to see your tank again. Doesn't seem like much, if anything at all except trimming, has changed in your tank. All looks healthy and clean Ingo |
Posted 28-May-2007 11:57 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn, The rocks are all Petrified wood purchased at LFS in my area. My twigs are from Pier One Imports (a very exotic store) LF, Actually that pic of my tank is from April, I was just directing Uncle Ben to a recent pic, since he hasn't been around. I have added a species or two of plants and fine-tuned things a bit. I'll try to post a pic soon. Garry, Thanks for those comments! My Scapes |
Posted 28-May-2007 13:07 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | Well here I am back in Dubai again, on the way home this time. Tank looks great, being a lot of changes. Plants look incredibly healthy and vibrant, not a lick of algae Just as impressive is the photo itself. Finally a shot with some light and you can see everything. Crisp and crystal clear, just the right amount of light. Has somebody been taking photography lessons? I don't even have a photo of mine since I moved house. There's pretty much no stem plants in it as I don't have time to trim and the crypts and moss have spread and taken over everywhere. Whole thing needs to be tore down and re-arranged. Someday. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 30-May-2007 23:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yes My Master, I've served you well! Well here I am back in Dubai again, on the way home this time. Bensaf, nice to catch you here. Thanks for those very nice comments. Yep the tank is incredibly stable, regardless of what I do with ferts, etc. I have to preach organic and light control as the biggest factors. Dubai seems like a surreal place with their progressive architecture, etc. If you play tennis, don't forget your parachute. Glad all is well with you and I hope you settle enough to put another beautiful scape together. My Scapes |
Posted 30-May-2007 23:44 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Wow, two Bensaf entries in 4 days, I can only hope that he has a layover at that airport at least once a week . So tetratech, tell me more about your preachings with regards to light control, please. Ingo |
Posted 31-May-2007 13:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | So tetratech, tell me more about your preachings with regards to light control, please.or call me Jeff, please Anyway, I'm convinced that by reducing the length of the photo period, not the intensity you will control more algae situations, That in combination with good solid co2. This is nothing new, but I do feel the plants only use what eight hours or so and then it's feast time for algae. This has worked in my tanks on several occasions when I noticed BBA starting to grow. I've reduced lighting duration and bumped up co2 slightly and the BBA was controlled and didn't come back. I notice my rocks are staying cleaner. I'm about to setup my new 46g. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try my hand at an Iwagumi and I will be only running lights at about 7 hours initially and moving up to 8/9 max. My Scapes |
Posted 31-May-2007 14:36 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Good to see the old man is still around and well (at least health wise) I wish I knew how to be active in more than one forum at once, then I could stay on top of these things. Tetra, nice to hear about the 46. In the amano-related set-up manuals I've seen he suggests the same. Start off with a short photo period and little to no ferts and gradually build them up. This will be especially tricky with the Iwagumi style, since the first thing we think of when starting a new tank is to stuff it with plants right away. Nutrient control will be more important than ever with this style, sounds like a fun challenge |
Posted 31-May-2007 16:34 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Good to see the old man is still around and well (at least health wise) Yeah that is good news. Speaking of old men, I was sorry to hear you mention your tank is delayed. Maybe your a little of this old man from Lawn Guy-land My Scapes |
Posted 31-May-2007 17:13 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Speaking of old men, I was sorry to hear you mention your tank is delayed. Maybe your a little of this old man from Lawn Guy-land Who, me? I still haven't redone the 4G which needs it the most. My target for that is next week. I've just been putting money into non-aquatic plants and haven't budgeted for the new ones to go in the 4G. Just got a few nice small begonia species the other day, and I've been setting up the outside plants now that the weather has turned warm. Funny thing is, the 65 and all accessories are set up in my room already - stand, tank, filter stuff, driftwood, lights etc. All I need now is AS, plants... and a kick in the behind to get going on it But I am looking forward to your Iwagumi. Thus far I don't think any one we know from FP has pulled one off yet (haven't seen one from Bensaf if he has). ChaosMaximus tried one a year or so ago but that went down the tubes rather quickly I remember. So should be interesting. |
Posted 31-May-2007 19:07 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | But I am looking forward to your Iwagumi. Thus far I don't think any one we know from FP has pulled one off yet (haven't seen one from Bensaf if he has). ChaosMaximus tried one a year or so ago but that went down the tubes rather quickly I remember. So should be interesting. Yes, how can we forget ChaosMaximus. Poor guy, never knew what hit him. Anyway, how can I fail, I'm in a Zen-like state of mind My Scapes |
Posted 31-May-2007 19:44 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Anyway, I'm convinced that by reducing the length of the photo period, not the intensity you will control more algae situations, That in combination with good solid co2. I am with you on this one. I am running about 9 hours max for my photo period with the intensity up to 5.25WPG. I keep my CO2 up around 70 some ppm and I have a light fish load and keep my feedings light. Hardly any algae to speak of in the tank. Just remember that algae needs long photo periods to prosper while plants can turn it on and off to get by. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 31-May-2007 21:32 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 |
I know. Started right off the bat with a few clumps of HC, a few petite nanas, and lemon tetras. Algae city within a week. I guess he never stuck with it. Well, live and learn. |
Posted 31-May-2007 23:08 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Start off with a short photo period and little to no ferts and gradually build them up. Well, of course I have to disagree True, Amano says that, but in what context? Answer: in the context of using his substrate and bacter. This stuff leaches ferts like mad in the beginning, that is why one should not add more ferts. At least that is my opinion, Ingo |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 00:08 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | ummm what is Iwagumi style Cheers TW |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 00:39 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Robyn, Just type Iwagumi into google and you will see. basically, it is a low planted tank (as in mainly low plants like HC and such) with rocks sticking out, similar to my 20G QT currently (although I would get spanked by Amano for remotely linking my tank and Iwagumi, ). Ingo |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 00:50 | |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 15:28 | This post has been deleted |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | True, Amano says that, but in what context? Answer: in the context of using his substrate and bacter. This stuff leaches ferts like mad in the beginning, that is why one should not add more ferts. I didn't think AS leached ferts into the WC. It shouldn't anyway, unless you're dumping water directly onto it and making it leach everything. And tetra, I believe your mailbox is full. |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 16:51 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 17:04 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 17:38 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | AAAAHHHHHHH Now that is an accomplishment, Jeff. 'Petrified Valley' - interesting name choice, I sure was not petrified when I saw the honors, I was delighted. And this is not at all how I pictured you would look like, . Ingo |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 18:36 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Well done, Jeff! Congrats as well! That's no small accomplishment. I agree with Ingo. With all the "old man" talk I expected to see an old guy sitting there with his tank. Though I guess the Chewbacca comparison holds up... |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 19:08 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks both of you! Believe me, I'm old. with a Son almost as big as I am, I'm feeling pretty old. I have good hair genes, but that's about it. I actually don't usually look like Chewy, but I get lazy when I work from home. I was tempted to take the pic in my pjs, but I opted for the ripped jeans. Ingo thanks for those nice words in the thread, that is oh so true, but I think your editorial piece in TFH next to Amano beats it. My Scapes |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 20:33 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 20:57 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Actually, now that I think about it, you look exactly like the guy who played Harry Ellis in the original "Die Hard". I mean, you're a dead ringer for that guy! Know who I'm talking about? You mean that really obnxious coked out guy that they couldn't stand listening to anymore and shot in the head. Great thanks "Checky young pup - Bensaf" My Scapes |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 21:28 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Yeah, that's the guy! Just like him, only that instead of being coked up and obnoxious, if he entered a Zen-like state of mind after discovering the ability to bring the beauty of nature into his home through the art of the aquascape. |
Posted 01-Jun-2007 21:46 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | That's a really desc Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 02-Jun-2007 00:03 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Jeff , the beautifull simplicity of the scape of this tank is breathtaking . I can't wait to see the new setup . Congrats Garry |
Posted 02-Jun-2007 08:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Editorial piece in TFH beating the "Tank of the Month" ??? Not when it comes to what we (the plant nerds) value most, a planted tank, not by a long shot . Granted, the TFH thing was a nice accomplishment as well, but it was all about breeding Espei, and for that your tank can (theoretically) look like a bomb exploded in it. There is no taking away from the work, thought, and even restrain that you have displayed to make your tank what it is today, and that's why you really earned this reward. And yeah, I had to request my password to log into the site as I haven't been logged in in ages. My postcount there is the opposite from here Ingo |
Posted 02-Jun-2007 11:41 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra, Any plans to enter this tank into the AGA contest? If you haven't already I think you should. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 02-Jun-2007 14:56 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | well done houseofcards, aka tetratech, aka Jeff. If I wasn't so scared of the mess I'd make, I'm almost tempted to try the two substrate idea (eco & sand) in my new tank. I still just don't get it. How do you keep it separate. I have no digging fish - so no problem there. Cheers TW |
Posted 03-Jun-2007 13:09 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | If I wasn't so scared of the mess I'd make, I'm almost tempted to try the two substrate idea (eco & sand) in my new tank. I still just don't get it. How do you keep it separate. I have no digging fish - so no problem there. There's always going to be some mixing issue, but if the substrates are separately somewhat by a rock border it will be minimal. My Scapes |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 15:36 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | I've been searching for petrified wood, since you told me that's what your rocks are. Couldn't find any here & I am bidding on a couple lots on ebay in USA. Hope they look okay in real life, when I get them. None of the rocks I find in LFS ever look natural. I will think about this twin substrate idea. If it doesn't work for me & everything gets messy, I assume it be a real hassle to remove the sand from the tank. but if the substrates are separately somewhat by a rock border it will be minimalShould I place the rock border, which divides the 2 substrates, directly on the glass bottom of the tank? Cheers TW |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 17:20 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I've been searching for petrified wood, since you told me that's what your rocks are. Couldn't find any here & I am bidding on a couple lots on ebay in USA. Hope they look okay in real life, when I get them. Be careful what you are getting. some petrified wood isn't very attractive in both structure and color. Some look very light and orange and other's might be very straight and flat. So make sure it's WYSIWYG. I don't think it's critical that the rocks are on a clean glass bottom. I mean some substrate underneath the rock is fine. Just make sure the darker substrate is held back by the rocks. You can pour some more substrate in the area and see how much leaks through than adjust your rocks. My Scapes |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 17:45 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | So make sure it's WYSIWYGThat's what I'm scared of. I've been outbid on this one already, & I don't know if I'll up my bid or not. What do you think of this one? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110132809194&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com.au%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D110132809194%2B%2B%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1 I already one a batch of this stuff http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Petrified-wood-All-natural-Arizona-petrified-wood-1-2_W0QQitemZ140123651975QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3219QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem I'll ask if the seller can pick out the red / brown ones for me. What do you think of these. They were fairly cheap, so I won't be too heartbroken if they are no good & I can't use them. Also, the guy seems to have heaps of them. If I like them & want more of the same, shouldn't be a problem. Comments invited. Cheers TW |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 18:25 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn, The first piece you were out bid on, looks kinda light and it will look almost white when placed in the tank under the lights. I haven't found those that attractive, but again that's my opinion. The ones that are more brown and less orange or off white like the one in the pic usually look better and more natural. Also stay away from pieces that look like they have broad striping from brown to white, again they don't look natural in the tank. You want to try and find pieces that look like little boulders and not flat rectangles, if that makes sense. Happy rock hunting. My Scapes |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 21:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn, The first piece you were out bid on, looks kinda light and it will look almost white when placed in the tank under the lights. I haven't found those that attractive, but again that's my opinion. The ones that are more brown and less orange or off white like the one in the pic usually look better and more natural. Also stay away from pieces that look like they have broad striping from brown to white, again they don't look natural in the tank. You want to try and find pieces that look like little boulders and not flat rectangles, if that makes sense. Happy rock hunting. My Scapes |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 21:06 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Thanks for the comments. I won't bid again on the first one then. What about the 2nd bunch? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Petrified-wood-All-natural-Arizona-petrified-wood-1-2_W0QQitemZ140123651975QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3219QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300116230944&rd=1&rd=1 AND THIS? TOO RED? Cheers TW |
Posted 04-Jun-2007 23:38 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Hey, I don't know much about this type of wood/rock, so I let you two figure out the right color and such. But I want to comment on the last link from Robyn: that chunk of rock is 8 ounces - meaning half a pound, right? I recently saw a rock of the kind that I have in my 20G at the LFS, about the same size as the larger ones in there (as such, not really big). Asking what it would cost, and learning that price is by weight, we checked the latter. 3 Pounds ++ !!! Petrified Wood is just as heavy, I take it, so this 8 oz. one must be tiny, I doubt the measurements. Ingo |
Posted 05-Jun-2007 14:05 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Robyn sorry to be critical but that last link is very glassy looking and I don't think you will like it in your tank. I have a few pieces like that and I don't really use them or I use them in the back somewhere. Do you definitely want petrified wood. Aren't there any landscaping supply type stores that you could look over their rocks. Around me I recently went to a landscape supply store and they let me pick through a pile of Moss Rock and take anything I wanted for $10. I might be using these in my new 46g. My Scapes |
Posted 05-Jun-2007 14:44 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | ha, funny thing: and they let me pick through a pile of Moss Rock Just last night I heard the name Moss Rock for the first time, from a NJAGC buddy. He likes them very much but couldn't show me an example as we were at AF and they had none. Can you get a picture of one up here, tetratech? Ingo |
Posted 05-Jun-2007 15:43 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | the criticism for the rocks is just what I want I don't think you've commented on these ones yet. Seller said he can pick out the darker & browner ones for me. I'll also ask if he can pick out the rounder ones, instead of the flat ones - but I may not have a lot of control over what he sends me. At worst, I can always the tops completely with riccia and use them as little borders. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Petrified-wood-All-natural-Arizona-petrified-wood-1-2_W0QQitemZ140123651975QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3219QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem . This is what I have now. I sort of like the rock itself, but doesn't look natural. It's typical of the sort of rocks I find in LFS - more pretty patterns than natural. I will wander around some gardening type places & see what they have as well. BTW, I'm posting my pics these days via photobucket - so they will never disappear, unless I remove them from the photobucket album - even if I'm no longer a premie, I think they'll remain. Is that right Matty - or will they still disappear? Cheers TW |
Posted 05-Jun-2007 15:52 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well here's one in the backyard. You can get an idea of the color. It has a flat sandy texture. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquarium-pictures/files/1/8/9/5/IMG_7987_original.jpg My Scapes |
Posted 05-Jun-2007 16:22 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well here's one in the backyard. So, every time you want to add a piece to your tank, all you have to do is go outside with a sledge hammer and bang away I like that type of rock, I for sure would not have assumed that it would be called Moss Rock, I thought such a stone should be greenish. Once in a tank for a while, even the clearest sections of it should be somewhat "normalized" anyway. Ingo |
Posted 06-Jun-2007 13:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | So, every time you want to add a piece to your tank, all you have to do is go outside with a sledge hammer and bang away I did attempt that to supply my new tank with rock (hint, hint) but I wasn't happy with the results so I ended up going to a landscape suppy and as mentioned picking throught a mountain of moss rock for the little pieces. This is a a skid of moss rock you could buy for $250. (not what I picked from). Many of the darker areas around the crevices, etc is actually dried moss, thus the name. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquarium-pictures/files/1/8/9/5/IMAGE_001_original.jpg Sorry for the bad quality. It was taken with my cellphone. My Scapes |
Posted 06-Jun-2007 13:38 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The best landscape place in my area, at least with concerns to rocks, is only open during the week, so usually not at the time when I can go there. I am off today, so maybe I have a chance go there. Do you know of any other name by which this type of rock is known as? For example, the rock in my 20G and 40G and now also in the 125G (seems like I need more variety) is known in your fish store in LI (the big store, forgot the name yet again) as Picture Rock, but at my LFS as Zebra Rock. Ingo |
Posted 06-Jun-2007 13:43 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | All the landscape suppliers out here call it moss rock, but your right, I'm sure there are several names. the rock in my 20G and 40G and now also in the 125G (seems like I need more variety) is known in your fish store in LI (the big store, forgot the name yet again) as Picture Rock, but at my LFS as Zebra Rock. That big store knows very little about the fish, plants let alone the sticks and stones they carry. I believe Zebra rock is the term most use. My Scapes |
Posted 06-Jun-2007 13:49 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Update.. I promise fresh pics of this tank once my TOTM run has concluded. I've refreshed it a bit and added some new plants including HC Cuba and Ludwigia repens. I've also added in some additional hardscape which includes some locally found driftwood. Stay tuned........... My Scapes |
Posted 21-Jun-2007 22:53 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Can't wait Cheers TW |
Posted 22-Jun-2007 13:36 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | TOTMDose this mean what I think it means? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Jun-2007 14:05 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Jeff ,Looking forward to the update . Garry |
Posted 22-Jun-2007 16:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Here's a current pic of the 72G. I've added some driftwood to the valley that I personally found in the bluffs overlooking the Nissequogue River on the north shore of Long Island. They are beautiful pieces that I've tried to incorporating into the curve of the valley in a sort of dramatic way. You can also see the HC growing in the foreground as well as a thicket of Ludwigia repens growing in the midground on the left side. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquarium-pictures/files/1/8/9/5/IMG_0681apc_original.jpg My Scapes |
Posted 16-Jul-2007 23:34 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Tetra , Thats a very different look now in the central part of the scape . It looks like you have moved some rocks out of the scape to accommodate the driftwood ? You've also got some plants blocking the view up the river . Much as it daunts me to say this ( of one of the "Masters" scapes ), isn't that a little distracting. Oh well it is hard to improve of perfection ( geez I'm a suck up ) Love the driftwood BTW. Garry |
Posted 17-Jul-2007 02:46 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Hm , Not my favorite either, sorry to say that. Here is why: - the driftwood, as nice as it is, seems artificial in these positions. I can imagine though that it will look better once it "ages" and doesn't look that polished anymore. - the divider line created with the very bright green Wisteria is somewhat out of place. Why split the valley? All other parts look nice and I am truly looking forward to the HC growth, in particular if you should go with the ADA substrate test. Once the HC covers the foreground the whole tank will look very different as any darkness from the ground will be gone. Hard to imagine now for me though. Ingo |
Posted 17-Jul-2007 14:06 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yeah, before I even posted the pic, I knew I would get comments similiar to LF and Country. The wisteria should have been cut so it doesnt completely cut off the valley and the pic is alittle dark to see the flow through it. At this point it's experimentation with this tank. It's kinda done, but I'm looking for something maybe alittle different. I just trimmed so I'll probably post a different pic possibily from a different prospective. My Scapes |
Posted 17-Jul-2007 14:39 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I knew I would get comments similiar to LF and Country. Aren't you glad that you have such careful observers in your audience ? As is often the case, a picture rarely represents the "real" tank, for better and worse. More shots from different angles for sure help in understanding the 3 dimensionality of a tank. Ingo |
Posted 17-Jul-2007 15:54 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Tetra, Do you have any close ups of your riccia? Mine had been a little weird lately. Some parts are dark green, some are bright green. It looks like yours is the same. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 17-Jul-2007 19:10 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Hey tetra, what're the plants growing in the valley itself, in the sand part on the right side? Looks like e. parvi., but fluffier, like hygro poly.? |
Posted 17-Jul-2007 19:16 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Hey tetra, what're the plants growing in the valley itself, in the sand part on the right side? Looks like e. parvi., but fluffier, like hygro poly.?Nope that's just Difformis living up to its name. I must have 10 differnt leaf shapes depending on trim,light,location, etc. I'm surprised no one picked up on the L.Repens as it slants in the same shape as the valley. That was the idea behind the wood on the left as well. It's sort of bending into the curve of the valley. My Scapes |
Posted 18-Jul-2007 00:11 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I'm surprised no one picked up on the L.Repens as it slants in the same shape as the valley. I sure didn't see that I didn't even notice the repens (which, btw, looks rather pale in the picture) as I focussed in on the wood and valley. Ingo |
Posted 18-Jul-2007 17:52 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Current shot about 4 days post trim. Really nice color here, yeah the repens were recently hacked as well. I trimmed the wisteria on the sand so you could see through the valley again. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2460889960048205226BYLOVY?vhost=outdoors My Scapes |
Posted 18-Jul-2007 19:25 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I think that little change made all the difference. The wood somehow,oddly maybe, seems to fit much better than before. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 19-Jul-2007 00:19 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Tetra , I agree with Matty , that makes a big difference . Looks like you've done a big trim and added some Ricca ????? to one of the rocks on the left side of the river . Looks like the HC has spread quite a lot in 4 days. Great shot as always , and I agree with Ingo more shots from different angles would be a treat to see. Garry |
Posted 19-Jul-2007 05:48 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | |
Posted 09-Oct-2007 00:57 | |
fishmonster Big Fish Oh My Heck! Posts: 329 Kudos: 88 Votes: 73 Registered: 11-Apr-2007 | Tetratech How have you been able to compensate for the PH raise the petrified wood has put on the tank? If now how did you know that it wouldnt raise it? If it did how if at all are you keeping it down? Thanks Shane Thanks for your input as always, Shane http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ] http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html |
Posted 09-Oct-2007 08:36 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Very nice tetratech, but I wouldn't be me (or you wouldn't be yourself either, in that situation) if I couldn't find something to bicker about : I think the rocks are now a little too bare. I would rather like to see some plants overhanging the outer sides of the rocks (sides away from the valley) or even some small plants growing on the rocks, for example (albeit not a good one) having Nana petites growing out of the gaps between the rocks and such. But maybe you just did a trim job and that is why the center is rather bare. Otherwise, just as gorgeous then the day you won TOTM, Ingo |
Posted 09-Oct-2007 14:09 | |
fish patty Fish Addict Posts: 539 Kudos: 223 Votes: 255 Registered: 04-Oct-2006 | Beautifully sculptured tank no matter what you keep doing to it |
Posted 09-Oct-2007 16:05 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | fishmonster The petrified wood should not affect the PH / Hardness of the tank LF Thanks for your comment. Your right, there's always some tweaking to do here and there. Maybe if I could get my tank in TFH like someone else I know I'll go all out. fishpatty Thanks for the nice comment. My Scapes |
Posted 09-Oct-2007 18:39 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | What happened to all your cardinals? Didn't you have something like 30 in there? |
Posted 09-Oct-2007 19:40 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Jeff as always , your scape is nearly perfect . They are never quite perfect are they always someting to do , that's what keeps us interested . Not sure I'm as game as LF to make suggestions , but it does appear to be a little bare in the area LF pointed out . Are you in the process of changing things ? Garry |
Posted 10-Oct-2007 14:30 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | nowher, You mean I'm suppose to have fish in my planted tanks, oops I forgot hehe. Actually there's about a dozen or so in there. I think I had 25 or so at it's peak. I'm coming up on two years for these cardinals so I'm sure some died off from age. Since they are wild caught, one never knows how old they are when acquired. Interesting though I still have an amazing 6 otos from my original 9 or so. And some of my Amano shrimps are pushing two years as well. Garry, I'm really debating a complete redo of the tank, but to echo Ingo, do I have the time to do it. My Scapes |
Posted 10-Oct-2007 16:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, About the fishies: first off, I hear you on the ever decreasing "interest" in fish as they serve more of a decoration role for the tank (except worker bees). I can see the cardinals having reached their age limit, and maybe the Amanos as well, althogh I am reading some reports of a life span of over 4 years. Otos,on the other hand, will easily exceed 5 years, just ask Cali on this site. Ingo |
Posted 10-Oct-2007 17:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well that's interesting about the shrimp. I didn't realize they can live that long. Anyway I haven't purchased a fish in I don't know how long. I'll probably let these fish run their course and then decide on one big school. It definitey won't be cardinals. I think the whole idea of a large tight school all the time is a myth to a certain degree. You can't go by those shots of Amanos tanks since he throws them in and takes pictures. They always school at the point. One of the artistic APCers referred to fish in his tanks as "Paint Strokes" At current between my three tanks I probably have about 100 cherry shrimps My Scapes |
Posted 10-Oct-2007 18:25 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | At current between my three tanks I probably have about 100 cherry shrimpsIt doesn't take long. I still have 99% of mine in the little 1.5 gallon. I am guessing there are over 50 of them in there. Maybe it's time to sell some as I don't think I can set up the 20G long right now. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 10-Oct-2007 23:05 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Here's a current pic about a week post trim. I'm pretty much moving things around here and there on a somewhat monthly basis. In this shot I added more riccia to the rocks in the valley. After moving the riccia away from some foreground areas I also added a new plant (Echinodorus tenellus 'micro')to both the foreground and valley area. Current Pic My Scapes |
Posted 23-Oct-2007 00:55 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Tetra , The Ricca on the rocks is a great touch . So a new plant , how about a close up ? I agree about your fish selection Btw , I'm so over Card's mine hide all the time , Rummys are a hoot to watch in a bigish school ( I have 17 ) they play follow the leader at speed all the time . Occasionally this cause's a pile up . I think you would love them . Garry |
Posted 23-Oct-2007 14:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, Looking very nice and way more natural now that the center area had time (and your help) to incorporate the rock valley some more Tenellus Micro, yes? It should grow rather similar to normal tenellus then, right (albeit smaller, and isn't it reddish as well? ) ? While individual plantlets look very nice right now, wouldn't you have to take care of runners all the time? The darker green areas on the right hand rocks of the valley, is that Riccia as well somehow shaded or some form of moss? The only slight criticism I can make is that it seems like the way left group is not attached cohesively to the closer groups at the left rock area. The way right side seems to create more flow, but the left has even a hole. Otherwise, better than mine anyway Ingo |
Posted 23-Oct-2007 14:33 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the comments guys. Garry, Rummys are very nice fish and definitely much better schoolers than cards. I might in fact go with those in this tank since they are fairly easy to acquire around here. I'll try to get a pick up of the new plant soon. Ingo, As usual very perceptive. Yes the far left is slightly detached since there's a space where there isn't anything in the substrate and the wisteria is sort of hovering over that area. I was just to lazy to plant more wisteria there about a week ago. Yeah I expect the runners from the ETM will go around things but I'm not to worried. I think they'll be easy to remove. Yes the plant does have sme nice reddish hues to it, one reason I wanted it. The guy I bought them from said the plant is a really slow grower, but it doesn't look like that's going to be the case. Very interesting comment about the Riccia and yes it's all Riccia. The darker Riccia on the right was taken out of my Aquasoil-ba Riccia My Scapes |
Posted 23-Oct-2007 15:22 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Back in the day (a couple of months ago) when I had my 40G set up, my riccia would grow dark sometimes too. I never really did figure out why... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 23-Oct-2007 23:22 | |
bratyboy2 Big Fish Posts: 355 Kudos: 340 Votes: 1 Registered: 21-Apr-2004 | so what ever happened to the posting on this one i loved this tank |
Posted 04-Feb-2008 05:52 | |
Countryfish Fish Addict Da...Dum .. Da...Dum Posts: 645 Kudos: 83 Votes: 242 Registered: 16-May-2007 | Yes Tetra ...long time ..how about an update ? Garry |
Posted 15-Feb-2008 12:13 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | He does still stop in! Last Visit: 04-Feb-2008 07:58 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 15-Feb-2008 13:25 | |
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