Dave`s Yet Another Journal.

[Dave Spencer]

This is the tank that originally turned up in my Iwagumi journal. The tank was planted up this afternoon but looks a bit messy at the moment, so these are just a couple of arty farty pics I tried out before I ruined it all and put some water in. If this tank ever gets a name, I think it will be "Sunset Over Clwyd".

The tank spec is as follows:

Aqua One 24l tank.

2 x 11W of cheap clip on lights off eBay. I will buy an Arcadia Arc Pod if these don`t make the grade.

CO2 tapped off the Aquamas system on my Iwagumi. CO2 dropper will be in the yellow for the duration.

ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia at the back of the tank and in and around the rock structure. Inert honey coloured sand in the foreground.

Resun Cyclone CY-20 external filter.

The plants are as follows:

Micranthemum umbrosum.

Utricularia graminifolia.

Plagomnium affine.

Fish are likely to be Ember Tetras.

 

[cheesy feet]

Nice rock scape..

 

[afroturf]

Looks good Dave have you recieved your plagomnium, yet i've got some on order. The rocks structure looks great and you have a nice mix of plants, and my favourite tetra can't wait to see it develope.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Looks good Dave have you recieved your plagomnium, yet i've got some on order. The rocks structure looks great and you have a nice mix of plants, and my favourite tetra can't wait to see it develope.

So you are recommending Embers ay? Do you reckon they will be small enough for this tank?

The Plagomnium has been planted in amongst the rocks. I left it in my 120l jungle for three days to let it find its legs again after travelling half way around the world. I have done a bit of Googling on this plant and come up with the name Plagomnium affine. Apparently, it is classified as a moss. I just hope it likes its submerged life.

Dave.

 

[afroturf]

I certainy do recommend embers i've got 10 in my 25g and there lovely little fish they will take a couple of weeks to adjust to the new tank and soon will turn a nice orange colour. I did a little research as well on the plagomnium didn't find much more info than you. Most mosses common in aquariums java, xmas, willow etc all grow mainly emersed so i don't see how plagonium wount be able submerged to cope, fingers crossed. How was the quality/quanity of it when it arrived?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Mine was about 10cm square and very flat when it arrived. It looks as if it is pretty tough, though. When it was in my 120l I noticed lots of new, light green growth. This turned out to be Duckweed, so you might find some in yours.

Dave.

 

[Themuleous]

I take it you got it from Aquaticmagic? My HC hasn't arrived, getting a little worried, everyone seems to rave about Aquaticmagic by my experience isn't as good as it should be so far

Rocks look cool BTW, especially like the first one a decent hardscape is a must for a good layout. This'll certainly be one for the PFK comp!

Sam

 

[Dave Spencer]

My stuff took about ten days Sam. I reckon he must only send stuff out once he has accumulated enough orders. Maybe you put your order in just after he had despatched a load of items. I hope your HC is alright because some of his packaging was a tad flimsy IMO.

Dave.

 

[lljdma06]

My stuff took about ten days Sam. I reckon he must only send stuff out once he has accumulated enough orders. Maybe you put your order in just after he had despatched a load of items. I hope your HC is alright because some of his packaging was a tad flimsy IMO.

Dave.

Hmmm, how many gallons is this Dave, I'm getting about 6g US, give or take? With 22W, you might not need CO2. Just something to think about. Unless the plant choices are screaming for it.

Love the rock formations, though, this will be one to watch.

llj

 

[Dave Spencer]

Thanks llj,

You are right about the CO2, but I have teed off from another system for zero quid. None of the plants in there will be screaming out for it, but I`ll see how growth is and maybe add an 11W Arc Pod. I have some Rotala rotundifolia and Ludwigia arcuata in there on a temporary basis, so it will be interesting to compare growth rates with my 3.4WPG EI tank.

Do you have any recommendations on water changes at the current light levels?

On the subject of my EI tank, could you have a look at the plant on thread #43 of my Juwel Lido Journal and have a go at the ID of the first plant. I bought it as Didiplis diandra, but I think RadaR is right and it is Rotala sp "Nanjenshan".

Cheers, Dave.

 

[lljdma06]

Thanks llj,

You are right about the CO2, but I have teed off from another system for zero quid. None of the plants in there will be screaming out for it, but I`ll see how growth is and maybe add an 11W Arc Pod. I have some Rotala rotundifolia and Ludwigia arcuata in there on a temporary basis, so it will be interesting to compare growth rates with my 3.4WPG EI tank.

Do you have any recommendations on water changes at the current light levels?

On the subject of my EI tank, could you have a look at the plant on thread #43 of my Juwel Lido Journal and have a go at the ID of the first plant. I bought it as Didiplis diandra, but I think RadaR is right and it is Rotala sp "Nanjenshan".

Cheers, Dave.

I agree with Radar, didiplis has more vertical leaf growth and a brighter red on the stems when blushing, the plant in question behaves more like a rotala. Tough call though. They seem to be in the sub-group divided according to leaf-arrangement, so a sure identification is difficult.

At first, you should aim for water changes at least 2x a week. Change about 30-50%, depending on your mood. If you are making this a high-tech you will probably need to up this. If it is a low-mid tech, then this should be a good starting point. If this tank stays low-tech, then in about 4 months, you can reduce the frequency. I now change my 8g nano once a week, about 30-40%, and then do a top-off in between changes. The sound of water drives me nuts and the current throughout the tank is better when it's more full.

Because of depth and increased light penetration in my smaller tanks, I have found personally very little growth difference between my non-CO2 and CO2 tanks. Of course, all of mine have low-moderate lighting. This little tank may surprise you.

llj

 

[Dave Spencer]

I have just added eight of these fish, Hyphessobrycon amandae. I bought six, but the shop assisitant put in eight for me. Their golden colour should be perfect for the effect I am trying to achieve with this tank (see photos above).

Cheers, Dave.

 

[Themuleous]

Nice looking fish Dave

 

[john starkey]

hi dave nice looking rocks i like it any more pice yet? regards john

 

[arif_93]

were you get ur rocks from cuz i really want to see it set up and can u post some pics plz also you kno the name of the seller on ebay that u bought the lights off of?