Sarah Posted December 31, 2011 Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 Gorgeous girls there, and your rummies are so vibrant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted December 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks Sarah. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola Posted December 31, 2011 Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 So for someone who is thinking of doing this in a (hopefully) soon to be new 48inch long tank (still talking mum into it O:) ) and my 50L what tips would you give them on do's and don'ts :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted December 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 Take your time. Use Blood and Bone (not the B&B plus which has caused our probs I think), lots of floating plants and lots of chain swords as well, good lights are a must and GO FOR IT. Also check out Waynes tip with using bottle to put sand in. Best tip I have been given for years. Was too late for me though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola Posted December 31, 2011 Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks Paul, am trying to toss up between this one and the one Matt uses, and which is easier and less fiddly I like the K.I.S.S Prinicple i learnt at woodwork in school *Keep it simple stupid* I still don't get why they have to have the last part of that in the saying though <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted December 31, 2011 Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 Will you do anything different next time Paul? I think the optional layer of peat would be good, I really think that is where most of the CO2 comes from, the alkinity of the marble counters the acidity of the peat ensuring it continues to decompose and the acidity dissolves the marble releasing CO2 and carbonates. That's just what I came up with when I sat down and thought about how this substrate works, I noticed most of your problems went away when you began adding the CO2 suggesting the substrate wasn't providing enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted December 31, 2011 Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 I remember you said you were looking at lighting options, thought I would bring this one to your attention. A fair few people on Aquariumlife have been experimenting with LED floodlights, they are cheap, correct light spectrum and last years with no need to replace the bulb, 2 20 watt ones would be sufficient for your tank one at the 1/3 mark and one at the 2/3 mark. If you do go with them you have to make sure it's at least got 6000k for optimal plant growth. I have two on order An example http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=260701485874&cmd=VIDESC&index=12&nav=SEARCH&nid=12721378083 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I stopped using the Dino products hoping the tank would be able to sustain itself. In the last week I have this growing. But saying that, the plant growth is astonishing. I now have two DIY co2 bottles going. Can you trim Amazon swords. This bloody thing is almost touching the surface now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I'm impressed with the plant growth in that tank..... might have to put a fermenter in the shed and start a batch of home brew :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Thanks Wayne. Can't wait to get some decent lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I have noticed that all the algae is around the co2 diffuser. Is this a coincidence???? The glass and the weed is both affected at this end. Other end a lot better....... Need to trim the weed out again. :-)Ps. Have started using the Dino products again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Some updated photos. Needs a good clear out again. Doing this every two weeks now. All plants going well. Most crypts have nice new leaves as well, these took awhile to get going. Chain sword taking over. :-) Amazon sword now reaches the water surface. Angel I got of Matt. Other angel and other corner. Got one more full tank shot. Will post at the end of next trip. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 On a whole, very happy with this tank. Still have a few issues with algae but getting on top of it slowly. This is all a learning curve. I did get rid of some types of plants altogether and I think this has improved the look of the tank. With the Amazon sword, could I cut the whole thing about 5cm above substrate? Would expect it to melt then but would it grow back?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadoh Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Very nice mate :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Looks good.... If you cut the sword.... it would either shoot out and grow up again or .... you could even trigger it sending out runners as a self preservation type move...... What are the small plants in the front? They look good as a low plant at the front.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) Thanks Jarrod & Wayne. That's the mini chain sword Wayne. In my other tank it's going nuts as well. :-) Edited January 14, 2012 by Busman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournebetta Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 The growth is amazing - awesome job Bussy, I've enjoyed watching this thread. I can't keep bloody Java fern from going brown, you've done a great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Thanks Ness, between you and me, the Java fern outside in the bucket is still growing better. Lol. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournebetta Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I just love that feeling of going home with a showbag full of greens after a fish meet, or auction, and knowing the only thing PEARLING in my bloody tanks is the Green Algae. Should get into breeding algae eaters eh? (; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_95 Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Paul, if you cut the sword off below the growing tip it will grow a new point of growth if it is healthy, why don't you swap it for a smaller sword such as ozelot so you get a bit of red as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Thought I would post this as well. This is the view when I open the lids. Empty it out every wc. :-0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 That is so cool Paul. the pics realy show how well it is comming along. I know what you mean about taking plants out now I have figerd out light needs I have to redo my 3 ft that I did not that long ago but at least we know the growing media works LOl. Cheers les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Thanks Les. Mine has been trial and error if it grows and I like it, it stays, if it struggles or it looks "messy", it goes. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 LOL mine usualy goes by itself or is it me that kills it Cheers Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted February 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2012 My new additions I scored from someone last night. I blame Adam. :-). These are one of my all time Favourite fish but with my old substrate the ph was to high and they usually died not long after purchase. These guys still need to color up a bit but the tank they were in at the shop was with severons on these guys were coming off second best. One of my angels. Very fat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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