Thanks guys,

I've stole a couple of Anubias from the fry tank so getting there slowly.

I'll post more pics up as it progresses.

BTT

The Angels have grown considerably, and i've added a few ferns and anubias, and got some glassware to diffuse the CO2. I've also tonight started my Echinodorus Tennelus lawn.

Not much done since last time but it'll be getting into full swing soon!

Comments welcome as always.











Cheers

BTT

Large Cryptocoryne added last night. Pics to follow!

Looking good, the plants should be growing like weeds soon with the CO2 as well!

tank looks great, them snake skin barbs are beautiful, never seen anything like them before

That tank is crying out for a wall of vallis at the back, it would look amazing.

Haven't seen the tank in a while BTT. Looking good even at this stage! I love how you are always fiddling, and changing around.


Maybe you can fly down to the prairie sometime and do my tank over!

Thanks. Yes, i'm hoping so. I'll keep updating this thread with my progress. I'm running 216w of light, giving 3.8WP(UK)G or 3.1WP(US)G. I'm dosing TPN+, and pressurised CO2. Everything is in place (obviously i'm getting more plants), just sit back and wait now!



Thanks. The Snakeskin Barbs are Puntius Rhomboocellatus. Stunning little guys. About the same temperament as Pentazona Barbs, and not fin-nippers.



Great minds, great minds.................................................



DiscusLova, thats a name i've not heard for a while. Which section of the forum are you hanging out in these days? Thanks for your comments, appreciated as ever.

If i'm ever in the prairie, i'll be sure to swing by!

Cheers

BTT

Ok, so i was at my LFS today and got some plants. To my amazement, his tank was absolutely full of Vallis of all different types (just what i'd been after). I asked how much for the lot and he said "£5, i just want rid of them" .



So moved the driftwood around a bit, planted the new Crypt and the Vallis and.............





Right Side



Left Side



New Cryptocoryne



I'd appreciate thoughts / comments.

BTT

BTT,

With the high levels of light you have and minimal plant mass, you could run in to algae problems pretty quickly. In my opinion, you should either go for 75% of substrate coverage with fast growers, or control the lighting at lower levels for the duration.

Dave.

Thanks for the tip Dave. Its an Arcadia Luminaire with 2 switches (2 tubes connected to each switch), so i could run it with just 1 switch on for now (2 tubes = 108W). Would that be ok in your opinion until i get some more plant coverage?

Cheers

BTT

I would stick with two tubes for the duration, if I was you. For a tank this size, you will need proportionally less light to make it high light, as opposed to a 60l for instance.

With the Vallisneria sp at the back and the E. tennellus at the front you are in danger of "field in front of wall syndrome". I would add a transition from the carpet plants to to the tall grass background. Something like a large investment in Rotala sp green would achieve this if you kept it pruned to the right height.

The Rotala would also give a large mass of fast growing weeds that would eventually allow you to with full lighting. Introduce the second pair of lamps slowly over a period of time, increasing the duration throughout this period too. A lot of high tech tanks fail due to a lack of fast growing biomass from the word go.

How are you measuring CO2?

Dave.

Thanks a lot Dave. Your input is much appreciated.

My plan is to fill the transitional space between the "field" and the "wall" with lots of Java Ferns, Anubias and Cryptocorynes tied to the driftwood, with a mass of Blyxa Japonica (and maybe Hygrophila Corymbosa) slightly below that, hopefully merging into the E. Tennelus.

I am measuring CO2 with the drop checker supplied with my Dennerle Pressurised CO2 kit.

BTT

whats the stocking on that last tank. sorry if this was already brought up

Sounds like a good plan that may work. I do have my doubts about the slow growers and plant mass, though.

Are you using 4dKH solution in the drop checker (hope I`m not teaching you to suck eggs)?

Dave.

I'm not sure what the solution is. It is supplied with the CO2 kit. It is blue in colour if that helps.

You mention your doubts about the slow growers and plant mass. Would it work if i pack the tank full (near 100% coverage) and use lots of H. Corymbosa or would the likes of Rotala Sp. be a better option?

I've got a picture in my head of what i want this tank to look like and i'm trying to stick to it as much as possible.

You may be teaching me to suck eggs, but its probably the best way. I've kept marines in the past, and IMO planted tanks are much more involved and difficult!

Cheers

BTT

As long as you use the indicator (bromo blue) with 4dKH, rather than with tank water.



I find that the final look will be something that happens despite all my plans . Just try and coax it in the general direction you want.



I`ve never tried SW yet, but it looks more involved than planted, to me. Planted tanks are all about the light, and how you use and control it. This comes with experience, and will allow you to plant less densely and with slow growing plants of your own choice. I have seen what too much light and not enough experience can do, and it has driven many people away from planted tanks due to algae issues.

This was my first attempt just over a year ago, with 3.5WPG. You can see how heavily planted it was.



Nowadays, I can plant up with a small plant mass because I have learnt how to control the light in the early days of the tank. This 54l tank was one day old when photographed, and seeded with mature filter media which helps a lot. Lighting was kept to 48W for six hours a day, before finally building up to 72W for ten hours.



As long as you realise that light, low/unstable CO2 and ammonia are going to give you algae, and take steps accordingly, you should be alright. First and foremost control the light with the plant mass you have BTT.

Dave.