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120cm X 50 x 50 Optiwhite

Brian Murphy

Member
Joined
20 Oct 2012
Messages
592
Location
Omagh, N.Ireland
Set-Up
Tank :120cm x 50 x 50 Optiwhite
Filters: 2 x 1200xl jet filters (3 x bio rings, foam, filter wool and purigen)
Lighting: 80cm Arcadia otl led (6 hours)
Co2: 2kg FE via UP inline diffuser 24/7
50% water changes every other day on week 1
Ferts: Tropica specialised after I added the 1-2 grow! (6 pumps)
Plants
1 x Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia
1 x Echinodorus ozelot - red
1 x Pogostemon stellatus
1 x Vallisneria spiralis (Straight vallisneria)
1 x Nymphaea lotus Bulb
1 x Tropica Pogostemon erectus 1-2-GROW!
1 x Tropica Hygrophila 'Araguaia' 1-2-GROW!
1 x Tropica Rotala macrandra 1-2-GROW!
1 x Aponogeton ulvaceus Bulb (Compact aponogeton)
1 x Echinodorus bleheri (amazon sword)
Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'
Rotala rotundifolia
Microsorum pteropus 'Trident'
Bolbitus heudelotii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne nevilli
Cryptocoryne Beckettii

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Keen to see how this turns out. What's the fauna options?
 
Will also keep an eye on this one looking good so far
 
Looking good :D

re the brown/melty leaves on the Val, you might try cutting back at least an inch or so below the visible brown (use very sharp scissors so as to minimize crush damage) ... sometimes this will leave you with nice green "stubs", other times the melt may continue, just trim as needed ... once you see new growth you can cut some these older leaves back hard (~ substrate level)
Initially take care not to disturb the developing roots

I lost track of how your other journal went, new scapes are so much fun :snaphappy:
 
Still getting some brown dirt on the glassware and pipes from my last scape when I used dragonstone. Must be coming from the substrate. I thought purigen would have sorted that out but no. Got some 1-2 grow! Plants that haven't grew at all and haven't died at the same time. I have an image of the dirt on leaves thus preventing good photosynthesis. Hope it doesnt ruin this set up aswell! Elocharis is only growing upwards aswell and thats after 2 trims
Some update pics
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Got some 1-2 grow! Plants that haven't grew at all and haven't died at the same time. I have an image of the dirt on leaves thus preventing good photosyn

They can take a while to get established before any growth becomes apparent.

IIRC Mick did explain that because the plants have all the nutrition they need in the gel it takes a while for them to adapt and develop the mechanism to utilise what's available to them in the tank. Typically just a case of waiting for the roots to develop.
 
They can take a while to get established before any growth becomes apparent.

IIRC Mick did explain that because the plants have all the nutrition they need in the gel it takes a while for them to adapt and develop the mechanism to utilise what's available to them in the tank. Typically just a case of waiting for the roots to develop.

I've seen others using them getting growth after a week and so have I in the past. This has been 3 weeks now. Also lost my rotala macranda to the shrimp. They seem to love red plants
 
Despite the lack of growth, it looks a nice scape :)

I don't know how Purigen got the reputation of clearing particles, it's primary effectiveness is as an ion exchange with excellent DOC properties - "water polishing" is how it was originally marketed ;)
(dissolved organic carbon eg, tannins etc)

From Seachem
Purigen® is specifically designed to be an organic scavenging resin. When ion-exchange resins are filled to capacity by metals and other contaminants ... etc

a unique macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water - this statement is somewhat misleading I suppose

The FAQ is worth reading

Note that Seachem recommends using The Bag with Purigen, the 180 micron mesh will keep your Purigen free of particles that may impact it's effectiveness; if you buy Purigen in the 100ml "bag" (sorry couldn't find the link to this on Seachem's website anymore) this also appears to be made of the 180 micron mesh.

To capture that brown dust (which may be coming from the substrate - I don't recall which aquatic soil or gravels you've used) add in fine poly wool etc - I find Eheim's combination of sponge & fine pads to be effective.
 
I'd give the Eheim filter pads a try before tearing down the scape - you may also be able to borrow a DE or micron filter from a local shop (depending on the local fish situation) ... try posting in the Swap section & see if anyone has one they can loan or sell
eg, System One was fairly inexpensive new, unfortunately no longer available, but Marineland HOT Magum filter fitted with water polishing micron cartridge should still be about ... cartridges are more costly than the DE type micron filters but they are also dead easy to use

If the residual brown dust is from the previous rock or even algae, the Magnum should be quite effective, but expect to use it intermittently for some weeks - even if the substrate is just releasing contamination dust I'd expect this to continue for several weeks.

If you do break down the tank, you should be able to salvage plants, change out the substrate & replant etc - a ton of work & substrate cost.

You may also find that adding a layer of fine dark sand will block substrate release of fines ... the sand will likely slowly disappear into the soil base (assuming ADA etc type "spheres") & tank should eventually run relatively dust free, you may always need to stay on top of the fine filter pad maintenance.

Commiserations on this whole frustrating situation
 
I haven't posted anything in ages but I think since time and alot of water changes plus I got a new Ati sunpower dimmible, things are starting to improve vastly. I think Im going to strip this tank down soon and start a new scape knowing that everything is going the way I want it to. Here is a final pic of how it looks today. Very messy layout but growth is good. I will have loads of trident and bolbitis for sale soon if anyone is interested. In fact just PM me if interested.

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Me too...looks great...a shame to tear is down.

I am still adding plants to the tank and taking stuff out, moving things around. Just trying a carpet of staurogyne repens at the front and making room for some stem plants at the back. I have removed the vallis and lots of trident and bolbitis. Will get a few pics when I have things the way I want them over the coming weeks.
 
Really like the scape and tank Brian - but and sure the next will be awesome! Its a little off topic - but as your stocking with new plants - I wondered if you ever tried Java Plants? Although not one of ukaps sponsors - I just realised recently they're based near Lisburn & wondered if ud any experience with them. They have tropica plants!
 
Really like the scape and tank Brian - but and sure the next will be awesome! Its a little off topic - but as your stocking with new plants - I wondered if you ever tried Java Plants? Although not one of ukaps sponsors - I just realised recently they're based near Lisburn & wondered if ud any experience with them. They have tropica plants!
I cant believe I have never heard of them before after sooo many years trolling the internet about aquascaping related topics here which as you can imagine came up empty. Which is why I have in the process of researching products etc for a new business here. I will be contacting them soon to suss them out and see what they do. Thanks for the heads up;)
 
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