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The Root - 02/02/2016 (pics)

Jaap

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2011
Messages
1,068
Location
Nicosia
Hello everyone,

after failing with my previous attempt of creating a healthy aquascape, here I go again with something new.

These are the specs:
1. Tank - 60cmx40cmx40cm
2. Juwel 120 cabinet
3. Pressurised CO2 with inline diffuser connected to the filter inlet
4. Filter - Fluval 305 1000 l/h
5. Substrate - ADA Power Sand Special & ADA Amazonia
6. Light - TMC GroBeam 1500 Tile with controller
7. Plants - undecided
8. Fertilisation - Tropica Plant Growth Specialised

I need some help on the hardscape at the moment. So here are some pictures and more are to come hopefully better quality ones:

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Thanks
 
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I am not pleased with my hardscape...I think it needs something more....maybe when I add the soil and I can add more rocks it will look better...any suggestions? I am trying to have a higher part around the trank of the root and lower soil level in front on the left where the monte carlo will grow...

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I had similar layout in the past (aqua @ pet shop - layout #1 - on my current avatar). Looking back I should say that many people told me about too much sand area at the left side, and they were right. So, this is my advice - continue rocks wall further to the left, up to 2/3 or even 3/4 of the length of your tank. That will improve impression of the tank.

Also, do you have specific plan for the upper branch which goes out of your tank? If it's long enough I'd cut it below the twist, and stick the rest to back right corner. So, you'll have 3 branches as 3 rays going from one source.
 
I never had the intention to add sand because I feel mote plant mass will help things go smoother for a beginner like me. I will add monte carlo everywhere outside the rocks around the root...but I will add more rocks for sure...
 
I have finally planted the tank. However, even after of so many years of unsuccessful aquascapes, I expected more of myself and should have avoided a big mistake. When everything was ready, planted and the tank slowly filled up with water, the whole root floated upwards and destroyed most of my hardscape. I never soaked the root before hand and never thought of it, a very amateur and stupid mistake. Another mistake was having a very shallow layer of Amazonia on the left hand side of the aquarium, as I thought it would be good enough for Monte Carlo. It was just enough, maybe a bit more would have been better, but when I tried to plant a few stem plants they just didn't stay put. It was very shallow!

I have to say I am a bit disappointed, however, one could say that since 1995 when I first came into this hobby, I ought to get used to this feeling judging from my results :)

Today the water should be clear. I will do a 50% water change and try to add a few plants that got uprooted when the root floated. I couldn't put them back for two reasons. First, the water was all dusty and black from the Amazonia, I couldn't see much. Second, the upward movement of the root caused most of the soil that was around it to move underneath it and restrict my planting space. I see a few plants squashed and out of place but I am hoping that when they grow it will look better.

These are the pictures from yesterday. I will put more up today after the water change and a bit more planting.

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I have noticed that the first couple of days I was not adding CO2. No foul no harm though and now plenty of CO2 is in the tank. The light is at 65% and 50cm over the substrate. Everything seems to be ok at the moment. Doing daily 50% water changes and dosing 1ml each day of Plant Growth Specialised Fertilizer. The outlet lilly pipe broke so I used the original Fluval outlet and this has an advantage. The lilly pipe was pointing downwards and so I had to decrease the flow so it wouldn't unsettle the substrate. With the fluval outlet though because it is pointing straight, I increased the circulation and have some rippling effect as well.

One small problem, one bunch of Rotala Bonsai seen on the left has melted. Don't know why.

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Here are a few pictures:

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Γεια σου φιλε!

I see that you have a Fluval filter. You mention that you have an inline diffuser. Can you post some pics of the connection?
 
Update!

I have spotted some Green Dust Algae on the glass and maybe, not sure yet but I think very little algae on certain mc leaves although its so little that I am unsure of it. I have good growth so I decided to decrease the light intensity from 65% to 55%. I am continuing on the daily water changes and now I am adding water conditioner for the chlorine. Here is a front view shot.

So decreasing the light intensity is a smart move for GDA?

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What kind of plant is this?
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How can I stop the runners from spreading all over the place? Will a small rock suffice?
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Thanks
 
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Jaap it is looking good, good idea to decrease the light intensity. If the GSA continues the photo period could be pulled back a small bit as well.
Jim
 
Do you mean the eleocharis (grass type plant) ? You can snip the runners off beneath the substrate and pull them up using a small stone will just divert them rather than stop them.

Is that Eleocharis Parvula or Eleocharis sp?
 
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