Alastair,..what's the purpose of using the indian almond bark & Katapa leaves? And I am sorry to bug you like this but any idea about the substrate level PAR in this tank please?
I believe he uses them for his Chocolate Gouramis and Liquorice Gouramis, they're very sensitive fish and require more of a soft and acidic condition compared to other fish, the bark and leaves should help in providing this plus anti bacteria properties. His shrimps could also graze on the leaves aswell.
Hiya Faizal sorry for the late reply mate ive been a bit busy this week. Michael is right thats what i mainly use them, to benefit the fish and also the crs and cbs love grazing on the leaves as do the ottos. not only that i think they give a very natural look to the tank. i prefer the look of oak leaves but dont have any left. i also use alder cones too which act faster and again look natural littered amongst the substrate. Par readings i havent got yet as im waiting for a par metere from a friend who has a really top notch one so i can give you some readings once ive done that if you like mate
Wow...haven't checked in a while, it's all looking great. The teleportation device above the tank is genius...you can teleport the aquarium anywhere in the house and even take it on holiday with you and the fish will be none the wiser. It's definitely the future..
Thanks Tim, im really pleased with the way its looking now. im finding it difficult to pull myself away from it. i have no dining table now so have had to revert to sitting on my bike tyre all evening staring at it. haha ha funny you mention the lighting my little girl said its like something from doctor who
ive been to brazil 3 times this week
Sorry for hogging this journal with doubts & questions but Al could you sum up the factors (in your opinion) that lead to the success of this non co2 tank?
Man I would love to see a carpet like that in my tank some day.
no need for apologies mate your comments and questions are always welcome. hmmm factors???
this is pretty much all i do with the tank in terms of maintenance etc, i do 2 ten percent water changes one on saturday the other on wednesday, i dose 1/10th of the recommended dosing on the fertilisers im using, macro after water change trace the day after then nothing until the next water change.
i have the glass lily pipe raised just a little so its pulling down water from the surface and agitating the surface only a small amount which is also bringing in atmospheric co2 as well as o2 which seems to make the shrimp much more active, i think i have the balance just right so im not creating too much surface movement but just 8 hours lighting a day now. other than the two mixes of substrates thats it mate.
i only had a little gsa on the wood which i worked out was where the ikea led light was ointed during the night so have angled it stright to the back wall instead to create a moonlight on the wall which reflects into the tank.
Regarding the carpet, growth is insane, ive no idea what this plant is but im sending it off to Ed at freshwater so he can try it in a co2 set up to see if it changes but its covered the tank barring a patch at the front right which has the least flow.
heres a couple of pics just taken quickly on my s4 so crap photos from faulty camera........its having the camera replaced.
a quick night shot....which is when i spend most of my time watching
and a couple of shrimp grazing on one of the ketappa leaves
!
