Azales Tale,

[critch]

Been growing plants n keeping fish for years,
This is my 1st tank, really thinking about where the wood n plants should actually go tank,

Tank...Aqua one 35ltr,
Substrate.. 8ltr Tesco Cat litter,
Hardscape..Azales Root,
Lighting..Tmc 400 tile,
Fertaliser ..10ml Ei dosing, alternative days,

50% weekly waterchanges,

Fauna,
Java Fern,
Cryptocoryne,
Cryptocoryne Amicourum,
Polygonum Sao Paulo,
Hydrophilic guanesis,
Pogostemon Helfri,
Plant on right cannot remember,


21 Bee Shrimp,



Sorry about the reflection,

 

[critch]

Now planted, just clearing.

 

[critch]

 

[Christos Ioannou]

Hi any progress you can share?

 

[critch]

Hi any progress you can share?

Few more plants added the week after,
Then I got some major crypt melt over the last week, but have a few little shoots growing back
Will update tonight with some pictures,

 

[critch]

Here is a full sun Shot,

 

[critch]

Here's a shot now,

Hope it looks okay, like I said it's my first proper attempt,

 

[Christos Ioannou]

Hi critch thanks, looks just fine. I am using the same substrate and wanted to see how you get along.
Keep them coming

 

[Martin in Holland]

With EI you need to do a WC of 50%, not 10%, this is to reset your tank as EI adds more nutrients than actual needed.

 

[critch]

Thanks Martin,
At the start I was going to do 10% as I was worried about the shrimp , but now i do 50% changes,

 

[critch]

View from my office

Update,
Have a slight algea problem in one small area, think it is Blanket weed,

I am really struggling getting the
Helferi to root in the substrate, going to perceiver for another 2 weeks, then may change it for something else,

Otherwise all the others seem to have rooted well, including the grass,

 

[critch]

Little update as posted above, fell out with the Helferi it keep uprooting,
So changed it for Enchlonorus Tenellius,

Not sure I will use cat litter again, sand was so much easier, also algea is beating me at the moment,

 

[Christos Ioannou]

As far as cat litter is concerned, given that its the same consistency as other aquarium specialized brands, I see no issue reusing it, especially for the money.
I have been using it for 5 months, still same shape as originally used (not turning to mud). I too have issues with uprooting - not sure if I can only blame the substrate or the flying foxes that keep messing with the dhg... Maybe capping with thinner sand can help. All (stem) plants other than hair grass are doing OK.