Ian's Lounge Tank

[SchottayB]

That tank looks stunning! I have exactly the same tank... just wish I was that good with plants !

Keep it up

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Awesome, the HC has done brilliant too.

 

[ian]

cheers guys, nice to see you back Schottay! Good choice of tank to What are your plans with it?

 

[lljdma06]

May I be a bit picky? You've created 4 focal points, Ian. Try clumping the Ludwigia so it forms one. It's a lovely plant, just not one to be scattered about the tank. LOLOL Right under the wood may be just the right spot. That's just off-center. It'll be very "Mark Evans" then.

Sorry, just the scaper in me.

Liz

 

[ian]

that isn't a bad idea llj! I'll be back with a pic in a bit lol.

 

[ian]

done! lol

Will leave it be now for a while, and see how it gets on. Good spot Liz!

FTS

 

[Ryefish]

Very nice Ian! I hope to get plants looking as good as you get them lol

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Question about your substrate mate, did you mix the two or add them in layers? Also does the JBL stuff lower PH and KH like the ADA stuff?

Oh yeah, are you hoping the HC will grow over the little bit of exposed substrate on the front left and right? Was just thinking it would look even more awesome if it did.

 

[ian]

Thanks Rye!

Steve, the Aquabasis + is underneath the Monado. I have good results with Aquabasis before, so stuck with it again. Monado does raise you GH/KH, but left in a bucket to soak for a couple of days normally stops this from happening. It worked fine for me. My main concern was that Monado isn't supposed to be very shrimp safe due to the KH/GH rises, but my cherries, CRS and Amano's went straight in and i have had no casualties. The cherries have had kids as well. I might get another couple of pots of HC for the left hand side, or i might just let the Liliaopsis grow over it.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Cool just wondered about the substrate as I'm looking around at the mo and wanted something reasonable, strange that it raises KH/GH most I've found lower it but if giving it a soaking works it should be fine cos its for a trial on a shrimp tank and then the Discus tank.

 

[lljdma06]

I'm a genius. That's so Autumn bush... Fabulous... You may thank me when you win all the competitions...

Liz

 

[ian]

I couldn't keep the Lud red! lol. Have had a bit of a move around, and decided to carry the HC carpet across the front of the tank, into each corner, rather than being central. I had a look around all over for some more HC, but couldn't find any. I had a look on TGM website and noticed they had started doing bargain pots for £3. I invested in 4 pots and am very pleased with the quality!

all cut and ready to go

and in

just a couple of extra pics lol

 

[Verminator89]

That lawn is just wow Ian, fingers crossed mine won't be too far behind looking that green and dense now. Do you trim yours to encourage growth? I trimmed mine a little over a month ago, just a light trim of bits here and there over the top. Seemed to make a little difference.

 

[ian]

Thanks James!

It gets a trim quite regularly, to encourage new growth. It'll also help it send out runners closer to the substrate as well. I find HC is very forgiving after a good trim, it'll soon grow back more than it was.

 

[lljdma06]

Yay! HC everywhere! Where did you put the Lud?

Liz