Voo's Journal

[voo]

So this is my tank that I've been working on for around 6 months now. Here's some of the stats:

Tank size: 12g (UK)
Lighting: 72W
Substrate: Tetraplant complete
CO2: 1 Nutrafin, 1 DIY canister both connected to a ladder
EI: Yes

Plants:
Java fern
Vasilis Spiralis
Indian fern
Dwarf Hairgrass
Riccia (just floating)
Pygmy Chain Sword

I actually planted the hairgrass back in October, but the light was just 30w. I recently bought the new light from craynerd and the hairgrass has started to thicken out.

Algae:
My java fern started to get green spots on it's leaves. I've increased my PO4 and it seems to have stopped spreading, however it's not going either.
The hairgrass has started to get some brown algae on a couple of it's stems. Not sure what to do about this, ideas anyone?

I'm wanting some suggestions on what to do with the indian fern. To be honest it is too big for a tank this size, it grows to the surface then covers half of it. It's a fast grower, requiring trimming every week and is always sending up new shoots. However it also provides some shade from the light - the fish are often hanging out at the back under all the leaves. So i was thinking to either replace the indian fern, or to put a different plant in front of it to hide the stems that can be seen in the middle of the tank. I was thinking of a redish plant if possible. Whilst i do have high lighting for the tank, the plant might be shaded by the indian fern somewhat.

Anyone got any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Themuleous]

Great start think you need something between the background and foreground to create more of a graduation from front to back. The java fern looks in excellent condition though.

Sam

 

[voo]

Thanks for the comment. I'm wanting to add something to separate the foreground/background but unsure what to add atm. Any suggestions?
That java fern has been with me for over a year now, those that you see on the right of the tank have all come from the main lump on the left

 

[voo]

Anyone else got ideas?

 

[fenwoman]

Anyone else got ideas?

yes, snip the fern to a manageable height and give it away to forum members I went to baytree nurseries yesterday just outside Spalding, to look at their fish dept. They have some nice healthy plants including a red one. The only thing is that none had labels on so I can't tell you what it is. Nice fish and the chap is knowledgeable about fish I think, apart from he was talking to a customer about Mollies and stated that they don't need brackish water as all the mollies they have were reared in fresh water.

 

[voo]

I keep trimming the fern back, but it's not like a normal stem plant where you can just replant the stem. It grows little plants on it, which then float off when ready. I've usually cut it back before this happens now.

As for Baytree, i live nearby there and have to say i'm not a fan of it. Whilst it is nice to have a look around, i've often seen many dead fish in the tanks (5+), whilst the employees just stand around talking. I think the guy is quite knowledgeable as you say, however the girls working there dont seem to know much. They've often started netting out the wrong fish
The plants just seem to be chucked in the tank, often on top of each other, so i try to avoid their plants Haven't been recently so maybe i'll go soon and see what red plants they have. Thanks

 

[RadaR]

Voo, your tank is fantastic. Looks perfect. Cant think of any suggestions.

 

[voo]

Thought i'd add a new shot of the tank. I've added a small piece of bogwood i nthe middle and covered it with java fern. Hides the roots of the indian fern so i'm happy with it, although i think it'll take a while for the java fern to settle in and grow like the rest.

However i'm having a little problem with this stuff:

It keeps growing amongst the riccia floating at the top and it's a pain. Not sure how to get rid of it, or why it's growing. Any ideas?

Also, i'm going away for 2 weeks so no ferts will be added in this time. I can refill the CO2 just before i go so that should be fine, but should i reduce the lighting to 24w or 48w?

 

[Themuleous]

Crypts might work as a plant between the foreground and background.

Cant remember the name of that stuff in the pic but its quite common, its not an algae as far as I cant remember, but can be a sod to get rid of. Manual removal is your best bet and hope it gives up. Have just looked, its a type of bladderwort (UG is a bladderwort just out of interest.) You might find this link interesting.

http/www.treknature.com/gallery/Europe/F.../photo81151.htm

Sam

 

[Dave Spencer]

I inherited some of that stuff from Greenline, but it soon went with a bit of manual removal.

I agree with Sam`s comments about developing a midground, maybe a few branches with a Java Moss covering.

Dave.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Ive had that bladder wort in the past. I kept it, no problems, and its a bit interesting, so I see no need to get rid!

 

[wei0204]

I love the tank...

 

[voo]

Thanks for the comments guys.
Thanks for the id on the bladderwort too. I was thinking it was some kind of algae so im much happier now that i know it's not

I have some wendtii crypts in my other tank buy they seem quite slow growing and have only just started sending out a few runners. However in this tank i have some pygmy chainswords on either side of the hairgrass that have just started sending out some runners. I might try direct these towards the back so provide a kind of border around the grass. Both runners are heading towards the front of the tank though

As for the photo, i have problems with the lighting. If i use the flash the colour goes funny and i get loads of water streaks showing up on the glass However if i use no flash, as in the photo in the previous post, it's hard to see the java ferns in the middle (which are shaded by the indian fern above), and the bogwood on the right which is dark anyways. Anyone got any photography tips?

 

[Themuleous]

Re the photography, taking out the floating plants would help, get more light into the tank and also open up the top, it looks very enclosed at the moment. Would show it off to its best if the floating plants were removed.

Sam

 

[Dave Spencer]

Is Pygmy Chain Sword the common name for Echinodorus Tenellus? If it is, keep on top of controlling its runners. I recently carried out some major work on my 120l and found ET in all four corners of the tank.

Fish tank photography is best done using purely the tank lights without a flash. Al my pictures in my 60l journal have camera flash reflections on them, but there is no lights in that tank yet. Without the flash, a tripod is important for avoiding blurred images. You could improvise by using an ironing board, or the like.

Dave.