Update! 1 August 2004
New aquascape after clearing out all the MMs. Sadly, the Ludwigia Arcuata just wasted away: could it be pining for the MMs?
The Crypt wendtii has overtaken the background, only the java fern and moss bush is restraining it. The vesicularia is doing better than ever, although these days (2 weeks after the shoot), the internodes seem to have lengthened, and it doesnt look as nice)
The Lobelias have been cut and replanted twice. The first indicators of nutrient deficiency.
The vesicularia (xmas moss) and the hairgrass seem to do better when the current is reduced to a trickle due to blockage of the filter. I wonder if this is the case elsewhere?
Tank dimensions:61cmx45.5cmx30.5cm (length x width x waterdepth)
Filtration: ? internal canister filter (~200l/h)
Lighitng: 2x36w PL lights (Osram)
Substrate: Small grained aquarium gravel
Substrate fertiliser: none
Fertilization regime: 4 drops of ADA Brighty special 'lights', a few drops of tetra florapride per water change (some Seachem iron once in a while)
CO2: Cylinder 1 bubble per second) with ceramic diffusor
Plants:
Background : Crypt Wendtii, Anubias barteri sp.nana, Microsorium pteropus 'windelov'
Middleground: vesicularia sp. + Microsorium pteropus 'windelov' on driftwood / anubias barteri sp.nana
Foreground: Christmas moss(Vesicularia sp.) on driftwood, Eleocharis acicularis, Taxiphyllum sp.
Inverterbrates: Lampeyes, Golden Tetras, Caridina japonica
The tank on the 26th December 2003. Major rescaping; shifting of frontleft leg of the driftwood to the back, lowering of the xmass moss 'roof' to mid level.
I simply allowed the MM nestled among the java fern to explode and stuck bits of ludwigia arcuata in between. and at the right side of the bush. Looks like my attempts at an MM tree got out of hand. :P
No more sagittaria, no more nymphaea...bye bye.
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Update! September 2003
&
The tank on the 13th July 2003. Major trimming for the aquaticquotient contest. Delusions of grandeur no doubt :P.
Got rid of all the rogue sagittaria (although a bit still exists behind the java fern hedge. Moved the Nymphaea to the back (they are amazingly resilient!). The crypts are getting out of control and the Elatine is behaving. Hairgrass on the decline though.
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This are some badly taken photos of my favourite guppy, although it is not in the best of health now (280303)
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The tank on the 5th May 2003. The Sagittaria subulata had suddenly exploded (probably in reaction to the Pflanzengold 7 I put in) and made a rather messy back 'curtain' which timid fish would love. I've trimmed the anubias and the java fern massively.
The Elatine triandra was starting to melt.
The crypts started to pick up.
Whats wrong with the setup? It doesnt look nice on print at all!
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This is my tank in February 23 2003, approximately 20 months after it was set up. Front View
Left Side View
Detail of part of front lawn
Tank dimensions, substrate, substrate fertilizer, lighting as before
Filtration: Fluval internal canister filter (~300l/h)
CO2: DIY yeast mix x3 bottles (1.5l) captured in 2 bell collectors
Fertilization: 4 drops of ADA Brighty special 'lights' and 2 drops Tetra Florapride (red) per day / K2SO4 (~1 pinch) as and when
Plants:
Background: Cyperus helferi / Sagittaria subulata
Mid: Nymphaea spp. / Anubias Barteri nana & Microsorium Pteropus 'Windelov' on driftwood
Foreground: Eleocharis acicularis (Hairgrass) / Lilieaopsis Nova Zealandae? / APP / Microsorium / Anubias / Java moss and a bit of Xmas moss on driftwood
Fish:
1 Ram (Microgeophagus ramirezi) / 8? cardinal tetra / 7? golden tetra (Hemigrammus rodwayi) / ?? guppies / 2 Otocinclus / 3 unidentified tetras
Others:
? Caridina japonica / ?? snails
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This is my tank in December 2000, approximately 6 months after it was set up.
Tank dimensions:61cmx45.5cmx30.5cm (length x width x waterdepth)
Filtration: Magesta? internal canister filter (~300l/h)
Lighitng: 2x36w PL lights (Osram)
Substrate: Small grained aquarium gravel
Substrate fertiliser: none, with jobe sticks and Horti plant tabs inserted under Nymphaea, hair grass and Echinodorus bleheri once in awhile
Fertilization regime: 4 drops of ADA Brighty special 'lights' per day
CO2: DIY (1.5l bottle 2cups sugar 1/2 tsp baker's yeast: 1 bubble per 4 seconds) with 'bell' collector
Plants:
Background - Top right: Echinodorus bleheri/ Cabomba caroliana / Ludwigia repens / Nymphaea pubescens
Middleground: vesicularia dubyana on driftwood / anubias barteri sp.nana / micranthemum micranthemoides
Foreground: Christmas moss on driftwood, Echinodorus tenellus / Glossostigma elatinoides / Eleocharis acicularis
Inverterbrates: 2 Rams (Microgeophagus ramirezi), a few guppies (Poecilia reticulata), 2 Otocinclus sp , 6 yamato shrimps (Caridina japonica)