Finally! It's Starting 2 Shape Up

[Benauld]

Well, after much wailing and gnashing of teeth my tank is finally starting to look how I originally intended it to. I didn't have much luck with broad leaved plants though, so have gone for smaller leaved, stem varieties. I think its definately getting there, but I may do some more tinkering yet...

What does everyone think?

 

[hungryguppy]

tank looks awesome. what speices do you have in there?

 

[PRW1988]

Sweet tank what size is it? and what's the stock?

 

[Benauld]

Thanks for the nice comments folks!

It's 130L, at the moment there are:

4 x Gold Tetra (Hemigrammus rodwayi)
1 x Peacock Goby (Tateurndina ocellicauda)

The tank has been running for about three months now, and I think I'll get a few more fish in there soon...

Thanks again

 

[paul_219]

Gr8 tank u got. Looks beautiful and planted gr8.

 

[stang1]

Tank looks fantastic, great job!

 

[jakeroberts]

looks very good though it doesnt look like 130l

 

[Dave Spencer]

Nice looking tank Benauld. Allowing the stems to really grow some height, and then constantly pruning them should eventually give you a really nice, bushy look.

Have you thought about burying the wood in to the substrate a little to try and give the effect that it is growing out of it, rather than sat on top?

Dave.

 

[GuppyDude]

That is beutiful, nice work.

 

[doresy]

Is that lovely tank an AquaOne or similar with canopy filtration?

 

[Benauld]

Thanks again everybody for all the kind comments!

It's an Aquaone 620T doresy, although it doesn't have canopy filtration - I got rid of it and added a TetraTec EX700. So far it's doing a grand job, and runs as quiet as a mouse. It's definately a 130L jake, I had to lug thirteen 10L buckets from the kitchen to the lounge! The photo is deceptive, the tank in nearly the full depth of the sofa next to it.

Thanks for the advice Dave. I've already trimmed the grass-like plants on the right hand side - they were trailing right over the top and starting to grow down the left hand side of the tank! I was wondering whether the stems could be trimmed on the others - I was worried about taking the growth bud out. The little clump to the left is Lysimachia nummularia aurae [sp?] or Creeping Jenny, which the guy at the lfs assured me was an aquatic plant - I'm more familiar with it in hanging baskets! I have no idea what the plants in the middle are if anyone would care to take a guess, and a name for the grass-like ones to the right would be useful too

It's funny you should mention the wood. I was in two minds about what to do with it, but decided I quite like it on top of the gravel, almost as if it has washed in from upstream and come to rest. I don't know, maybe that's a bit fanciful but I'm happy with it.

Cheers.

 

[Dave Spencer]

The tall grasses on the right are a Vallisneria sp., the smaller grass in the foreground could be Echinodorus tenellus, the central bunch of stems could be Rotala rotundifolia and the plant on the left could be Bacopa monieri. Plant ID is not my thing unless I have actually owned the plants. If you do have E. tenellus, then you might experience a little die off early on, followed by new growth from runners thrown out by the mother plants.

As for trimming the stems, let them reach the surface first. Then, don`t be afraid to cut them back to at least half way. The stems left behind will develop several new growth points, making the plants look much bushier. You can also replant the cuttings if you wish.

Dave.

 

[Underwurlde]

Great so far! Gets my

@Dave, agreed, bury the wood - it's a perfect shape for that!

I would also loose the stone, just me but I find it out of place and distracting. Also adding mid ground sized plants would definately balance thing out (esp in the area where the stone currently resides).

Andy

PS, Lysimachia Nummularia – (Moneywort / Creeping Jenny) is aquatic & is one of the more easier plants you'll come across.

 

[Brad.H]

stunning tank mate iv bought the same one was wondering were u got your bogwood from ?

 

[Benauld]

Thanks Brad.

I don't know whether I'm allowed to specifically name the store where I got my bogwood here. But I don't think I could be admonished for saying it is a national chain that rhymes with Raid 'n' Fed Aquatics.