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  1. grathod

    ‘Phœnix’ , 45x27x30cm.

    Agree with your CO2 method, keeps it balanced throughout the day without peaks and lows. I've had great success using the same.
  2. grathod

    ADA 90P - "Low Roar"

    Beautiful scape and great result for you. Can’t wait to see what you do next with the tank:)
  3. grathod

    Re-education.....

    This is something to behold Ady, coincidently, I’ve also centred my new project on Congo tetras, they are truly amazing. Will be taking inspiration on plant choice from yours. Dialled in mate, watching with great interest.
  4. grathod

    Taiwan Bee not so nano

    awesome shrimp haven this!
  5. grathod

    Ada 60p, talawa land

    Wow, stunning journal mate, phoenix tetras are something else, I've seen a few at my LFS, but not enough to start a shoal... your shrimp are remarkable, where did you get them from? Were the phoenix tetras ok with the shrimp or did they hunt them? looking forward to your next one with interest
  6. grathod

    Cloudy sky

    really nice scape this Andrew, there are loads of scenes that are very similar in real life to what you want to achieve so big thumbs up. once planted up this would be remarkable. just a suggestion, if you somehow add another branch that has fallen from your main tree and leaning left towards...
  7. grathod

    How to glue aquarium hardscape (wood & rocks)

    brilliant tip and video
  8. grathod

    Dusting off Cobwebs on my 100cm

    Quick update, got the wood in and am pleased with the way it sits. Will be cleaning up the dead moss and getting it soaked. Debating whether to use plastic tetra filter set that came with the Tetratec EX1200 or swap to Lily pipes. ponder ponder!
  9. grathod

    Harvesting your own wood

    This is interesting reading guys as I've seen countless scapes from the the Asian continents and have always thought I'd love to get my hands on that piece of wood. I will be more observant now at fallen trees and twigs on my journeys henceforth :)
  10. grathod

    Dusting off Cobwebs on my 100cm

    I'm looking at the Arcadia T5 LED, Tropical and Freshwater tubes to replace the T5 fluorescents in my series 4 pendant as a retrofit. Arcadia claim they offer almost double the output of normal T5's... I don't want to fork out a few hundred on new LEDS lights like Kessels etc. Idea is to go...
  11. grathod

    Dusting off Cobwebs on my 100cm

    Cheers guys, was heavily into the hobby years ago but 2 young kids came along, had to switch priorities as had 6 aquascaped tanks around the house at one point. Had to draw the line...lol! Tam: you won't believe the trove I've amassed over the last decade. Found so much stuff when I moved...
  12. grathod

    Dusting off Cobwebs on my 100cm

    Not decided on substrate yet, have some black quartz somewhere or JBL Sansibar Grey with an underlay of crushed lava rock to aid bacteria growth. I've used this before and found it beneficial as an additional form of natural filtration. Will upload progress as I go along.
  13. grathod

    Dusting off Cobwebs on my 100cm

    Slight damage to the cabinet from moisture, sat in the garage over half a decade but still good to use. Tank in temporary position with hardscape positioned as I want it (albeit needing a good brush off of the old mosses and soak) Juvenille Angels in holding tank
  14. grathod

    Dusting off Cobwebs on my 100cm

    I've not had a tank now for over 5 yrs so thought I'd pull out my old one from the garage, clear the spiders and start afresh. Since we moved I have not taken inventory of how much aquatic stuff I have collected and hoarded over the years. Will use what I have and sell of everything else as am...
  15. grathod

    Pathway to Rio Negro 864L (biotope)

    Good point, I've no first hand experience with them so any info is great. I am planning a big tank for Altums but first i need to have a massive garage sale to rid all stuff i have hoarded over the years to fund the "big one". Cheers for the heads up on the Altums voracity Edvert.
  16. grathod

    Nigel's Mountain scape 36L

    where did you get the dragon stone from?
  17. grathod

    Nigel's Mountain scape 36L

    striking! can imagine this with the mosses and plants grown in... tuned in
  18. grathod

    Pathway to Rio Negro 864L (biotope)

    Really liking the the natural tannin look, I've been wanting Altum Angels for a long time and your setup looks ideal for them. Are you planning any such fish for your setup?
  19. grathod

    (NO MORE) 2,000L High tech BEAST

    Subscribed mate, this is going to be a hell of a project, watching keenly. Good luck Filip
  20. grathod

    BIG tank appreciation

    This is worth stalking, lol! Perfect balance for a big tank
  21. grathod

    My Road to IAPLC 2017

    Balansae behind the cypress is a top idea, am adopting this, your tank is an inspiration bud
  22. grathod

    120 Ohko Fire

    Just come across your thread, really like it. Rock height seems ok, once filled and planted you have loadsa space above, illusion of having a sky. If you put another circulation pump the opposite side and have one species of fish then they'll imitate birds flying over a landscape with the...
  23. grathod

    My kitchen nano

    Fab scape this, you must have your routine down to a tee as the plant growth is phenomenal. Subscribed
  24. grathod

    1000+

    Watching with interest, nicely built in the wall, stunning
  25. grathod

    Pathway to Rio Negro 864L (biotope)

    Just catching up, I too am returning back to the hobby after a few years... Shoreline does it for me and you'll defo have some dead spots but I've found using a small circulation pump placed behind the wood aids circulation so easily overcome. It depends largely on your plant scheme imo and the...
  26. grathod

    20l - Forgotten Ancient

    Liking that piece of wood, can picture it grown in surrounded by the hair grass. Have considered liquid carbon instead of CO2 gas? I've had decent success with it in the past especially with nanos
  27. grathod

    120 Ohko Fire

    Sorry, hate typos, I meant looking forward to see how this develops...
  28. grathod

    120 Ohko Fire

    Looking forward to gown this develops, good structure, will look the biz once the plants really grow in.
  29. grathod

    Mine & A Mates

    Hi sorry for the late reply, got this from an eBay seller but TMC now sell exactly the same thing now and costs very similar by the time you add postage from the Far East. Plus with local purchase you get the warranty if something goes wrong with it... Some people have mentioned leakage problems...
  30. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Hi, not yet... It'll be a while till I'll be back in the mix as currently in rented whilst the home is being gutted and renovated, lol, sometimes I wonder what possessed me to do this.
  31. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Thanks guys
  32. grathod

    Mine & A Mates

    ok folks figured the acrylic lily pipe kit out now sponges and all. I have read some reviews to the contrary of this products usefulness here so thought I'd share my own findings using this product... these have been long overdue is what I say. inlet with skimmer attachement is relatively easy...
  33. grathod

    british wood

    Yeah! Game on folks, this is turning out to being a good thread:clap:
  34. grathod

    british wood

    Better still, lets continue with this thread & those that are using these woods - put some pics on & let us know what problems if any you faced when you first used it... Share the knowledge peeps!
  35. grathod

    british wood

    Looking at the comments here I think there is a need for a thread in the tutorials or wherever applicable for a heading "aquarium safe local wood". Unfortunately I don't have enough knowledge about the various indigenous species to start it. Think it'll be a fantastic resource for all to...
  36. grathod

    british wood

    No worries bud, if you ever got any spare them pm me. Cheers
  37. grathod

    british wood

    Tom that is a mighty big box of heather, u selling any?
  38. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Thanks, I used the ADA substrate system on that scape. Having got some advice from Clive recently I reckon that the same results can be archived on a lower budget - I'm going to try some osmocote on the bottom topped with tropica substrate and finally very fine gravel on top on my next foray...
  39. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Plants have gone to other fish keepers and my local LFS normally takes in my fish & offers a credit against his goods so am lucky really as other LFS don't offer anything but take your fish in to sell on. Some are right buggers, so if you find a decent LFS, stick with them and give them your...
  40. grathod

    Teak Root Mini 2

    Very strongly agree with comments on java moss above, it's a pain in the a!? to manage. There are better mosses out there but fissidens is a beauty, see my journal and what this moss looks like 100cm optiwhite - the learning curve | UK Aquatic Plant Society I couldn't get java moss off my scape...
  41. grathod

    Mine & A Mates

    Thing I found with these are that it is better to fit the pipe to the screw nuts first before attaching to the lily in & out, as i can see how just brute pressure on the long tubes may cause them to split. also the screw nuts i tightened with very little hand pressure till i felt the flexi give...
  42. grathod

    Mine & A Mates

    Not sure but picked up a TMC AquaGro catalogue when out at one LFS and they are showing them in there in 2 sizes - 12/16mm & 16/22mm, items coded as 2899 & 2900 respectively...
  43. grathod

    Mine & A Mates

    Progress... got some smashing mini pellia from Ed @ Freshwater Shrimp and a decent amount of weeping moss from Claire, thank you both. Also received some goodies from abroad - acrylic lily pipe set, was a bit blown away by the contents of the package... attached some pics taken from my phone...
  44. grathod

    cat litter

    Please pardon my really naïve question guys, but as I've heard the use of cat litter quite a lot recently and am raring to give it a go, could anyone advise what type of cat litter to use? Again a really noob question but I don't know much about it so some research yielded clumping and non...
  45. grathod

    Nature's Corner 'naturalis' Trigon 190 (now closed)

    You are welcome, thoroughly enjoying this thread. Is that manzi wood that you are using? can you point me in the right direction to source some?
  46. grathod

    NA 120cm - Asian Dreams-IAPLC # 251

    thanks for getting back to me on this. hhmmm, will have a think whether I go for the eheim or the fx6.
  47. grathod

    NA 120cm - Asian Dreams-IAPLC # 251

    Quick question Ian, am considering the thermo version of your filter- 2180. I noticed 3 nozzles on the filter head... This is new territory for me as used mainly the 2 nozzle head filters, not sure whether I would want to use 2 outlet strainers on the setup. Do you think running both outlets...
  48. grathod

    70L Hi-tech planted

    Ditto - you won't need to feed your rams for a while as they will work through your shrimp population especially the smaller ones like cherry or bee shrimp. Might be ok with the Amano or Pinocchio shrimp fully grown. I have used an Eheim Ecco pro rated at around 700l/hr on a similar volume tank...
  49. grathod

    Nature's Corner 'naturalis' Trigon 190 (now closed)

    Gary, absolutely sublime. My first tank was a trigon 190 in beech so my journey started with this tank many many years ago. Fond memories and you have done yours some serious justice. Both thumbs up! Hooked and watching
  50. grathod

    When someone loves a scape - and we kind of mimic that

    Simply Stunning! Well done to you both, love how the client has taken real pride in his set up.
  51. grathod

    Mine & A Mates

    Hi All As the house move is taking longer than expected, what with the chain malarkey, the fish tank corner is looking a bit empty and sad, so I've decided whilst the waiting game is on, I'll spark up the ol' tank with a hardscape only so that it easy to pack up & move when the date eventually...
  52. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Thanks, glad you like it. It is 2 pieces of redmoor that I bought from TGM, years ago. The beauty of it is that the Mrs picked it. She was well chuffed when she handed me the 2 pieces, intention was to choose one but hey, I saw them, put them together and the rest is history. Lucky for me, she...
  53. grathod

    My new 2,4m tank. watch this space!

    sounds good, can't wait to see it take form
  54. grathod

    "Green&Grey" (300l) - Last day video

    Lovely scape, I've tried to grow HM, but no where near as lush as yours... Any tips on that plant? Also if you want to colour your tetras in, then try feeding bloodworm regularly. Someone i know swears by it, but then again it also depends on the heritage of the breed stock from where these were...
  55. grathod

    My new 2,4m tank. watch this space!

    Thought you'd be from SA, judging by the no. plate on the Clio behind you. I've contemplated doing a scape to capture the Table Mountains but never had a tank nor the space big enough to do it. Have you thought of what style planted scape you are going for? Interested & watching, good luck.
  56. grathod

    Steve's Shrimp Pile - Planted

    Just an idea, looking at the first scape, have you thought of banking up a slope of rocks and then having a select few pieces of wood come out through this pile, like an old tree that sent out roots through a stony hill? I think the hydrocotyle creeping through some majestic roots would look...
  57. grathod

    Sweetaquastyle

    Astonishingly good work, very forward thinking. Keep it up! It'd be great to see step by step transition of the setup to completion like many people have said.
  58. grathod

    Martins Rio 125, help please!

    Good start Martin, I personally liked the earlier placement of the wood - almost like a wind swept tree which is very common up in the north country around here. I would use this to depict a tree with plenty of moss around it & then plant the mini hairgrass amongst some glosso or h. Cuba to...
  59. grathod

    Inspirational Iwagumi layouts using terrestrial plants and moss (must view)

    Hi Mark, think you've inspired me here... I'm currently in the process of a lengthy renovation but once done and back onto tanks, I'm going to grab a few handfuls of that moss I mentioned& give it a try submerged, gut instinct is telling me that it will work as its from a very wet area in...
  60. grathod

    Newbie Nano Help

    Water changes are a must if you use ferts and co2 as excess nutrients is a sure way to invite algae and by doing a regular 25-50% water change each week if using a high tech method, will ensure there isn't an unnecessary build up in the lil tank.
  61. grathod

    Lights out!

    Lights out will be fine. Some of us do the occasional blackouts for a week to combat algae so you'll be fine.
  62. grathod

    Confused.

    Ed runs freshwater shrimps and is also NA's main man in the UK. He is normally very quick in responding so drop him an email or so... Iwagumi is a good choice and once you've decided what you want to do I.e. a scape with wood only or wood & rock or just rock then you can start making a list for...
  63. grathod

    Utterly amazing, how to ?

    Unsure about the rock but have seen it in Lfs"s every now & again. Guessing the wood is heather twigs. Ask Ed from freshwater shrimp, he's familiar with it...
  64. grathod

    Inspirational Iwagumi layouts using terrestrial plants and moss (must view)

    This is really frontier stuff Mark & thought I'd share my observation of a walk I do in Cumbria when I want to get out but not do a strenuous walk on those occasions after a few bevvies the night before- place between Grasmere and White Moss... This looks like something taken directly from there...
  65. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Thanks mate. I just used some basic rules - got as much moss as I could form the outset and chopped it roughly to spread & tie it. I didn't finely chop it although when I restart it again I might adopt what a lot of guys are doing now, making a moss paste - check out George's new TMC setup on...
  66. grathod

    orchid

    Now we are talking... aquascaping and orchids do it for me but I've never thought of starting a thread on it. Good on you mate. I did a similar thing with all of my orchids when I first bought them... Site them next to the tank and let the roots dip into the tank that had EI dosing. This seems...
  67. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    I thought I'd share this with you guys in Lancashire... I've been using Aqualife on southport road pr26 8lq, for the last 10years for fish etc. Steve, the owner is a rather humble chap and very ethical when it comes to livestock. Can get seiryu stone, dragon stone etc for a fraction of the big...
  68. grathod

    My Current Tank

    Loving that hydrocotyle hill, oh yes. Nice scape. Try the seasonal variance I mentioned in my journal, really brings the fauna on as well.
  69. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    A few more and that's them all, enjoy
  70. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    I'm glad you agree. It's how it happens in the wild and all creatures should be allowed to return to their natural behaviours as it was intended - funny this as it reminds me of the movie Salmon fishing in the Yemen with Ewan McGregor. Not much of a movie but nature's message was quite clear...
  71. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    As promised here are more pics from early days of set up with dimmed lighting to just before I wound down the tank. Also ended up adding glosso, hydrocoytle and riccia to the org plant list Side view
  72. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Absolutely agree - its with much sadness that I've had to wind this one down. I was using just normal tap water up in Lancashire, relatively soft water no additives except using EI powder fertilisers dissolved before dosing and CO2, with weekly water changes. One thing I found with algae control...
  73. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    absolutely, must've had at least a few hundred shrimp in there, were a nightmare to fish out leading to the winding up. all flora and fauna were quickly adopted by other keen aquarist as you can imagine... lucky buggers. Can't wait to get started again once the renovation and the house move is...
  74. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    i used very small ones to prop up the wood and a perimeter around, all covered by the carpeting plant - how the scape evolved.
  75. grathod

    Edge 23

    i might just mate, heh heh. thanks
  76. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Thanks guys, unfortunately I never took a video of the regular hunts but they were a joy to watch... Would often see the shrimp jump out of the tank followed by the fish. I'd then pick them off the floor and put them back & they would all carry on like nothing ever happened till the next evening...
  77. grathod

    About time - New Pics

    Agree with comments above re the valley... But you could always use some plants to build height. IMO you do not need the wood as the valley scape with a decent carpeting plant running through it would do the trick. Flame moss could be used and trimmed to creat the illusion of height on the back...
  78. grathod

    100cm optiwhite - the learning curve

    Hi Guys Having admired and ogled all the scapes here, thought I'd be brave enough to post my own... The scape has been running for the past 3 years and specs as follows: Equipment Tank - optiwhite 100x40x40cm Light - Arcadia series 4, 150w MH + 2x24w T5 (timed at 8hrs with peak noon setup)...
  79. grathod

    Edge 23

    Nice one - think ill pull the edge out of the loft & get started, lol!
  80. grathod

    Competition journal

    Interesting project but very little time... Re the intake, if you have some substrate support like what TGM sell then you could use a shallow cut of that to block up some of the intake from the bottom. This may give a bit more flexibility for depth. If you are using nano wood, what I found is...
  81. grathod

    Edge 23

    That is one sweet looking edge- any specs on the led bulbs, plant list etc? I've got one in the loft, inclined to pull it out seeing this... Keep it up!
  82. grathod

    NA 120cm - Asian Dreams-IAPLC # 251

    its one of those things, once you enjoy the hobby as much as we all do, you take the plunge - headlong. Already tackled the hardest thing - the Mrs is sold on the idea that it will make a real focal point as a room divider - i'll just add it onto the refurb cost of the property. lol! Like I...
  83. grathod

    NA 120cm - Asian Dreams-IAPLC # 251

    Loving the cut outs, I'd be spoilt for choice as to what to plumb with, watching this one closely & looking forward to your progress on this NA beauty... I think once I've moved in a few months depending on monies, am going to keep NA on my radar for a grand 6 footer... subscribed!
  84. grathod

    54ltr 'The Nook' planted shrimp CRS/CBS tank

    Can't wait to see what its like all grown in, agree with the chaps, nice gradient mate, the cave will soon find some permanent residents... Gotta say the acrylic tubes looks the biz. Can't wait to get started again once house move is out of the way. Till then I'll stick to ogling over the tanks...
  85. grathod

    Tamshoe's Trigon 350

    Good thread this on the trigon. I helped a friend set up his and was pleased to see you've ditched the OEM filter for external instead. I think the multi directional outlet should sort the flow nicely. I had to use various koralia to get things moving in his. Good luck and ill be watching his one.
  86. grathod

    fluval edge led light bar

    This seems like a great conversion, how does the light bar fit on? Does it fit on the existing halogen bulb arm or did u get the whole thing together from your lfs?
  87. grathod

    Fluval Edge Iwagumi attempt

    This is some fluval edge you have there mate, nicely done. I splashed out on one of the bulb version going cheap over Christmas but its been sat there as my first attempt at planting it didn't go as planned. I think mainly due to the original bulbs and spread of light. Gotta admit George's...
  88. grathod

    BIOSPHERE!

    This is a true testament to you skill mate, keep it up. The browning Anubias problem is not uncommon when the tank gets natural sunlight. I found this when I had a planted biorb many moons ago... As it is a slow grower, any algae attack severely disadvantages the plant. The leaves then struggle...
  89. grathod

    Help - Metal Halides/ HQI

    Thanks guys, back to drawing board then, might attempt making my own lighting unit using some led strips of eBay so some research ahead. Once again appreciate the help.
  90. grathod

    Help - Metal Halides/ HQI

    Hi Guys I swapping my scape to a lower light scape and am currently running an Arcadia Series 4 pendant at 150w metal halide... I'm thinking of changing the bulb to a 70w bulb and was wondering whether the unit will blow the bulb as rated at 150w, does anyone know if i can get away with with a...
  91. grathod

    Superfish Wave 15

    Just came across the new wave tank from superfish @ my local Maidenhead aquatics - looks like a smart package with a flip up led panel which looked fairly bright. Am thinking of getting it to scape just for the lil shrimps but what do people think about it? I've tried to get some tech specs on...
  92. grathod

    Learning Curve

    Hi All I've just come across some pics from 7-8yrs ago prior to any exposure to nature aquariums, dutch, iwagumi etc and thought I'd post them here... then onto a trigon 190 next - 1st take By grathod at 2011-11-15 notice the jbl co2 reactor, gosh thank the lord for modern glassware now...
  93. grathod

    Shallow Scape at The Green Machine

    These shallow tanks are something else... George what is that tmc light you've used on your 60x40x25cm set up? is it the nd tile 1000HD or the 1500xg? those curved brackets are well smart... nice scape mate
  94. grathod

    2 questions - Do people sell plants on UKAPS?

    I agree with Mark, easy carbo, seachem flourish excel etc are safe to use if you follow the instructions set out. i know some folks use these products to tackle algae by concentrated doses in trouble areas, however note of caution if doing this... if you have shrimps or crustacae think of...
  95. grathod

    DeadWood

    undoubtedly discus are a choice fish if you are able to spend some time on them... i have kept discus for a number of years and recently swapped to a planted tank. IMO once you have your setup right and the plants start to thrive, then aside fertilising and regular water changes, not much to it...
  96. grathod

    Two worlds [THE END]

    Re: Plant-O-matic Just come across your post, very nice and simple setup, well done. What is the luminaire that you are using mate?
  97. grathod

    Lighting for my nano

    I ordered the same boyu light some months ago but I think to enhance the light I might try hagen's 8w equivalent with 2 x powerglo and the middle with an aquaglo when I come to replace the bulbs. Will post here how I get on. It's such a shame that these units do not come with say 2 x power...
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