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110l optiwhite cave beach/stream

Iain mlaren

Member
Joined
8 Dec 2016
Messages
196
Location
Uk
Hi I've had a bit of time to progress my tank a bit to the point I can upload a few pictures and get some feedback on it. I put some sand in there today but I'm not sure if sand looks right or weather a more small natural coloured gravel would look better? I'm planning on planting the banks with hc. On some of the rock planting spiky and weeping moss. Far right back growing ERIOCAULON CINEREUM. What do you guys think so far?
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any comments most welcome. Thanks. Can everyone see pictures? I've heard they can't be seen sometimes?
 
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Looking good. Often people will use smaller rocks to soften the edges of the transition from rock to sand. Keen to see updates.
 
Hi rebel. Do you mean on the right hand side or everywhere? I wanted to create an almost cliff sheer drop to it. Liked the idea of the fish swimming in front of the cliff. I may try some smaller stones on the right hand side and see how it looks though. Thanks
 
Hi there ! It's a very interesting project ! The pictures are crystal clear ! Regarding the layout, I wonder if the beach it's not too big What if you put some more "fertile " land on the right side, or add some stones in the front, to simulate the erosion you know ; BTW, I think the white cosmetic sand suits perfectly the purpose

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Hi eduard. Glad you can see the pictures. It is a bit different I suppose lol. After two comments about the lower side I think I will definitely try and source some smaller rocks to put out the front as your comment about corrosion makes perfect sense. I wasn't sure the sand was too white but I think it shows off the rock nicely. Cheers for comments
 
Quick update. I got some plants today and planted them in. Hc Cuba on the banks and I've mixed some Christmas moss, spiky moss and weeping moss together with yogurt and painted it on some rocks. Hopefully this will grow in (dry start)
I've also ordered some different substrate as I don't think I like the beachy look and will try going more along the lines of stream. Still need to find some suitable smaller rock for around the Base so it will narrow down the stream effect hopefully. Here's some pictures from today. (Camera phone)
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The chopped up moss on rocks
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Full picture showing planted hc. Any comments welcome. Thanks
 

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So this is another update. It's been 4 days since adding the hc and moss. It's not died but hasn't done a lot of growing either. (To be expected from 4 days lol) took a few more pictures today and will update again on Tuesday so 7 days in. Thanks
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Looks pretty good all foggy. Bit spooky looking lol
 
So the tank is up and running emersed. Not allot happening so no pictures. The hc seems to be growing a bit but not very fast lol. I lost 2 from mold I think so I've been leaving it uncovered for around an hour at night before lights out. Also not spraying as much. Trouble is I can't have water just below substrate due to the very high banks. Any ideas on This? Keep going as I am and hope the high humidity is enough or something else? Cheers for reading
 
So. Its now been 12 days of my emersed growth with hc and a few mixed mosses. Growth is fairly slow and I've lost a couple of my hc. Nothing drastic. I'm thinking the slow growth is due to using akadama soil with no ferts in it. I have added some flourish tabs. I don't no if this is good or bad with emersed setup? I've also started adding co2 into the sealed tank, not to sure this will help or not either as there isn't much written on it but costs me nothing to try. The moss seems to have started growing in some areas and died in others. I think this is due to them drying out in areas exposed to the heat from lights. I've lifted the lights up slightly to try and combat this issue. I've finally added two Eriocaulon cinereum. Im very disapointed with these.(pictures after 2 days in tank) condition they came in and the seller (ebay) but thats i different story. Im hoping they will come back to life. I'm waiting on some quarts stone gravel I ordered a few weeks ago with some other bits that are getting shipped when back in stock I'm hoping the slightly more off white natural looking gravel will look slightly better while still giving a good contrast against the rocks and plants. Ive stopped spraying them aswel and pouring water over the hole substrate when the lights are out to try keep it moist enough. Any comments welcome. Will update again in a few days
 
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any ideas what this could be? Mould or something? Its in a few placed dotted around. On a few hc that seems to be dieing. Thanks all
 

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That was the plan for the rocks to cascade over the sides. The hc isn't growing to great in areas though. Stopped spraying and airing it more but it's still dying. Other places growing well though. I currently have 2 100nd tiles and a small 500. Thinking of upgrading it to 1500nd tiles though. Moss is really starting to grow in well now.
 
It is a very fine grain sand. I brought it ages ago when I first got a tank. I didn't like the look of it in my other tank so it was sat in the shed. I can't remember exactly what it was tbh. It was an aquarium sand but no ferts or anything as I don't plan on growing anything in the sand.
 
So not replied for some time. After having trouble with mould and nothing growing to great i brought more hc that still didnt grow to well i ended up flooding the tank.

I had sand as a substrate and didnt really like it so ditched it for jbl river substrate. this is much better and doesnt kick around as much as the sand.

Ive got 7 amano shrimp doing a grand job of clening everything up. Also some cherry barbs. I probs wont keep these on there long term but they are quite interesting to watch.

Currently dosing ei ferts only 15ml per a day with lights on for a 6 hour period. This is holding back any algae or green water. Havent had any yet. The plants are growing in well now that its flooded still a long way to go yet though until they have covered.

Ive added some pictures from different stages between now and then.



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