My Current Scape

[garuf]

TA DA!

What do people think? How can I improve it? Any tips on making it all tidier?

 

[radioman]

Its good but why are those plants in pots?

 

[fish-aholic]

Very nice but a larger pic would be appreciated. How big is it? I love the moss covered bogwood.

 

[arvlyn]

Very nice but a larger pic would be appreciated. How big is it? I love the moss covered bogwood.

If you click on that picture, a new window opens with a bigger view of it.

 

[garuf]

They're still in the pots because I'm going to plant them on sunday when I do all my big maintenance so I can spend more time on getting them planted, also its easier to plant in shallow water and no doubt pulling out all the e tennelus is going to release a cack storm into my water.

They're still in the pots because I'm going to plant them on sunday when I do all my big maintenance so I can spend more time on getting them planted, also its easier to plant in shallow water and no doubt pulling out all the e tennelus is going to release a cack storm into my water.

oh and the tank measures 18x12x12

 

[Luketendo]

I like it lots, even with the pots.

 

[Themuleous]

This has masses of potential. Plant the new plants pretty much where you've got then in the photo and give it a few weeks once the glosso and HC fills out it think the whole scape will pull together really well. Don't go changing to much before you give it a chance to reach its potential first

Nasty bit of thread algae you got there do you have shrimp? I also found my nerite snails loved the stuff but it did take them a few weeks to eat it all, perhaps invest in some?

Sam

 

[garuf]

The hair grass is to replace the e tennelus patch which is just mank to be plain. I plan to plant some of the hairgrass where they are in the picture too as you suggested as this was my original plan.
I'm dosing exel atm to try and clear up the algae but its not working on the thread, I don't have shrimp, they got eaten by the rainbow fish...
and the ottos don't touch the stuff
where would I get some nerites? are they not expencive?

 

[lljdma06]

The hair grass is to replace the e tennelus patch which is just mank to be plain. I plan to plant some of the hairgrass where they are in the picture too as you suggested as this was my original plan.
I'm dosing exel atm to try and clear up the algae but its not working on the thread, I don't have shrimp, they got eaten by the rainbow fish...
and the ottos don't touch the stuff
where would I get some nerites? are they not expencive?

Love the hardscape. It's great when you can get wood to jut out like that. It looks wonderful. The moss is pretty sweet as well. I always appreciate good moss.

For the thread algae, have a look at this article I stumbled upon while researching one day because I have greenspot on my anubia leaves in my 36g. I have to reduce the lighting intensity in that tank, which I'm going to pretty soon. It may help you out and at any rate, it is a pretty good read with fantastic photos of the algae types. As far as I know, it doesn't link to a forum, so it is koscher.

http/www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

 

[garuf]

Thanks I'll give that a read, This particular tank has given me nothing but trouble since setting it up, Ideally it wants stripping and restarting as its one continuous algae battle. But hey lesson learned.
I'm lead to believe the problem with it is lack of flow from an insufficient filter, which would make sense since my drop checker is yellow and I dose EI... I plan to change over to an Ehiem as soon as I found the right one at the right time and money allows.
Something is causing algae but who knows what? I certainly don't.

 

[lljdma06]

Thanks I'll give that a read, This particular tank has given me nothing but trouble since setting it up, Ideally it wants stripping and restarting as its one continuous algae battle. But hey lesson learned.
I'm lead to believe the problem with it is lack of flow from an insufficient filter, which would make sense since my drop checker is yellow and I dose EI... I plan to change over to an Ehiem as soon as I found the right one at the right time and money allows.
Something is causing algae but who knows what? I certainly don't.

It's a problem with CO2 injection, you can't really have surface agitation, or you drive off CO2. I have HOB filters and either you reduce the flow, or you fill up the tank so full that the spray bar is underneath the water. Many HOBs, however, don't work as well and really need a portion of the filter to be above the water line to work more effectively, otherwise, they can backwash a lot, which is what has happened with some of mine in the past. Now that I've removed the CO2, having more surface agitation actually helps for gas exchange, and my filters run a lot better at maximum flow. An Ehiem may be a solution for you.

 

[garuf]

I don't use a hob...
I use a canister filter, an eden 501 infact.
My surface isn't agitated much since the spray bar is a good inch under the water...
co2 injection I doubt is the problem, distribution of co2 seems more likely as I said I run my drop checker yellow rather than green.

 

[SuperColey1]

There is a thought these days, spoken about by George and Tom recently and which I have used for quite a few months.

That is to inject more CO2 but have the water surface rippling nicely. It also alleviates any chance of a film of protein developing and co-incidentally I noticed that it makes the water clarity much much clearer.

I started doing this when I got my Lily Pipe in June(ish) and I riased it initially to remove a protein film that had built up, noticed the water was clearer after a few hours and leftit there ever since.

I haven't needed to up the CO2 much either and my DC is yellow so I assume that everyones happy. Loadsa CO2, much more oxygen.

Andy

 

[garuf]

There is a thought these days, spoken about by George and Tom recently and which I have used for quite a few months.

That is to inject more CO2 but have the water surface rippling nicely. It also alleviates any chance of a film of protein developing and co-incidentally I noticed that it makes the water clarity much much clearer.

I started doing this when I got my Lily Pipe in June(ish) and I riased it initially to remove a protein film that had built up, noticed the water was clearer after a few hours and leftit there ever since.

I haven't needed to up the CO2 much either and my DC is yellow so I assume that everyones happy. Loadsa CO2, much more oxygen.

Andy

Thanks Andy (ps. I owe you money, pm me) I'm having a nightmare finding the right filter, Eheim classics look cheap but don't have filter media and once added soon make them expensive,tetratecs are supposed to be awful, hydors marine only and everything else just confuses me and to top it all I don't really understand what I'm looking for.
When I do finally find one I'm going to get a set of lilly pipes and a lovely external heater.

 

[garuf]

I'm starting to feel I may have ruined it...