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I always thought the W (or at lest the V section of the W) was planned. In any case, I like it - it leads you in.

Loved all the shrimp & apisto shots. So shrimp (amanos & cherry in particular) are good for algae. Maybe I should get some for my 2 smaller tanks - but my guarding female krib would not be happy. Justin, congratualtions on all your babies. Tell me, I know you live in Sydney. Have you seen any amanos or cherry shrimps around? I have only ever seen really large looking shrimps that I don't think would suit.

Ingo, are shrimps egg stealers - or do they like algae & other vege things best?

It is amazing how quickly the apisto girls can change dress. Your gamma female does look sad in that shot, but if the male shows off to both girls, then just watch her change looks if she has eggs to guard.

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

The V was on purpose, the W a coincidence,

I don't know if they are egg stealers/eaters, it was one of my concerns. But the gang thought that an energetic protecting mom should be able to chase them away and so far the shrimp wouldn't dare to challenge the Apistos in the tank.

In general, last night all inhabitants are still around and the male likes to display to all females, none of which seems to be protecting something, aka no eggs yet. The Alpha female is currently not so receptive to his showings and actually chases him away.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

My head is spinning from all the pics and posts you and matty and tetra and TW and Wings have been putting up over the past few days. At least the forum is alive again

Anyway, very very nice LF, the tank does look better and congrats on picking up the shrimp. You'll want more, trust me. And I know I'm late on this, but I notice my Amamos are sometimes pink as well, and as you noticed, it has to do with molting. Keep those apistos well fed so they don't decide to have shrimp cocktail one day for an appetizer

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Back in the saddle!

I gotta say that those 2 females I sent you are looking VERY healthy. The yellows are unreal and they have nice full bellies. Great job, and nice pics LF. I sure hope they get along with the new pair.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I gotta say that those 2 females I sent you are looking VERY healthy

And that is mostly of flake food, can you believe it? Well, they probably eat small snails in the tank like mad, too. But they are for sure some big girls (relative to the male, the viejita is actually longer and bigger than they are).

NowherMan6 - "At least the forum is alive again" And it would be even more so if you would write more
Thanks for the compliments on tank and shrimpsters though.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I will surely do my best, but the past few weeks have been dreadful:

1.) In the 8 days before Thanksgiving I worked 4 all-nighters (22 hour days), plus late nights on the nights i was able to sleep

2.) Then thanksgiving with the family etc

Not too much time for posting... or doing water changes etc.

And what's going on with NJAGC? Changing websites?

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Back in the saddle!

Everyone is so busy. Wasn't the technology at all our workplaces supposed to make life easier for us all. Seems everyone (including me) is having to work extra long hours.

Cheers
TW

In the 8 days before Thanksgiving I worked 4 all-nighters

I don't envy you for this, but I am not too sorry either as I am still sitting in my office right now and I am nowhere (pun intended) near from going home Darn!!!

Yup, the site is being upgraded to a new forum software, be patient. I have seen it tonight as Jay was testing it and I was still here and he asked me to step through to find some errors (or not). But it will be worthwhile for you to find out when and where the next meeting is.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

a quick note for robyn:

i just saw some very   (cherry? blood?) shrimp at slippery little suckers in randwick, but at $50 each i wasn't gonna be buying!! michella told me she expects the price to drop as more are imported, so maybe hold off a while... they were so cool looking!!! or if you think you can breed them, maybe it would be a lucrative purchase....

sorry to hijack, ingo! oh, i just bought a pair of apisto. agassizii - they're settling into my 40-litre cube nicely.

justin

how funny!!! i just got censored!!!! hehehehe!!! it was just the word s then an e then an x then a y....

The funniest thing is that there really is a shrimp in SW named the   shrimp. It does this little dance with it's tail raised up. Pretty  .

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

my my, a   shrimp. who would think of calling a shrimp  ?

justin

Wow,

What has my log become? A record of censored entries

Kind of funny that even a legitimate name of an aquarium animal would not be able to be mentioned here.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

What has my log become? A record of censored entries

What do you expect from a log titled "40G Breeder"
Sounds very   to me.

My Scapes

hahaha

Thanks Justin for the shrimp update. I will wait to see if prices drop - otherwise, these shrimp won't be for me. Did you get your agassizii from SLS? Someone told me they weren't importing them anymore?

How are your shrimp doing LF?



Cheers
TW

How are your shrimp doing LF?

This, and more, will be revealed in:

Weekly Tank Updates - Week 25

For the same reason than the one for the 125G (work), I was not able to do the same fert schedule for this tank this week. The weekend maintenance has not seen much action, a little trimming on the back Pearl Grass was all that I did.

Here is the full tank:

Attached Image:

Full Tank - Main View

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And here is the tank from the same direction, just a little angled to reveal the open area a little better.

By now, it is getting very green in there.

Attached Image:

Angled Front View

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is the tank from the other side.

I will probably start soon with replacing this group of Pear Grass with some more Blyxa, although the Blyxa doesn't grow tall it for sure creates quite some side shoots.

Attached Image:

Back View

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Here is a closer look at the one small group of Pearl Grass that I still have in the front of the tank. Interestingly, at least for me, is the growth pattern of this group, with stems growing in all directions like the crown of a tree.

Attached Image:

Pearl Grass

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The 3 pieces of Java Fern (narrow leaf) that I purchased for this tank when I moved towards the current setup are becoming quite bushy. Unlike the NL Java Fern from the 125, these leaves seem way more compact. Maybe because they are closer to the light.

Attached Image:

NL Java Fern

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The HC that I have in the open is still there, but it is not doing to well. Besides the fact that a few pieces have been floating up, the rest looks like it barely can hang on. I doubt that it will make it in this tank, bummer.

Attached Image:

HC

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The Bolbitis, on the other hand, is doing just great. I am glad that I decided to trim the ugly and algae befallen leaves of it quite a while back instead of removing it completely. It now is a solid arrangement, with tall leaves of a Wendtii peaking through in the back.

Attached Image:

Bolbitis

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All fish in the tank are doing fine as well, including the new female. She is not confined to the worst spot either, but if she comes to close to another female then she is being chased away. Her time will come later

Attached Image:

Bad Shot of Younger Female

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Here is a shot of one of the older females. The other one is squeezing into some gap of the right hill most of the time, usually a sign that she has eggs or fry. But then again, she is coming out too often.

Attached Image:

Older Female

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The male also seems to get his act together, I think he is looking a little better now. Or maybe I just go used to his looks. He is still smaller than the first male was, so maybe he will perk up as he gets older.

Attached Image:

Male

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VIEW MORE OF THIS TANK UPDATE ON PREVIOUS PAGE

Here is the male again, this time flaring off a female that is not in the picture. He seems to try to protect that gap in the right hill where the second female is. But he also is not consequent enough in this routine.


Attached Image:

Male Flaring

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The shrimpsters are doing fine as well, although I am never able to count more than 5 instead of the 7 that should be there.

Here is one sitting right on top of a small bushel of BBA on one of the woods. I thought he may go and eat it, but he kept on marching over it and ate something else instead.

Attached Image:

Shrimpster

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And here is another shrimp, eating on top of a bolbitis leaf. Note the bubbles on the bottom of the leave as this plant is pearling every night (shot taken tonight, one day after water change).

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Amano on Bolbitis

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

LF,

I think your younger female is starting to fill out a bit, same with your male. If you give them the food they need I think they will be just fine.

Were you planing on adding any other fish to the tank? School of something?



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

Were you planing on adding any other fish to the tank? School of something?

Actually, not really. Although I sometimes think about it, I find the tank interesting enough as it is right now.

I already have 17 critters in there - 6 Otos, 4 Apistos, 7 Amanos.

In addition, what if I ever have Apisto babies? They need their space as well.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yeah simple is often much better. I am always tempted to add some other fish to my tank but I kind of like how it is. Plus who knows where I will end up after next semester.

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

Oh,

Every day I think about an entry that I want to make here, and every day I either forget or get way too busy at work:

One female has manned the right hill, defending it against any intruder, male or female, fish or shrimp. The breeding has started.

At the same time, the male is supporting the defense of the hill.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Keep us posted

EDIT: Forgot to say, nice pics too.

Cheers
TW

yay!! great news! i, on the other hand, have just lost my beautiful cac male, (i think he shagged himself to death) but i have about 20 fry still between the alpha and beta female...gamma female missed out! also just took delivery of some bolbitus fern, which i'm very keen to get growing - my sturisomas love lying on the wood under it already. wait till you see your first brood, ingo, you'll fall in love with them - but it means less cleaning and less fiddling in the tank too - can you control yourself? justin

Sorry to read that your male died, but if your reasoning for his death is proper then it is a nice way to go

I will still have to do water changes, but replanting is limited anyway these days because most plants are pretty stable right now. The male is perking up as well and his body color is way more yellow than the old male ever was.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Gang,

As mentioned in length in my 125G log, I didn't find a lot of time to stay on top of things concerning the logs and tanks.

I have been very busy getting all ready for an NJAGC meeting at my place (see siggie).

So quickly,

Weekly Tank Updated - Week 26 and 27

Not much has happened to this tank anyway, so here is last weeks shot:

Attached Image:

Week 26

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Growth is good, and I am very tempted to do the first trimmings of the bolbitis (but not in the mood).

The one thing the club suggested was to remove the tall Crypt from the tank, I am thinking about it for a while before I make up my mind.

Here is the tank after water change this week:

Attached Image:

This Weekend

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

As a side result from our meeting I got a little more HC and planted it this weekend. Some of the older HC seems to have settled and I think I see some tiny new growth on it. But it may be wishful thinking.

Here is the HC field now:

Attached Image:

HC

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I have been quite concerned with both of my older Apisto females in the tank, I barely get to see them. Actually - one of them I haven't seen all week (wasn't home too often either) and I thought she died. But finally she came out from the right hill last night.

The males seems to chase both of them as soon as he sees them. I don't know why . Justin - any info on this being normal?

Here is the "lost" female:

Attached Image:

Apisto Female

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The male is all over the tank, and currently seems to seriously court the younger female. She seems receptive, but I don't know if she is ready to breed yet.

Here is a not-so-good shot of the male:

Attached Image:

Male Apisto

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Oh - forgot to mention, he is much more yellowish that the previous male ever was. Not in the fins, but the body. The other male was either pale or dark (when threatened).

Here is the tank from the back:

That concludes it for today,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Back View

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

one of them I haven't seen all week (wasn't home too often either) and I thought she died

Could she be guarding, either eggs or wrigglers. Not seeing them for a week will sometimes mean that she is busy providing care.

This happened with mine & also with krib mum too. In the case of the krib, even the dad remained hidden during that period.

Cheers
TW

i agree with robyn - whenever i don't see my females it's usually them guarding eggs or hiding their young. your male will court whoever is ready for him and will chase other females in an effort to show off his size/strength - treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen. well, that's how i interpret it. i've never had a male who had just one favourite - his favourite happens to be whichever female will have him!!

hope you see babies soon - i just bought a new triple-red boy - he's young but so hot!! he's gonna colour up beautifully, and my females are chasing him all over the tank.

note for robyn - have you been to B and C aquarium in matraville?? i'm in love - best range of dwarf cichlids i've seen in sydney.

note for robyn - have you been to B and C aquarium in matraville?? i'm in love - best range of dwarf cichlids I've seen in Sydney.

Grrr, I have no room now. But maybe I will go and have a look anyway. Maybe I could squeeze a pair into my community, at least until my krib fry are big enough to do something with. Then I could transfer them to the breeding tank.

By the way, that's where my bita came from (see my aviator)

Thanks for the heads up Jason

BTW, who is Jason

I guess my error (sorry Justin). I jumped to some silly conclusion that jase101 was somehow derived from the name Jason.

Cheers
TW

Thanks for the input

I think it could be guarding of something, but it is different than it was the last time around. It never took that long for the females to come out with the wigglers to another spot.

BTW, who is Jason ?

Thanks again, Justin and Robyn,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

This tank has really filled in beautifully, it's my favorite of your tanks. I especially like your use of the bolbitus. I may borrow your usage of it when i set up my own big tank

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Back in the saddle!

Thanks NowherMan6,

I may borrow your usage of it when i set up my own big tank

This can be done, if you show up at one of the meetings

I appreciate the comments on the tank, albeit there is still work that needs to be done to it. The NJAGC gang suggested to use Nana Petites instead of the Nanas, but that would be $$$

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I appreciate the comments on the tank, albeit there is still work that needs to be done to it. The NJAGC gang suggested to use Nana Petites instead of the Nanas, but that would be $$$

Didn't I say the same thing a while back? The Nana does however look much better than the normal Anubias Barteri.

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

The NJAGC gang suggested to use Nana Petites instead of the Nanas, but that would be $$$

So you have a whole team working on your tank First Jeff Senske and now Jay Luto.



My Scapes

Jay took the pictures during our second meeting, the one at my house. One can see these when clicking the link in my siggie (as I assume tetratech did) and then simply click on "Second meeting was held" (as long as it is still available there).

I would have asked tetratech to join as well, but he is living maybe a little too far away, he doesn't like the Jersey water, and he would have to give out his real name

NowherMan6 is a member, or should I not have mentioned that

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Actually I hadn't seen that. I just saw Jay's name listed as a member. So Nowher is a member. What's the first name. My guess is Cosmo.

Nice pics, I didn't see my name (Wisteria Wizard) mentioned as the Wisteria expert/influence.

BTW the 40g looks much better without all the ground cover. Take out the Blyxa and put it somewhere else.

Looks like a nice bunch of guys. I might be willing to reveal my identity. Would the group make a road trip to L.I. to see "Two sides of Paradise"?

My Scapes

LF,

I just checked out the NJAGC site with your tanks. I really like the picture of your 125G from the left that also shows your 29G. It sounds like you guys had a good time!

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

Yes, I am proudly also a member of NJAGC I just haven't made it to any meetings yet. I'll have to check when the next one is, hopefully I can make that one. Partially I'm embarrassed to show my face, since I've no clippings to give anyone

I'm waiting for the official FP meeting in LFs basement. if we all chip in can we fly bensaf in from overseas?

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Back in the saddle!

if we all chip in can we fly bensaf in from overseas?

I guess I am on my own coming from MI?

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

I really like the picture of your 125G from the left that also shows your 29G.

I am glad it is a little dark, that picture, as I am the dude sitting between the tanks.

I might be willing to reveal my identity. Would the group make a road trip to L.I. to see "Two sides of Paradise"?

Not certain, we have members in NYC and Brooklyn, but not any further out in the depth of the Island. You most likely would have to come to Jersey about once a month if you want to be in the meetings (and that is what this is all about, more so then the forum part of it). I thought of you, but then considered the feasibility and didn't come up with a conclusion.

Partially I'm embarrassed to show my face, since I've no clippings to give anyone ... I'm waiting for the official FP meeting in LFs basement.

Any time my friends, any time.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well, as mentioned in the 125G, work is keeping me away from the forum for two weeks now already.

Anyway, quick update on the tank:

Weekly Tank Update - Weeks 28 and 29

Not much has happened, tank is doing ok, fish are fine, although the Apistos are all over the place, as sign of non-successful breeding (but that's cool too).

Here is the tank last week:

Attached Image:

Week 28

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is the tank today, week 29. As you can see, pretty much looks the same. I did some minor changes, but they are mostly visible on the back side.

Here is the full-on front:

Attached Image:

Week 29

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Here is an angled look, showing the remains of the HC a little better in the center of the tank.

Some stuff seems to have started to grow a little, but it is really tiny, almost as if it is missing something. I would say it is the lack of light. We will see.

Attached Image:

Angled

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a look at the tank from the back, one cannot see all that much as it looks pretty dark. The change I made is that I removed the last group of Pearl Grass, not because I didn't like it but because less (species) is more. Instead, I planted some Blyxa in its place that has been grown in other sections of the tank.

Attached Image:

Back

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

This is a really bad shot, but while I actually tried to get a closer look at the new Blyxa group I noticed during the review that there are 3 Otos being followed (or looked at) by a female Apisto,

Here it is:

Attached Image:

Otos - Apisto

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is a better look at the new Blyxa group.

Well, that's it for now anyway, hope you like it and hope to have more time soon,

On to the 29 Log,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Blyxa

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I like this tank better than your big tank. I think it's the fuller look I like plus the archway you have in the middle of this tank.

Just sharing my personal preference.

Tank is looking really nice, even though you continue to be so busy. BTW, I hope you had a nice Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you.

Cheers
TW

Really love how the bolbitus has grown in. Looks great LF.

Good luck with work (I read the other log), hope you get a break soon!

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Back in the saddle!

Hi folks,

As mentioned in my 125G log, I have been really busy so far this year. Just like that tank - this one has seen some neglect as well. Nevertheless, things have been pretty good with the tank.

Here it is this weekend, week 33 I think.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Tank in Week 33

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well,

I guess it doesn't matter that I am busy, nobody has anything to say about the tank anyway

So, here are some more pictures, from this week and some shots from some events over the previous weeks.

First, I got about 10 Cherry Shrimp at our NJAGC meeting and added them to the tank:

Attached Image:

Cherry Shrimp

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

One evening in the week after the addition, I came to the tank to feed the fish, but unlike all other days, the male Apisto was a no-show.

Eventually, I found him:

Attached Image:

Darn!!!

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The Apisto survived, but for sure not the shrimp. It took me 30 min to catch the fish, and by then the shrimp was 2 halves, LOL.

Once in a while I kept on seeing one or the other shrimp, but not lately.

Last week, I saw eggs at the edge of my tank, but two days later all were gone. Here they are:

Attached Image:

Apisto Eggs

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The Apistos in the tank are doing fine, and so are all other fish and the Amanos.

Here is the boss of the tank, the eater of fry and shrimp:

Attached Image:

Male Apisto

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is the tank from the back as of this weekend, sorry about the glare but the plants are so tall by now that they seem very bright in the shots. Last week I removed the crypt that used to be in the right hill (in this view), it got too tall:

Attached Image:

Back View

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is the main view, as you can see - there is not much left of the valley between the hills, the Bolbitis and the NL Java Fern have grown pretty big.

I think I will need to mess with the tank in not too far of a future:

Attached Image:

Main View

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Last shot

Here is a closer look at one of the 3 NL Java Ferns that I attached to the driftwood. It has grown very well and if I judge the situation right then it is about to take off and get out of control.

I just cannot get my act together these days (aka no time) to trim it.

Anyway, have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

NL Java Fern

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Nice pics LF. Good to see you back in action. Other than being a little extra hairy, the tank looks really good. If it weren't the dead of winter I'd ask you to send some of your clippings my way.

Too bad about the cherry shrimp. I wouldn't trust apistos with them or amanos really. Like any other cichlid, they'll eat whatever they can.

Neat egg shots. I'm sure they'll get it right eventually. They seem to be learning anyways.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks Matty for the input.

I am sure I will still (or again, probably) have some clippings left that I can send your when once it gets warmer again.

The Amanos seem to be too big for the Apisto, I guess buying only the ones that were already grown up was a good call.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

i love this tank and the male apisto. do you think an angelfish would eat an amano or cherry shrimp?

Seeing the shot of the Male Apisto with a Cherry Red hanging out of it's mouth brought back memories of my Kribs scarfing down my Cherries. Their colors went nuts after eatting them though....

The tank has really filled out for you. It is almost out of control but it still looks good.

Did you happen to get a batch of both male and female shrip? If so you might be able to keep them going in there just by breeding.

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

Thanks coop for the compliments

Hm, I would not know and answer to your question for sure, but I would say "why not?"

A grown-up angel can eat fish the size of neons, so a cherry shrimp should not be a problem. And as such, younger Amanos fit right in (pun intended, LOL). An adult Amano may be around 2 inches though.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Wings - didn't see your reply until now, so here are some comments to what you wrote:

The tank has really filled out for you. It is almost out of control but it still looks good.

Yeah - my feeling as well, almost out of control. I hope I find some time soon to think about how I can whip it back in shape without destroying the scape.

Did you happen to get a batch of both male and female shrip?

I don't know what I got, I didn't inspect them before I added them to the tank (got them at an auction). And by now I cannot find any anymore anyway (lots of any here, LOL).

Thanks for the comments,

Ingo

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Week 35

Not much has happened during this week, with the exception that I saw a female cherry shrimp with spasms as she was bouncing on the substrate, filled with eggs. Do the mothers die when they release the babies?

Here is a shot of one of Matty's Apisto females:

Attached Image:

Female Cac

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And here is the tank straight on. As you can see, the jungle is becoming larger and larger. Maybe next weekend I will find some time for some more serious trimming.

Attached Image:

Tank Now

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And here is the tank in a slight angle. As you can see, the valley between the hills is barely noticable anymore. But there is some HC left in there, but it doesn't grow quite well. I assume the light is not strong enough, not to mention the deeper parts of the valley are for sure too shaded.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Now Angled

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Do the mothers die when they release the babies?

Nope. It should take about 28 days for the eggs to become babies. Soon you may have many CRS. How cool would that be?

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

Here is a shot of one of Matty's Apisto females

I'm super glad these are doing so well for you. They look terrific.

I almost want to disagree about the needing of a trimming. Has anyone been in an old growth forest, that's got a little walking trail? It gets really dark, the plants are creeping in on the trail and you feel like sumpin's gunna JUMP out. Yep, it looks alot like that. I like it a lot.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Soon you may have many CRS. How cool would that be?

That would be quite all-right, although I think that the Apistos would see them as a nice variety in their menu.

Has anyone been in an old growth forest, that's got a little walking trail?

In the words of "The Cure" : "Lost in the forest, all alone"

- If it wouldn't be for the shading that is generated by the tree-covers I would not mind it, but the lower plants, like Blyxa, HC, and even the Anubias, will soon be shaded way too much for their own good.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Stunning LF. By far this is my favorite of your tanks. I know I've mentioned this before, but I love that the layout allows the apistos to be themselves, giving them tons of broken sightlines and hiding spots.

You've turned me on to bolbitus big time as well!

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Back in the saddle!

You've turned me on to bolbitus big time as well!

Well, if you manage to make it to next weekend's meeting then I promise you that I will bring in some Bolbitis just for you

There is actually one downside to Bolbitis:

Removing part of a rhizome is rather hard when the fine roots off it are attached to wood/rock/other plants. This plant sticks like glue and one has to be careful not to rip the whole hardware apart (as in destroying arrangements).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

It's looking really beautiful and natural

><>

Thanks superlion,

I appreciate the comment, not only because it is positive () but also because it is not happening too often that someone justs pops into my logs and makes an entry.

Feel free to criticize as well,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well, if you manage to make it to next weekend's meeting then I promise you that I will bring in some Bolbitis just for you

Where in the world would I put it?!? I only have a little 4G running at the moment. Plus, at the risk of getting kicked out of the club, I'm going to Cooperstown NY this weekend - if it doesn't get destroyed in this week's blizzard, that is Thanks for the offer though

Removing part of a rhizome is rather hard when the fine roots off it are attached to wood/rock/other plants. This plant sticks like glue and one has to be careful not to rip the whole hardware apart (as in destroying arrangements).

Same thing with Java fern. Tried to thin it out in the 4 last week and I almost tore the DW out of the tank. Those rhizomes can really hang on.

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Back in the saddle!

I'm going to Cooperstown NY this weekend

Sure, the baseball Hall Of Fame is much more important than seeing a rimless high gadget ADA tank being set up

But you are right, the Bolbitis would be way too big in a 4G, at least once it settles in.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Sure, the baseball Hall Of Fame is much more important than seeing a rimless high gadget ADA tank being set up

Hall of Fame baseball Players or Hall of Fame N.J. Aquascapers, well that's a toss up. I guess it depends on how big the rimless tank is. If 120cm or larger I would go to the meeting

Who would have thung it? So much money for rimless tanks. I'm holding out for "Force Field Tanks" Don't tell the boys at ADG.

My Scapes

If 120cm or larger I would go to the meeting

Yup, 48x18x18 - I think, or even deeper and higher

I'm holding out for "Force Field Tanks"

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Who would have thung it? So much money for rimless tanks. I'm holding out for "Force Field Tanks" Don't tell the boys at ADG.

I ran into this problem last fall. I wanted a larger tank but I wanted rimless and clear seals. ADA was the only option, but their version of a 65 gallon is over 300 dollars, and I just can't justify spending that on a tank, no matter how beautiful - especially when you add in the cost of filter, lights, substrate, stand, DW and let's not forget - enough plants to fill the thing from the start, which could easily be another 300!

And it's not so much about the HoF, it's more about visiting the GF's family up there, so i don't realyl have a choice...

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Back in the saddle!

I ran into this problem last fall. I wanted a larger tank but I wanted rimless and clear seals. ADA was the only option, but their version of a 65 gallon is over 300 dollars, and I just can't justify spending that on a tank, no matter how beautiful - especially when you add in the cost of filter, lights, substrate, stand, DW and let's not forget - enough plants to fill the thing from the start, which could easily be another 300!

I hear ye! ..And I don't think the $300 includes shipping which almost doubles the price. You did buy a 60g from Glass Cages didn't you?

My Scapes

Yeah, it's acrylic, but it's the shape and dimensions I want. It was pretty cheap too, even including shipping. And it doesn't scratch as easily as I thought it would, I've put it through some rigors already. They can make rimless glass tanks custom but 1.) for pick up only, somewhere upstate NY I think and 2.) maybe for a small tank, but if I'm going to put 700 lbs of water in something without top bracing I damn well want the best quality I can get, and ADA tanks are proven. Not sure about glass cages.

Have you been looking at upgrading, or changing styles?


p.s. apologies to LF for thread hijacking...

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Back in the saddle!

I was just about to say something about thread hijacking, but you beat me to it. I think we all have been through enough here and have respect for each other that gives us some leverage to hijack alittle here and there. Please let me know if I'm out of line LF.

Have you been looking at upgrading, or changing styles?

Well I'm definitely looking into doing an ADA style open top tank. It will not replace the 72, but be added. That's one of the reasons I took down my 12g. Also the saltwater tank and equipment is in the garage and will hopefully one day be placed in the den (sorry Matty), but the open top can definitely go in the bedroom. I'm deciding whether it's worth it to go all out and do 100% ADA (tank, ferts, substrate) or should I just get the open-tank style and go ECO & EI within.


My Scapes

Really great looking tank - really liking the "walk in the forest look".

The apistos must love being in charge of such a home. Shame about the male snacking on fry & shrimp, but that sure was an interesting picture of the last moments of that poor cherry red

Sorry LF for joining the hijack. I guess rimmless means no black edges anywhere to be seen? If so, my 2 new tanks I'm planning will be rimmless - but I will have a middle brace in them.

Cheers
TW

Gang,

Don't worry about the hijacking thing, it's all good. Hey - who says that it doesn't have anything to do with this log anyway? How knows if I one day may decide on ending this log to start a new one because I replace the tank with a rimless one? I don't.

Robyn, haven't read anything from you in a while . Usually, when we talk rimless it means a tank that has an all open top and the upper limits of the tank are the side panels of the glass (or acrylic), no braces either. Have you seen the ADA tanks - that's it.

The male Apsito is giving me trouble these days, he has started to "eat" the CO2 bubbles from the diffuser. I know it sounds funny, but it is serious as he seems to eat less and to be more static (as in not moving around and hanging in one spot) that before. I think he likes the buzz that he gets from the CO2.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The male Apsito is giving me trouble these days, he has started to "eat" the CO2 bubbles from the diffuser. I know it sounds funny, but it is serious as he seems to eat less and to be more static (as in not moving around and hanging in one spot) that before. I think he likes the buzz that he gets from the CO2.

An apisto that gets high? Far out man

Only in LF's tank...

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Back in the saddle!

Oh,

Just now did I see that this post would make it 1000 entries, so here it is.

Congratulations to myself and all participants to help in the creation of this tank and associated log.

Thanks all,

Ingo

EDIT: AND WHILE I TYPED, NOWHERMAN6 STOLE NO 1000

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

hello ingo,

long time, no post - i think the tank looks great!! i am sure the apistos just love living in it.

i've recently set up a new tank (600mm x 400mm footprint, 100 litres) for a pair of rams, 20 cardinals and 2 sturisoma panamense, all doing well.

and i've also diversified, with a trio of the most magnificent fish i think i've owned - triple red agasizii. even the females are so pretty, but the boy really is special. first batch of eggs hatched but were eaten. hopefully better luck next time.

hope all is well in your life and in tank-land.

justin

Justin

Hey - 100 liters - that's like 26 US gallons, right? That is quite some fish load that you have in there

But if you say all is well then so be it

I think tetratech has the triple red agasizii (or double?). They sure are nice, but from what I have heard a little more aggressive than the cacs and for sure more than the viejitas.

All is well, basically, in my life and tanks, thanks for asking,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Weekly Tank Update - Week 36

Not much to report on the tank this week, all is pretty much the same than it was last week.

The only thing that happened was that I was really low on CO2 and got a refill on Saturday. Upon hooking up the bottle I could not get any bubbles to flow. I was concerned that I broke the needle valve but when I opened the bubble counter the bubbles started to flow again. Long story short, the diffuser was so dirty that it stopped the bubbles from coming out. I have never cleaned it in all 36 weeks. I took it out, put some Excel on top of the ceramic plate, and let it sit like this for about 20 min. Then I placed it back into the tank and all is good.

Here is a full tank shot:

Attached Image:

Tank Now

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Here is a closer look at the right group in the tank, mostly composed of Narrow Leaf Java Fern.

I am thinking about removing this group entirely and instead just have a small group with rocks and Anubias Nana.

Attached Image:

Right Group

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And here is a closer look at the Bolbitis group on the left hill. During the water changes I usually clip one to three leaves of this plant as they are either too long and grow out of the water or they are old and get a layer of brown on top of them (I think it is algae, but nothing bad).

That's it for this week,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Left Group

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Looks good LF, congrats on the >1K posts in this thread.

What's flaotin in the top right?

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks Matty,

The floating plant on the top right is a group of duck weed. The current filling of the tank and its resulting current pushes all these plants to the area just above the spraybar.

I used to have the duckweed also in the 125 (and still have some left), but the Water Lettuce there is more efficient in eating nutrients and doesn't leave much for the duckweed.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Weekly Tank Update - Week 37

Not much to report except to show a full tank shot from this weekend. I tried to make it a little lighter than last weeks shot, maybe one can see the plants below the tree tops a little better.

I am still contemplating when and what I should do to trim these tops a little more than the occasional removal of a leaf or two.

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 37

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It's hard to make out the tank. Have you tried throwing more light over the tank just to take a pic.

From what I can see it looks like the two main plants compete to much with other. One one the left, one on the right. IMO let one be dominate, probably the fern and reduce the othe one and make sure it's not lined up side by side with the fern. Again it's hard to see.

My Scapes

Have you tried throwing more light over the tank just to take a pic

Actually, I am considering more light over the tank in general. I am wondering if I should get the double unit and have the 2 lights on for maybe 2 hours to start with.

IMO let one be dominate, probably the fern

Hm, I am thinking about removing the entire right group, keeping there only the rocks with Blyxa focussed in and around them. Then, I hope the HC would get more light and become a better ground cover. The problem I could see with such an arrangement would be that I don't have enough plant mass left for a healthy tank.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hm, I am thinking about removing the entire right group, keeping there only the rocks with Blyxa focussed in and around them. Then, I hope the HC would get more light and become a better ground cover. The problem I could see with such an arrangement would be that I don't have enough plant mass left for a healthy tank.

I see what you're thinking about here, but I think the same problem would still apply. It still may give the impression of one tank on the left, one on the right. What tetra suggested - growing out the bolbitus on the right as well as the left - may give it a more cohesive appearance overall. Unfortunately it may also mean that this tank may not be right for HC. They're your tanks of course, and I don't want to sound too pushy or anything, but maybe try the HC carpet in the 29? I'm having great success with HC in average light but high CO2. As long as there's CO2 and direct light, it will do well.

and sorry for taking post 1,000 by the way I think I ruined someone else's log that way too, by saying some stupid thing or another in the 1,000 or 2,000 post...

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Back in the saddle!

No problem NowherMan6

Hey, the 29G is low tech, no CO2 is added

That eliminates the option to put the HC in there. Also - I think the Platies would take it as food.

If I had bolbitis on both hills then the tank may be too boring for words, but I see what you mean with 2 tanks. I guess I will have to think about it a while longer then.

Thanks for the input NowherMan6,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

If I had bolbitis on both hills then the tank may be too boring for words, but I see what you mean with 2 tanks. I guess I will have to think about it a while longer then

Just for the record, I wasn't suggesting having the fern on both hills, just leaving the one fern as your main plant and supporting it with other plants and hardscape.

My Scapes

Just for the record, I wasn't suggesting having the fern on both hills, just leaving the one fern as your main plant and supporting it with other plants and hardscape

Sounds good to me, so I should remove one hill?


Anyway:

Weekly Tank Update - Week 38

Again, not much change since last week, except for additional growth in the forest. I really have to take action soon as the shading for the lower level plants is getting too much.

That's it,

Have Fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 38

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

It does look like a very nice healthy forest in there - with heaps of hiding places for apisto & shrimp (I think you have shrimp in this tank???).

How do your apistos go now. No breeding action - or is it just that someone keeps eating the eggs?

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

The tank has breeding action, I even show pictures of eggs on page 39. But I am certain all is eaten.

Yes, the tank has shrimp, 7 Amanos (counted 6 the other day). I also added Cherry Shrimp a while back, but they have become Apisto food

The male Apisto is strange these days, he is still eating CO2 bubbles.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yep, I think it's definitely time to trim now. The pic is too dark to make out a lot of the other plants. I'm not sure that I would like the tank with only one hill, but I'd have to see to find out.

If you do take out a bunch of NL fern, keep me in mind

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I think I would have to take a whole day off from work in order to properly redo the tank, in particular if I should decide on removing one of the hills.

Matty - I will keep you in mind for the NL Fern, I had no idea that it is so hard to get up there where you live. I will try to add a shot sometime soon that shows the fern a little closer as I am not quite certain that it is NL Fern in the first place. I added some from my 125G and placed it in the middle of the hill. It is much narrower than the ones growing on the sticks but it could be because their roots are closer to the light.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

It's hard to get any plants up here that haven't been established in the hobby for quite some time. Blyxa, nana petite, NL fern....just anything that's new. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the western new york that's seen nana petite in person. Our supplier is great for everything that's been around a while, though. My boss just doesn't want to order through anyone else, I would guess because he's lazy or doesn't want to fix what isn't broken or somesuch. So anything interesting and new I have to get online. I can't afford the real internet stores on my poor college student budget, so I have to bug other hobbyists like you, sorry LF. Oh, and that doesn't mean I'm not willing to pay.....I do have some fish money set aside.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

It's hard to get any plants up here that haven't been established in the hobby for quite some time. Blyxa, nana petite, NL fern....just anything that's new. .... I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the western new york that's seen nana petite in person

I didn't realise some of you guys in US suffer from lack of availability as well. These plants are rarely seen here. I've never found NL Java fern in LFS, on-line or on ebay. Found blyxa in LFS once (at $30 a plant & broke the budget & bought 2). I've seen blyxa listed on-line, but if you try to buy it, it's always out of stock. Riccia - I've only ever found that on ebay and it's pricey. Example, here's a batch recently sold http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RICCIA-8x12cm-on-glass_W0QQitemZ290084674964QQihZ019QQcategoryZ66794QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemIt's a 4" x 3" patch @ $9.95 + postage $8.50). Now that's why I'm so excited that my blyxa & riccia have multiplied - no need to buy more (unless I kill it during my tank move). I've never seen nana petite in person either.

Until I read your post Matty, I thought how lucky you guys in the US are, with everything fishy at your finger tips & cheap (compared to Aus anyway).

LF, I wish I lived somewhere you could sell / post me some NL Java fern, even if it was just to see the plant in real life - but our customs wouldn't like that idea much

Cheers
TW

Matty,

Once when you have a tank in which not everything dies then I will send you some NL Java Fern

Robyn,

The patch of Riccia does not seem that expensive to me. It should be enough to cover a few smaller rocks and then you grow out the rest yourself. The Blyxa, on the other hand, seems outrageously expensive to me, at $30 one plant. Now here is your opportunity to convince the hubby completely that your hobby is profitable. You are doing really well with your blyxa so go ahead and auction some off. You should make enough money to buy some lights or a canister filter, or a present for the husband's reef tank

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

So riccia costs about the same for you in the US too? Seemed dear to me (although without the postage costs, it wouldn't be so bad).

I have thought about the whole selling on ebay thing, but that means having to time the trimming to when someone wins the auction - then finding the time to go to the post office the very next day. Life is just way too busy for that hassle.

Like you, my work keeps me up all hours (it's 12.21am & I'm still working). The only good thing is that I can sign on remotely from home into my work's computer system - so at least I am at home & my planted tank is sitting next to me). The replies to threads email advice goes to my work email address - so while I was working here at home - I received the email advising of your post - so I'm taking a quick break to read what you say & reply.

If ever I find more time in my life, I might do it though, as in theory, it is an excellent idea

Cheers
TW

If ever I find more time in my life, I might do it though, as in theory, it is an excellent idea

I hear you, and I am in the same boat, way too busy (or lazy, LOL) to pull something like this off. But there is a problem with waiting. You are probably not the only one with success in Blyxa culturing. I would assume that rather sooner than later the marked will go down as more and more Blyxa is homegrown Down Under. And then I would wish I had taken the chance when it was there to make at least some money.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Weekly Tank Update - Week 39

Before I talk about the tank I will spend a little time on the male Apisto. I think he is not gonna be around that much longer. He still eats CO2 bubbles once in a while, but mostly hangs in one or the other spot, motionless, for longer durations. He prefers dark places. Today, I found him like this:

(sorry, bad focus)

Attached Image:

Apisto Tail In Center

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I didn't even think he can get out of this narrow ap between rock, plants, and wood by himself, but after turning off the light briefly he came out.

Here he is afterwards, and bad focus again.

Attached Image:

Apisto

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