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I've just used the Ultralife Blue Green removal and it's worked a treat. I tried Blue exit for a couple of months that did nothing. No idea what's in the Ultralife but it's so far solved a big problem as my plants were really starting to suffer. I had to ship it from the US but well worth it.

It also never helps being red/green colourblind! The red probably looks like a beacon to everyone else :)

Yep, it probably needs a big trim to cut it down as it's not normally that dominant. I only had enough time to trim the background stems last night! Full trim still to come!

And a little trim:

It's been a while since my last update! The tank has grown in pretty well and I'm now trying to cope with an outbreak of cyano. Any tips on killing this off? I've also got an annoying outbreak of small snails which are a pain in the backside to clear out. Tank needs a little trim now but one...

Thanks folks, I'm actually wondering now whether I could hang some of this light diffusing acrylic and then stick some LED strips on to diffuse the light. A sort of cheap lightbox as the tank is close to the wall most of the light won't escape anyway...

Hi Folks, I've been looking at frosting the back of my tank but I don't have any space to get my hands down the back! I was think of getting some acrylic cut and frosted and then hanging that from the back. Has anyone done anything like this before or any tips how to frost the back when I don't...

@CooKieS I think these ones are more frontal after the weekly clean up today :). Photography needs brushing up on for sure! Thanks @mort I did try a shade previously which did seem to work. So I'm thinking that maybe I need to keep the balancing going and more plant growth should hopefully see...

Been a while since my last update post :). Slowly getting on top of the algae issues with still a bit of BBA around that I'm trying to keep under control. Growth is coming along now and I've added some more wood front right for hopefully a great sense of depth (doesn't quite come across in the...

Thanks @Jayefc1 yep that was the idea with the wood and the moss as you say to create that flow. I actually had some moss that was sitting on the some of the wood bottom right that was supposed to be on the longer wood! I've moved that now to hopefully create more of the flow from the wood...

Evening folks, I've made a few adjustments and added some stone back left to give a bit more balance and interest. I was thinking of either some low stems or maybe something like Valis nana behind the back left stone to soften the edge and add a touch more height (maybe only to a few inches...

@Matt @ ScapeEasy would the Rams still be fine at a slightly lower temp? I'm running at 22 at the moment. I could edge it up if needed but don't want to run it too high. Thanks again. Johnny

Thanks guys, I do have quite a bit of flow around the tank with a couple of biomaster 600s. Would the pearls be fine with that or would that suit the rams a bit more. Cheers Johnny

I'm under some relatively strong orders at home to add some relatively larger fish into the tank to add a bit more interest. Currently I'm stocked with 24 Cardinals and 12 embers along with a few ottos. Size is 120 x 50 x 50 and the plants have more growing in to do so more fish aren't going in...

I've completely struggled to get mine working at all tbh. Maybe just me but mine either sucks air in or it's stuck in position fully open at the inlet. I'm actually tempted to ditch it as it seems way too fussy and my smaller shrimp seem to find their way down to the filter!

A couple more weeks in and the plant growth is starting to take hold :). Just waiting for the trident fern on the wood to start filling out and still keeping some filamentous algae at bay! One thing I'm not sure on is I have some HC back left but I'm not sure when to start trimming that. Do I...

So 16 Amanos went in total a week ago and they all promptly disappeared after a day. Eventually I found a bunch today in the Biomaster canister. I get a feeling they must be getting in via the Aquascaper skimmer that i have set up as I can't see another way that they can get in. How do others...

Thanks for the input guys :). @Mark Keetch yeh, this is my first build out so will be interesting to see how it progresses! I'll take a look through yours as well. @Kalum thanks for the recommendation on the espei :). I did actually look at those at the weekend as well and as you say I'd much...

Afternoon folks, any thoughts on how many cardinals would work in here (300L)? I've picked up 12 initially and would still like to go with a smaller shoal of Harlequins. Are the harlequins really likely to jump that much? Cheers Johnny

Another week in and 6 ottos and a bunch of Amanos added. A few more plants and the floating plants growing nicely keeping the initial small algae issue at bay. So the next decision is on the fish front....it will be a couple of weeks or so still but I'm tossing up between embers and cardinals to...

OK, so I've added some of the Salvinia 10 days ago and I'm hoping that with that and the plant growth I can hold back the algae that started to hit early on. I've had to clean the sand and plants a few times and also doing 50% water change every 2 days and adding flourish excel to try and hold...

Thanks JEK. Additional plants on order .

Yep! I've got a bunch of stems in at the back right and behind middle vertical wood. But yep, maybe I should add a bunch more as you say. For the floating plants what would you recommend? I've got a couple of Biomaster 600s so there's quite a bit of flow kicking around the surface. Cheers Johnny

First plants finally put into the tank this week :). I feel I need to swap a couple around to get the leaf sizing balance a bit more. Hopefully getting the CO2 hooked up tomorrow :). It's been a lot of planning but it's damn good fun! Any thoughts on what you might add from a plant perspective...

cool thanks :). I've stuck the bubble counter on the end for now and that's sorted it short term!

OK, so first time CO2 set up question so apologies if this seems a bit daft! I have an inline diffuser set up but haven't connected the CO2 yet. I'm I right in expecting water to leak back out of the CO2 input if there's no CO2 pushing through? Cheers Johnny

Ok, so I've got a couple of filters to add in. Where would people put the inflows/outflows? I was thinking back right and front left but then though that most of the plants are going to be along the back so maybe better to put them back right and back left but then the front may be too dead from...

Yeh, my delivery was a week late but I kind of expect that to a certain degree when given an initial 20 day delivery time on a bespoke item. I did have to chase a bit as you say and I haven't filled the tank yet so hopefully none of the silicone curing issues that you experienced. Comms were...

Oh man, now you have me worried! I got my tank and cabinet made and delivered by them a couple of weeks ago. I haven't filled it yet but it seems OK from what I can see at the moment. PM me on the side Andrew if there's anything in particular I should be wary of. Cheers Johnny

Thanks Kalum, the plan was to not plant too heavily directly along the line as I didn't want it to look harsh and like a garden path!. I like the idea of the the gravel and then also some very light gravel on the edge of the sand as well to create the transition. I'm still waiting for some CO2...

Thanks Kalum :). I've spent a LOT of hours researching and looking at other ideas which has really helped. Also waiting 5 weeks for the tank to be made helped give me more time without rushing in to the layout. In terms of planting the plan was to keep it relatively simple as I do want to keep...

Substrate now fully added :). I'm just hoping I've used enough glue on the wood and rocks to hold them down! The is my first real attempt so hopefully there's nothing glaringly wrong with the layout..

Yeh, I thought I was going a bit crazy! I have 2 and one came with one and I thought I'd lost the other one...presume they must have come from slightly different batches in that case. I've got another one ordered now anyway thanks!

And with the tank picture this time!

So the tank is here :). I'm currently torn between full soil and running a sanded area 2/3rds the way across to the right. Any thoughts appreciated! How do people keep a clean demarcation between the sand and soil when there's no rocks or wood to do this?

Quick question :). Does anyone actually use the basket cover that comes with the Biomaster for the top basket? I seem to have lost mine somewhere so I'm wondering whether it's really needed if I'm running floss in the top basket. Cheers Johnny

Thanks Keith, That last rock in particular does look to be out on a limb! I just dropped ot there so there wasn't too much of an arch but that should be taken up by some carpets anyway. I'll try the mock up again when the tank finally arrives . Cheers Johnny

Hey folks, I'm looking to build out my first scape (just waiting on the tank! ). I've laid out the hardscape as per below so welcome any comments/feedback. One thing I'm not too sure about is the end of the big root that stands out in the foreground. It's the only way I could position this at...

Thanks Siege, sounds like the correct plan :). The family are pushing me down the route of still keeping some Discus in the tank so they have a bit more interest! So I think i'll be able to regulate the flow a touch for the Biomoasters as well if needed. Thanks again for all the help :)

Hey guys, any other thoughts on recommended filters for the flow I'd need. I see George Farmer sticks 2 600'S his 1200s.

Yeh, I did think that it might be too much flow as well but I wanted to be over provisioned rather than under (but now thinking it through more I'd maybe be better off with 2 350s rather than 2 x 600. Ofcourse I'd rather run one but I though I'd get more even flow with two which would give me...

It's a steel frame cabinet as well.

Nope, it was more around 150 more in the end but it means I have a bespoke cabinet at the height I needed and also the depth I needed. And it won't annoy my eyeline with the rest of the cabinets :)

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've gone for a 12mm for NACD in the end. I think 10mm would have been fine but it felt like I was on the edge so better to be safe :). Having the cabinet made up as well so hopefully that will all come good!

OK, tank has been ordered! I'm thinking of going down the 2 biomaster 600 route. One for each side with one outleting at the back left and one at the front right. Do you think I'll be able to get the circulation I'd need with that set-up?

That's actually a really neat solution :)

Thanks Andrew, that was exactly my worry :). NACD can build me the tank and cabinet and seem to have a good reputation. If I go down that route then I can leave some space behind as I can go for 50 depth. Off the shelf the Aquascaper is 600mm so will not leave any gap behind. Seems like a small...

Yeh, it's the family bit I'm trying to balance out a touch as I think they'll get more engagement with the discus rather than a bunch of smaller fish. The more I can keep the kids and family engaged the better as It's also fun for them and I might get a helping hand as well :)

Yep, that is a thermostat but it's a wireless one so I can just move that to somewhere else no problem. I do have some pricing to build bespoke so I think I can get that done. Key thing is really whether I'd ever need to get to the back of the tank if all the pipework is at the sides :).

Thanks guys, the space isn't a true alcove, it's just closed in one side so I'm thinking that I can actually get the tank fully up to the skirting board. See picture attached for location (basically removing the wine rack thing that is there already). It's a very open room (kitchen/diner at...

Hey folks, how much space do you think is sensible to leave behind a tank? I've run standard tanks before where I needed rear access but do I really need rear access if I have no connections at the back of the tank? I'm trying to fill an alcove but it would mean pushing the tank tight against...

Thanks guys, I think you've turned my mindset around pretty quickly :). I'm going to focus on the scale and the scape so I think the Discus can wait for another day as I get a feeling the compromise will be too big as they start to grow on. The tank above does look great but I'm just going to...

It's NACD who are quoting for the 10mm. I did ask for braceless but I'm wondering now whether they've quoted for braced instead as everyone else seems to indicate 12mm. I wish EA could make those off the shelf tanks less than 600mm deep!

Everyone on here has been super helpful so far as I look to set my first tank up :). Having looking around a few sizing and location options I'm now going to have to go for a custom build tank. Tank size will be 120 x 50 x 50. My issue is that I have 2 different quotes back from custom builders...

Thanks guys for all the help. Super appreciated! I think I'm going to to have to take the easier but slightly more expensive route on a custom tank and cabinet as the EA Aqua just sticks out too far from the alcove space that it needs to go in. This will all still come in very handy though for...

Thanks guys, the scale thing is definitely something I've been concerned about as well. I'm on the compromise track as I'm only getting permission to site the tank where it is if I get some fish to go in that the kids can engage with :). Seems a bit crazy but I'm in compromise territory! Any...

Hi Folks, I'm looking to set up a 300l scaped Discus tank and was wondering whether the Oase 600 would actually do the trick or whether I'd have to up the flow. Trying to sort out the budget at the moment before I take the plunge! Thanks for any advise! Cheers Johnny

Thanks again guys. As an FYI I heard back from EA and they said that they don't do custom cabinets themselves so it definitely looks like a DIY option or separate custom build :)

Thanks Alto, that was my initial concern. I'll consult with EA as you say. Thanks again

Thanks guys, that Green Aqua tank is pretty darn nice! I think I my have got the initial question slightly wrong :). I'm not too worried about the two sides of the tank. More just the front and back views. But completely get the point that it would need more depth as well to try and achieve...

Yeh, sorry guys I probably wasn't clear enough! I actually meant the cabinet wasn't high enough. Standard height is 83cm and I really need it at 90cm. I didn't realise EA could potentially build a slightly taller cabinet as that would really help. As you say it can probably be fixed easily with...

Hi, I'm looking to install an Aquascaper 900 but with views from both sides (effectively an island). Any thoughts on whether I could really create the feeling of depth from both sides or whether one side view would always suffer? I hope that makes sense! Cheers Johnny

Hi, I'm looking to purchase an Aquascaper 900 but the cabinet is a few cms shorter than I need (so it can align with other units. Would it be safe to just put some additional wood underneath the tank or would I be better off looking for a bespoke cabinet at 900mm high? Thanks for any help! Johnny

Thanks everyone :). I think that was my concern Tom, variable natural light at different times of year and trying to balance that with lighting times felt like it might overload my uncomplex brain :). I was trying to balance that out with the logic that the natural light location was in a better...

Hi, I'm just looking at getting started out (or back out after 30 year break!). I have a potential location for a tank but it's very open and take in a lot of natural sunlight. Before I start out is a high natural sunlight location going to cause me heavy problems on the algae front? Thanks in...