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I am most astonished how little was needed to remove the entire Island Effect.

I personally think it looks even better. My suggestion for what it's worth, add some large size rocks right in front of where the anubias meets the new fern group on the left and maybe one large rock somewhere on the right. This will break up all the green created by the wisteria carpet and add additional depth to the tank. Looks good!

My Scapes

~I am with Tetra with the rocks idea. You seem to have a lot of green!

~I also like the looks of the tank now better than before.

~It would probably look a little better if you grouped your Reds a little tighter.

~How often are you getting Anubias flowers? My nana is starting to pump them out fairly often now. It is at its 3rd one in the past couple of months. Once they open up they really don't seem to last long in this tank. Maybe a couple of days at most then they close back up.



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

The higher the tech the shorter the lifespan of an Anubias flower, at least in my experience. Makes sense anyway as all plants grow faster.

Yeah, I am not so certain that I understand the rock positions. Also, I don't think this is a long-term solution in the first place. I didn't even intend to "modify" the tank, all I wanted was to throw out the darn floating Blyxa and save some of the Fern

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I like the change Ingo; it looks nice more "spread out". I am also with Tetratech with some rocks. Me personally, I like having big rocks that get bordered by some plants, but tetra's idea sounds better for your tank than mine, it seems too drastic. But then again, that's just up your alley, isn't it?
I am going to go out on a limb here, but I think you should keep the tank just how it is, it looks great...but from what I gather from the people here, it is going to change MUCH more than that!


~Morgan~

Morgan,

I gather that you know about MTS, and redoing my tanks is fighting this habbit. I already have 4 tanks and under moderate conditions they occupy me more than I like. But once in a while I get the crazy idea to add another tank, but eventually I come to my senses (ok, so maybe I add some day a nano).

But when things go well, the maintenance and worries go down and then I get bored. The same is true for a setup where the final version has been reached and all that is left is trimming it back into shape each week. And all that while there are soooooo many nice setups that one can try.

As you can see, I am trying to convince myself that these redos are good , hope it works (so far it did),

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Ingo,

I just got through looking at the sixth meeting of the NJAGC. Whoever put that little summary together on the website did a really nice job. Wonder if nowher was in attendance

I have to say the 40G was more impressive to me in those pics for some reason. I like the transition shot, but I think it's in reverse. The plants didn't grow since the last meeting, they got scalped.

Anyway good stuff!

My Scapes

Thanks tetratech for the input,

Yeah - Joe is doing a great job on taking the pictures during the meetings and then throwing together a humorous little story about the event. And he makes the HTML tables too

I can't tell you if NowherMan6 was in attendance, he is always incognito,

The meetings are always a lot of fun and it for sure is worthwhile to join the club if you live in the area. Next meeting will be this Saturday (already) and I will trade in some of my Java Ferns (narrow and needle) that I had left over from the 40G trim (scalping, ).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I can't tell you if NowherMan6 was in attendance, he is always incognito

He must be the guy in the mask...

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wow, it looks a lot different, even though not much has changed. I also like it this way. Very cool, have fun at the club meeting. I wish we had a good club 'round these parts.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Yeah Matty,

I was actually shocked how different it looks now. I could not have imagined that the simple addition of the fern and a few Anubias will completely alter the appearance. It gives me new ideas on what I can do with the tank without having to go the Ingo-Style Redo route, although - the 2 year anniversary of the tank will be in September and what would be better than to start all over

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I can't tell you if NowherMan6 was in attendance, he is always incognito,

The meetings are always a lot of fun and it for sure is worthwhile to join the club if you live in the area. Next meeting will be this Saturday (already) and I will trade in some of my Java Ferns (narrow and needle) that I had left over from the 40G trim

First of all, I put my picture up on the NJAGC site, now the whole world can see my ugly mug.

Second, if I knew you were giving away some of your NL ferns this weekend I wouldn't have booked this trip to Michigan!

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Back in the saddle!

now the whole world can see my ugly mug.

I don't think so, albeit I haven't tested it, I think you have to be a member to see the member listing (and the forums anyway, or not?)

Anyway, NowherMan6, what are you after, my narrow leaf (on left in this tank now) or my needle leaf (on the right)? The latter I can have you pick up during this coming week, the former may have to wait a little. If you could make certain that you will pick some up then I could withhold either or from the swap (or bring in less).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I wouldn't have booked this trip to Michigan!

Where at in MI? You are now on my grounds!!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Weekly Tank Update - Week 85

Well, the tank is showing a few minor, and maybe one major change this weekend, maybe you can spot some of them in the full tank shot, otherwise I will make mention in the detail pictures:

Attached Image:

Full Tank - Week 85

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a close look at the major change:

Besides the trimming of the Star Grass, and the replanting of some of the Alternanthera stems, I added about 12 stems of Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' - formerly known as Ludwigia sp. 'Cuba'. The tops of most of the stems seem to have recently received not enough light, the leaves are to broad and short and green. I will see how the plant does in my tank.

To support the growth I added 3 plant sticks in the center area.

Attached Image:

New Center

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

That last shot was taken pretty much as soon as planting was completed, btw - for a change this plant was not a trade but a purchase.

Here is a wider and better look at the main part of the tank, a day later.

Attached Image:

Center

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a look at the left side of the tank, the change there is that I added even more of the narrow leaf java fern to make the group deeper.

Also, on the way left in front of the diffuser is a crypt (only one leaf visible in the shot, sorry), don't remember its name, that I got two NJAGC meetings back and had hidden underneath the Anubias forest.

Attached Image:

Left Tank Part

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a look at the right side of the tank, the main fish hangout area as you can see

Changes here include the stripping of the needle leaf java fern babies of the leaves, and the move of the Hygro out from the center all the way to the right.

Attached Image:

Right Tank Part

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here are a few detail shots, first up is one of the Otos. If I am not mistaken the 6 survived the initiation about a year and a half ago and it seems like at least some of them are still around. Of course it is impossible to find all of them at once in this tank.

Attached Image:

Oto

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a close-up of the new Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'. This stem has maintained the leaf structure all the way to the top, but overall I think the plant will hopefully be a little more pinkish/reddish on top.

Attached Image:

Cuba

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a lone Espei in front of the right group, I think it is a female. Just check her body color, it is of an orange with a yellow tint rather than a red tint that the males have.

Attached Image:

Espei

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Lastly, for now, here is a shot of the daytime hangout spot for quite a few of the Espei, in the leaves of the Needle Leaf Java Fern. The give a nice contrast to the green leaves.

That's it for now, I have to add hundreds (ok, maybe 20) pictures to the 40G now as something bad happened there during the week.

Also, check the 20G and 29G logs for updates,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Peek-A-Boo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Nice work, I like it a lot - more spread out and a "lush" look to it. Initially the first thing I noticed is the redish/pinkish plants seemed closer together. Don't know if you changed this or not, but that's what I saw (it was probablly because I haven't checked the log in a while and I didn't remember the last layout.

I still am surprised, though, that you haven't done a major redo yet. I'll bet that the "regulars" are all on their toes waiting for the big change.


~Morgan~

I still am surprised, though, that you haven't done a major redo yet. I'll bet that the "regulars" are all on their toes waiting for the big change.

Morgan,

You sure seem to know me well by now

The red plants have been moved together, that is correct. They are Alternanthera reineckii, I have one in my 29G low tech as well as an experiment.

And about a redo "Ingo-Style" - I don't want to promise too much, but something may be coming up in a while, maybe not as major as a complete strip down. As you can see, I went out and actually bought a new plant species, something I haven't done in a while. That is a sign that I am "experimenting" and of things to come.

Thanks for the entry,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Cool pics LF, I'm interested in seeing how that ludwiggia does, and if the plant sticks help. I've thought about using some in the area I keep my red plants. I'm not real thrilled with how the eco complete supports the plant growth compared to flourite I've decided.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I'm not real thrilled with how the eco complete supports the plant growth compared to flourite I've decided.

You know, I never had Flourite, but I think I can say the same for Gravel with a layer of Laterite. I don't know why, my only current assumption is the high density of the substrate and the struggles for roots to push their way through them. Just thinking out loud,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I haven't ever tried Eco but I really do like my flourite. Other than the initial set up with it.... Rinse rinse rinse... rinse the flourite.... rinse the flourite....

Opps, didn't rinse it enough and I had chocolate milk for a week!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Yeah Wings, that and the color of Flourite are the reasons why I will not add it to my tanks. As a matter of fact, I am currently debating (with myself, that is) what substrate would be the best for the 125G if I wish to make it more "show" like.

Seems like there are only 3 options:

- Eco
- ADA Substrate
- Black small Gravel with Laterite

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

So you don't like the color of Flourite? I think it looks pretty nice. You really don't see it much once the tank is filled in anyways.

The bucket method of rinsing it is for the birds but you can put it in a fine mesh net and rinse it with ease with much better results.

Have you looking into this?
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Onyx%20Sand.html

You have a pretty low PH/KH right? This might help with that as it's full of calcium.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

hmmm, seems like eco is falling out of favour with some of the planted gang now. Wish I hadn't rushed in & bought it already. Agree with LF about Flourite - both the need for rinsing and the colour. Many people like the colour, but I am stubborn for black and can't imagine another colour substrate creeping into any of my tanks.



Cheers
TW

Weekly Tank Update - Week 86

Not much has happened with this tank either during the last week, except that I added a few plants in temporary positions. I will mention them a little later on.

To compare, here is a shot from last week again:

Attached Image:

7 Days Ago

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is the tank last night.

I wish to point your attention to the group of Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' in the center of the tank that was planted a week ago. Do you notice the growth. I have to say that it surprised me quite a bit.

Attached Image:

Tank This Weekend

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a closer look at the tank's center area showing you the Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' stems. Notice that some of them did not grow by as much as others did. Also, there is some Star Grass between this group and the Alternanthera, but this one is not doing too well and quickly falling out of my favor.

Attached Image:

Center

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a shot from the top of the tank looking down onto the Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'. The tall stems all show signs of having been at least half way grown emersed, the leaf shape is oval and much greener. As such I conclude that this is the reason why they grow faster.

Attached Image:

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a shot of another addition to the tank, made on Wednesday, called Hydrocotyle verticillata , the pennywort that grows flat ().

I put it for the time being in small groups mostly on the left side of the tank, I will eventually - if it does well - place it as a midground highligh group somewhere.

Attached Image:

Hydrocotyle verticillata

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is another plant that I added, but sadly it was in an aweful state when I got it, Pogostemon stellatus'broad'. It pretty much lost all leaves in the transport, but I decided to plant the 5 stems anyway. It appears as if at least 3 of them may be able to recover.

In the background in this shot, barely visible, is another addition. This one seemed to have been grown all emersed and I don't know if it will transition ok, Lobelia cardinalis 'sm form'. We will see ...

Attached Image:

Additions

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Last but not least, a shot of 4 of my 5 Neon Dwarf Rainbows. These guys have been a stable entertainer in this tank for quite a while now, I am glad I got them.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Rainbows

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi,
Beautiful tank...
Re, the discussion about Flourite. In reading the July
issue of Aquarium Fish International Magazine,
Seachem has an ad for Flourite and it now comes in black
dark red, the customary red, and black sand.
So, they have listened to their consumers.

Frank


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

Thanks Frank for the compliment on the tank and in particular also for the info on the Flourite. I will have to check that out!

And I see that my two year membership bar has appeared, excellent. Happy Anniversary to myself

Now I will soon have to extend my premie, right tetratech?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

LF, i find it interesting that to my eyes your tank seems to be coming full circle. It's become very reminiscent of the tank when first set-up and grown in. The current java fern group spreading left reminds me of the Apon group that used to be there.

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Back in the saddle!

The tank is looking very good Ingo, I think I like it better than the island you had for a long time. The hydrocotyle is a cute plant, I had it for a while when I first set up my tank, but in the light setting I had at the time it didn't do very well and got quickly covered in algae. I hope it'll work better in your hands.

Thanks guys for the input

NowherMan6 - Yeah, seems like the tank has come full circle, at least from the distance. Upon close inspection, the plants are not the same (like the Apon that constantly shot out flower stems to the surface and eventually didn't grow any new underwater leaves) and in particular the algae is not the same, as in "I don't have a major problem right now."

But nevertheless, full circle it is, as such it will be time for a change soon

Dr. - Thanks for stopping in, doesn't happen too often that you place your comment in my log(s). How was your light when you had the hydrocotyle and it didn't do well? Too low, too high, or plain wrong?

And how is your tank coming along?

Thanks again,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hey Ingo,

I haven't been posting much at all in the last few months, and with an upcoming month-long vacation I probably won't be posting much in the near future either. I don't have terribly much time these days for internet and reading these forums and a couple of other things is often just what I manage. As you guys are in general well on top of things with good and helpful replies, I generally have been nodding to myself and moved on to the next thread without taking time to write something if I didn't feel that I could add something more useful. Recently, I figured that this atitude may not be the best way to keep people here since the place will seem "empty" without many people posting, so I'm going to try and change that a little (with the exception of my one-month America tour next month ).

Anyway, back when I still had some hydrocotyle I had only 72 watts of light (with reflectors) over my 65g tank. So it was a fairly low light setup, I also didn't really fertilize and didn't have CO2. All in all quite different from the way you're running your tank, so I expect you'll have a better experience with it.

Currently my tank is going fairly steady, there haven't been many changes since I last wrote something in the log. Some of the fish are getting old and start to show it, like for example the rummynose tetras, which have been there for 2½ years now and slowly they are starting to die off. My plan is that after the summer vacation I will transfer all the fish to the smaller tank where I used to have the angels (I brought those to the LFS three weeks ago and gave that a thorough cleaning) and then empty the big tank for a remake, since it's really starting to show its age. My wife has become obsessed with Discus fish and I think I'll remake it in such a way that it'll have a good look for the big fish. Still many plants, but less like the Dutch way. I still have to think on it. I'll probably write down the progress once I get to that point.

Hey Ingo,

I like your tank. I hope you don't mind, but there is no way I am reading over 300 pages! Hygrophila difformis as a foreground plant is something you don't see every day! Your Ludwigia cuba doesn't have any color to it. Its all green! I am suprised you are not going with HC as a foreground like so many other people now. If you ar a member of the New Jersey Plant club, I'm surprised you don't hang out at APC... or do you?

Nice job on the tank.

Best regards

Robert Hudson
aquabotanic

Thanks for the input guys

Dr. - I can't wait for the display of your new not-so-Dutch layout. I also will follow the Discuss development in your tank with great interest, not because I want to have some myself but because it will dramatically change your tank-involvement. I would assume that way more maintenance, aka water changes, will be required, plus all the feeding of goodies, like beef hearts and stuff.

Robert - Thank you so much for your compliments and input on the tank. Here are a few comments with regards to your statements:
- The Cuba is still new in the tank and has been grown at least partially emersed when I got it. It is starting by now to show some changes in leaf structure and color, I will try to post better pictures here once the change has become significant enough to notice in a photo. In the meantime, I am sure I will have to trim the group at least once, the fist stems are almost breaking the surface by now.
- I wish I could take credit for the Wisteria foreground idea, but it was tetratech (a member here and at APC, if I am not mistaken) who showed me the way. I more or less copied him with this approach.
- When I created the current design of the tank I needed fast growers to help me settle in asap. The wisteria foreground was introduced for that purpose. HC, albeit an awesome plant, would have taken way too long to fill that huge area, not to mention that I have my doubts it would have done well in my gravel substrate. Once I switch over to a finer substrate (maybe someday) I may give it a shot, although it is barely growing in my 40G high tech (another 300 page log, ).
- When you say New Jersey Plant Club, do you mean the NJAGC, the newer club founded in October last year by Jay L. and Mike F.? yes, I am a member of that one, actually I am a core member.
- I think I am a member of APC, and you are no stranger to me. I usually don't post there though, only rarely and not in a long time do I actively participate. I have a tight association of my progress in planted tanks with an awesome group of people on this site here (some of which are not on this often anymore ) so I did not see the need to involve even more people in telling me what I should do with my tank instead, . Actually, the main reason for a lack of participation at APC is time. As a member of the NJAGC (see link in my signature) and this site I spend more time than my family likes me to on this hobby.

Again, thank you so much for your input,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Boy Ingo, you get Drs, Owners (Aquatic plant dealers) and Sith Lords to visit your log. How do you do it?

Well my log has no pics in it anymore

My Scapes

How do you do it?

I have no idea, maybe my humble way of communication () is the key.

Anyway, come on tetratech, shell out the twenty bucks and become a premium again, for the sake of all the Sith Lords that would like to see the pictures. In my opinion, your tank looks better than mine, and I think quite a few people share this opinion with me

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

In my opinion, your tank looks better than mine, and I think quite a few people share this opinion with me

In my opinion... I think both tanks are very nice in their own way. Tetra's is just more flashy.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Anyway, come on tetratech, shell out the twenty bucks and become a premium again, for the sake of all the Sith Lords that would like to see the pictures

I'm not sure why they remove all your historic pics from your log when your premie runs out. Isn't that taking away from other members enjoyment and education. Unless can it be true, they really are sith lords

My Scapes

hi ingo -

not logging on much at the mo, but yours is always the first thread i check! i just love this tank - the lush, verdant quality, the fish selecion, everything - i just hope you get the time every now and again to just sit down in front of it and enjoy it!! my tanks are all doing well, planning on a major redesign of the 6footer in a couple of weeks... if i can get round to it!!!

anyways, it's gorgeous. hats off to you.

justin

Boy Ingo, you get Drs, Owners (Aquatic plant dealers) and Sith Lords to visit your log. How do you do it?

And the occassional itinerant Irishman

Being busy as a one legged man at a butt kicking contest.

Only get to write this cos I have a 5 hr layover in Dubai and they have wi-fi in the smoking lounge

Tank looks great. The bigger groups of a smaller amount of soecies works much better.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Well, this is the big praise page, Robert Hudson was here, Justin popped in, the regular gang says its nice, and even the Great Bensaf popps in from an airport and tells me it looks good!

Well, toooooooooo late!!!

It was time for a makeover, Ingo-Style. I guess I am not happy once all is done and a tank runs itself more or less. I need panick, messes, algae, all the good stuff

So - here is the tank yesterday in the morning (this is not a weekly update):

Attached Image:

In the morning

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

All started with the preparation of buckets filled with tank water for the various sized plants, actually I eventually needed another one of these big round red ones.

Attached Image:

The Buckets

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The it was time to remove the plants and place them in the buckets, one for tall stems, one for the wisteria, one for the Anubias, one for the small plants like the crypts, pearl grass etc., and one for the ferns.

Here is the tank with only the ferns left:

Attached Image:

Almost empty

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The it was all empty, it is probably not too hard to identify all the gunk in the water.

BTW, I found 5 of the 6 Otos that I added almost 2 years ago, I don't know what happened to the 6th.

Attached Image:

Yuk

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a shot after a 50% water change. It is getting quite a bit clearer in the tank, but still not as good as I would like it to be.

Attached Image:

After First Water Change

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

So I removed even more water, I would guess overall about 70% had been removed by both changes together. Of course I vacuumed the gravel at both, quite some gunk in there.

Attached Image:

Getting ready to replant

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Next, the hardscape was put in place, including the big wood with plants attached to it. I think I will call the new layout "Down by the old tree"

Attached Image:

Hardscape

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Then the tank was refilled and all middle and background plants were placed back into the tank. I was contemplating leaving it like that, but decided that I need some fast growers to stabilze.

Attached Image:

With mid and background plants

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is the full tank, sorry about the bad quality and about the bad color, only the 6,700 Ks were on at this time of the day and I was too tired to turn the other ones back on.

Overall, it all took 12 hours. Some tweaking will still be required, but that's what it's all about anyway

Ingo

Attached Image:

All Done

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

LF,

Nice "Thing"!



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Well, i like the new look - but I also like the old look too. You have too much energy for me LF. I long for a tank that I'm happy with and only have to "tweak" here & there with minor changes. I hope to reach that stage when I (finally) have the new tank up & running. But you were / are there already, with your beautiful tanks.

Still, all your changes make for an interesting log & a good read. Looking forward to seeing what your "tweaking" brings about - but it's very nice as it is.

Cheers
TW

Nice "Thing"!

Revenge is sweet Wings, isn't it

But, as future pictures will show more clearly, this "Thing" has waaaaay more character.

Robyn, just wait until you are all done with one of your tanks, you will see/feel what I am talking about
I believe even tetratech is in sink with me here

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yeah, I see that's how it is for you & tetratech.

I think the new layout gives added length to the tank. I think your tank now looks longer than in some previous layouts.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing it growing in.

Cheers
TW

Looks great LF . My only complaint is that all the other driftwood pieces are aimed straight at the front of the tank and parallel to each other. It doesn't look quite natural that way. This might be included in your plans for tweaking though.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Ingo , I'll give you this you have lots of courage as well as energy . Love the look especially the bare gravel in front of the driftwood , looks like a river with the rock border.Just in the process of setting up my 6fter and as always you give me inspiration .
Thanks
Garry

Thanks Robyn, Matty, and Garry

- I am with you Robyn, I also think the tank looks longer now. I attribute this to the smaller groups of plants, in particular the needle leaf fern and the Anubias group have been reduced and spread out some more. I am also looking forward to the growing in process.

- Matty, you are sooo right, the sticks are too straight and yes, I tried to tweak this a little, but so far not to my satisfaction.

- Garry, thanks for the input, always glad when my tank helps to inspire others with their tank, even if it would be only for identification on "what not to do" . You certainly identified the river theme very well, I may use a different substrate for that area once all has settled a little (sand comes to mind).

Weekly update will follow shortly,

Thanks again,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Weekly Tank Update - Week 87

Well, it has been well documented in the previous posts that this week was again another big week for the tank, a major Ingo-Style redo was performed. Nothing was wrong with the tank as it was before, I just thought about changing things around "a little"

To start off, here is a shot from yesterday in the morning, just after lights on:

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In the morning

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Well here's my 2.5 cents,

I think the main wood is too centered and it's hard to work the thinner longer pieces in to the setup. I like the plant groupings and it will look better once grown in. Sorry 'but there's no way that anubias works as a corner plant in your tank. Please move it or I'll have to photoshop it out and renew my membership to post the new pic.

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And here is a shot from around 8 PM the same day. For one thing, I have done some minor tweakings here and there, mostly by adding some accessory plants and by leaning the sticks a little to one or the other side.

What you may notice is the different color of the photo, somewhat more brown. This would be because of extreme tannins release into the water column. The wood had been soaked for two weeks, but I guess that was not long enough. I may throw in an extra water change or two per week in the beginning. The fish don't mind it though, the Espei are extra busy . I am more concerned about the lack of light penetration.

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At night

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I will ignore tetratech's input for the time being and get back to it once I am done with the update.

So - let's walk through the tank from left to right.

The left is still a little unorganized, but time (and more tweaking) will change that.

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Tank Left Side

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Here is the center. The spot where the Espei is in front of the black hole marks the true focal point of the tank, not the big chunk of wood. Once the wood is more planted one will notice the hole even more. I tried rather hard to get a good shot of that area, but the camera settings either make the hole black or all other areas really bright. I guess I should try the flash.

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Middle

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The right side of the tank is probably the currently most successful section of the tank, maybe because it hasn't changed all that much. I reduced the needle leaf java fern group by about half, it was really taking over there in the old layout.

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Right side

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Here is a closer look at the two main stem plant groups in that section, the Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' and the Alternanthera Reineckii. Once the cuba has grown some more the stick will not be such a focal point anymore. We will see ...

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Stems

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When you look at that group from an angle (downwards) you can already imagine the lesser importance of the stick. The tops of the cuba grow by now much tighter nodes and I assume it is becoming a fully aquatic growth form now.

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Cuba on Angle

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Here is the Alternanthera at its best. Somehow, it turned out to be an almost Dutch Street arrangement. This plant was once a maybe 3 inches tall single stem that I got during a shippment by mistake, a long long time ago.

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Alternanthera

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I also added some of the Najas Indica to the way left and right of the tank, here is the small group on the right. I am not certain if it works, but I wouldn't find out without trying.

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Najas Indica

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On the left side of the tank, in front of the smaller Anubias and behind a piece of driftwood, I worked in a small Tiger Lotus. I will see how (and if) it grows and what it will do to that area.

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Tiger Lotus

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The "Thing", as Wings calls it, has quite a bit of character. For one thing, it is hollow and has openings in front and back for fish to swim through. For another thing, it has branches (I will try to get different angled shots later) on which I tied some Nana Petites, as can be seen here:

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Nana Petites

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Only two more shots, of some fishies. First up is an Oto. As I mentioned, I counted 5 Otos during the redo, which means one was MIA. I am sure the Otos will like all the new wood to eat off.

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Oto

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Lastly, my male Apisto viejita II, partially because I like him so much, partially to point out the color. As you may see, he looks more yellowish that in previous shots. No, he hasn't changed, but he is swimming now in English Breakfast Tea, or at least that is how I would describe the color of the water as of last night (haven't seen the tank today yet).

And that concludes the update, one more entry will follow in reference to tetratech's comment.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Apisto viejita II in English Breakfast Tea

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Please move it or I'll have to photoshop it out and renew my membership to post the new pic.

If that's what it takes to get you to become a premium member again, I will leave it right there

I hear you tetratech, but I was trying to work it in somehow. This are 4 remaining parts of my huge Barteri group and I am not so sure if I like it at all in this tank. But, for the time being, that's where it will stay. This way, I have a few months to tweak and change and stuff before it gets boring again.

I think the main wood is too centered and it's hard to work the thinner longer pieces in to the setup.

Agreed, I am also not too happy with the thinner wood, but I also vote for "letting it settle" before deciding on its future position, angle, or presents.

I like the plant groupings and it will look better once grown in.

Thanks that you found at least one good thing about this setup, I will make sure to destroy that area as soon as possible,

Thanks for the input, keep it coming, and go get that premie-ship,

Ingo


Oh - quick question: Amano Shrimp and my Apisto Viejita - will that work?

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I think the shrimp would work out if they are purchased at a reasonable size. Say as large or larger than an adult cherry shrimp.

I think that if your focal point is going to be the black hole then you have the big DW in the right place. Otherwise it would look a little better more to the left.

Other than that I just think it needs to grow in a bit and be subject to further tweaking. It's always a little unfair to judge one of your tanks too much at the start.

Great shots BTW, nice and clear and well focused as always.

One last thing. A major dose of carbon in your filters will take care of the tannins. That may or may not be easier than repeat water changes.

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The shrimp are about 1 inch to 1.5 inches long, so I guess you think it would work then Matty, right?

Hey, I thought I show you quickly these 3 shots. I just did a water change to the tank (easier than adding 500lbs of carbon to my 2028 and 2026, ) and found this sequence very interesting.

Check out the tank half way through the refill. As you can see, the water goes in on the right side. Do you see the difference in the water color, or at least the brightness of the light?

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Filling

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Here it is even more obvious, with all the air bubbles reflecting the light and such. Looks almost as if it would be raining on the right side. I swear, the light is on on both sides of the tank.

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Raining

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Here is the tank after a few minutes and adding the macros, baking soda, and equlibrium with the filters turned on. As you can see, all is mixed up now and I have to say that I went from a tea where the bag was sunk in the cup for 5 minutes to one where it was in there for only 2 minutes. I guess I will do another one of these in two days.

Ingo

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All Mixed Up

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LF,

The Alternanthera and Najas shot are great. Everything looks healthy, very nice!

Getting back to your shrimp question, I think they would be O.K., unless the Cichlids get very hungry from not being feed for a while. The amanos do get quite big.

That's pretty cool with the water change pics how the camera pics up the lighter colored bubbles and makes the water look much brighter.



My Scapes

Thanks tetratech (or Jeff, but I guess only Bensaf gets the honor to have your name at the bottom of an entry ), I will try to add some shrimp sometime this week, or maybe next weekend (I have about 30 in my QT).

Thanks for the compliment on the plants and the photo of the rainfall on the right side of the tank, I am surprised how well the visual experience translated into the picture. Unlike the big hole in the tree, which in pictures seems to be just a black spot. I wish I could bring that chunk of wood across the way it looks when you are in front of the tank, maybe some angled shots will do.

Ingo

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Thanks tetratech (or Jeff, but I guess only Bensaf gets the honor to have your name at the bottom of an entry

Oh, stop I know I've signed "Jeff" in your log or in one of our logs as we conversed.

My Scapes

So the hole is going to be the focus... I was going to say to have you place the Anubius on the DW in that place. I guess thats out for now or maybe the roots hanging over the hole would look like hippie beads.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
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Ingo, that's Alternathera you have on the middle right of the tank, yes?

What kind of requirements does it have in particular? I've got it in my tank, and it hasn't grown at all while just about everything else has taken off. But it's still just a few inches tall and shows no sign of new growth. :/

Listen! Do you smell that?

LOL Wings, yeah - no hippie beads for me for now.

lysaer - yes, the red one is Alternanthera. It took a long time in this tank for the plant to get going, in particular because I did not knew what it was and had it shaded for the first few months. But it didn't die either. As a matter of fact, I added one stem a few months back to the 29G low tech and it was stagnant for quite a while, but then it started growing there as well.

Ingo

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i like it heaps better than how you had it before, looks great. your apistos dorsal fin is massive!!!

my 55G is the best ive ever had it , but im gunna rip it apart so i can get a 200 but on the plus side im getting a 200G

Thanks coop for stopping by and for the comments on the tank. It must be pretty exciting for you to set up a 200G tank, sounds awesome. Will it be planted? If so then you for sure have to show it off here


Question: who knows of a finer grained whitish (but not bright white) substrate, but not too fine (as in sand)? I am toying with the idea of placing it in the open space (aka the river).

Thoughts, input?

Ingo

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Question: who knows of a finer grained whitish (but not bright white) substrate, but not too fine (as in sand)? I am toying with the idea of placing it in the open space (aka the river).

Easy one, POOL FILTER SAND!

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I am with tetra on this one. I have it in a couple of my tanks.

50LB = $8 I think....



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
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As I have no pool, and as such no pool filter sand, what is the size difference between sand and the pool filter sand. Is it actually not sand at all but small gravel?

Ingo

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i have the same "river" thing down the middle of my tank. i use the pool filter sand. i was pretty bright white when i got it though. it isnt white any more coz of the tanins in my tank. any way you can pick it up a yor local pool suply shop or hardware shop. the grains are more like the size of coars rive sand, so i guess you would call it coarse sand or fine gravel.

As I have no pool, and as such no pool filter sand, what is the size difference between sand and the pool filter sand. Is it actually not sand at all but small gravel?

I have a pool, but it doesn't have a sand filter it has a DE filter. My pool is cleaned with Diatoms

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Thanks for the sandy input

I looked around the web a little in search for what this pool sand is supposed to be and also found some Diatom stuff and some stuff with chemicals. I think I have to be careful picking the right one. I also saw mention of Silica "free" and such, I totally forgot for a moment that Sand = Silica = Diatoms.

In other news, I did another 50% water change last night to remove some tannins, seems to be much brighter in the tank than when I did the same thing two days earlier.

During that process, I found all 6 Otos, although I counted only 5 even with all hardscape and plants removed from the tank during the redo. I wonder where that one guy was hanging out during that process, as I inspected each and every plant/wood that was removed/added.

Also, when I did the redo I put the old wood in a sink and left it there. Last night I looked at it and saw mold all over the parts that had been covered with algae (hair) while the wood was submersed, yuk. I used an algae pad to scrape it off and gave all the pieces an Excel bath in which they still reside. Interestingly, after having had this wood in the tank for maybe a year (would have to go through the thread to find out exactly how long), one of the thinner branches was still floating. Talking about wood needing a long time to water log.

Ingo

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I looked around the web a little in search for what this pool sand is supposed to be and also found some Diatom stuff and some stuff with chemicals. I think I have to be careful picking the right one. I also saw mention of Silica "free" and such, I totally forgot for a moment that Sand = Silica = Diatoms.

The bag of sand I have just says - 'filtration sand' on the front and on the back it says - Ricci Bros. Sand Company, Port Norris, NJ 08349 - Not for industrial use

In other news, I did another 50% water change last night to remove some tannins, seems to be much brighter in the tank than when I did the same thing two days earlier

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You could also use Purgien I think, but water change will do the same thing.

During that process, I found all 6 Otos, although I counted only 5 even with all hardscape and plants removed from the tank during the redo. I wonder where that one guy was hanging out during that process, as I inspected each and every plant/wood that was removed/added.

That's funny because I was able to count 6 otos in my 72g the other day. I noticed they were all hanging together and I hadn't done a water change in a while. I believe they hang together during stressful situations and I thing it was high co2 levels. I noticed that the flow looked very strong coming off the diffusor.


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Thanks tetratech for the info on the sand, I will check into that.

Also, it would cost me a fortune to fill my 2 filters with purigen, LOL. Honestly though, I am way too lazy to open up my filters and mess with the media, which would mean that I have to remove some of the existing media to place something else in, and that would mean cleaning, and what not.

Otos hanging out together seems to me to be part of their daily routine. We know that they are social animals and as such it doesn't surprise me that they have a meeting once in a while per day. Albeit you may be on to something with the CO2, it could also simply be that there is a certain pattern to their social habits, like "let's discuss the day after dinner" kind of thing.

Ingo

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Weekly Tank Update - Week 88

This week has seen two additional water changes, on Monday and on Wednesday. It wasn't so much about tannis from the new wood were bugging me, but I was a little concerned with enough light hitting the plants.

Here is the tank from a week ago, as a comparison:

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Last Week

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And here is the tank now this week.

You may notice the slightly brighter color of plants and water column, a result of less tannins.

I also dug out some of the substrate in the open "river" section. Growth overall is ok, but not really strong.

Attached Image:

Tank Last Night

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One of the plants that had really slowed down in the growth is the Cuba, but its new growth form is more submersed. Leaf node gaps are really small, the leaves are very narrow, all as it should be. But, compared to last weeks growth of quite a few inches, this week has seen maybe one inch.

Attached Image:

The Cubans

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The last and next picture have been taken during the water change, btw.

I was wondering if this plant is a heavy root feeder and I remembered that I put some plant sticks in the gravel when I initially planted them. Now, having been relocated, they were no longer "over" these sticks, so I added two more yesterday.

Attached Image:

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The next two shots are some closer looks at tank areas from different angles. First is the look at the section in front of the wood and to the right of it.

Here you can see a sword (smaller sword type, forgot name) getting used to submersed growth, some pearl grass, and a bunch of crypts, namely wendtii and lucens (or lutea, always get them confused):

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Detail I

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Next is a look at the 3 sticks to the right, with plants in front and back and in between and on it, LOL. Also, some of the rocks that I added there are showing.

Attached Image:

Detail II

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Next up is a series of 3 shots trying to make the best of the tree trunk in a sense on showing you its details.

Here is a shot from the section above the big hole, with a branch coming off it on the left (with Nana Petites on it), some pennywort growing over it, and a hole just below the latter. Holes are everywhere on this wood, connecting front and back.

Attached Image:

Wood I

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Here is the best shot I got so far from the big hole/gap that I got so far, I guess I need a fancy flash to show it better.

Also, note yet another hole on the right.

Attached Image:

Wood II

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Last of the wood shots is higher up, with an Oto on some wood with ripples.

I hope it gives you an idea that this is not just a chunk of wood but some wood with character

Attached Image:

Wood III

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The last two shots are commited to the newest additions to the tank, 10 Amano shrimp. They have been in the QT (with about 20 others) for the last two weeks and were added to this tank last night.

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10 Amanos

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As they are rather juvenile shrimp of maybe 1 inch, I was a little concerned about them being eaten by the Apisto male in general.

After adding them I kept an eye open for him, but he seemed to be more focussed on chasing them away. The female Apisto, on the other hand, appeared more in the mood of stalking them. It seems like she would like to take a bite, we will see.

That is it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

2 Amanos

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What a surprise this morning,

After finding a dead shrimp in the 40G, I went to look if I can find any of the 10 in this tank. Well, I found overall 6, and that is pretty good, given the tank size and number of invisible spots in the tank.

But the good, I may say shocking, news are a branch that was left in the tank as it was overgrown with the needle fern on the right side of the tank. That branch was full of hair algae, about half an inch long threads were covering the entire lenght of about 5 to 6 inches. Well, this morning it was totally clean. I cannot show it in a picture as it is in the midst of the fern, so you have to take my word for it. These shrimp, by the time I checked 5 had moved on to the heater behind the wood, sure can eat their share of fluff, wow.

Ingo

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Very nice shots of the tank, as usual, Ingo.

So, would you say the amanos are better at algae eating then the cherry reds?

Cheers
TW

So, would you say the amanos are better at algae eating then the cherry reds?

Oh, I could have told you that even without the feast that happpened last night. Both for sure are busy bees, but simply the size difference, an adult Amano is twice the size of a cherry shrimp, speaks for that.

Ingo

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I'd say both are miracle workers. Pound for pound I'd say they work the same. You can probably get amanos cheaper.....but then the cherries sure are prettier. I move the nana petite over to the 5.5 for a cleaning......spotless.

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And Cherries have an advantage --> they reproduce

On the other hand, they also fit easier in the mouth of a hungry Apisto

Ingo

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Very nice shot of the tank. I think the colors and contrast are great.

Glad you discovered shrimpsters. They'll definitely help keeping the main wood especially clean. I actually need some more for my 72g I think I only have 7 or 8.

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Hey tetratech,

For some reason, most of the regulars are no longer frequenting my low tech tanks, as such I assume you haven't seen today's update there yet.

I think there is a threshold on how many shrimpsters a tank can handle before they start to munch on the plants. Two weeks of 30 juveniles in the 20G was enough to clean the entire tank and then some --> namely the eating of my Najas indica, nice thin juicy leaves .

I am not certain if I wish to have more than 10 in the 125G, given that the Otos would like to have something to eat as well.

Ingo

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I am not certain if I wish to have more than 10 in the 125G, given that the Otos would like to have something to eat as well.

I do not see a problem with my shrimp eating plants but I wonder if their population explosion has resulted in my missing Otos. I am 99% sure I am down to one from five. My shrimp on the other hand are doing great. I still have 4-5 Amanos and a ton of Cherries. My guess is that the shrimp ate the food and the Otos didn't have enough left. The solo Oto seems pretty happy though.

Life goes on. Now is not a good time to replace much of anything as the Wife and I are looking to move wherever I can find a teaching job.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
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Wings,

Good point, I actually up to this weekend have never thought about shortage in food with regards to shrimp and Otos.

It sure makes sense that these two groups od species compete for similar foods, although there are for sure preferences that are not shared, I have never seen an Oto eat my hair algae and I have never seen a shrimp eat of the glass.

Ingo

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I have never seen a shrimp eat of the glass.

Mine will walk the glass and eat off of it at times. Lately they have been on the plants at the surface of the tank. I think they may like flakes I feed the fish...

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric