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Nice progress.

I am about to start adding more plants to my tank, currently have java ferns and melon swords.

I am going to add the following:
1 Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus) - for the side or background

2 Anubias nana - to place on my Lava rock and possibly 1 in the forground

5 Chain Swords (Echinodorus tennellus) - for the foreground. Looks like these plants grow rather quickly judging by your day 5/9 photo.

3 Pink Baby Tears (Rotala rotundifolia) - for the background. I was going to get Corkscrew Val but changed my mind.

I just re-organised my tank as I have alot of Lava Rock so can't wait to get some new plants.

Thanks for your progress matt.

Could u please tell me all the names of the plants in ur tank and there characteristics <---if that's how u spell it! like caring for them, how large they grow, fish eat them?? etc....

Alex - I'll try to blend them a little. I was going to, but I haven't been able to get any good clippings of the rotala yet due some algae at the surface which formed after I moved, but it seems to have almost completely cleared up now that it's been stable for a month.

Opiate - Thanks! As far as I know those plants should be available in Aus. but I'm definitely not knowledgeable about the goings on of import/export stuff in Aus. - you might want to order online if you can't find them at an lfs.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Dude, that is absolutely unreal...!!! are those plants all available in Australia?? i dont recall ever seeing them in the lfs

I love it but it would be better if you made the rotala blend in with the aquascape at the moment it stands out like a sore thumb. Id spread it out more so it ends up basically merging with the hydro

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Please excuse the flying reactor in the last post, it's the only place it will fit right now.

Here are some pics of the new plants:

L. Repens


Bacopa


Java fern


C. Balansae

[/font][/font][/font][/font]

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 176: June 25

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5-10 ppm
PO4 - .5 ppm
pH - 6.7 ppm
KH - 4 degrees

Derived CO2 - 24 ppm

Changes made:
I made a few changes to the aquascape and added four new plants; java fern on the driftwood, bacopa and L. repens in the back right corner, and c balansae in the front left corner. I also moved the anubias nana in fron of the driftwood.

Observations:
The pH stayed high (~6.8 - 7.0) until I refreshed a yeast mixture two days ago. The pH seemed to drop to 6.6 within about a day. I can already see some new growth in the L. Repens, though I only got it yesterday.

Pic:


mattyboombatty attached this image:

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 167: June 16 <---I think I counted the days right

Well it's been QUITE some time since I updated this thread(I broke my ankle the very night of my last post), but I'm planning on a few changes to the tank, and I'm still looking for advice [link=here]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/60669.html?200506161509 " style="COLOR: #FFFF00[/link] if you would like to help .


Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 10 ppm
PO4 - .5 ppm
pH - 7.4 ppm
KH - 3 degrees

Derived CO2 - 3.6 ppm

Changes made:
Did a water change today, dosed kno3 due a 100% waterchange on move day two weeks ago. Also, I started regular dosing of ferts on a weekly basis. Haven't noticed much change in the plants, but there hasn't been an outbreak of algea either, so all is good. Cleaned out a bunch of the e. tenellus as it was choking it's own growth. Last post I added the hygro that is still doing well. I moved the anubias nana to the front right, but might move it again. I also moved the crypt wendtii to the front right, which got a little cut out of the pic.

Observations:
The pH is really high due to a massive clean out of the reactor, hopefully that is the only reason. The plants still seem to be growing rapidly, so the pH should bounce back soon. The KH seems a bit lower than it was at my old apartment, and I may have to add some crushed coral to the filter to avoid a crash.

Pic:


mattyboombatty attached this image:

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

how bigz the tank

nice tank

Nice looking tank, good progression. Especially those chain swords!

Just wondering if you're planning on letting them take over the whole front of the tank? Or should I say not planning on stopping them?
It's a shame we can't see more of the crypts, hopefully they'll keep growing at that rate so they're more visible for the next pic.

Tank's gonna be sweet when everything fills in. Good Job

Day 49: Feb 18

All readings from one day after the water change.

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 10 ppm
PO4 - 1.0 ppm
pH - 6.8 ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 24 ppm

Changes made:
Another water change. Trimmed the rotala and replanted it in groups of 2. Took out the wisteria that wasn't doing anything and the myriophilia that was rotting. I bought some green hygro to put in the place of the myriophilia, thinking that it is a hardier plant, and one that I can handle. I like the look of leafy plants better anyhow and was going to buy green hygro when I set up the tank, but the lfs didn't have any. I really simplified the tank, which I think will be better in the long run. I also brought the pH down to 6.8 as Planbrain suggested. Started adding a potassium supplement along with occasional trace dosing.

Observations:
The phosphate and nitrate rose pretty quickly with the removal of the other plants. I'm hoping that the other plants will help catch up. Or I may have to start doing Biweekly water changes. Green wendtii exploded this week, it's looking really good. I'll try to get a pic in later today, because my batteries died when I was taking full tank shots.


Plantbrain - I dropped the pH down to 6.8, we'll see how that goes. Also added some K supplements as I don't really need to add any nitrate or phosphate yet, due to phosphate in my tap and plenty of waste from my angels.

tetratech - The angels don't do any harm to the plants, but my bristlenose has been terrorizing everything but the stem plants. I'm thinking of moving him/her to another tank(If I can catch it).

Here's a Pic:

mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:17[/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 03-Oct-2005 21:51

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

looking good, please keep up with the pic updates. I'm interested in how your lawn fills in.

Nice tank,

I noticed you have similiar fish to me. Angels, rams, cards.
Are the angels doing any plant damage.

Does anyone know if you could grow Sagittaria Patyphylla
at 2wpg and no C02.

My Scapes

Trim the stem plants on the left side and replant the tops, spread them out a bit and keep them trimmed/groomed. You can top the Myriophyllum and it will branch out and replant the top to add more density.

I'd trim off the old leaves of the chain sword as the new ones grow in with scissors.
You will want to ainm for a CO2 of 6.8/KH 5, 15ppm is okay but your tank will do better with more, 20-30ppm is a better range.

Doesn't matter what light level you are at. This will help the tank keep the algae away more than 15ppm.

Also, you will want to add some KNO3/KH2PO4/traces more as the tank grows in.

These things will keep the tank at optimal conditions for a long peroid of time.

Another things.........larger water changes......
50% is good, you said it yourself, the plants liked the water change, tap has good CO2 levels. This will help the plants especially if you add the nutrients back afterwards.


Regards,
Tom Barr

LM -

The Angels finally left the corner!

I had wondered if anyone else had noticed that! It's weird because they are never over there normally. They like to hang out around the taller plants.


The Chain swords are really taking off, even the driftwood barrier couldn't stop them. Oh well, It's rare for me to find plants that really grow well in my tank, so it's definitely a good thing.

Also, though not noticeable, the wendtii in the back behind the driftwood is really growing, even though I cut off ALL their leaves.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 12-Feb-2005 23:18

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

The Angels finally left the corner!


It's growing in nicely, particularly the chain swords.

Last edited by LittleMousling at 11-Feb-2005 15:43

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

Day 42: Feb 11

All readings from after the water change.

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5-10ppm
PO4 - .2ppm
pH - 7.0 ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 15ppm

Observations:
Much pearling after water change. Stem plants rotting at base, but still growing. Might have planted too many together in a bunch.


Changes made:
Another water change. Lots of trimmings.

mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:15[/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 03-Oct-2005 21:50

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 34: Feb 3

Well it's been quite a while, so I thought I'd update.

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5ppm
PO4 - .5ppm
pH - 7.0 ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 15ppm

Observations:
Noticed a little bit of algea forming on the front glass and the leaves. I think the algae on the leaves forms from settled dust from the substrate. I've just been busy with class to keep going in there and wiping it off. Plant growth has slowed somewhat, maybe due to them running out of their natural stores. I'm thinking that I may start dosing some ferts to keep it up, since everything else has stayed the same. It could be that the plants are still getting settled into my tank conditions:light, CO2 levels....etc. (transition time). On the bright side, my anubias nana has put out a flower yay !


Changes made:
Water change day, some trimmings

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

My Pleco does the same thing, but the sword grows faster that what he can handle in fact I stopped when I started feeding him algae wafers.

Good news about the crypts! that I one of the few plants that still keeps surprising me, it has like a mind of it's own! mine sometimes grow like crazy and then they stun for a while, it's very weird, I'm not sure I haven't had them long enough to know enough, but they have strange behavior.

What they do well is sprout once they are moved or pruned, so that's good news!

Keep us posted

Thanks falstaf! Sorry for the delay on the reply I didn't think anyone was still reading this thread....

I haven't done any trimming on good growth yet(just dead stuff), I just wanted everything to get settled in. I definitely will have to trim it back over by the "high light" section of the tank (the far left).

As for the sword, it's getting chewed up. You can see in the last picture with the leaf that's just a couple inches off the gravel. I'm not sure it's going to make it to be a backround plant. I'm not sure what else I can do than to feed the zucchini and algae wafers to my pleco. He just likes the taste of the sword.

The best news is that the wendtii is starting to show some growth again, after the heavy pruning I did, I wasn't sure they would come back. I cut one down to the base without any leaves left because it all had algae on it. I planted it just to see if it would grow, and sure enough, there are about 7 leaves popping out that are about the size of my pinky fingernail. Cute little leaves.

matt

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 03-Oct-2005 21:49

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi Matt!

Good job! looks very good, the Sword is also looking better, and i think it won't be long till you are going to be forced to make it a background plant, they can get quite big.

The myrophilum is also looking great, and a lot of growth., maybe you want to prune the tops and replant it so you have even growth.

Day 13 pic:

mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:13[/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 03-Oct-2005 21:49

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 13: jan 24

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5ppm
PO4 - .5ppm
pH - 6.8 ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 24ppm

Observations:
Still no algea, more growth from all plants. The chain swords are living up to their name, as they are all giving off runners(pic included). Looks like PO4 and NO3 levels will continue to stay balanced. Rotala looks a lot healthier, with more growth since I removed the weights and thinned them out a bit.

Changes made:
Trimmed a few dead leaves from plants.

Runners:



mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:13[/font]

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 9: jan 20

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - very slight reading < 5ppm
PO4 - .25ppm
pH - 7.0ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 15ppm

Observations:
More growth since last post, no algea. Very small readings of Nitrate and PO4 since last water change. I'm thinking that I may need to dose nitrate in the future, along with possible liquid ferts, though plants show no signs of lack of health yet.

Changes made:
Moved CO2 reactor to the right side of tank so the wisteria is in more direct light. Took weights off rotala, and replanted in less dense bunches as the middle stalks were dying, showing improved root structure since I purchased them.

Pic of day 9:



mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:11[/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 03-Oct-2005 21:48

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 7: jan 18

One week and still no algea!!

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5ppm
PO4 - .5ppm
pH - 7.0ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 15ppm

Observations:
Lots of growth from stem plants since my last post. The myriophilia is really taking off and will need trimming soon, and the rotala is finally starting to grow to its potential, I believe. As for actual lengths, I'd say that the myriophilia has grown 2 inches in the last few days, but some shoots have grown even more than that. The rotala has grown almost an inch since my last post. Still no visible algea.


Changes made:
Did a 15% water change today as the plants seem to LOVE new water (the fish too!) and pearl for hours afterwards.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Day 5: jan 16

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5ppm
PO4 - .5ppm
pH - 7.0ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 15ppm

Observations:
The pleco is still chomping on the plant leaves, not sure what to do to stop him, I might have to put him into another tank. Stem plants are continuing to show some growth. No algea growth.

Changes made:
None.


Day 5 pic:

mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:11[/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 03-Oct-2005 21:47

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Bob, this was a tank that I already had planted, but was overrun wih algea despite my efforts to change that. The filter was already cycled, I just bleached out the tank due to the algea on the glass, threw out the old plants, and changed the gravel.

Fish1, the tank is a 38G with 80W of flourescent light above it. Good luck with the plant tank, I hope this helps your efforts. As for the img tags, I hosted on yahoo, and used the tags correctly, maybe yahoo doesn't work?

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Nice that looks great. To use the img tags you have to load the pic to a diffrent site. and then use [ instead of { around the img and that should do it. Great looking tank i love the angels.


==fish1[hr width='90%'][hr width='40%'][hr width='20%']

Nice cleanup, Matt. When you started the tank did you use a "seeded" filter? If not, what do you expect to see for the cycle?

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Wow the tank looks great matt. Im looking into planting my tank somewhat like yours. How big is the tank and how much watts per gallon do you have.??

==fish1
[hr width='90%'][hr width='40%'][hr width='20%']

Last edited by fish1 at 15-Jan-2005 16:21

A pic of some pearling done by the rubin sword (i had to look really closely) after the water change on day 2:



and a pic of day 3:

[img] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/mattyboombatty/Tank%20Chronology/day3.jpg [/img]

Day 4 picture will be taken tonight(dark room, bright tank) so it will be up tonight or tomorrow.

bensaf - thanks for the confidince!

bob - It's my pleasure to share my process, I'm just glad people are interested. The cloudiness was definitely due to the flourite, but thankfully it has all cleared up now.

falstaf - Thanks!, I did clean my filter cartridge every few hours the first day and once a day since, and it has cleared up nicely.

keithgh - not a problem, and also, thanks for the confidence![/font][/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 15-Jan-2005 16:17

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:10

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 16-Oct-2005 14:21

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks everybody!!

Sorry I missed a day there but here is day 4.

Day 4: jan 15

Ammonia - 0ppm
NitrIte - 0ppm
NitrAte - 5ppm
PO4 - .5ppm
pH - 7.0ppm
KH - 5 degrees

Derived CO2 - 15ppm

Observations:
Water is finally completely clear. My pleco really misses all the algea, I've been feeding him two algea wafers a day and he is still eating my plants, especially the green wendtii. The stem plants are starting to grow especially the myriophilia. No algea growth.

Changes made:
Trimmed more dead leaves from the green wendtii that my pleco is devouring. Added some driftwood and more chain swords.

I've been able to control the pH and CO2 by plugging in and unplugging my bottle at different times during the day.

This is a photo of day 2



Last edited by mattyboombatty at 02-Jul-2005 17:08[/font]

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 16-Oct-2005 14:20

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matt

Thank you for posting your tank photo. Sorry I did not answer sooner. The tank will look fantastic when it all settles down and commences to develop then take on its own style.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

When i get that kind of cloudiness, what really helps it to add some wool to the filter, and change it and rinse it every time you can, this will help get rid of the "dust".

Matt,

Thanks for posting a diary. Since you have experience, I thought that you might "lead" some of the new hobbyists through what they might expect when setting up their tank.

I think your cloudiness is due to the fluorite. I've always had a tough time getting it thoroughly rinsed. If I add water just a little too fast the cloudiness boils up. I decided that EcoComplete is a better choice for impatient people like me.

Last edited by Bob Wesolowski at 14-Jan-2005 10:42

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Matty,

Looking real good mate

Got a shape and flow that was missing before.

That rear left section will fill out in no time. The Rotala is no slouch in the growing department. In good conditions gets lots of side shoots and becomes nice and bushy.

The tank will be a beaut in a few weeks.

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

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

Thanks LF

<---definitely no aquascaping expert

Glosso won't grow in my tank....and plant's won't have much color either(remember medium light). But I like the lines you drew...it was kinda what I was thinking too. I think I'll keep that spot open in the middle like you said. Maybe I'll let the tenellus creep back through there, or let the anubias continue to grow to the front.

Overall I think there are too many too similar leafed plants in the back. How about some other leav types to break it up a little? Or some other color (I know the Ludwigia is reddish, but it doesn’t show in the pic)?

Any suggestions for medium light plants? I'm willing to give things a shot. I've tried some different things but usually don't like them or they don't grow well. Like the myriophyllum, rotala macranda...etc. I also want to keep it simple, with just a few stem plants. One more would be the most I'd want in there. If I like something though, I'd be willing to swap something else out. I guess I should just bite the bullet and get more light... then I can grow glosso and all the nice red plants.

The heater is going to be wherever I don't have plants...out in the open. Otherwise it takes up too much space, and I can't plant the tank the way I want it. I'll just take it out for pics from now on.

Anyways do you like it better than the last scape? Is it already an improvement(that I can continue to improve upon with everybody's help)? Or should I try again?

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

But is that BGA on the wisteria in that one pic, or are my eyes fooling me...

First, it's not wisteria...it's wendelov fern...or lace java fern. Second, it's a dying leaf...all my ferns always do this to me. All the leaves on the plant when bought will eventually die while new ones grow in. The old oned are usually dark, and turn black, then start to rot, while new super bright green ones grow in.

I'm not denying that I don't have a spot of algae here and there, especially after I added new flourite and it got a bit dusty, then the algae eats most of it, and eventually I'll never see the algae anymore.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Looks good Matty

But is that BGA on the wisteria in that one pic, or are my eyes fooling me...

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Back in the saddle!

Matty,

I run ONLY 65W on my 29G which is also 18" tall. You should be ok .

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Ok, I'll keep it at 3hrs and see how it goes, but 65 watts over a 38G(which is 18in tall) isn't really close to 2wpg worth of lighting, especially at the bottom. But I really don't want an algae outbreak, so better safe than sorry as you said LF.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Definitely agree with LF. Lighting IMO is the single biggest contributor to Algae. Even the smallest unmeasurable trace of nh3 will promote algae with high light. People also forget that decaying leaves, etc also produce nh3 not just fish.

My Scapes

Matty,

I would still say to start off with maybe 3 hours for the second light and to expand it slowly if no negative effects (algae) are occurring.

65W should still give you almost 2wpg, that is not bad in itself. I have 192W over 125G for most of the day, normally that would not even qualify for medium light plants. I started off with about 8 hours of double light which was way too much, and you know my algae issues. Now, for the longest, I had 3 hours and just last week expanded to 4.

Better save than sorry.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Are you ready for the additional pruning time with all the growth you will get?

I'd be surprised if I get a TON more growth, because I get a lot now, but it is always kinda scraggly. I think with the extra light, I'll have a little more growth, but the growth will be a lot fuller too. Mostly I just want my plants to finally look good(like yours).

Can you control the individual PCs separately? I would suggest to start off with maybe 3 hours for the second light and to expand it slowly if no negative effects (algae) are occurring.

Yes, they can be controlled seperately, but I will need to get a new timer. I was thinking a little more than 3 hours...maybe 5-6 because the rest of the time there is only 65 watts over the tank. What do you think?

How about a nice red plant? Rotala Macandra (wonders where he has seen that plant before – ah my tank log on page 24 ) comes to mind as I really like how red it is.

I've seen it and I love it, I'd love to get something with that much color in my tank. It's always been so green, now I have a TON of options....I'm kinda thinking about the red myriophyllum too because I know the lfs gets it in pretty frequently. And glosso too.....

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matty,

130W - how nice

Are you ready for the additional pruning time with all the growth you will get?

Can you control the individual PCs separately? I would suggest to start off with maybe 3 hours for the second light and to expand it slowly if no negative effects (algae) are occurring.

How about a nice red plant? Rotala Macandra (wonders where he has seen that plant before – ah my tank log on page 24 ) comes to mind as I really like how red it is.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Welp, here goes....

I decided to go with more lighting. One of my coworkers is moving and needs to sell their 30" dual 65W coralife lunar light fixture. This will definitely put me into the high light range. I think the lighting has been the major factor in my planting frustrations - I can't plant tightly because i have a deep tank and there's no light at the bottom, and I can't get any color. I should be getting the fixture sometime this week. So here's hoping I don't get an algae outbreak.

I haven't really changed anything other than a little trimming and a water change, but I have some pics anyways.

A shot of the nana and foreground angled from above:

Day 341 full tank shot:

A small splash of color:



As for the aquascaping, I've temporarily put everything on hold until the end of the week, I think. I appreciate your suggestions and will definitely work on finding some more hardscape(tetratech & nowherman), and will work on shaping the plants and their formations(LF), and will try to find another grouping of plants(upikabu, and your tank is very lovely as wel )....maybe the corymbosa, I don't want any stems with such large leaves though. I might try out a new type of crypt in the front right, or something new with color once I get my new lights.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 27-Nov-2005 20:52[/font][/font][/font]

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi Matty,

Wow, your tank looks a lot like my 23g (especially since I took out the big piece of bogwood on the left a couple of days ago). I would recommend filling the space between the bacopa & ludwigia (i.e. in front of the heater) with Hypgrophila Corymbosa/Siamensis (here the common name is Blue Stricta). It's the tall plant to the left of my ludwigia. It requires low light (I have some growing at less than 1wpg) and it makes a nice space filler with its broad leaves. I think it would also make a nice contrast against the bacopa & ludwigia. Anyways, just my 2c.

Nice tank BTW!

-P

Matty you are in desperate need of more driftwood to:

1. Separate plants into groups
2. Hide lower stems
3. Compliment the piece you already have

IMHO of course

My Scapes

Just some round river rocks? I should be able to find some of those.

Well, a little bigger than regular river rocks, maybe somthing and inch or 2 inches high, just enough to cover the bottom gangly looking parts of the stem plants

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Back in the saddle!

I'll try this....is there a better place for my anubias then?

How about right in front of the left plant group, not all the way upfront, more a little to the right and back. This way it would be shaded (is an Anubias Nana or similar, right? ) and the lower parts of the stems would be hidden.

PS: And off course you have to get high light and the whole nine yards

That was a joke, no it wasn’t, yes it was .

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

It would be even better if the back of the substrate is about 2 to 3 inches elevated so it grows uphill, giving it even more depth perspective.

I'll try this....is there a better place for my anubias then?

I would suggest Pennywort.

I'll look around for it...I don't think I've seen it in my lfs before.

PS: And off course you have to get high light and the whole nine yards

I've got the whole nine yards(CO2 and ferts)...except for the high light.

Maybe try adding a few rocks in front of them in the foreground, just to add a little depth and to cover up the gangly parts of the stems.

Just some round river rocks? I should be able to find some of those.

Also, what plant(s?) is this in the circled area below? It's kind of right in the center, so, to me anyway, my eye goes right for it. If you cleaned it up a little, giveit a trim and see if it'll grow in a little denser, I think it'll do wonders for the tank

Yeah, that's the idea. It was in the outflow of my fluval so it was growing sideways and gangly. Hopefully it will straighten out where it is now. Oh and that is the ludwigia.

Visi-therm has a stealth version of their heater in all black. I think you have a black background. The heaters like $14 at Big Als. Get that heater and you'll barely see it.

I'll think about it, but I'm on a tight budget....so pulling it out of the tank sounds like the cheaper plan. I'll keep it in mind though for the future, it sounds neat.

Group you stem plants as tight as you could and add some driftwood poking thru in different spots. It would hightight each plant better and IMO would look really good.

If I can find some small peices of driftwood I might do that, I think that's a good suggestion. I just have to make sure not to use up too much "floor" space. and I'll be tryting to group the plants a bit tighter/fuller when i get some growth and trimmings I'll replant that until it fills out.


Thanks guys, that gives me a number of things to work on. It should keep me busy for the next few weeks.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matty,

Visi-therm has a stealth version of their heater in all black. I think you have a black background. The heaters like $14 at Big Als. Get that heater and you'll barely see it.

Group you stem plants as tight as you could and add some driftwood poking thru in different spots. It would hightight each plant better and IMO would look really good.



My Scapes

Hey matty,

Your tank looks great

A few comments - you noted that on the left side you planned on letting the bacopa(?) grow in flow low to high, front to back. Maybe try adding a few rocks in front of them in the foreground, just to add a little depth and to cover up the gangly parts of the stems. Nothing huge, just something to divert your eyes away from those parts of the plants.

Also, what plant(s?) is this in the circled area below? It's kind of right in the center, so, to me anyway, my eye goes right for it. If you cleaned it up a little, giveit a trim and see if it'll grow in a little denser, I think it'll do wonders for the tank. Right now it seems like, though the stems are healthy, they're a little too loosely planted and a little too stringy looking to have as much effect as they could. Other than that, great job!





NowherMan6 attached this image:

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Back in the saddle!

Matty,

Hey, I am no expert on aquascaping either. You know at least as much as I do.

Letting the Tenellus grow in the open “street” sounds like a good idea to me. It would be even better if the back of the substrate is about 2 to 3 inches elevated so it grows uphill, giving it even more depth perspective.

Is your tank better now than before? I would think so, as for one thing it looks about twice as big. Also, it is way more organized, but that could be because you just planted it and the last pictures before the change where from a well established arrangement.

About what medium plants to add to bread up the small leaves scheme? That is a hard one. Although commonly not too popular with “advanced” aquarists, I would suggest Pennywort. I just love it (so does the wife ), it is easy to grow and doesn’t require high light. Its broad leaves and water roots would look nice when ranking through the finer leaved plants. Not too much though, maybe 2 or 3 stems for the whole tank max.

Ingo


PS: And off course you have to get high light and the whole nine yards

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks

I think I had changed the exposure time on my camera. However I took the floating riccia out (hate floaters) so there's probably more light getting into the tank too. I haven't changed the fixtures or bulbs though.

Oh and the time difference was 10 days I think.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 16-Oct-2005 14:25

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Well i've only skimmed through this post, as i'm at work but i will definately be reading it properly again, as i think it will be a great help...

Thank you!

Wow, that is some chronology. Plants look really happy.
In that last group of pictures what is the difference in time between the last pic and the one right above it. Is there an actual difference in the lighting on the tank or is that just the way you took the pic. Sorry if you've answered this already earlier on.

My Scapes

Sorry, I was unaware that the previous pics were not working....they will be back up asap. And I think I'll make a poll....see what others think about it.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Well I guess this is my mandatory monthly update(as requested by Little_Fish).

I have removed the last traces of the green hygro. I think my tank has been feeling the effects of lack of plant growth/mass. I've noticed a bit of beard algae on old growth and some extra green spot on the glass. Nothing that I'm worrying about too much, but I think I have fixed by jamming some more plants(trimmings) into some open floor space. Dosing and CO2 remain constant since I last upped the KNO3 and the K2SO4(3?).

Eventually I will be pulling out the rubin sword, even though I really like that plant. I should have listened to Bensaf's advice about how big they get. It's just kinda messing up the attempt at aquascaping. I'm going to put this off for however long I can though. When I do decide to take it out I'm going to put a fresh substrate in. Might as well do it right I guess.

So here's the pics:

day 290(before trims and water change:

day 290 after:

day 302:

day 311(today) :

Some macro shots from topside:


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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients