AquaRank.com

FishProfiles.com Message Forums

faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox
# FishProfiles.com Message Forums
L# Freshwater Aquaria
 L# Planted Aquaria
  L# LITTLE_FISH 40G Breeder Log
   L# Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
 Post Reply  New Topic
SubscribeLITTLE_FISH 40G Breeder Log
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Matty,

The one in his mouth was an adult and not one of the juveniles. I chased down the Apisto and tried to remove it as I was worried he will choke to death (he was breathing hard). But, after I finally got the Apisto like 30min later, I only could recover the back half of the shrimp as it fell out of his mouth. The rest was on its way to his stomach

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-May-2007 13:15Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Ok,

On to my horror story from this week. While planning to update my first frozen food feeding documentation in the 20G QT log, I had to change my mind as Thursday evening turned into a High Tech Nightmare. But from the beginning:

I decided to go to my fishroom, aka basement, around 7PM to feed the fishies. I haven't seen them all day as I was at work.

So once I come down there, the first thing I see is an Oto on its side on the substrate of the 40G. So naturally, I think he died, once in a while fish die. Upon closer inspection, I notice that he is still breathing, and soon after I see an Amano also on its side kicking its legs. Now this seems odd and I look to see if I find more of this kind. But instead, I cannot find any other fish at all.

After a few seconds, I noticed the diffuser going like mad. I check on the bubble counter below the tank and bubbles are rushing through like crazy, for some reason, the low pressure gauge went from 8psi to 14psi, aka all the way up. I had a new CO2 bottle hooked up on Monday and it was almost empty, Panick!!!

I removed the lights and glass cover, put one light back on and hunted for fish. Overall, I collected 5 of the 6 Otos, and the weakest (not because of this, just in genenral) of all Apisto Females. I could take them out by hand as neither had the strenght to swim away. I placed them in a small net and without adjustment phase placed the net in the 125G, but in a way that the fish cannot swim or fall out.

Once completed, I lowered the water level about 20% and had the spraybar above the water line to create as much oxygination spelling) as possible, furthermore I added a small air pump to the tank. And this is when I had the time to take the first picture:

Attached Image:

Tank In Danger



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 00:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
In this picture you can see the rescues fishies in the net in the 125G, there was no danger of them jumping out as they barely moved. They stayed in there for maybe an hour.

Attached Image:

Rescued Fish



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:00Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here you can see another shot of the spraybar pumping water into the tank. By that time I had found the other two female Apistos, which where hiding behind the heater at the surface and because I lowered the surface they came into view.

I also found the male, but I had to remove the entire right group to get him out from underneath the wood.

Attached Image:

Spray Bar



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:02Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
About an hour after I stared the airation the situation seemed to have gotten better, the Amano that was on its side was uptright again, but didn't move otherwise yet.

Attached Image:

Amano



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And another hour later the Apistos were swimming again. Here is the female that is in best shape. Now the other ones were also back in the tank.

Attached Image:

Female Apisto One



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:04Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is a shot of the youngest female, she actually seemed to have made it through the event the best of the 3 females.

Attached Image:

Apisto Female Two



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:05Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here is a look at the male, once he recovered he sure did not look happy. I don't know what upset him more, the fact that he almost died or the fact that the CO2 was turned off completely now.

Attached Image:

Apisto Male



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:07Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is the only Oto that I could find in the tank after I added them back in, he was just sitting on the ground. I think they in particular took it pretty hard.

Attached Image:

Oto



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:08Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And, for what it is worth, by chance I got the best shot ever of the male Apisto after the situation was back under control. Do you agree?

Attached Image:

Apisto Ingo



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
And even better, my buddy Joe from the NJAGC took exactly the picture above and ran it through some photo software. The result shows me that I think I have to learn more about that aspect of photo taking.

Now I will take a short break, feed the fish, and then continue with some shots from the next day.

Attached Image:

Apisto Male Joe



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
OK,

On with the story. BTW, feeding now concluded in me seeing all the 6 Otos, so all are still there.

Here is closer look at the strongest female the following day, as if nothing had happened.

Attached Image:

Apisto



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:24Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I actually ran the tank without CO2 from Thursday to Saturday afternoon, it seems like it did ok.

Morgan, we just talked about this in your log, the air bubble producing algae. Here is some hair algae on my HC that produced the only air bubble in the tank without CO2 injection:

Attached Image:

Air Bubble



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The Amanos seem to have recovered as well, although I never find them all anyway. I have supposedly 7 but at most I counted 5.

Attached Image:

Amano



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:27Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Ha, did you notice the small patch of BBA next to it? One should not assume that my tank is spotless, LOL.

Here is another Amanon, showing why it is so hard to find them. He is in the middle of the Bolbitis Fern bush.

Attached Image:

Amano Again



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO VIEW THE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR A REVUE OF THE CRISIS I HAD LAST WEEK, WITH LOADS OF PICTURES

Now, we talked of all the fish and critters that were suffering, but there was one that seemed to be thriving. As if it would be the best day of their lives, maybe because of the lack of pretadors, these guys were out and about during the entire event.


Attached Image:

Cherry



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I counted at least one adult and 5 juveniles, most were pretty red, aka girls.

That concludes the horror story, I seem to have made it through ok. Long term effects will show themselves later. On with one more Shrimp shot, and then follows the weekly update.

Attached Image:

Red Baron(ess)



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:36Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 48

What a week it was, if you read the previous posts then you know what I mean.

Well, this weekend all was back to normal, the CO2 was hooked up again (and yes, the first action of the male Apisto was to get a good hit).

Here is the tank after the water change and some trimming of the Bolbitis:

Attached Image:

Week 48



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:40Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I want to show you the 3 Apisto females in comparison, as you sure will notice some differences between them. And this is not CO2 crisis related.

First off, here is the young female that came with the male.

Attached Image:

Young



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here in comparison is the strongest female that I got from Matty. As you can see, she has some red in her fin while the young one does not at all. Ergo - she (the young one) is not a double-orange. But she is nice anyway.

Attached Image:

Female Strong



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And now check out the weak one of the adult females. She is another one I got from Matty and not too long ago she looked just like the other one. But then she went into hiding and only recently came back out and is visible more often. This would not be the after-effects of fry care, or would it be that way?

Also, note the much stronger red in the gills.

Attached Image:

Weak Female



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Last but not least, a shot of the HC under the influence of CO2 and a water change.

As you can see, there are many more bubbles on it and this time they don't come from any algae. I actually removed most of the hair algae that was surrounding it. In the background you may be able to notice an Amano.

Puh, that was a long log update (as I also updated the 20, 29, and 125 logs - go check them out), but now I am done,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

HC Bubbler



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:48Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
That's a drama you could have done without Glad all have recovered, including the otos.

I had this same thing happen to me much earlier last year and I think it seems that as long as you catch it before they die and then start aerating the water, recovery is good. Mine all recovered by taking same action as you.

Lucky you did not pull an all nighter in the office on that particular day/night. Otherwise, by morning it may have all been too late.

Very nice shot of the male, as well as your other fishies too.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 01:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Sorry to hear about the Co2 mishap. If your in this hobby long enough especially with multiple tanks something will eventually go wrong as you can probably recall the Tetratech Brewery

I was as lucky, many of my fish succumbed to it.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 02:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
MoFish
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 148
Kudos: 40
Registered: 15-Mar-2006
female usa
Yeah good thing they all recovered, that would have been horrible if all of your Apistos died (and of course your ottos and shrimp)

About the algea: so it must be true then, that algea can bubble (now if only my plants might follow suit )


~Morgan~
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 03:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
wow, what a story. I've been pretty dang lucky so far, to have my CO2 act properly, especially when I was running DIY for quite a while, no check valves or any of that business. I'm glad to see the fish made it out ok for the most part. The tank looks good btw.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 04:25Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks folks for the input,

I am as glad as I can be that I made it through that event without any further damage, but - at least for the time being - I am paramoid about the regulator going crazy again. I was checking the gauges hourly yesterday,

Matty, any idea about the "weak" female thing (see pictures above)?

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-May-2007 13:51Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , Hi I've been reading this log and your 125g log . Wow , I'm amazed at your ability to scape tanks . They both look fantastic . My wife tells me I've become addicted .
I've just come back to the hobby after 30 years . I love planted tanks and have a 60g with which I have been relearning and trying to catch up with all the advancements . I came onto this site looking for advice as I'm setting up a 6 ft tank and reading your logs have taught me so much . Thank you for all your efforts in keeping the posts going for so long .
I have a lot of questions that I would like to ask you , however I don't want to hijack your thread so I will try to ask them in context . One that I need to resolve , as I'm in the purchase stage for my new tank , did you guys ever resolve the flow rate discussion you had re canister filters ???
Looking forward to further instalments .
Garry/:'
Post InfoPosted 17-May-2007 11:33Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Well I'd want to get her into a tank of her own, away from the male and other females, if you can. That will definitely help her eat if she's not now. I'd doubt it's parasites or something since you've had her so long now.

Sorry for the late reply....I'm out of town.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 18-May-2007 16:46Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Could you put her in the 20 or 29?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 18-May-2007 17:22Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
First off, thanks Garry for the nice compliments. Believe me, I sure learned a lot during the last 2 years as a member of FP (where is my second bar as today is 2 years?), but I am still far far away from being an excellent scaper.

Wings and Matty, I haven't been reading my thread in a few days either so I didn't see your suggestion until now. The female Apisto is very elusive and I rarely see her, maybe once every other day. I doub't that I can catch her, with all the hiding places and stuff, without ripping it all apart or waiting until she is too weak to "run away".

Anyway:

Weekly Tank Update - Week 49

Not much has happened during this week, all is the same. I added some plants, or maybe I should say I parked them as they will eventually go somewhere else.

Here is a full tank shot:

Attached Image:

Week 49



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 20-May-2007 13:51Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The additions are on the back side of the tank, namely a group of Nana Petites.

Oh did you notice in the last shot the red dot on the front rightish hand of the tank? That would be a cherry shrimp. And maybe you saw the yellowish small plant dead center - that is a Eriocaulon cinereum, but so weak and tiny that it probably will not make it.

Here are 6 Petites:

Attached Image:

6 Petites



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 20-May-2007 13:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And only one more shot for now, another 4 petites in the back right corner of the tank, all out of focus

In the shot is also the male Apisto and the youngest female.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Group Shot



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 20-May-2007 13:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Oh goodie,

Nobody has anything to say about this tank. Well, just let me know if you had enough and I will end the entries.

In the meantime:

Weekly Tank Update - Week 50

Not much happened this week, with the exception that my Amanos were in one spot all over each other for an entire week. I assume it is breeding related.

On another note, I haven't seen the weak Apisto female in at least 5 days, I have to assume she is gone.

Tank is really overgrown in the Bolbitis area right now, but I am too busy () to do a major redo at this time. As a result, fern leaves are starting to grown out of the water.

Attached Image:

Bolbitis



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 15:28Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is the full tank, not much to see there. Oh, the Nana Petites from the shots from last week are no longer in the tank, they are now part of the 125G layout.

That's it,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 50



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 15:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , fishing for compliments . I don't feel up to making too many comments on your tanks , but I read your logs and updates avidly . Please please don't stop posting to this or your other logs. We would all be that much poorer . By the way I have read all your logs all the way thru and I do not believe the
but I am too busy () to do a major redo at this time
comment . I'm sure you are already thinking of what to do Look forward to some thoughts from you when I start my log in the next week or so .
Garry
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 15:48Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Well Garry,

I am actually at a loss when it comes to a redo of this tank at this point, my inspiration was just good enough for the big one.

I will not stop posting (just renewed my premie) when I know that people actually read what I write, this is not some ego-trip that I am on, just simply a matter of time wasted or not.

I am looking forward to your log, if you have read all my logs (this was a major job on your end, thumbs up to you for that ) then you pretty much will know what I have to say:

- loads of plants, right substrate and light, not toooo many fish, know your ferts ... and so forth

Thanks for letting me know that someone is looking,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 15:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
RNJ_Punk
*****
---------------
Big Fish
Cory Fanatic
Posts: 395
Kudos: 114
Votes: 137
Registered: 12-Nov-2006
male usa
EditedEdited by Platy_Punk
Out of all your tanks this one may be my favorite .
Mainly because you have some of the same plants I have so I can always look at yours to see what mine should look like. I have a small bolbitis fern also that I just attached to my large piece of driftwood. I was guessing it was a slow grower but after seeing yours I started contimplating that . Anyway my tanks floor is all micro sword, I noticed you had that as your ground cover but took it out, why? Aslo what ferts do you use? I use some from the Seachem line.
Well I really like you log so dont stop it!
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 17:32Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
EditedEdited by mattyboombatty
That stinks about the female, sorry to hear.

This tank currently looks a bit lopsided, so I can't hardly comment on it in its current condition. I'm sure you'll get a plan for it after you've moved on past the 125.

Nice pics, and obviously don't stop updating You think it's bad in here.....try having a SW tank



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 17:51Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Platy_Punk - thanks for stopping by, here are some answers for you:

- Bolbitis in general takes a while to settle in, but once it does it usually grows rather fast. I have some of it (clippings, so to speak) in my 29G, that is a low tech tank with 65W and almost no ferts, and it hasn't grown much at all in about 2 months (I think, maybe you want to check that log to see the date when I added it).

- I took out the micro sword as it didn't work for me. Not that it didn't grow, but I found it too "unorganized", as in not so pretty, and too tall (3 to 4 inches).

- I use dry ferts for the macros and Tropicas Plant Nutrient for the micros.


Matty - Once my back is better again (12 hours of bending over plant buckets left their mark) and once I can convice the wife that I need to spend another entire day on a tank I will change this one as well. I think one main hill in the middle may be the better thing to do here. And the Bolbitis may actually be too large for the tank. But I am currently only thinking out loud.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 28-May-2007 21:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
haven't seen the weak Apisto female in at least 5 days, I have to assume she is gone.
sorry to hear that Your male is an orange flash, isn't he? I had forgotten - but can see differences between him & my new double red (or tripple - who knows) & I expect that's because your's is an orange flash? I think he has another 2 wives, or is he down to one now?

Don't stop posting. Even though I have been at this hobby just over a year, I don't think I'll ever feel knowledgable enough about the plants to contribute much in the way of comments, other than to admire what I like and try to learn from what I read. I also have no talent when it comes to scaping a tank - so wouldn't dare to suggest that you move this to right or that to the left.

Anyway, I think it's a nice record for yourself of the life of your tank. I hardly ever have responses in my logs - although I can always count on you LF for a visit and countryfish has also popped in lately (thanks guys). It's a good pictorial record of the tank. Although - a word of warning - a moderator in another forum has explained to me that if a thread has not received a reply for a period of time, then the premie pictures disappear. So, LF - another incentive to not stop posting if you want all your historical pictures to hang around on-line.

You don't have much of it, but I thought I noticed some black spot on the anubia leaves. I have the same & try scratching or rubbing, as someone suggested to me. Doesn't really seem to work. Do you have some trick to get rid of the black spots, by chance?

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 29-May-2007 00:15Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Do you have some trick to get rid of the black spots, by chance?

Cut off the leaf

Actually, that is the only way that I know.

Thanks Robin for the encouraging words, as long as others look I will keep on posting, except if I don't have the tank anymore. Maybe Matty can shed some light on how long that period of no activity would have to be before Adam erases all the images. He does that to preserve server space though.

My Apisto is an Orange Flash, or Double Orange, which I think is the same (or maybe the flash would be a triple). He still has two females, but he hasn't been in a breeding mood in ages. He rather eats CO2 bubbles and Cherry Shrimp, his version of Champagne and Lobster, .

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 29-May-2007 01:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
EditedEdited by mattyboombatty
Actually I was just informed of this when I recently replied erroneously to one of robyn's threads....see I do post in your threads robyn.

I was informed that it takes a few weeks or more to happen. I've found the most reliable way to keep images up on any site is to host them elsewhere and bring them in with the [img] tag. It would be rough going to redo all your previous pics (wouldn't recommend ), but it's a piece of cake to do it starting now.

Server space and whatnot is at a premium (pun intended?) because there aren't enough of us premies to cover costs. I need to get on tetratech about that.

Oh....just thought about the black spot. A tank full of cherry shrimp is a good tool IMO for slow growing plants. I removed my petite nana covered in green and black spot to the 5.5 and the leaves are literally pristine again. I highly recommend it.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 29-May-2007 04:47Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
see I do post in your threads robyn
I know you do Matty and you've helped with some of my more technical questions eg. testing of filter flow rate etc. (I might come back to that question again soon.) You, tetratch, nowhereman & (in the early days at least) Bensaf have all been invaluable help to me.

Cherry's are hard to come by, but I have found a LFS who promises within 4 weeks he will have some stock. I'd love to get some and hope my fish don't eat them (Lobster without the Champagne). I guess you have to be more gentle with gravel vac too - hate to squash one of the shrimpsters during a vigorous clean.

Re the linking. Seems I remember visiting people's threads, where they have links that no longer work. Wouldn't that also be a problem with the links dropping out.
how long that period of no activity would have to be before Adam erases all the images
The moderator told me 2-4 weeks, but I know that my logs are often not updated for that period of time and the pics are still there. I have been thinking now I will not stop posting in my current logs, when I shut some tanks down & replace with new tanks. I'll just rename the logs to reflect the new tank size.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 29-May-2007 10:39Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
If I am not mistaken then the "removal" of images is a manual process by Adam, right Matty?

The problem with linking to a separate host is that it adds more work to the Logger as I have to maintain a separate site with images. Once that gets out of hand then all is messed up. That even happened to Matty when he lost all his images for a brief period.

Uploading images to FP directly takes the burden of maintenance from the individual poster. I think it would be a smart move by the Site Admins to discriminate between what threads should be "cleaned" vs. which ones should be kept. Take my 125G log, for example. One one side, there is quite a bit of "Off-Topic" stuff included (may I remind you of the Brady Bunch phase), but on the other side there is a wealth of info, best explained with the attached images, that would be a great loss for the FP community if wiped out. Not to mention that it is probably the longest and best documented tank log out there (in the public world). Enough about me

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 29-May-2007 13:47Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Removal of images is an automatic process. In Robyn's case the thread had not been posted in for 6 months.

Re the linking. Seems I remember visiting people's threads, where they have links that no longer work. Wouldn't that also be a problem with the links dropping out.


This would only be because they removed the image off the host site themselves. You can still see the images on my reef tank log even though it's been inactive for over a month and the first images are from october 2005.

It's true there's that one time my images got messed up, and got me nervous, but all were back with no effort on my end in a day or so. That sort of thing doesn't happen often.

Myself, I don't feel too overwhelmed or anything keeping a photobucket site for my pics. It's really easy and since I don't live near any of my family, they appreciate being able to see pics of my tanks and other stuff too. You can click my www below to see all the good stuff there, even some pics from my recent vacation.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 29-May-2007 16:59Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 51

Not much happened to the tank this week, the female apisto has still not been seen, I am as such most certain that she is MIA.

Trimming this weekend was only performed on the Bolbitis, pretty much any new leaf that is coming is now of a size that causes it to grow out of the water. I would say that this is no longer working this way, but I am not certain if a major trim would do or if even then new leaves would be too big for this tank.

Here is a full shot of the tank:

Attached Image:

Full Tank



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
As I haven't shown any shots from a different angle in quite a while, here is the tank from the main front looking downwards.

You can see in the open center gap the HC. As you may note, it sure gets a lot of light.

Attached Image:

Front Angled



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo, sorry to hear about you Apisto female Are you planning to repace her ? Tank looks fantastic as usual .
Garry
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is the tank from the other front, also in an angle.

Visible is the male Apisto in the center front, and a cherry shrimp on the leftmost branch. Also, compared to earlier stages of this tank, this side has no ground cover anymore at all.

Attached Image:

Back Angled



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
A shot for Matty and his newly aquired HC, here is mine. I don't think it ever was really shaded and since quite a while now has the 96w lighting straight above. So, what keeps it from exploding ?

Attached Image:

HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:15Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Last night, it was time to do the following:

As you can see, these are a set of new Amano shrimp for the tank, not because the others are no longer there but to increase the clean-up group.

Attached Image:

Amanos



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
So, in addition to the existing 6 adult Amanos, I added these 8 juveniles. They (and about 22 more) have been in the QT for the last two weeks and sure cleaned up that tank (including snacking on the Najas indica .

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

2 Amanos



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 14:19Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
A shot for Matty and his newly aquired HC, here is mine. I don't think it ever was really shaded and since quite a while now has the 96w lighting straight above. So, what keeps it from exploding ?


My mistake then, I thought for sure that everything in the tank had been shaded before you pruned the java fern.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 15:10Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I checked back when I got the HC, that was on Nov 15th last year. This means that I added it probably on the following weekend.

At that stage, the Bolbitis and the Narrow Leaf Fern were still way too small to create a shade. Once they became taller it may have been possible, but I think to remember that I always tried to keep the HC in full light, knowing that this (supposedly) is their single most important requitement for growth.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 16:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here is a small piece of bad news, one of the newly added shrimp was found dead in the tank this morning. I first assumed that it was only a shell, but it was actually the whole animal.

Given that all others are fine (as much as I can tell, as I only see maybe 4 of them, but that is rather normal) I have to assume that I maybe injured it when fishing it out of the QT.

On to write some good news about the new shrimp in the 125G,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Jun-2007 22:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Well you for sure know your tank better than I, sir.

Sorry to hear about the shrimp. It happens to the best of us.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 01:18Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Well you for sure know your tank better than I, sir.

Well I am glad it is that way . I raised the question just a few minutes ago in the NJAGC forum and so far what I have gotten back indicates a need for a better growth substrate (speak AquaSoil Amazonia) and more light (speak up to MH)

Not to helpful for my tank,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 01:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well I am glad it is that way . I raised the question just a few minutes ago in the NJAGC forum


Does that mean you will be on APC more often? Well I plan on growing HC in my 46g with cf lighting and aquasoil. I hope the 96watt cf bulbs have enough to penetrate 18" and keep the HC low.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 01:55Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Does that mean you will be on APC more often?

Probably not, as I mentioned I posted at my local club, the NJAGC.

APC, for some reason, is not really what I am after. I find that people there are somewhat strange, to some degree arrogant, and it takes forever to get a constructive response.

Sure would I enter some contest or something along these lines, but some of the members over there should come down from their pedestal first.

I am sure that the hard core gang here seems to behave superior to others (newer) as well, but somehow it seems different to me, even when I try to put myself in the shoes of a newbie, as I have been like 2 years ago and found great support here.

Also, APC appears to me as having something of a politicalyl motivated reply structure, and I don't need that either, I have that every day at work.

So, for sure you gonna see me post there more often as soon as I am finished bashing them here

Ingo

EDIT: Oh - almost forgot - they don't seem to have a sense of humor either,


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 02:08Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
APC, for some reason, is not really what I am after. I find that people there are somewhat strange, to some degree arrogant, and it takes forever to get a constructive response

Oops sorry I asked Well the two sites are completely different that's for sure. I don't even consider it the same hobby. This site of course is much more about fish or at most growing plants, while at APC it's more about using those fish and plants in an artistic expression of nature. I guess it depends what your looking for. I have grown to really like the APC website and the information sharing of so many very dedicated planted tank enthusiasts is really unparalled IMO.

Plus you don't have to be a paying member to show some pics.

EDIT: Doesn't your club have it's forum over at APC?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 02:34Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
... while at APC it's more about using those fish and plants in an artistic expression of nature ... I have grown to really like the APC website and the information sharing of so many very dedicated planted tank enthusiasts is really unparalled IMO.


OMG - they have brainwashed tetratech

I know that we have something like an "Announcement" and "Sales" section in the Planted Tank Forum (actually one of our guys is a Mod there), but I don't know about having our own block at APC, maybe I should ask or even better - go on the site and look for it. Without a doubt, quite a few of our members frequent APC and probably are well known there.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 13:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
OMG - they have brainwashed tetratech



Isn't this your club's forum
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/new-jersey-aquatic-gardeners-club/



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 15:47Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
I'ma go ahead and jump in on LFs side here. APC isn't for me.

And about paying......it's 1.50 a month. I'm sure that's a pittance for anyone living in or around NYC.

But back on track....MH for HC? Are we just talking about penetration....or actual intensity? Cause PCs penetrate just fine to the bottom of my relatively short tank. Hearing that made me plug back in the second 96w bulb on my 50g tank. I've still had it off since I left for vacation.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 16:40Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Well, I guess it's good that there are all sorts of different sites, to suit the needs of various posters. I may have a bit of a sticky beak at the APC site, but it does sound like the expertise of the members will be above me. I have enough trouble keeping up & following you guys here . Don't get me wrong, I love my plants and need to keep learning about them. I love looking at all the beautiful planted tanks that all you guys create, but equally, I love Ingo's fish pictures and I love reading about the fish in the tank.

Even though this tank of Ingo's here is really about the plants, I like hearing about his resident drug addict & other occupants - more so that I do reading the random posts. I get to know Ingo's fish, just a bit, by his pics & his little bits of narrative about them.

I love my own fish too - particularly my apistos. When they have fry, I could sit & watch them for ages.

tetratech, I hope you don't vacate this site for good in favour of APC. You've helped a lot over the time of my membership & your input would be missed.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 17:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I think tetratech appreciates the intensity with which the folks over there are working towards the higher goals of the hobby. I very often get the impression though that "lighten up guys" would be a proper reminder to all involved that this is just a hobby. Although, on the other hand, some of the guys there depend on this hobby as it is their business.

Anyway, to move on with other stuff:

Isn't this your club's forum --> yeah, indeed it is, I guess we are all over the place as well. So one can see the summary of our meetings at APC then. If you wish to see more details of our meetings then you should go to our site directly and look at the events section. There are quite a few ugly mug shots of me (and my balding head, LOL).

Matty - you may not remember this, or you may have never known this, but by now I have 96w plus 65w over the 40G, and even that in itself is not enough for the HC to explode. hey, in addition, I heard in my club forum that HC grows really fast, when EMERSED. Maybe it would be worthwhile culturing it emersed first until one has a large amount and then planting it in the tank, who cares how fast it grows then in the tank? The only thing that would be needed to be figured out is "what does it do during the acclimatization process?"

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 18:33Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I think tetratech appreciates the intensity with which the folks over there are working towards the higher goals of the hobby. I very often get the impression though that "lighten up guys" would be a proper reminder to all involved that this is just a hobby. Although, on the other hand, some of the guys there depend on this hobby as it is their business.


I think that is is very accurate as well. But like most things in life, the population falls into a bell curve, where you have some extremists on one end who might appear as LF describes, but most are in the middle of the bell and don't have as much experience as you think.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 18:51Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Ingo,

I don't know if I'd say AS would necessarily make your HC grow. The big thing IME is CO2 - lots of it. Without it there's no point even trying. I started out a 2.5G with a few clumps of HC and now the bottom is completely covered. For a while it was stagnant, then added co2 and it took off. Granted, it does seem to enjoy the AS, but I really think you can substitute "AS" with "enriched substrate of your choice"

As for APC, it's different than this place. There are lots of serious 'scapers over there and you can learn a ton just by reading what they write and looking at their scapes. The worst thing about APC IMO is that the more time I spend browsing over there, the more I feel the urge to buy ADA products I mean, lots of people there spend $$$ on custom rimless tanks, high tech lighting etc. I'll admit, it's easy to get envious of all that, and at least for me anyway, I start to think "it's so gorgeous, maybe I should look into that too..." Makes me lose sight of doing things my own way and finding my own way, which is part of the fun of the hobby in the first place

Nevertheless, I'll keep reading and lurking there because there's so much useful info to go around. I'm sure it's more fun posting there if you're talented enough to roll with the big boys, but I'm not quite comfortable with it yet.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 04-Jun-2007 21:24Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 52

Well this weeks update is a little different, a series of 13 ( lucky number? ) shots, celebrating:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANK

Yup, today a year ago I set up this tank, so without too much rambling, here is the first shot, taken right after the setup was completed. As you can see, only fast growers are in the tank:

Attached Image:

Week 0



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
3 weeks later, the fast growers did what they do best, namely grow fast. By then the tank had seen some trimmings and the addition of Otos (all still there, btw).

Without a doubt, having only fast growers to begin the tank sure helped settle it A LOT!!!

Attached Image:

Week 3



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Of course, this fast grower business could not go on forever, so here is a shot from week 7 showing the first attempt to plant the tank more permanent. Look at this lovely lawn of Micro Swords , the barteri that eventually outgrew even the 125G , and the small group of Nanas and Narrow Leaf Java Fern.

Attached Image:

Week 7



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 11, the barteri had been replaced with the Bolbitis fern that is still in the tank today. I cannot even remember this plant ever being this small, kinda glad I made all these pictures just because of that.

Attached Image:

Week 11



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:18Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 14 became fed up with the untidy and boooooring Micro Swords. I started to add more Blyxa and emptying out other areas to leave them open in the future. Also, a second order of Nanas came in, overall I think there were over 20 of them.

Attached Image:

Week 14



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:21Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 20, pretty much all Micro Swords were out, some fast growers were added (hygro on tank left, for example) simply to keep the tank stable. As one may notice, the Bolbitis hasn't done much at this stage so far, it sure needs its time to settle.

Attached Image:

Week 20



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 24, the Bolbitis finally started to show some significant growth. The Narrow Leaf Java Fern on the right hill also started to kick into gear, it has received Needle Leaf Java Fern from the 125G in its center to make it appear fuller as well.

The fast growers in support a few weeks earlier had been removed again.

Attached Image:

Week 24



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Week 27 saw a continuation of that growth on both hills.

Actually, I forgot to mention that already in the last shot the newly added HC is visible in the opening of between the hills.

Attached Image:

Week 27



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:27Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 33, both planted hills have reached a height and fullness that makes it hard to take pictures of the tank that show all areas in full light, shading of the opening between the hills became a small problem. In real life, the areas did get quite some light, it just didn't show that well in pictures anymore.

Attached Image:

Week 33



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Week 38 shows the problems mentioned in the last post even more clearly, I find the Java Fern hill in particular looks like a lettuce head

No plants on both hills though have yet caused a problem on the surface of the tank.

Attached Image:

Week 38



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:31Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 42, the lighting on the tank had changed. In addition to the 96w PC, now being moved all the way to the front of the tank, a 65w PC that had been over the 20G had been added for the back of the tank.

The Bolbitis started to pierce the surface of the tank.

Attached Image:

Week 42



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:33Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By week 47, I had enough of the Blyxa, somehow I could not manage to keep it down (I know people with the same problems ) and the light addition made it look funky over time as well. So, all had to go.

In addition, and even more obvious, the Fern on the right hill got a major trim, acutally it caused the entire right hill to require a major redo, with sticks and everything.

Attached Image:

Week 47



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:35Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And finally, here is the tank from last night, week 52, not a very good shot for its birthday.

Overall, it has been a nice year with this tank, not one major crisis was there because of algae or something like that, except for the one day where the CO2 went crazy.

But, I think it has reached a point where it cannot be maintained easily much longer . The Bolbitis is simply too big for it now and something will have to happen to change that, meaning at least a major redo of the left hill. On the other hand, next years update would then look almost like a repetition of this year's, showing the bolbitis and fern grow tall again. How boring would that be?

Well, enough for now,

Have fun, and I hope you liked the review,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 52 - Now



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 14:40Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , loved the review , the photo story makes it very easy to follow the development of the plants . I'll be very interested with what you do with the left side hill . btw there is nothing boring about you logs , the photos and commentry are always first class . Happy Birthday for the tank . I look forward to reading for another year
Garry
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 17:00Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Ingo,

Looks so much better know with the Bolbitus dominating. Ideally if the left were alittle more centered, but it's good.

If I can be so bold, this tank could easily be made into one where the substrate in the front and middle is changed to sand. It would have great contrast with the dark wood. You could build up more rock along the inner and front edge of both islands holding back the eco and then simply siphon out the eco from the front and middle with a hose. If the eco hold you can than fill with sand, if not adjust the rocks some more. This would give you a makeover without totally making over the tank. Sort of what I did for my 72g.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 10-Jun-2007 23:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Just wanted to comment on the HC again. It looked like it was in full light at week 27, then started to get shaded out until your recent trimmings. This is just what I see in the pics, but the HC seemed to grow for you for a few weeks, then die back as it got shaded. Could just be the magic of time lapse though.

Neat summary LF. I think my 50's B-day is coming up. Its summary wouldn't be as interesting as yours though.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 11-Jun-2007 01:18Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I think my 50's B-day is coming up.

Wow Matty, I had no idea that you are already that old

Anyway, thanks guys for the input

Garry - It is not so much that I find my logs boring (although I would stop them if people stop caring about my ramblings), it is more that a tank that only needs trimming to continue to look the same is boring to me. I have a limited space available for tanks, and as such I increase my number of tanks by redoing them. In this faulty math, I already had at least 10 tanks, if not way more.

tetratech - I think the big challenge when trying to implement your suggestions (and believe me, I like them and I have thought about such changes as well) is the middle section of the tank. It is not "stoned" up at all, Anubias are planted in the Eco, it is hard to access without having the hills collapse, and so forth.

Matty - granted, the area of the HC has not received the high light that it gets since the last trimming, but the images are misleading. This is a trick that the camera plays on you. In order to avoid enormous overexposure of the areas on top the camera made all other areas look really dark, much darker than in real life. BTW, we happen to have an HC expert at our NJAGC, I think you may have seen his time lapse video of HC growing for 6 days. His take on successful growth is a) light and b) Excel (not CO2). I find that interesting.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 11-Jun-2007 13:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
tetratech - I think the big challenge when trying to implement your suggestions (and believe me, I like them and I have thought about such changes as well) is the middle section of the tank. It is not "stoned" up at all, Anubias are planted in the Eco, it is hard to access without having the hills collapse, and so forth.


You can do it! You just have to get big rocks and...

Place rock, push, siphon, place rock, push, siphon.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 11-Jun-2007 13:35Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Updates - Week 53

Well, the tank had been pretty much neglected this week, all concerns where on the tannins in the 125G (read that log for details) and eventually this tank got involved in that issue (more later).

Here is a full tank shot:

Attached Image:

Week 53



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
As you can see, there are a few new plants in this tank, they are the cubans that I am making a last ditch rescue effort for by planting the tops in the bright light areas. This angle reveals that there are a few tiny ones in dead center of the tank as well.

Attached Image:

Angled



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:27Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
As the cubans are in bad shape, I don't really expect them to take off here, it is rather a wishful thinking thing. As soon as I added them into the tank, as in having them float until I was done with the 125G maintenance, the Amanos were all over them, not a sign of a healthy plant. Here are two Amanos on the floating stems:

Attached Image:

Floaters being eaten



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The same continued one the plants were planted, here are more Amanos muching away.

Hey - doesn't it remind you of bees collecting honey from flowers?

Attached Image:

Amanos Eating Cubans



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:31Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH


SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR FULL TANK AND HOW THE CUBANS GOT HERE

Here is a closer look at the Cuban line-up on the right tank side. All stems are really short now, I tried to trim off as much old growth as possible. The tallest stem is maybe 4 inches.


Attached Image:

Cubans Lined Up



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:33Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here is another look at the cubans (with an unfocussed Amano on top of one of them) and the HC, taken straight from above. Under non-maintenance conditions this shot is not possible as the light is sitting right up there.

Attached Image:

Top Shot



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:36Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The HC has grown a little this week, at least that is what I tell myself

Here is a slightly-out-of-focus shot showing it from the side of the tank. You can see the little green dots coming up here and there, I assume there is an underground connection between the groups.

Attached Image:

HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:38Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And with all this Amano here and Amano there, I still have some Cherries, or at least one. Actually, once this week I saw two at once.

Here is one on the Bolbitis:

Attached Image:

Cherry



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:39Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Speaking of Bolbitis:

That plant is becoming a problem. Its new growth is waaay to large for this tank, the individal leaves on the stems don't even start to open up within the water column. This weekend I had to trim off 5 strong stems that were pushing against the top glass. Open top is not an option these days though, I would damage the light (help may be coming soon though).


Here is a stem that grew out of the small open area that I have there for feeding fish and adding ferts during the week.

And that is it for now,

Have fun, thanks for watching,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Bolbitis on the Run



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 13:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Tanks looks very nice, despite the issues with the Cubans.

Open top is not an option these days though, I would damage the light (help may be coming soon though).
In terms of what, a new light? BTW I plan on running my 46g with the 192watt coralife without a glass top. I don't think it will be a problem if it's raised up on the mounting legs.

P.S. Happy Father's Day

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 14:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Your non-glass top thing may work, or it may not . One thing seems certain though, without a top you will have quite a bit of evaporation. The 40G managed to evaporate about 2 inches (depending on surrounding humidity in the air) within 7 days, to the point where the spray bar was almost exposed. I have a shot of my setup from a while back on page 4 in this log, you can see the small glass plate that I had under the light unit. In the morning, that glass was full of drops (under side, of course).

Anyway, yeah, I am thinking of a new light, but not before the end of August, maybe.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 16:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
Your non-glass top thing may work, or it may not . One thing seems certain though, without a top you will have quite a bit of evaporation. The 40G managed to evaporate about 2 inches (depending on surrounding humidity in the air) within 7 days, to the point where the spray bar was almost exposed. I have a shot of my setup from a while back on page 4 in this log, you can see the small glass plate that I had under the light unit. In the morning, that glass was full of drops (under side, of course).


Well you just made me think of an advantage other than looks for the lily pipe. The large size of the funnel allows it to be way under the water line. The water returns back to the tank through the bottom part of the funnel. Since the co2 can be located below the funnel it sprays the co2 throughout the tank and their is little surface break caused by the funnel. In other words it would take alot of evaporation, before the funnel bottom was exposed. Of course if you want to raise the funnel higher to remove surface scum that can be done as well.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 16:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Yeah,

The high tech guy in our club adjusted the pipe return level when he had a crisis once, that's how I know that this is a feature,

Can't wait to see that log, I just hope that you don't let us hang until all is already established

Ingo

Oh yeah, Happy Father's Day to you as well. Turns out to be more of a Children's day as I could not resist and gave mine a Nintendo DS. Now I have to read all the in-game instructions for them

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jun-2007 21:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
Can't wait to see that log, I just hope that you don't let us hang until all is already established

I guess I'll have to decide what I'm gonna do. Got the rep and all now

The high tech guy in our club adjusted the pipe return level when he had a crisis once, that's how I know that this is a feature

What was the crisis?

Oh yeah, Happy Father's Day to you as well. Turns out to be more of a Children's day as I could not resist and gave mine a Nintendo DS. Now I have to read all the in-game instructions for them

Yeah I spent my Father's Day mowing the lawn doing alittle emersed scaping and taking my kid to soccer training. I feel for you with the DS, you mean your kids don't want a Wii got up for in the morning last December to wait in line and get a Wii for them.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 18-Jun-2007 00:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Got the rep and all now

The terrors of being famous

What was the crisis?

He switched over to mostly RO water and in order to boost his calcium he used some stuff that is often used in Marine tanks. He usually knows his chemistry much better than I do, but this time, a side component reacted with the water and created (most likely) an enormus biologial bloom. That in turn cause a major oxygen depletion in the tank, within half a day. By chance he saw the fish gasping in the middle of the night. He managed to get the Oxygen back up (raising the pipe) but too late for all Amanos.

you mean your kids don't want a Wii
They sure would want one, but I did such a rush ($$$) purchase on the PS2 and the original X-Box (both for myself, of course). Now I have the paitence to wait until the price is more "normal". But I almost bought one now. BTW, one night when we worked 36 hours straight (software release) I played WII tennis at 4 AM, that was fun

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 18-Jun-2007 01:36Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , I really like the way the Bolbitis looks now that you have reduced the right side of the tank .
Gives the tank that slightly unsymetrical look which I think is sensational . It would be a pity if it had to go .
Do the cubans stay that colour? Or will they green up ? I really don't like them the way they are maybe be just me
Good luck with the Nintendo , we got a Wii and they are fantastic ,my wife keeps beating me at tennis and I'm not even on the same page as my son

Garry
Post InfoPosted 18-Jun-2007 03:21Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Here is another look at the cubans (with an unfocussed Amano on top of one of them) and the HC, taken straight from above. Under non-maintenance conditions this shot is not possible as the light is sitting right up there.


This confirms it! unshaded HC. LF was right all along. . Look at the explosion of growth you got from it. Looks like there was a continental divide though. I think the right group is headed east, watch out for minor tremors and liquid hot mag-ma.

Happy fathers day you geezers .



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 18-Jun-2007 04:57Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Happy fathers day you geezers



The individual groups of HC have formed from individual plantings of the original small batch that I got.

Garry, the cubans are yellowish with a tint of orange/red when in good shape, a great alternative color in the background of a large tank, with green plants half way up in front of them, or in a street arrangement. This small picture from APC shows you a nicely colored up top.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 18-Jun-2007 14:13Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 54

Not much time to report anything, not much happened during this week anyway.

Here is the latest full tank shot:

Attached Image:

Tank 6/24/2007



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 25-Jun-2007 01:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
As you may have noticed, the cubans are gone, they didn't do to well during this week (understatement) and I removed whatever was left.

Here is the battlefield:

Attached Image:

Bad Cubans



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 25-Jun-2007 01:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And if you thought you noticed something different about the Bolbitis group then you were right. I pretty much ripped out a few rhizomes here and there, and before I knew it a bucket full was gone (5G bucket).

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Bolbitis



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 25-Jun-2007 01:13Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , thats a lot of fern you pulled out . It certainly didn't damage the look of the tank though .
Are you going to use the fern you took out in another tank?

Sorry to see the cubans were a bust . Got any ideas why they didn't work ?

Tank still looks brilliant

Garry
Post InfoPosted 25-Jun-2007 02:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
RNJ_Punk
*****
---------------
Big Fish
Cory Fanatic
Posts: 395
Kudos: 114
Votes: 137
Registered: 12-Nov-2006
male usa
Ingo,

Tank is looking great! Still love this one. That is a ton of bolbitis fern. What are you going to do with it all?

Looks great!
Post InfoPosted 25-Jun-2007 03:04Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Ditto what all the others say - tank still looks great (as ever).

Does your LFS give credit for plants? Otherwise, I recall from previous conversations you're not keen on bothering to sell on ebay.

Then again - you probably trade with your club when you can.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 25-Jun-2007 06:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Wow! Even though you ripped out that much fern you still have a huge mass of it.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Jun-2007 14:50Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
the shape of this tank has changed pretty significantly, from that "U" shape to more of a triangle now. it really works though, and I think it'll continue to work as long as it remains dense.

and congrats on the HC babies. in another 8 months you may have a carpet forming


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jun-2007 16:19Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 55

Not much time available to respond to your entries, just enough for an update and to read your other threads.

I could have posted last week's picture, the tank looks just the same,

The only special thing is that I havent seen the older Apisto female in a few days now (Matty's second).

That's it,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 55



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 01-Jul-2007 14:41Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , Sorry to hear about your Apisto female , hope she turns up .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 02-Jul-2007 12:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
RNJ_Punk
*****
---------------
Big Fish
Cory Fanatic
Posts: 395
Kudos: 114
Votes: 137
Registered: 12-Nov-2006
male usa
Is it possible she is just gaurding a clutch of eggs deep in the plants?
Post InfoPosted 02-Jul-2007 14:10Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 56

Not much happened during the week and the weekend saw the trimming of some additional Bolbitis leaves. A member of our club is currently doing away with his bolbitis as it had been trimmed so often (by removing sideshoot rhizomes) that the center portion does not procude enough new leaves to keep the group nice, maybe someday soon the same will apply to me.

To make my point a little clearer, this is what I deal with weekly:

Attached Image:

Bolbitis



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 01:15Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The female Apisto is back, I assume she must have been guarding some fry but as ususal this will not work out in this tank.

I also saw for the first time a female Amano carrying babies, this will of course also not work out.

Here is the tank in a Matty angle:

Attached Image:

Matty Angle



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 01:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
The HC does not grow any further again and I also seem to see some disintegration.

Nothing else is to reporty right now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 01:18Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Here is the tank in a Matty angle:


huh....wha? I'm here. I'm here.

Glad to see the female apisto is back. Lots of hiding spots in that tank.

I like the look of the tank in these shots. And to be honest I think I like it without a lot of ground cover.

Most people wouldn't complain about having too much bolbitus LF. I got lectured by a coworker today about complaining that I have too much HM. Made $10 today anyhow. Too bad you don't have an LFS to get $ or store credit. My plants generally sell like hotcakes....if that's a good thing . As I see it I'm making the store more money.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 02:14Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
I agree with Matty that this tank would look better with no ground cover. HC with all that Fern doesn't work well. I still think the this tank would look much better with a sand front and middle area. Build up both Islands with more rock showing, pour sand all around them and put some anubias,moss or whatever in between rocks and you'll have good contrast and more depth.

EDIT:
The HC does not grow any further again and I also seem to see some disintegration.

Are you trimming it? I have always found with most stems if you do some trimming it produces more growth.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 02:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
RNJ_Punk
*****
---------------
Big Fish
Cory Fanatic
Posts: 395
Kudos: 114
Votes: 137
Registered: 12-Nov-2006
male usa
EditedEdited by RNJ_Punk
Tank looks great. I think I contacted you about my bolbitis. It has finally taken hold and is now growing at a good rate. You have so much it looks great.

Why wont any apisto fry wont work out?

Tank looks amazing.
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 03:42Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Why wont any apisto fry wont work out?
Perhaps it is a combination of:-

a) Water not soft enough for a large batch of fry to hatch. I've read that for the apisto eggs to hatch,the water must be really quite soft.
b) dad snacks on the fry

Glad the female's back. Yeah for the shrimpster baby. Finally saw one of these in real life the other day. So cute & tiny. Was advised not to get them though, due to my discus & apositos

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 06:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Uh, lots of replies required here:

- Matty: Without a lot of ground cover, that was what tetratech was preaching since a long time, and I never listened. I could get some bucks at the LFS for my plants, but I am too lazy to even go there and ask. Maybe in one of the next months I will approach their plant guy (who I actually know rather well) on how such a "trade" could be arranged. Currently, that last thing I wanna do after a 4 hour maintenance routine is to drive to the LFS.

- tetratech: It is my honest conviction that it is just a matter of time until the Bolbitis is too large for the tank, in height and width. As such I am very hesitant to custom th layout around this plant. I need to have a better plan for the time after Bolbitis before I would go to any drastic step with regards to the design. Trimming the HC, no - I have never done that. I thought that the tiny amount that I have in there would do better if undisturbed.

- RNJ_Punk and Robyn: The fry does not work out for the reasons Robyn mentioned, plus the fact that except for once I cannot even see where the "nest" is as it can be in any of the 500 hiding spots in the tank. As such I would have to add huge amounts of fry food to the tank to assure they get something to eat. In addition, I have something like 15 Amanos in there and they would not hesitate to eat any fry they can find.

Thanks all for the interest and info,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 13:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Yeah, I guess it's different. I HAVE to go to the LFS anyhow. Speaking of which, I gotta get to work. and then class. Won't be home for 14 hours. Now I know how you feel Ingo. To make things worse, they are going to start beating me in walk my plank.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 14:22Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo, love that Fern it would be a shame if it had to go .
Wish I could find it over here , would look good in the future of my big tank .

Glad to hear about your Apisto female .

I really want to see what you do with this scape , there are so many possibilites all of which I find facinating .
Not least of which is Jeffs idea which sounds very interesting .

Oh well guess I'll just have to be patient and see where you take it.

Garry
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 15:04Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
tetratech: It is my honest conviction that it is just a matter of time until the Bolbitis is too large for the tank, in height and width


I hear ye! Another possibility is to remove the fern on the right completely and have just "Bob" positioned left off-center (which it pretty much is based on the way you trim) and have it cascade down to the right with more rock and than a few scattered pieces of rock all around. Sand or Eco would look fine with some moss cover rocks,etc., This way you could let Bob spread his wings alittle more. And we all know you have a special attachment to Bob anyway

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 16:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks guys for the input, time will tell what I am going to do about this tank.

In the meantime:

Weekly Tank Update - Week 57

This week has seen more trimming of the Bolbitis, some leaves were removed because they grew out of the water, some because they started to shade the HC again. Now that tetratech has it growing so successfully I have to take better care of mine .

Here is the full tank:

Attached Image:

Tank 7/14/2007



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 15-Jul-2007 14:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is a closer look at the HC, now without a doubt in full light. I also dose about 3ml of Excel right over it during the water change as I have read that HC really likes Excel:

Attached Image:

HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 15-Jul-2007 14:55Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The last shot for now is the tank from the back. The right side isn't really all that dark, but it for sure is not qualified to grow any light hungry plants. As you can see, the Bolbitis has created a huge umbrella over that area, making the tank not really surround anymore. Just one more reason to rethink this plant in this tank.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Back Side



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 15-Jul-2007 14:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
I really love this tank ingo. Im hoping i can get my tank to look like that soon.

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 15-Jul-2007 21:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks Shane, keep in mind that the tank is over one year old, so don't expect a natural growth too fast.

I have a few more pictures that I took today, just for the fun of it. First off, my biggest HC mountain

Attached Image:

HC Hill



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 01:49Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Next up, the female Apisto that was missing for a while but reappeared the other week. She looks pretty nice these days which for sure means that she wasn't sick or something when she was MIA. Must have been another breeding attempt.

Attached Image:

Female Apisto



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 01:50Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Last one, a female Amano. Not that I expect all these, or any of these, eggs to develop into little shrimpsters, but I found it cool that I got such a nice shot of it. It looks much clearer in the picture then when looking at the shrimp directly, that must be hundreds of eggs.

But I am not going to set up a salt water tank to hatch them.

That's it,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Amano With Eggs



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 01:52Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
EditedEdited by tankwatcher
nice pics, as usual, ingo. Great shrimp shot. Good news about the female showing up again.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 03:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
catdancer
*********
----------
Big Fish
Mad Scientist
Posts: 471
Kudos: 138
Votes: 13
Registered: 15-Apr-2007
female usa us-massachusetts
The female apisto looks definitively slimmed down. Your water is pretty soft, right? I am assuming that the shrimpsters had some unexpected nutritious delicacies to pick from.

I admire your Bolbitis and would love to grow one myself but my water conditons are not to its liking. Your specimen is deserving of a tank of its own but its vigorous growth and dominance of the tank reminds a bit of "Audrey" in "The little shop of horrors", hope you take this comparison with a smile! Bolbitis fetches a good price in stores and getting the cut offs to the LFS the day after the harvest should not diminish its growth for the new owner and get you a nice store credit. Why not go for it?
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 06:34Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks Ladies for the input and comments

catdancer - nice comparison there for the Bolbitis . See, most of the time, my trimming is the cutting off of individual leaves and not the removal of an entire section of the rhizome. Only the latter would conclude in a sellable piece for the LFS. But, such a removal would mean that I seriously have to mess with that hill as Bolbitis attaches itself to wood really strongly. I only had the nerve to do this once so far, and then I didn't feel like spending the extra time with the trade stuff at the LFS (as, for example, the plant guy may not be in at the weekends and I may have to store the plants untils some evening during the week and so forth).

Thanks again,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 13:50Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
And we all know you have a special attachment to Bob anyway
Ingo , you have names for your plants Ah well each to his own .
That is a seriously small but very healthy looking bunch of HC.
Have you worked out why it hasn't spread yet , or is that a delicate question
Great shot of the Shrimp , I did not know they only hatch in salt water .
I thought Tetra had some hatch in one of his tanks ????

Anyway , tank looks fantastic as always .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 16:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
Ingo , you have names for your plants Ah well each to his own .
Yeah, whatever turns you on.

As far as the shrimp, I have cherry shrimp babies that breed quite easily in freshwater, but from what I understand about Amanos is that the adults live in fresh water in nature, but the eggs are carried down from higher elevation to salter waters where they hatch and then the make their way to fresh water again as adults or something like that.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 16:36Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Garry,

I have no idea where tetratech came up with the Bob-thing, but I thought I will play along, if it makes him happy

I assume that the HC is not doing sooo great because it is not getting enough light and because the substrate is not as full of goodies as tetratech's ADA substrate.

And tetratech is pretty right about the Amanos. I think there are basically two kinds of shrimp, one where the eggs turn into little shrimp directly and one where they go through a larvae stage first. The first group can be bread in freshwater just fine, like cherry and glass shrimp. The second group cannot, like Amanos.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 18:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Ingo

Didnt i hear you wanted rid of those pesky amano's??? hehe Ill take em off ya hands for my planted tanks hehe

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 16-Jul-2007 23:46Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Shane,

Well, I did not want to get rid of them, what you have read must have been in reference to my 20G QT tank as I at some point had about 30 of them in there for QT purposes (and until I knew where they will end up).

Ever since then I added about 8 to this tank and 10 to the 125G. Now, with about 12 remaining in the QT things are better, but they soon will be moved to the 125G as well, I justed waited with that to see if the first batch added there will survive (because of the Apistos and Rainbows) and I can still see about 3 of them once in a while.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Jul-2007 13:59Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 58

Well, I don't have much time and as such it comes in handy that there is not much to report about this tank anyway. I did the weekly water change, and that was it, LOL.

Otherwise, all is the same,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 58



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 23-Jul-2007 01:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Weekly Tank Update - Week 59

I take the non-existence of entries in this log as a sign that you feel about it the same I do, it might be nice, but over time boring.

Nothing happened this week again, except work. Today, after the water change, I started to see hundreds of Amano larvae in the tank, tiny little critters floating and jerking about. The male apisto ate some, but there are loads of them. Again, I know none will survive, no need to point that out.

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Tank Now - 7/29/2007



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 29-Jul-2007 23:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Looks good LF, how're my ladies?



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 30-Jul-2007 02:02Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
eat_ham222
-----
Banned
Posts: 97
Kudos: 72
Votes: 16
Registered: 20-Jul-2007
male usa
Take down that tank, its making me look bad . But seriously nice job keep up the good work!
Post InfoPosted 30-Jul-2007 05:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , No I for one am not bored . I'm just waiting for you to suprise with your next move with this tank.
You given lots of hints but you are obviously too busy with work to get to and plan your next moves .

Waiting expectantly.
Garry
Post InfoPosted 30-Jul-2007 15:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Interesting about your Amanos. I am guessing at that point you could put them strait into saltwater. Not that you are going to but you could if you wanted. At least that is what I thought I read about them.

I don't think your thread is boring. I think we are all just busy at the moment. I know I am!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 30-Jul-2007 16:32Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I'm getting worried that "Bob" ate Ingo

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 02-Aug-2007 21:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Ingo

Sorry i havent replied, i have been moving and have barely replied in my own logs. lol. Anyways I love the tank, i was gonna take the amanos off ya hands if ya didnt want them. hehe

Anyways I cant wait for new pics and what you are gonna do next with this tank

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 02-Aug-2007 22:18Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa


No Tetratech, Bob - whoever that is - didn't eat me

I am just very busy. For that reason, the update even had to wait until today.

Thanks all for the input

Weekly Tank Update - Week 60

Not much happened, I cannot see the second of Matty's females again for a week now, and the young female doesn't look to good either. And that is all that is there to say,

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 60



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Aug-2007 13:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , Life does get in the road from time to time .
I'm sure you will find time to look after Bob soon .
Tank as always looks great .
Garry
Post InfoPosted 06-Aug-2007 13:52Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 62

Have been in the home country for 2 weeks, tank looks the same as before though, .

Not much happened in the tank at all, a big bore.

Attached Image:

Full Tank



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 19-Aug-2007 22:07Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The only thing nice is the slightly larger HC area, tetratech would be proud of my growing success, .

That's it for now,

Ingo

Attached Image:

HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 19-Aug-2007 22:08Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Hey Ingo

I look at this way. Something is better than nothing. Your tanks are never a bore btw.

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 19-Aug-2007 22:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ha the HC spreads , very interesting .
Maybe it's just a matter of time and Patience .
Thats not boring its facinating .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 20-Aug-2007 10:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
LF,

The HC is looking quite a bit better. Maybe it just takes forever to settle in.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 20-Aug-2007 12:48Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Hey LF, if you had a tank with the dimensions of your average ashtray you'd have a nice lush HC carpet.

But seriously, as Johnny Cash would say, that HC is in good shape for the shape it's in. Nice and clean.

Not sure where you stand on this, but are you getting to the point at all where the 4 tanks are too much to concentrate on? You seem to be a bit bored with the 40G, and the 29 and 20 are low tech so change is very incremental. Just curious about your 'mental state' with the tanks, 4 is a lot and some burnout is understandable.


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 20-Aug-2007 17:28Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Hey Ingo, as usual everything is beautiful in your tank. I'm sure the missing female apisto will turn up (she usually does) but sorry to hear the smaller one isn't looking so great.

That's an interesting comment NowherMan6 made about whether 4 tanks are too much to concentrate on & I'm interested to hear what you think on that?

Hope the home country was lots of fun for you

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 21-Aug-2007 00:31Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
I agree. I'll be getting rid of two of my setups here soon. Too much work right now. Looks like it will be the 5.5 shrimp tank fw planted and I'll move the reef tank into the 50.

Sorry to hijack. I hope the trip was nice. You deserved a break. The tank looks great as always.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 21-Aug-2007 05:49Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Guys and Gals,

Yes, you are right, I sure have these burnouts once in a while, and currently I am getting over a big one.

Having had no opportunity to "update" my tanks for a few months now, given the knowledge that I will go on vacation and didn't want to leave any tank in an unsettled way, the great boredom with the only tasks being maintenance, feeding, and ferting, was (and still is) making me think of either cutting back, or changing the high techs to low techs, or whatever along these lines.

Probably for the same reason I cut back on my participation in all forums that I am a member of, mostly here and the NJAGC. Yes, I had much to do at work as well, but I could have tried harder to participate in other threads.

Overall, my thoughts about the tanks are somewhat like this these days:

125G: Looks ok, but needs major changes to make the new scape really work. That was planned anyway, but had to wait until I was back from vacation. Too many similar plants in there right now, almost all would be fine in a low tech setting.

40G: Needs a major redo, the Bolbitis is way too big and the Narrow Leaf Fern is too boring. This will be a major act and I don't have the energy yet for it. BTW, a Tek light with 4x35w is on the way to me.

29G: Will get a major redo soon, probably within the next few weeks, but will stay most likely low tech. For this tank I am pretty much done with a vision for layout, just the final plant selection (being most likely a limitation of the current plants in the tank) is still in question, all scape material is already in the house. Also, I have by now way too many platies in there.

20G: Albeit people say it is conceptually the best of my tanks (iwagumayumi), I am also bored with it. That is an easy tank to change, but I probably will re-invent it as a QT again, my school of Espei in the 125G is becoming rather small now as fish keep dying (most likely of old age) and I will add some other schooling fish at some point.

So here you have my thoughts, in short at least.

Thanks,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 21-Aug-2007 13:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Yes, you are right, I sure have these burnouts once in a while, and currently I am getting over a big one.
My solution to multiple tank burnout is to have each tank with a completely different focus. Wouldn't work for you, as I recall reading you wouldn't consider a non-planted tank. But I'm the opposite. I might get chased off the Planted Forum here, but must say I would be bored with 3 tanks where plants were the main focus in each. Two of my new tanks will be planted, but only in one will the plants be the focus (even then plants will share the limelight with my discus). The other planted tank will have C02 (bought another set on ebay, so may as well use it) but it's focus will be as a divided tank, with an apisto pair on either side that I hope to breed. The 3rd tank will be an African Cichlid tank, completely different with no plants.

Because for me the fish are equally important as the plants/scape, just their presence keeps me interested. Too big for you I know, Little_Fish, but I am in love with my discus & they are spoilt rotten. They threaten the ongoing existence of the African Tank. I'm determined to do the African Tank, but if it doesn't last, it will be the fault of discus.
Narrow Leaf Fern is too boring
You wouldn't say that if you lived here. Never seen it or Needle Leaf Java Fern either. I'm so excited, as I bought a bunch of each from an ebay seller in Thailand, who says he sends to Aus. Still waiting & I hope it survives the trip.

I hope you find your own solution to the boredom Ingo. Sorry to take up too much room in log.

Looking forward to seeing the changes you mention.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 21-Aug-2007 14:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Yes, you are right, I sure have these burnouts once in a while, and currently I am getting over a big one.


If your having a tag sale let me know!

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 21-Aug-2007 15:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Me too!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 22-Aug-2007 02:06Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , After all the dedication you've put into your logs over the last couple of years,
I'm sure there are times you think why am I doing this . You have your own reasons
and motivations but I simply wanted to say from myself and from a lot of others here at FP :
Thanks , you have helped, entertained , informed and given me pause for thought on so many occasions .
Your fantastic Tanks and your wonderfull logs are an inspiration.
This place is much poorer in your absense .

I hope you rediscover your desire & enjoyment soon .
I'm sure its only one major "Ingo Style " redo away .

Regards

Garry
Post InfoPosted 22-Aug-2007 11:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
superlion
 
----------
Mega Fish
Posts: 1246
Kudos: 673
Votes: 339
Registered: 27-Sep-2003
female usa
My cure for aquarium burnout:

Have a non-fish person come to your home.

Show off tanks.

Watch as their jaw drops to the floor.

From your pictures, it looks like you'll have no problem with the third part. If you're like me it'll help. I hope with whatever you do you have at least as good luck as you've had with your plants! And ditto what tetratech said about the tag sale!

><>
Post InfoPosted 22-Aug-2007 20:38Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Ingo, Your tanks are what made me want to start a planted tank. Please dont give up as we all enjoy your beautiful tanks

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 23-Aug-2007 06:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Don't worry folks, or maybe I should say "don't be disappointed" as there will be no tag sale

As you all probably know, as long as we are not too full of ourselves we are our own worst critic. It doesn't help me if others find my tanks nice as long as I don't think they are. With this I don't mean to say my tanks are bad, I mean this as a general statement. I guess I am in a philosophical mood

The Tek light for this tank arrived yesterday, sadly enough with 2 wrong bulbs, 15,000K

I tested the other 2 bulbs, which also were not what I ordered (6,000K) but actually 6,500K - a better value. And what can I say, that is some bright light

Currently I have no idea on how to affix the unit, I thought of hanging it but there are ceiling issues to consider, more to this maybe later.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 23-Aug-2007 13:35Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
EditedEdited by countryfish
Ingo, Just good to see you online , Mate . Sorry the lights were not what you ordered .
15000 thats some light . Should give it a try see what happens

Garry
Post InfoPosted 23-Aug-2007 14:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
If you can't get those 15K bulbs replaced, please send them my way lol. Although I still have about 8 months to a year before I have to replace my bulbs. T5s last forever. I think you'll really love them if they aren't too much light.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 23-Aug-2007 16:03Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks Garry and Matty,

Garry, the problem with the 15,000K is not the intensity but the temperature (not heat, but K), a really wrong spectrum for plants.

I agree Matty, that is quite some light. I tested the 2 6,500K bulbs yesterday and boy-oh-boy, that was bright.

I am planning on using mostly 2 bulbs (on the outsides) and only the second set for midday, starting with an hour or two.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 23-Aug-2007 16:37Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I spent the weekend at the beach, so the water change was today:

Weekly Tank Update - Week 63

Nothing new on the tank, saw one of the females and she looked pretty bad, then she went back into hiding.

Tek light is still missing two bulbs and I have to define how I would like to affix it in the first place.

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 63



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 28-Aug-2007 01:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 64

The better light K range bulbs for this tank are ordered, and I also have to think about how to affix it to the tank (the Tek light, that is).

Nothing new inside the tank though. Here is the tank this week with the male Apisto over the HC. The females all are MIA since quite a while.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 64



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Sep-2007 22:23Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Wow ingo, that bolbitis is getting rather large, any plans for a trimming on that? Also what kind of range are you talking about for the bubls and how will you have to change the fittings to accomodate the changes?

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 04-Sep-2007 06:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
fishmonster,

The new range is either 10,000 or 11,000 K, not sure which ones were ordered for me.

I meant to say that I need to figure out how to "hook" the Tek Unit to the ceiling or some form of stand.

Weekly Tank Update - Week 65

The tank has seen little maintenance this week, next week I may cut off some Bolbitis rhizomes to trim the group back and to bring it to our NJAGC meeting for trading.

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Sep-2007 00:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 66

I don't have much time, but here is a quick shot of the tank. Not much has changed, I just trimmed the Bolbitis a little to bring some parts to the NJAGC meeting yesterday.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 66



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Sep-2007 00:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
LF,

The tank seems much brighter. Are you still running the old light or do you have the new one up? Maybe it was just the trim. We would all like to see pictures of how you end up hanging it.

How are the fish doing in this tank?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 17-Sep-2007 02:16Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Yeah i agree with wings, did you get your new lights? how are the fish doing? Is it this tank that also has the shrimp?

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 19-Sep-2007 07:50Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
EditedEdited by TW
Hanging lights would make maintenance easier, although I don't think hubby would allow the holes in the ceiling. Would like to see the pics of how you've done it though. Tank is looking very nice & healthy.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 20-Sep-2007 13:47Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
**********
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 5108
Kudos: 5263
Votes: 1690
Registered: 28-Dec-2002
male usa us-colorado
Hi,
I'm not so sure that hanging lights make anything easier.
One generally bumps head on them, or smacks a hand or
elbow on them while doing maintenance. To avoid that one
sometimes hangs them higher, but that lessens the intensity
of the light on the tank and widens the "footprint" of the
light.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 20-Sep-2007 19:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 67

Not much happened during the week for this tank, but I managed to give the Bolbitis a larger trim than usual. It was basically a removal of rhizomes that have grown closer to the middle of the tank.

Here is the tank after the water change:

Attached Image:

Week 67



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2007 00:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
That was yesterday and today I finally found the time to hang up the new Tek Light. Not really a "job-well-done" as it was rather sloppy DIY just to see it in action.

That should answer all the questions between this series and last weeks update.

Thanks folks for showing interest!

As you can see here, the image is a little green. That is because I only run the 2 6,500K bulbs in this shot.

Attached Image:

With 6,500K lights on



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2007 00:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
You can also see that I don't require any additional lighting in the room anymore as the unit shines about everywhere. This is why you see the wall behind it soo much better now.

Here is the tank with the 10,000K bulbs turned on as well, you may note that it is a little bluer in the coloration. The camera compensates for the extra light so you cannot really see the brightness increase.

Attached Image:

With All Lights On



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2007 00:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Now I wanna see the HC take off, just like it did in tetratech's tank,

Last but not least, a shot of the setup including the new light unit.

That's it, have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Full Setup



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2007 01:00Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
It's pretty bright huh? What do you think, 2-3 X as bright as pc watt for watt?



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2007 01:46Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Ingo,

Thats a great looking setup my friend, love the light and the way you have your filters. How did you fit the filter pipes in the tank like that if you dont mind me asking?

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2007 07:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Now I wanna see the HC take off, just like it did in tetratech's tank,

I like the light, but why on this tank? Isn't "Bob" going to go ballastic. Your so busy you might not look at your tank for a few days and you'll come home and find Bob has taken over the basement.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2007 02:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , nothing like a new bit of gear is there . Love the Light it certainly gives a different
perspective to the tank . Hope the HC takes over the tank for you

Garry
Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2007 02:21Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
**********
---------------
-----
Fish Master
Posts: 1880
Kudos: 922
Votes: 69
Registered: 21-Jun-2004
male usa
Wow, for the longest time I thought you had a black background on this tank! Couldn't tell it was clear on both sides. Those lights make quite a difference.

tetra,

Yup, one day Ingo is going to walk down to his basement and the scene will look like this:




Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2007 15:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
Yup, one day Ingo is going to walk down to his basement and the scene will look like this:


hehe, That's pretty much what I was thinking or Bob will extend to every tank.

P.S. Nowher where's your little setup?

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2007 16:19Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
- Darn Bob

In order of requests:

Matty - I don't know how bright it is, it for sure lights up the whole room though (height over tank related).

fishmonster - Thanks. The filter hoses are coming up on the right back corner in the picture, actually nothing special there.

Tetratech - Why this tank? Well, it is the one that seems the most show case like, from the overall setup. Currently I don't like the plants one little bit, but things may change.

Garry - yeah, new gear always makes my day

NowherMan6 - I assume you don't remember that this is a walk-around tank. A background is not possible as one side would not be viewable anymore. And bob has not yet licked blood, LOL.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2007 18:46Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
LF,

I like the new light. I hope it grows your HC well too!

Have you thought about going to a single mound with a ground cover around it?



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Sep-2007 01:51Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
How long would you expect it to take, before the light has it's impact on the HC?

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 29-Sep-2007 14:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
**********
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 5108
Kudos: 5263
Votes: 1690
Registered: 28-Dec-2002
male usa us-colorado
Hi Robyn,
Depending upon the tank conditions (nutrients),
and the health of the new plants, I would expect to
see some change within a week, two at the outside.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 29-Sep-2007 15:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
clownloachfan
*********
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 660
Kudos: 850
Votes: 115
Registered: 10-Oct-2003
male usa us-pennsylvania
very nice tank, especially love the bolbitus huedelotti
Post InfoPosted 29-Sep-2007 22:59Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 68

Thanks folks for the input.

I am still thinking about design options and I am in no particular rush to do something about it right now (no time anyway).

The HC is already showing signs of change Robyn, I think it has grown a little larger with regards to leaves and stem length and diameter. Overall, it looks healthier. This is probably a result of the new light, but it may include the trimming of the Bolbitis that I performed last weekend.

Not much new happened otherwise, I added today the second set of light rows (center rows) for 1h midday.

Here is the tank this morning:

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 68



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 30-Sep-2007 18:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 69

Almost no trimming during this weekend, but I had to remove a load of duckweed that now, with the new light, grows much faster.

The HC is weird, it seems like the old growth (original planting site in Nov last year) is coming all out and the new growth since the last two weeks stays put. Maybe the old growth was done anyway, I don't know.

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 69



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 07-Oct-2007 21:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , Did you back the new lights off a fraction , the last shot seems a little darker .
Or is that just the Fern needing a trim . The HC thing is very interesting , wonder
what will happen next ?
Still love Bob ( even if everyone loves poking fun at him )

Garry
Post InfoPosted 10-Oct-2007 14:41Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Garry,

Thanks for the input

The lightness of the image greatly depends on where the camera focus hits the tank, if on a leaf in the shade then the image is brighter, if on a leaf in the light then darker.

The HC is confusing me as well, I don't know if it comes or goes!

Bob - tetratech came up with that name, I sure had nothing to do with it - might have to go at some point, too big.

I don't have a great vision on what to do with this tank yet, so no major changes are performed on it these days.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 10-Oct-2007 17:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 70

Well, as I was trimming one or the other leaf of Bob (ok, I declare defeat and accept the name for it, gee - thanks tetratech) I decided to give it a major haircut. The goal was to remove any bad leaf as well as any leaf that reaches the surface. And about 50 leaves later I was done

Here is the balding Bob,

Have fun,

Ingo

PS: Otherwise, no news

Attached Image:

Week 70



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 14-Oct-2007 23:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
That really changed the lighting in this tank! I wouldn't really call bob balding either. More of a buzzed bob.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 15-Oct-2007 12:29Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Well, as I was trimming one or the other leaf of Bob (ok, I declare defeat and accept the name for it, gee - thanks tetratech)

Oh, your very welcome Now that it's official, please consult me before Bob's next haircut, I know how he likes it. Bob would also like to be moved alittle to the right (You know that ego of his)and he has requested a pair of sunglasses That's it for now.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 15-Oct-2007 15:04Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Well done Tetra .!!!!

I think Bob should have a stylist , what do you think , someone with Hollywood experience maybe ?


Garry
Post InfoPosted 18-Oct-2007 14:23Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
plankton
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 64
Kudos: 22
Votes: 7
Registered: 17-Jul-2007
male canada
You guys are weird

Seriously, I love the lines and flow of this tank.

Well done - it's just lovely.

Post InfoPosted 21-Oct-2007 23:13Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 71

You guys are weird


They/We sure are, but we are proud of it

Thanks for the input Jay, much appreciated

On to the tank:

Not much to report, Bob is growing again, if that is his hair then I really envy him, I need some of that, LOL.

The one thing I threw out in the NJAGC forum that bugs me is the HC. It keeps on floating up bits by bits. I think though we have identified why: The pesky elephant sized Amanos are running over the patch and their stompede causes the uprooting of the HC. Any believers? I sure think it is the most logical explanation at this time and found people that have similar experiences, including a case where HC was all well and as soon as Amanos were added to the tank it started to float up. I guess it just doesn't work well with both together.

Here is the tank this week, the male Apisto gave me the honor to pose in the shot,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 71



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 22-Oct-2007 00:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fish patty
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 539
Kudos: 223
Votes: 255
Registered: 04-Oct-2006
female usa

I like this scape, especially after the trim.
Post InfoPosted 22-Oct-2007 03:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Here is the tank this week, the male Apisto gave me the honor to pose in the shot,
He is looking pretty nice too! How are the females doing?

You got really nice photos of this tank and the 125 this week. Did I get that you are playing with the camera settings?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 22-Oct-2007 03:45Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
The one thing I threw out in the NJAGC forum that bugs me is the HC. It keeps on floating up bits by bits. I think though we have identified why: The pesky elephant sized Amanos are running over the patch and their stompede causes the uprooting of the HC


I would have to respectively disagree with the members of the NJAGC on that one. Are you referring to the original HC planted some time ago or additinal pieces? I have the HC growing in my 72g now without a problem and there are amanos, cherries and kuli loaches in there. If it's still floating up then the root system isn't developing enough. Do you trim it? Remember this is a stem plant. Trim the top and what happens to most stems plants. You get several new headers. Same with HC, this will help spread a more elaborate root system and it will keep the plant anchored.

Also it's far easier to plant HC just like any other stem. just replant the tops. Push it into the eco and then pull up slightly and let the eco fall in around the stem.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 22-Oct-2007 04:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks folks for the input

Wings - yes, I am playing with camera settings and post-picture-taking image manipulations of the simple form, like sharpness, midtones, and the like.

The females died months ago, never found even one dead one (thanks to the shrimp, I assume).

Tetratech - I do see the Amanos rumble over the HC field, and I do see individual strands come out at that time (although I don't see when it all happens). Are your Amanos grown up? Mine are huge. I have not trimmed the HC, maybe I should give that a try though. I am just afraid that having only such a small patch the rest of the field will be destroyed in a heart-beat.

patty - Thanks

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 22-Oct-2007 14:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Tetratech - I do see the Amanos rumble over the HC field, and I do see individual strands come out at that time (although I don't see when it all happens). Are your Amanos grown up? Mine are huge. I have not trimmed the HC, maybe I should give that a try though. I am just afraid that having only such a small patch the rest of the field will be destroyed in a heart-beat.


I've had some of my Amanos for like two years, they are big, bigger than most of the fish in the tank. I see them walking on it too and of course some will be pulled up before the roots grow, but if it's still coming up then the root system isn't developed enough. I have the loaches as well and they are much worse than the shrimp. Trust me on this one, keep trimming the tops of the tallest pieces.

I'll be interested in your picture results, since I plan on buying an SLR camera shortly. I would give my Canon S2 to Wings, but I think my kid has already called it his own. Sorry Wings.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 22-Oct-2007 15:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 72

Thanks Tetratech for the tip, I will keep it in mind. I heard others that swear that trimming is not required, they instead wanna sell me on AquaSoil and even offer me a little bit for a container to submerse in the tank and just see what happens (sounds like an interesting test as well).

As I stated in the 125G log, I had very little time this weekend and DID NOT DO A WATER CHANGE

Here is the tank anyway,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 72



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2007 01:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
clownloachfan
*********
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 660
Kudos: 850
Votes: 115
Registered: 10-Oct-2003
male usa us-pennsylvania
Nice tank, Love the Bolbitis
Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2007 02:13Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
Thanks Tetratech for the tip, I will keep it in mind. I heard others that swear that trimming is not required, they instead wanna sell me on AquaSoil and even offer me a little bit for a container to submerse in the tank and just see what happens (sounds like an interesting test as well).

Interesting you should say that. I actually did this in my 72g. I took a small area in my foreground and replaced the Eco with AS. I found no difference in the way it grows or the speed (see pic below). I will conclude that the HC in ny AS-based 46g grow much faster then it did in my 72g with Eco or AS. Although the tanks have different lighting etc, my unscientific conclusion was that it grows better in AS not based on what it derives directly from the AS, but rather what the AS leaches into the water colum.

Eco/AS



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2007 18:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Weeks 73 and 74

Didn't have much time/patience last week to update the log, so here are the shots for both weeks:

Here is week 73 (somehow not so good of a shot)

Attached Image:

Week 73



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 11-Nov-2007 15:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is week 74, this weekend.

It appears that the HC is spreading faster than usual, at least whatever can be considered usual in my tank. I also have taken a look at the tank a few weeks back and can now see that the HC for sure is no longer static.

Tetratech - nice comparison shot, seems to grow just as well in both.

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 74



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 11-Nov-2007 15:46Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , HC looks to be on the move for you at last and it seems that Bob needs his hairdresser in attendance .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 12-Nov-2007 06:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Bob needs his hairdresser in attendance
That Java fern looks like its about out of control too!

HC is looking much better. Do you think its the new light?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 12-Nov-2007 14:40Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 75 and Week 76

Yes Wings, I think it is the light, and maybe the fact that I layed off on adding Excel as a spot treatment right over the HC (as I have heard it likes Excel, but maybe not in my tank).

Anyway, more of overgrowing Bolbitis and giant Narrow Leaf Fern, mixed with Anubias Nana and a spot of HC.

The tank in week 75:

Attached Image:

Week 75



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2007 01:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And just because I got fed up with the comments about BOB (I don't like that guy, whoever he is, LOL), here is the tank today.

Yup, an Ingo-Style Make-Over

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 76



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2007 01:27Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa


LF,

That looks really sharp! You did a really nice job with the sand.

What are your plans for plants?

Did you take the filter-out off the 29G or did you get one for this tank too?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2007 04:15Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
lotec25
-----
Small Fry
Posts: 4
Kudos: 0
Votes: 0
Registered: 25-Nov-2007
male usa
little fish,

Where do you get your plants? I am looking for the Bolbitis fern but cant seam to find it online. Not sure if my LFS has it or not so i will have to check.
Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2007 05:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Brengun
 
********
----------
Big Fish
Posts: 355
Kudos: 187
Votes: 110
Registered: 22-Jun-2007
female australia au-queensland
I do like the new look. Do you ever get memorseful after such a change? Even when I give my plants a little trim down and thin out I wonder if I've done the right thing.
I definitely love the new look though.
Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2007 08:38Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
**********
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 5108
Kudos: 5263
Votes: 1690
Registered: 28-Dec-2002
male usa us-colorado
Wow, what a change. Now that the plants are really
thinned out, the two vertical rocks remind me of Easter
Island statues, and I'm not sure they "fit" in the new
scape. Maybe if partially obscured by plants again they
will look more like they "belong."

Great Tank!
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2007 09:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo, Unbelieveable !!!!!!!!!, Stunning ( Again! ), Brillant , Wonderful, Spectacular ....hmmm can't think of any other superlatives Great look etc perhaps you could find the time to describe the plants and give us a closer look ?


Garry
Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2007 11:35Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 77

Thanks all for the input, much appreciated. Some answers:

Wings - Plants are HC and maybe some larger plants (Blyxa and such) within the rock groups. There is further also only the outflow of the CalAqua glass ware in this tank (for now).

lotec25 - I got my Bolbitis at the LFS, it was rather small (see much earlier entries in this log). Sometimes I buy plants online (not in quite a while) but most of the time I trade them in my local club (see signature)

Brengun - I have done so many make-overs that I am over feeling remorse for a previous scape, even if that one was maybe better. What is done is done and always worth the learning

Countryfish - Thanks, but you are way way way too kind. Granted, I like the look too, but it is just my first attempt at this kind of scape (ok, the second if you count my mess in the 20G, LOL). Plants - well only HC for now.

Frank - Frank, Frank, Frank!!! I have to say that it is obvious that you didn't get it . It's an Iwagumi. There will be no plants on the left and right when all is said and done. They are only here to help the tank to settle. The rocks will be fully exposed when all is settled.

This few from the backside during the setup a week ago may give you some idea:

Attached Image:

Last Week - Back Side



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:00Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Anyway, here is a shot of the full tank from this weekend. The plants seem to grow just fine.

There have been 3 water changes during this week, each with at least 50% water replacement.

Attached Image:

Tank This Weekend



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:04Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here are some impressions:

The diffuser, LOL. Ok, it is not all that pretty, but I point it out as it is going with about 5bps, a lot for the 40G, but with no fish etc I can blast that baby.

Attached Image:

Diffuser



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And as a result, with even only 8 hours of light on the tank the HC is bubbling (on not water change days, on the water change days the tank is bubbles in itself).

Attached Image:

HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:07Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Another look at the HC pearling, I promise I will not repeat this every weekend though, LOL. I didn't have too many floaters of HC yet, maybe two or three after the water changes.

Attached Image:

More HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Last shot, the center area of the tank, having the HC growing on both sides.

Although I cannot be certain, it seems to settle nicely.

That's it,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Center



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
**********
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 5108
Kudos: 5263
Votes: 1690
Registered: 28-Dec-2002
male usa us-colorado
AH!
That answers it... Iwg who?
I keep forgetting that you are an avid proponent of
the "Nature Aquarium" vs the "Dutch."

Seriously, it's a beautiful tank, and my sincere complements.


Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 18:52Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Now that's a tank where the HC works wonderfully. Very nice rock work as well.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 19:24Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
clownloachfan
*********
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 660
Kudos: 850
Votes: 115
Registered: 10-Oct-2003
male usa us-pennsylvania
Nice change in the tank style. You will have a nice grove of hc once it grows out.
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 22:10Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
lotec25
-----
Small Fry
Posts: 4
Kudos: 0
Votes: 0
Registered: 25-Nov-2007
male usa
I have been checking my LFS for the Bolbitis but no one has it, still looking.

Tank looks good LIttle_Fish, Keep it up
Post InfoPosted 02-Dec-2007 23:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
catdancer
*********
----------
Big Fish
Mad Scientist
Posts: 471
Kudos: 138
Votes: 13
Registered: 15-Apr-2007
female usa us-massachusetts
EditedEdited by catdancer
Such neat arrangement of the border stones Whom are you trying to prevent from trespassing?
Post InfoPosted 03-Dec-2007 04:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo ,
Thanks, but you are way way way too kind

I don't think so , your an inspiration to us planted types here at FP . Well done mate . I never liked the black rock look before but this tank combines my favourite thing (River ) with the rock work and beaches leading to the river very very well . If the HC works for you this time then the Black rocks and the river are going to look fantastic .
Thanks for showing some more closeups Btw . Can't wait to see this tank develop . Are you going to put fish in or are you going to get the scape spot on first .

Anyway well done and keep those closeups coming .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 05-Dec-2007 04:02Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
LF,

Is the HC what you had from the last scape or did you get another batch? It looks like you have quite a bit more than you did before.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 05-Dec-2007 13:45Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Gang,

Frank - Thank you!

Tetratech - Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

clownloachfan - Thank you as well!

lotec25 - Thanks, and with regards to the Bolbitis, try to ask the LFS if they place custom orders, maybe you get lucky.

catdancer - LOL, neat is the right word, and I promise it will not stay like that. But for the time being it appears to be a proper physical divide to assure that the individual substrates stay on their respective sides. I was toying with having shrimpsters in the tank that could mess up the substrates, but others have already assured me that my border will not help there either.

Countryfish - Thank you again for your kind compliments. The rock is actually not black at all as you will see in a little series of close-ups that will follow this entry (based on your request ). Someday there will be animals in the tank (besides the all-present snails anyway), but I will have to wait out the "wild" phase of the tank in order not to jeopardise the critters.

Wings - well observed, there is about twice as much HC in the tank than what I had in there before. I purchased the second batch at an auction held right during a Jeff Senske presentation in PA last month.

End of Entries, Onto Pictures


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Dec-2007 15:34Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
These shots were taken on Monday.

As you all might know, this is a walk-around tank with no closed side.

Here is an angled shot from the lesser seen long side:

Attached Image:

Back



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Dec-2007 15:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is a similar shot from the main viewing area, the one I usually use for my weekly update pictures.

Attached Image:

Front



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Dec-2007 15:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
A closer look at some of the HC, which btw is so far growing in nicely. I can see runners already, one has even breached the rock wall to the beach, LOL.

Attached Image:

HC



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Dec-2007 15:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here is a look at one of the two rock areas, from the back side of the tank. I selected this side as it is currently allowing the best view up the slope into the rock group, showing the difference in height of the substrate.

Attached Image:

Rock I



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Dec-2007 15:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Last, but not least, here is a look from the same back side at the other rock group, not as high as the previous one.

That's it for now, back to work,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Ingo



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 06-Dec-2007 15:46Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Wings - well observed, there is about twice as much HC in the tank than what I had in there before. I purchased the second batch at an auction held right during a Jeff Senske presentation in PA last month.
I guess my eye is still working well! Very nice shots. It looks like the HC is thickening up quite a bit even if you did get a second batch.

According do the latest couple of TFH, you need to get some HC up on the slopes.

How was the presentation? Learn anything fun and exciting?

If you haven't looked yet I added some pictures to my 55G log.

Some time down the road I want to plant my 20 long in this style but we don't quite have the cash flow right now.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 07-Dec-2007 01:11Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
clownloachfan
*********
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 660
Kudos: 850
Votes: 115
Registered: 10-Oct-2003
male usa us-pennsylvania
nice, looks like the hc is starting to fill in for you./:'
Post InfoPosted 08-Dec-2007 06:45Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 78

The tank has seen 3 water changes this week, the same than last week. Growth of the growout plants is fine, I had to give it a major trim to avoid shading of the HC and stagnation of surface agitation.

Here is the tank in its standard view:

Attached Image:

Week 78



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 09-Dec-2007 16:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Here is a look in an angle that reveals the "not-so-great" issue that I have right now, check out the sand.

I also had some green spots on the glass, in particular in the area where the sand is and other lower open spots. When scraping that off I noticed it comes off easily in a slimy layer, making me believe it is Green Slime Algae, and that would be the one on the sand as well.

Oh well, whatever

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Angle



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 09-Dec-2007 16:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
clownloachfan
*********
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 660
Kudos: 850
Votes: 115
Registered: 10-Oct-2003
male usa us-pennsylvania
nice, i forgot to ask you earlier, what kind of rocks are those? Do they raise the hardness?
Post InfoPosted 09-Dec-2007 19:50Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Green Slime Algae
Sounds like a job for some otos

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 10-Dec-2007 00:45Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
BTW your HC is really starting to look nice. Without Bob and the NL java fern it gets the light it needs.

How has your dosing been with this tank and low plant mass?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 10-Dec-2007 23:29Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Ah! someone has got to keep me informed . I missed the makeover. I study for a few finals and look what happens.

Well I really like it LF. Way to utilize the 360ness factor. I bet that looks outstanding when you are walking around it. /:'



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 12-Dec-2007 22:57Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo , Love the shots from above , they give a very clear idea of the layout . Well done .
I agree with Matty , the design of the scape really emphasises the all around views of
this tank .
Green slime is a bit of a bummer but I'm sure you will handle it !
Thanks for the close ups btw , the rocks look to have a silver/ black thing going on
which didn't show up as well from a distance . Visually stunning though ...excellent choice
How long do you plan to leave the other plants in there ? Is it a HC growth thing , or do
you have a time frame in mind?

Garry
Post InfoPosted 13-Dec-2007 01:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 79 and 80

Got a little busy in life again, so here is a 2 week update and answers to your questions. BTW, thank you all for the input.

In order:

clownloachfan - The rocks are either blue or black granit, the verdict is still out. In each case they do not raise hardness.

Wings - Yes, sounds like a job for Otos, but they may be too big for this tank . I will take my time before deciding on animal life.
I also do not dose anything in this tank yet, maybe in a few weeks I may add some micros and some P, but I will see how all grows before deciding on anything.

Matty - Thanks for the input, glad you like it so far.

Garry - I don't have a specific time frame in mind for how long the fast growers will stay in there, it all depends on how fast the tank will settle and become more stable. I still do 3 50% water changes each week to keep it stable.

Here is a look at the tank from last week:

Attached Image:

Week 79



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Dec-2007 15:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
The last two weeks have seen some trimming of the Rotala, Wisteria, and the Pennywort. In addition, the green stuff has spread to the tops of the rocks, but I am not too concerned about it yet as it does not seem to spread onto plants. I will see what it does in the future before I consider removal.

Well, here is the tank this weekend, otherwise - Have Fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 80



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Dec-2007 15:28Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
GobyFan2007
*****
----------
Fish Addict
Posts: 615
Kudos: 363
Votes: 65
Registered: 03-Feb-2007
male usa
EditedEdited by GobyFan2007
I might not have read it in previous posts, but i was wondering if no background was what you wanted? IMO, i think that a nice fading BG would make the path look better.

My Favorite shot, i would have to agree with Garry on this one. I love the top, as the rounded lily looking things are really beautiful. The only thing that i can say is the bubbles stuck on the glass. Its kind of distracting in a straight layer, and IMO it would look "Cleaner" with out them. In my tank, they are caused by filter blowing currents against my glass, carrying little microbubbles into/onto the glass.

Great Job!!!!

EDIT: Im sorry, i missed the fact that this is a 360 view tank. My bad...I guess you dont need a BG then...

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----
Post InfoPosted 24-Dec-2007 22:09Profile Homepage AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Updates - Week 81 and 82

GobyFan - What you call bubbles stuck on the glass is most likely CO2 being pushed through the tank, although some shots (but not the last 2) may have been taken right after a water change when loads of bubbles are all over the place, including the glass.

Last week saw some of the usual trimming and nothing else.

Here is the shot:

Attached Image:

Week 81



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 07-Jan-2008 02:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
This week saw a little more action, mostly the removal of about 1 quarter of the fastgrowers in the left forward corner. Sure not because they were not growing but to start the transition into the Iwagumi that it is supposed to become.

Here is the shot:

Attached Image:

Week 82



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 07-Jan-2008 02:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
By accident I made a shot with one of the pre-set settings on the camera, I think it was flower or head (closeup or portrait). It shows the tank in different colors.

Here it is,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Other Settings



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 07-Jan-2008 02:13Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
I am way impressed with the growth of your HC. It is filling it extremely well!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 07-Jan-2008 13:42Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
EditedEdited by countryfish
Ingo , I see the Algae has gone from the river , but it appears to be still on the rocks ....spoils the look a bit .
HC is developing really well considering the way it was before. You have gotta be happy with that !

Are you only going to have the HC once the tank settles or are you going to have a second plant around the rocks ?

Garry
Post InfoPosted 08-Jan-2008 05:40Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Updates - Weeks 83 and 84

The week 83 saw some minor removal and trimming of the fast growers, with minor extensions of the HC. Growth is still fine.

Wings and Garry, thanks for the input. The algae, or greenish brownish film on the rocks, does not bother me at all, makes it look more natural. Well, as long as it does not spread that is

Here is the tank, false colors again:

Attached Image:

Week 83



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 21-Jan-2008 01:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is the tank this week, quite some removal of fast growers and spreading of the HC has happened, not hard to see the difference. I did this in two stages, spread out by 4 days each since the previous trim.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 84



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 21-Jan-2008 01:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo ...So just HC then ? the growth of the HC is amazing. Like the look without the fast growers .

Can we see the shot from above again ..from the front it looks like the HC is overgrowing the river .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 21-Jan-2008 02:24Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Wow, the HC is out of control. Nice progress LF.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 21-Jan-2008 16:27Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
ScottF
********
---------------
Fish Addict
Addiction Hurts!!
Posts: 542
Kudos: 330
Votes: 355
Registered: 28-May-2007
male usa
pretty amazing looking setup! I cannot get over the transformation that takes palce, looks like you have a green thumb for sure.

I came very late to the party... what sort of stocking will you have (fish, that is) and what size tank is this? I love the granite and the black sand against the vibrant green of the plants... awesome stuff!
Post InfoPosted 21-Jan-2008 17:13Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Updates - Week 85 and 86

Thanks for the input, here are my comments:

Garry - for the time being it will be HC only (once the rotala on the left is gone), I haven't made my mind up yet on what to do with the rock groups in regards of plants. Other angles will follow sometime soon .

Matty - thanks, yeah - the HC is in serious need of a trim.

ScottF - Thanks for the comments. I don't know what live stocking will get in here, I am not in a rush. Something small though, that is for sure. The tank size is mentioned in the thread title, a 40G Breeder. There is no black sand in the tank, just white sand. The black is the ADA AquaSoil substrate.

Well, I decided to give the tank a rest after removing the whole right group 2 weeks back, so no changes last week. Here is the tank, in wrong colors again:

Attached Image:

Week 85



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 04-Feb-2008 01:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
I helpded the tank along by blasting the CO2 after the change, I would say something like 5bps.

I did no changes this weekend either, no time available, except for the water change on Thursday.

Here is the tank this weekend,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 86



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 04-Feb-2008 01:08Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Wow, look at that HC go. Impressive growth indeed. Are you going to let the "river" disappear from sight completely?

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 13-Feb-2008 14:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
LF

Just caught up on your changes which are very impressive indeed. I like the new look of the scape. Are you going to remove the other fast grower eventually thats on the leftside also???

I also have another question, I noticed on one of the pics you took from above that you had no cover on the tank at all. What are reasons behing not having a glass canopy. Does this increase the light into the tank? How much water loss do you have from this?

Thanks

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 16-Feb-2008 22:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Weeks 87 and 88

Robyn and Shane, thanks for the input. Some of your questions will be answered in this update, so no mentioning of the solutions in this paragraph. Shane, yes, open top is more light, just think about condensation on the glass and the light needing to break through to even reach the tank water. Water loss is about 2 inches per week this time of the year, when all is very dry.

On to last week's update:

The tank had to have a major trim to avoid a die-off of lower HC layers and to maintain the river
It took quite a while to give all the HC a hair cut, and just as long to fish out all the loose pieces afterwards.

Eventually it was all done and here is the result:

Attached Image:

Week 87



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 18-Feb-2008 15:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
This week it was time to remove the last remaining fast growers

That created quite a mess in the tank, the root system development in the AquaSoil was excellent and the rotala held on like it knew what was coming, LOL.

Anyway, after a major water change things cleared up and that is how the tank looks now:

That's it,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 88



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 18-Feb-2008 15:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
looks awesome. I can't wait until you get some time for detailed shots of your tanks.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 18-Feb-2008 17:31Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
LF

I think you have told me this before but i dont remember. I see the diffuser on the right side which is for the CO2, but what is the other glass peice for as I was under the impression that was for the CO2 also as it kept the CO2 in the water longer to dissipate.

Thanks

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 18-Feb-2008 19:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks guys for the input,

Here is a new angled shot, for Matty

fishmonster - the big glass orb is the outflow for the filter

Ingo

Attached Image:

Angled



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2008 01:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
**********
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
Tenellus Obsessor
Posts: 2790
Kudos: 1507
Votes: 1301
Registered: 26-Mar-2004
male usa us-northcarolina
Woohoo!

That shot really shows off the tank well, IMO.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2008 03:49Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
brandeeno
 
-----
Mega Fish
Posts: 929
Kudos: 636
Registered: 13-Sep-2007
male usa us-california
great looking tank, and i love the meadow with a trail look!

IMo it needs a "tree" like plant to break up the meadow on one side...

i think it look almost unreal though! like it isnt a real aquarium!

are you ever gonna have a permanent livestock in there that consists of something from the animal kingdom? or will it stay a planted tank and that is it?

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"
Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2008 07:15Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
EditedEdited by TW
That looks so nice & healthy, but IMO, what you need to add next are some nice little fishies to break it up Cardinals would look great & aren't so tough. I think you said in one of your other logs that Cardinals are sensitive & would mean extra work (or something like that). I have a whole bunch of them in with my discus. Maintenance routine didn't change at after I added them. 50% weekly, like always.

Your HC has done so well in there

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2008 08:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Really nice work LF! I think this tank is crying to have some high grade shrimp in it. Just a very cool progression.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2008 13:16Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo ...without a doubt this is some of your best work ...Absoultely stunning . The Top shot is a beauty .

So what now ..a couple of centre piece fishies or a single school of a small tetra ???????


Garry
Post InfoPosted 20-Feb-2008 14:28Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks folks for the input and overall positive comments!

With regards to accent fish, critters, and plants:

Patience, young grasshoppers

I am in no rush, just some things are for sure:

Any fish or critter that will enter this tank has to accomodate the scape. As such, anything around 2 inches in lenght is too big, and that would include Cardinals (not to mention that they need hiding places to feel secure, and this tank has none).

Eventually, fish will enter the tank, even if only to show its true size as such a scape could be done in a 2.5G as well, but with fish one will be able to see that we have a rather large Iwagumi here.

Accent plants are already in my mind, but mostly to be used inn the openings between the rocks in the individual rock groups, not on the "plain".

The HC will at some point, rather sooner than later, require a replant as constant hair cuts are not really the best one can do. So I busy myself now with thinking up how I would approach this, like:

Section by Section
Half the tank at once
All the tank at once

You get the idea!

Thanks for the input again,

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 20-Feb-2008 16:10Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
resle
**********
-----
Enthusiast
Posts: 273
Kudos: 112
Votes: 14
Registered: 09-Oct-2004
male usa
EditedEdited by resle
i think an unusual and stunning tank requires an unusual and stunning inhabitant. a bunch of bumblebee gobies would add to the appeal definatly!
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 01:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Patience, young grasshoppers
Was it Ben that used to say that?

Accent plants are already in my mind, but mostly to be used inn the openings between the rocks in the individual rock groups, not on the "plain".
Good thinking there. It will give the scape a little bit more height.

The HC will at some point, rather sooner than later, require a replant as constant hair cuts are not really the best one can do. So I busy myself now with thinking up how I would approach this, like:
I would vote half and half as it probably wont kill you by doing the whole thing at once and it will also keep some plant mass in the tank.

I am guessing that this will need to take place soon as the HC looks like it's getting rather thick.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 02:27Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
brandeeno
 
-----
Mega Fish
Posts: 929
Kudos: 636
Registered: 13-Sep-2007
male usa us-california
lol i figured the rock groups would be the future homes for some plants... and i wast thinking maybe some anubias or some jave fern for said places.

good luck it the replant of the HC, that will be a booger.

and wings mr. miagi from the karate kid used patience young grasshopper(s).

when you say ben i assume you mean obi-wan kenobi from starwars...
unless there is a member named ben i haven't met that used to say that

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 04:24Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Wings ...I think you are right . brandeeno ..you need to read back in Ingos logs .

Ingo ... Has anyone heard from Ben.. I always enjoyed his entries in yours and Tetras logs


Garry
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 11:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
It has been a really long time since I have heard or seen anything from him or tetra.

As with anything time changes thing... Now we have some new members to pick on and the old ones do something else.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 13:20Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks guys,

Here are some comments:

resle: I don't think a fish that requires mostly live or frozen food, that appreciates a ph above 7 (mine may be around 6.2, not tested though), and is timid is the right species for this tank. But it is a pretty one

Wings: I will talk to the guys in the club that have done it before. Obviously I will wait until after the next NJAGC meeting anyway. And the height of the HC is currently way over 2 inches meaning way too tall (full).
And yes, that's him, the Grand Master.

brandeeno: A Fern would be way too massive, leaf by leaf. The key is small leaved plants to keep the tank larger than life. As such, the only Anubias that would be an option would be petite, but it does not generate any height. As such, a no go.

Garry: You get an A+ for doing your homework

Wings again: Last time I "spoke" with Bensaf was about 6 months ago, and with tetratech maybe 6 weeks ago.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 15:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
Really nice!

To trim the HC I would remove small patches a few weeks apart. You then replant stems in the small patch areas and they will start to regrow and then you start removing other small patches. This way you won't ruin the entire look. It will take a steady and patient hand, but if your midi-chlorians are as high as I think Skywalker, you shouldn't have a problem.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 21-Feb-2008 17:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
Speaking of tetra! He drops in. Maybe I will have to mention him in my thread... = )

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 25-Feb-2008 23:46Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Ingo

Im liking the changes mate. Looking good. I know I have to wait on the inhabitants but im impatiant....

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 27-Feb-2008 08:02Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Updates - Weeks 89 and 90

Thank you so much for your input, in particular tetratech's participation is appreciated

Removing small patches of HC and then waiting a few weeks before doing the next one is probably not going to work. If I were to divide the tank into 8 segments (and they would be rather large patches) and wait 3 weeks between removals, I would spent about half a year on one go-around. Yet, within 3 months, the tank is out of control easily.

Anyway, last weekend did not see any changes at all, just your standard EI maintenance and letting the grass (figuratively speaking) grow.

Here is the tank last week:

Attached Image:

Week 89



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Mar-2008 02:40Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And this weekend has seem some trimming again, the last one I can afford before the replanting has to start. I probably should have replanted already but I don't want to ruin the scape before the next NJAGC meeting in two weeks.

I also added some, hm, goodies to the tank, I am just not yet settled on the location.

Here is the tank this week:

Attached Image:

Week 90



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Mar-2008 02:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Placing then new diffuser is a hassle as I try to get all dispersion from the flow in the water only, not needing the power head anymore. I currently don't see a good spot for it anywhere, but I will find something

Here is a shot showing the "utilities" side of the tank, giving you a better idea of what I am talking about. New are the Cal Aqua intake and the Pollen Glass diffuser.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Goodies



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 03-Mar-2008 02:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo ...seems such a shame to uproot the plant when you have got it looking so fantastic . Is there no other way ????


Garry
Post InfoPosted 03-Mar-2008 12:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fishmonster
*******
----------
Big Fish
Oh My Heck!
Posts: 329
Kudos: 88
Votes: 73
Registered: 11-Apr-2007
male usa
Ingo I do love this tank.

Its got style but it seems bare to me.... I love your scapes mate, you always seem to impress. Keep it up. Im not understanding what you are talking about with the diffuser tho



Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html
Post InfoPosted 04-Mar-2008 07:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
EditedEdited by tetratech
Oh, I had forgotten. Exact words Ingo. When I meant small sections you took my words very literally. I meant you can pull out small sections and replant, small sections replant. I mean sure some of the areas might get too tall but at least when you pull them out your not at ground zero, since the other sections would have started to grow already and your closer to having a lawn again. BTW I still can't get over people's obssession with flow and powerheads. I think it's BS. I have a 3 foot tank with a little Eheim 2213 I can clearly see the bubbles from my diffusor that are positioned right under my lily pipe making it all the way to the other side before surfacing. I can also see the hairgrass swaying in the current. Why would I need more flow than that.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 04-Mar-2008 11:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Looking great Ingo

I'm with Garry - is there no other way, other than to replant the HC. I know trimming in the tank is messy & you have to net it out, but if that way is doable, a lazy bones like me would prefer it.

So, other than the mess, is there a problem with trimming in the tank?

I ask because I'll be using HC in my new tank. You might remember I have it growing in the waterless tank atm.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 04-Mar-2008 13:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Updates - Weeks 91 and 92

Gang, not much time here, so just to answer the questions quickly:

Garry - Nah, over time there is no other way
Shane - The diffuser needs to be in a place where the water can swush the CO2 bubbles around the tank, and not where it lets it get to the surface right away, and as such wasted
Tetratech - Nah, when placing it under the pipe outlet it sits in the tank, like in the picture below. I will continue to play with it. HC replanting will start within a week or two
Robyn - HC needs to be replanted from time to time, no other way. And it sure makes a huge mess, keep the filters turned off even during trimming so as much as possible floats right up rather than gunk up all the other plants.

Here is the tank last weekend

Attached Image:

Week 91



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Mar-2008 01:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And no changes have been made for this weekend either, just some cleaning to have it shiny for yesterday's NJAGC meeting at my place.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 92



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 17-Mar-2008 01:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Weekly Tank Update - Week 93

Well, this week saw the beginning of the replant of the HC. I took out maybe somewhere between a fourth to a fifth of the overall plant mass, cleaned the tank, replanted the tops, and did another water change. 3 HOURS LATER, I was done. That is painful

Here is the normal shot of the tank after all was done:

Attached Image:

Week 93



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Mar-2008 00:31Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
And here is an angled look to show the changed section a little better. BTW, the rocks that you see in the newly planted section have not been there before, and neither was the edge to the sand river that dominant. I am using this chance to play a little with the hardscape as well.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Angled



Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Mar-2008 00:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
I like the more defined edged between sand & island now. IMO looks a lot better. Thanks for the HC information. Seems now it may not be plant for me, after all. I have a whole heap of it cultivating in my waterless tank, ready for the 7ft tank, but I thought I had picked a low growing, easy maintenance plant. I will use it first up anyway, but when time comes for replanting, I may not have the energy for a replant.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 24-Mar-2008 02:51Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
*********
----------
Fish Guru
What is this?
Posts: 2332
Kudos: 799
Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
I am really quite amazed with the growth you have with your HC. Really thick stuff!

I like the new rocks added in on the replant though I think you will have to keep at the trimming to keep them visible.

Overall you have done a really great job with this tank. It has been a ton of fun to watch.

Do you have any plans to add other plants around the rocks? Maybe some downi?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Post InfoPosted 24-Mar-2008 13:25Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
**********
---------------
----------
***** Little Fish *****
Master of Something
Posts: 7303
Kudos: 1997
Votes: 670
Registered: 20-May-2005
male usa
Thanks for the comments, Robyn and Wings!

Yeah, all plants need trimming, no matter how slow they grow Except the ones that die of course, LOL.

No manifested plans for a second plant species yet, Wings.

Ingo


Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Post InfoPosted 24-Mar-2008 14:55Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
----------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4241
Kudos: 1074
Registered: 04-Nov-2003
male usa
I think the new rocks add more interest. I have to say this is your best yet. Many times less is more....

And kudos for the replant. Whenever I've replanted HC I've always done it pretty much stem by stem, it's difficult to replant larger groups, but it looks like you've done it and the tank doesn't look recently redone.



My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 24-Mar-2008 19:38Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
----------
Fish Master
* * *Fish Slave* * *
Posts: 1947
Kudos: 278
Votes: 338
Registered: 14-Jan-2006
female australia au-newsouthwales
Yeah, all plants need trimming, no matter how slow they grow
Thanks Ingo, it's not the trimming I object to, it's the fiddly replanting of a plant such as HC. It just doesn't sound like something I have time for, or want to have time for. I will probably use it first up (as I have it anyway) but will decide whether to ditch it when the time comes for replanting.

Have to admit, it looks great in your setup. Congratulations on the patience & perseverance to have replanted it all.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2008 13:19Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Countryfish
**********
----------
Fish Addict
Da...Dum .. Da...Dum
Posts: 645
Kudos: 83
Votes: 242
Registered: 16-May-2007
male australia
Ingo ... You amaze me with your patience ...and I agree with Tetra ...It dosen't look replanted . Well done .

I like the new rocks in the body of the plants ...but I must disagree with the others on the river border ...I always though that the no border look was one of the special things about this scape ...and you have reinforced that view for me .

Still a stunning scape of course ... and it might just benefit from one other plant behind some of the rocks .

Garry
Post InfoPosted 25-Apr-2008 12:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
# Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
Post Reply  New Topic
Jump to: 

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

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies