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  1. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Sunday Scape

    How about some crypt albida brown? (Is that the pinky one?)
  2. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Aerial roots

    Wondering what stem plants members know of that are less likely to put out aerial roots and loose leaves from the lower half of the stem? Bacopa is one I’m having good success with. And I’ve also done well with hornwort in the past too, though I’m not so keen on the look. Imagine that other true...
  3. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Scape Contest Comments

    :banghead: Regretting having redone my planting today and not taken the opportunity to sort the hardscape...
  4. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    DIY 90cm aquarium cabinet ADA style

    Yes!!! Quick! It’s scaring me!
  5. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Scape Contest Comments

    Sounds fun.... I’ve been meaning to redo my hardscape anyway!
  6. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Wild Betta Jungle Scape

    Looking really good! Your brown algae problem (diatoms) will likely go away with time as it’s common with new setups. Do you have any otocinclus or shrimp in there to help out?
  7. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Is my light sufficient

    Atmospheric CO2 dissolves more readily in water at a lower temperature which will help your plants but you are right in that you don’t really need co2 if you are happy with your plants selection and growth rate etc
  8. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Play Sand

    If anyone is looking for somewhere they can order play sand from online. I just ordered from Hope Education.
  9. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Play Sand

    I’ve been looking for an online source of playsand for a kids sand pit and supermarkets do seem to be the best bet. Nowhere else I can find seems to be selling it... even Argos
  10. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Handwash / lotion and fish tanks

    Not sure what the difference between rinsing your hands and putting them in the tank would be?
  11. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Tinytoms first attempt

    Probably the easiest reds can be found in a few echinodorus types or Ludwigia palustris.
  12. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    the adventure begins...

    You can do either but most products recommend treating for the entire tank volume when afding directly to the tank. Personally I must admit I ignore this advice and have never had a problem...
  13. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Planted Tank For A Single Mated Pair Of Discus

    Whenever I see a photo of the outside of Riverwood Aquatics they always have big bits outside the door... yes here a photo from google
  14. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    the adventure begins...

    Nitrates show the result of a plantless cycled tank (ammonia converted to nitrites then nitrates) your tap water and the fertiliser will also contain some but don’t forget you are not looking at a plantless tank, the plants etc will take care of the ammonia once growing well.
  15. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    the adventure begins...

    As per the bottle of your chosen product :)
  16. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Hexamita

    Could you setup a hospital tank to move him to?
  17. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    the adventure begins...

    I’m not sure the gravel is needed here, the sand will drop down through the gravel over time and gravel will start appearing on top ov your nice black sand! sounds fine, you might want to consider partially covering each tube to get good light distribution in the tank, or I would definitely...
  18. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    2 stones.....Shrimple!

    Agreed! Are you going to do a planting plan @Ady34 ?
  19. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Other projects....

    @Jayefc1 absolutely love the dinosaurs jungle. It’s the only tank I’ve seen with kids toys in that I actually like... you have a young Amano on your hands there! @Ady34 loving the crazy wood monster! Wonder if the tank might benefit from a fast growing stem or some floating plants initially...
  20. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Other projects....

    I’m still working at the moment, kept on to deliver a big project into the organisation. But as of 15th I look forward to getting some time to add my own efforts to this page... all the best everyone - stay safe and stay sane ;)
  21. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Other projects....

    Careful!! Lol :lol:
  22. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Plantbase

    I hadn’t used it but likely will now I’ve discovered it!!!
  23. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    new tank water changes

    Carrying out lots of water changes at the start of a tanks life is still recommended to remove excess nutrients that may be release e.g. from aquasoil this in turn minimises the chance of algae at this time whilst the tank is settling in.
  24. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Low tech substrate

    Given you are going for a nutrient rich layer under the sand I don’t believe this will be a problem :)
  25. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Low tech substrate

    Most bottom dwellers like sand so I would be looking for a brand of black sand rather than gravel. Cories and dwarf cichlids like sitting through it for example. Many, like gobies, burrow into it.
  26. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Inspiration and improvement suggestions

    To be honest your post has reminded me how much I like vallis...!
  27. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Advice for newbie

    You need to get to a point where plant growth is good and there is no ammonia in the water column (aquasoil will release ammonia for a few days to a few weeks). When both these are in check then you can start to add livestock. mid day crack on with the API Quick Start if it would otherwise be...
  28. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Assassin snails not very active

    If you have one upside down on the BBC substrate I would rescue it into some plant mass and see if it gets going again, I know nerites can’t always right themselves. been a few days since your last message, how are things looking now?
  29. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Advice for newbie

    To give you some confidence, this is what one aquasky can do it you choose low light plants..
  30. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Is my sand (over substrate) too thick for a Dwarf Hairgrass carpet?

    Look also at lillaeopsis species :)
  31. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Soil substrate for pots

    I suspect it would leach nutrients heavily unfortunstely
  32. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    New Global Moderators

    Congrats to all! And a massive thank you too!!
  33. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Re-education.....

    @Ady34 Oh dear... I didn’t even see that!! I went straight to the photo properties!!!
  34. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    COVID19 and terrible decision making

    Oh yeh my diet is mainly chocolate based currently...
  35. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Re-education.....

    Ha - date on the photo is Nov 18!!!! We are saved!
  36. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Re-education.....

    Nooooooooooooo.... you have to be fooling us. Nope I’ve decided you definately are... I couldn’t cope with that on top of everything else...
  37. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    2 stones.....Shrimple!

    I found some great dragon stone pieces for my nano which were largely missing the holes and pitts that we normally associate with dragon stone. This gave me a unique looking stone that matched up with a sand foreground amazingly... one to consider. Scape ain’t looking so good recently after it...
  38. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Cloudy water

    Just seen that this doesn’t appear to have reached a solution... not on here at least. Did your green water problem resolve itself?
  39. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Nano tank

    Also look up how best to “plant” the bucephalandrw. You may want to tie them to decor rather than actually plant them as such...
  40. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Lews first planted tank :)

    Is that pearling from an area if damage on the plant? Just wondering if there is a link with the leaves dropping off...
  41. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    When can I add my fish?

    Sound to me like the mature filter media has done the trick and I would get it stocked :)
  42. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Low tech substrate

    See also https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/think-i’m-done-with-aquasoil.60272/
  43. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    COVID19 and terrible decision making

    I’ve also been working from home and from the garden quite a bit. My 9 month old needs a couple of naps a day and I have to go outside to take all the calls and joint teams meetings etc. It’s been colder the last couple of days but it’s still better than being stuck in the office!! Have also...
  44. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    my first attempt but need help in these times

    Agree with everything that’s been said so far, but wanted to add they I really like the look of your tank!! Amazing for your first go at aquascaping!
  45. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    40 Litres Low Tech

    I don’t think I could turn down those Tucano if they were available to me... Seriously fish lists them as 15 to 17mm which is absolutely tiny! Are these the right species?
  46. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Soil substrate for pots

    The tropica substrate stuff really does need to be capped as it is very fine indeed unfortunately. I must admit I really like their products but their naming is not always clear...
  47. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Week one, project one

    Would love to get some more details on this set up @Ray_Norwich Great looking tank!!! Loving the framing of the central focal point
  48. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Richards First Scape

    Just noticed no one responded to this... from your first post I can see you have a 135 litre tank. I always minus 10% for hardscape etc... so 120 litres. Approximately 120cm fish stocking availability (basic measure this but...) and you have ~30cm rummynoses ~14cm apistos ~24cm black phantoms...
  49. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Lots of questions

    Wow that’s an awesome idea... any chance they have a photo on Facebook?
  50. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Choosing Aquarium Plants For Soft And/Or Hard Water

    Some aquatic plants also give out compounds which restrict the growth of others... it’s called Allelopathy
  51. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Lots of questions

    With blue racking I guess black would visually look best for the tanks. mid probably use something like elodea as the fast growing plant or use a floating plant if suitable for your system as these are both more easy to remove sections of as they grow. I love the idea of doing one scape across...
  52. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Choosing Aquarium Plants For Soft And/Or Hard Water

    Java Fern is not as easy as most people think in my experience. I often also recommend people to use it as close to the light source as they can when they are struggling as this has halved in many cases leading me to think it likes stronger lighting than most...
  53. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Think I’m done with Aquasoil

    I don’t use a lot of stems personally but I now keep the in the top of the scape wedged in plant mass and near the light and in the nutrients in the water column. I get good red colour action near the light source and they branch off into two stems when trimmed without problem. They don’t really...
  54. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Think I’m done with Aquasoil

    I think for my next tank I will likely use opened up Tropica nutrition capsules with a ‘not too thick’ layer of sand over the top and that’s it... They don’t dissolve in water and are broken down slowly by bacteria so no need to go thick with the sand. If any plants struggle in the long term...
  55. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Choosing Aquarium Plants For Soft And/Or Hard Water

    I have some bolbitis rhizomes for sale at the moment if anyone is interested. They will go through normal post so no need to go collect them from the postie... here https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/bolbitis-and-java-fern-rhizomes.59884/
  56. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Choosing Aquarium Plants For Soft And/Or Hard Water

    I believe it takes a long time to get going and to adapt to submerged growth... I don’t think I have it long enough when I tried it...
  57. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Juwel Nitrax sponges

    Lol did you just make these up!?!?! :lol:
  58. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    British summer time

    Thanks!!! I always overthink the does this mean I get more or less sleep question...
  59. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    British summer time

    Suspect darker mornings and lighter evenings would get my vote... can’t deal with the mind bending question of which way this would mean I would need to vote....
  60. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Locked down and short on RO

    I would still be looking at collecting some rain water... this lockdown is not guaranteed to only last 3 weeks!
  61. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Lews first planted tank :)

    What a great tank!! Excellent use of the full height of the cube style tank (much harder to get looking great like this!). I like the planting and would not be changing anything anytime soon! my only suggestion would be to think about the final height of the plants you have selected and ensure...
  62. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Tips for growing Java Fern

    Agreed, this is quite normal - I'm guessing you have quite low plant mass in the tank at the moment which I appreciate may be difficult to resolve at the moment, but if you have any fast growing stems or floating plants you can transfer into this aquarium, you will significantly reduce the...
  63. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Choosing Aquarium Plants For Soft And/Or Hard Water

    As you guys know I have only low energy systems, plants like bolbitis also grow well for me when they shouldn’t - as do bulb plants such as aponogeton crispus and nymphaea lotus which supposedly need medium light. There are plants I’ve not been successful with though that I probably ‘should’ be...
  64. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Nostradamus?.

    If you can stand the thought of not being there at the birth... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52071033
  65. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    2 stones.....Shrimple!

    Looking forwards to seeing this develop @Ady34 as I absolutely love your bigger tank. I still plan to try and recreate it, possibly the current situation will give me a good opportunity to do this. Re this scape, I don’t know if your wanting suggestions but there is a great sense of depth in...
  66. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    25L Betta tank, first go at a "scape"

    You don’t really have any fast growing plants to mop up the initial high nutrient levels after you flood the tank. This will be really useful in helping limit algae etc for you. See below for more info on this: https://tropica.com/en/guide/get-the-right-start/supporting-plants/
  67. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Different Lilaeopsis Plants & Helanthium Tenellum

    Lilaeopsis are easier to grow than helanthium rebellion in my experience. I’ve personally not experienced the three varieties you mention though, just Novae-zelandiae
  68. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Choosing Aquarium Plants For Soft And/Or Hard Water

    I won’t get into the debate on how important water hardness is for plants etc and I also won’t vouch for how accurate this site I’m about to link to is but you can search for plants by recommended water hardness on here: https://en.aqua-fish.net/plants/
  69. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Open area

    Pygmy Cory in particular are more of a mid water swimmer than many of their peers which might help if you you do want more plants
  70. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Re-education.....

    Great to hear that you’re feeling better about the scape again - because you definitely should be!!!
  71. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Greed

    My broadband just went up £5 a month :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
  72. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Blending Sand for colour?

    Yes and it works quite well provided that you are not planning to mix a small amount of a very light colour with a very dark colour or vice versa as this can look to ‘speckled’.
  73. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    External filter hoses kitchen cupboard HELP

    Those ‘Computer desk cable grommets’ might be useful here
  74. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    A morning out collecting

    Stuff in that last photo looks ace! :)
  75. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Temp is too high for some reason

    Is your tank near the heat source for the room (radiator?)?
  76. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    DIY Water Changer - Quick Advice needed.

    Head height will have an impact too, but it does sound a bit overkill for the job at hand... don’t forget it’s not good for the motors to run a pump at a restricted flow rate...
  77. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    My planted tanks

    No the water does not spill it is trapped in the hoses... ok a bit comes out initially a splash worth but then it is trapped in there due to the design - as you rotate it, there is a plastic piece that covered the ends of the tubes.
  78. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    My planted tanks

    You’ll see lock and unlock written on the top to the side of the hoses - twist the circular part with the 2 hose connectors on and it will seal so you can remove
  79. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Critique my hardscape New hardscape critique wanted!

    In terms of “tailing off” on the right hand side, you might like to try a rock on its own in the substrate separate from the main structure. Number 3 is my favourite too.
  80. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Aquatic virgin

    Looking good!!! :cool::clap:
  81. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Jasons Learning Curve

    Massive improvement to the latest hardscape photo... only thing I don’t really like is the triangular rock in the front just looks too triangular - I would swap it with one of the smaller stones in the back. It’s a nice stone though and so much better than the pebbles in my opinion.
  82. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    My planted tanks

    The Oase does have quick release filter hoses?? You twist the bit where they both attach... or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
  83. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Medications with twinstar/chihiros?

    Do you have an air stone you could temporarily replace it with to get the increased oxygenation? Does the medication require increased oxygenation?
  84. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Does bare aqua soil cause algae?

    Watch from 19:35
  85. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Does bare aqua soil cause algae?

    Just been watching a GreenAqua video where they suggest that having bare aqua soil not covered by plants a few weeks after setup leads to algae... does anyone have any experience with this? It was new to me when I heard it, so intrigued if any direct experience out there to prove/disprove. I can...
  86. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    The Lost World... Of Bolbitis

    Your Betta will learn to associate you with food and come to you when you are present (even the noise of you coming near the tank can trigger them
  87. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Richards First Scape

    Gut instinct here but that sounds like an awful lot of fertiliser for your tank size!!
  88. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Tough texture stem plants

    No experience with big cichlids so get someone else’s opinion on this suggestion... but backpacks jumps to mind...
  89. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Nostradamus?.

    Shame the rest of the page kind of acts to discredit it...fingers crossed for the swift exist tho!!
  90. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    BioMaster Thermo 350 + 200 L tank

    Have you checked the water hardness requirements of the fish species you’ve chosen? Seriously Fish is a great website for this purpose and your water company will have a page on their site where you can enter your postcode and find your water hardness. I’m doubtful that cardinals (soft water)...
  91. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Best water changing solution here in the UK??

    Or use a hozelock tap connecter to avoid the need for a pump and buckets altogether!!
  92. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Newby Fluval Flex 57 Adventures

    Good looking tank there @HobbyJackJon
  93. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Black Out, Cyano, Thread and a work trip

    It all sounds very sensible to me. Obviously complete another round of manual removal followed by a water change before you go. It does take many weeks for blue green to finally give up in my experience, hopefully the blackout should speed this up significantly.
  94. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Tips for Trimming Rotala Macrandra?

    You can do either :) Replant the tops of you have enough “bushyness” or want to retain the “grown-in” look, otherwise trim leaving the base.
  95. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Who are your favourite youtubers?

    this must have been covered elsewhere on here before but (I’m no particular order):... Juris Jutjajevs Tank Tested Aquapros Green Aqua Nigel Aquascaping for something less well known - The Planted Tank has really been grabbing my attention recently
  96. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Which Stem Plants Can be Mercilessly Trimmed Over and Over Again?

    The thought that went through my mind here was as below and led to a interesting question for any stem plant fans out there... Stems will of course grow 2 shoots from the point of cutting ( or nearest node of whatever, don’t shoot me) so growth will become exponentially denser over time using...
  97. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Dying Amanos

    I suspect it’s all a bit simpler than this personally... If the LFS is concerned about nitrates this potentially indicates they are extremely high. I have had a dosing issue with a complete fertiliser like yours which led me to the same scenario - dying amanos. And in fact this is how I became...
  98. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Digital thermometer recommendations please

    This is probably slightly random but the inaccuracy of thermometer was really enough to like when my young son was ill and the thermometer we had bought to test his temperature (on good recommendation) didn’t show anything up. When we eventually ended up in A&E, they were able to “recalibrate”...
  99. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Help with water change pump suggestions

    I don’t know the pump size unfortunately but how about this...?: https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aqua-marin-water-change-pump
  100. Matt @ ScapeEasy

    Diversa

    Just to advise everyone... @Aquariums4life are happy to produce any custom size of tank :)
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