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  1. B

    Moss wall - does it have to be full length?

    Can't see why not! Only thing is that some insect control/mozzi nets are treated with insecticides, so be reet careful it's safe to put in your tank! Good luck! Matt
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    umm ok

    TOO MUCH light will make your problems a whole lot worse, not better! More light will make your tank more unstable, and result in MORE algae, not less. I can't see your pics or link to the relevant website from silly work computer but go to James Cs Algae page (i'm sure someone helpful will...
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    Flame Moss Wall

    I've not noticed any tendency for my moss to grow towards light - moss benefits from really hard trimming anyway so you can keep it in shape and transplant any cuttings to "bald" patches. Just as an aside i followed SteveUK's advice and use Bonsai wire to secure all my moss and rhizome plants...
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    Aquariums limited

    How about Poseidon's palace for the glass and then getting a local carpenter to build a cabinet? I'm looking at this for a 2x1x1 and have found it to be the cheapest way Matt
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    The science behind ADA additives

    And at least you'd get a nice goat curry when you'd done! Now there's an idea.... :D M
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    The science behind ADA additives

    I'll test it! I think i can grow algae pretty effeectively in ANY setup! :D :D :D Really interesting thread- particularly as i love the ADA aesthetic (but can't afford it) but have never bought into the ADA "chemistry set". I'd love to give it a go one day, but only when my planting has got to...
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    Angelfish Amazon Blackwater Setup

    Hmm...good post and good plans! If you're going high tech with halide you'll need to add in CO2 and ferts (EI is best and cheapest esp. on larger volumes) As for stocking i'm not sure on the exact numbers - but remember you're turning over high volumes so you can stock relatively heavily...
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    Your Opinions, Critques & Suggestions on my Tank

    binning the blue gravel would be my first choice. I'm a big fan of either very light sand or - for showing off greens really well - black substrate. Other than that it looks pretty nice! Your shrimps will like finer substrate too. I'd also consider using a supplemented substrate or (cheaper...
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    P@H/Coopet Nano cube

    nice.
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    Optimising cascade-style shop plant tanks....

    You can buy really cheap packs of filter sponge for Koi filters (approx £12 from MA - sure you could find it cheaper). I'd stuff the sump with a couple of coarse pads so that the water couldn't bypass. This biofilitration should knock the diatoms on the head when it matures. You don't say...
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    Optimising cascade-style shop plant tanks....

    You can buy really cheap packs of filter sponge for Koi filters (approx £12 from MA - sure you could find it cheaper). I'd stuff the sump with a couple of coarse pads so that the water couldn't bypass. This biofilitration should knock the diatoms on the head when it matures. You don't say...
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    [CONTEST] UKAPS @ Aquatics Live, Olympia

    There goes nowt! My entry has just gone in! :D M
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    Regulator

    Had a selection of regs from eBay and then splashed out and got a brand new Dupla one after Luis' recommendation. Not cheap, but incredible quality! I don't think i'll be using anything else in future! Matt
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    Genshirin

    Beautiful tank. Can't help with the ferts but i'd cut out 2 of the tubes altogether...it'll help a lot whether it's algae or a nutrient deficiency that's causing the problem Nice one! Matt
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    Larry's Glade

    Re: Now Lo-Tech nano - now up and running with photos Nematodes sound like planaria - bit of a pest. AE do a treatment for them which i'm going to try in y 60cm as they're a royal pain! Be a bit wary of cleaning out your filter too much - this in itself can cause algal bloom if you're too...
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    help amount of co2 by bubble counter

    Then stop fretting! If livestock are fine you are not adding too much CO2!!! There are so many things that affect CO2 absorption and offgassing that trying to compare bubble rates on two different tanks is meaningless. The most effective "test kit" fir CO2 is your livestock, and they sound...
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    Will Easycarbo directed at a plant kill hair algae??

    i turn off the filter, make a 50% solution of liquid carbon and use a syringe to treat the affected areas. But i always remove affected leaves first, then dose the bits i can't remove. Turn filter back on after 5-10 mins and you're done! hope this helps, Matt
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    Firing a FE For The First Time

    Either! Incidentally i found i needed ptfe tape on my convertor to get a decent seal. I'd always recommend doing it outside with the reg facing away from you just in case! M
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    +2.5ft Iwagumi Shallow Tank

    Nope, nothing new - still gorgeous!!!! :D M
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    When ?

    Conventional wisdom is to have the gas come on 2 hours before the lights so that you have maximum co2 concentration when the lights come on. However, if you're getting good growth and no CO2 related algae don't touch anything!!!!! Hope this helps Matt
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    90x45x45cm - 2011 IAPLC entry #577 - The Unknown Valley

    Re: 90x45x45cm - Unknown Valley Eeek indeed ....it looks awful :D Beautiful mate - could you do us a "context shot" as well, to show us how it sits in the room? Loving it... Matt
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    Persistent BGA

    good, innit! I couldn't believe the result when i did a blackout! Glad it worked - hope the algae doesn't return! Matt
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    Get excited and make something.

    It's a nice idea, but looks a bit "Ikea" - three in a row would look great though! M
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    Tom's Do!aqua20

    The Aqua-El lights are uber bright aren't they! I had to drop the reflector out of mine as it was TOO bright without CO2 running - algae ahoy! It was this light that made me realise what a fallacy the watts per gallon rule is - 11w is not always 11w! Looking nice though - very nice indeed! M
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    Stu's ADA Mini M nano - updated pics, page 12

    Re: Stu's ADA Mini M nano - Step by step on page 5 now that is a very, very nice tank. and i've just taken delivery of some bonsai wire - endebted to you sir! Matt
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    DSLR or Bridge?

    The camera has had to go on hold for a while as the old laptop died but, as a small aside i did buy a cheap tripod from eBay - what an amazing difference it makes. Even with my sub-£100 quid compact just using a £9 tripod makes such an enormous difference when shooting tanks - just using auto...
  27. B

    Get excited and make something.

    GEAMS strikes again - i keep coming back to this thread time and time again. Beautiful, beautiful things... M
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    Best way to diffuse CO2 in your water ?

    I use the UP atomizer and i love it! Mist is there, but you have to look REALLY closely to see it! They also have the advantage of removing equipment from in the tank, and i find the mist to be an advantage in terms of checking gas distribution - the only way to be certain of your gas...
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    Amano's Complete Works book

    Just got mine too...mmm...planty.... :D
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    filter advice from shop...is it correct????

    I'd still go with the stated model - 1500lph SOUNDS like a lot, but in reality it'll be delivering much below this (as do all filters) and as other members have stated by the time you add on spraybars, co2 diffusers, external heaters etc you'll almost be wishing you;d bought something MORE...
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    Couple of planty type questions...

    Hi egon, For the plants you've mentioned you could even afford to back off a bit with the light until you get your algae sorted! You don't say what fert regime you're using - if you're adding liquid carbon then some fert dosing will help plant health no end. Hope this helps Matt PS- I'd...
  32. B

    "Crypt Forrest" low tech 16l nano

    Good work! I'm thinking of something similar with my P@H cube. Agree about the low tech/high tech thing - love the grwoth rates, not so keen on the constant maintenance! M
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    ADA step-by-step by ADG Vibe

    I disagree - i think the stand looks amazing - especially when put in context with that amazing filter - love the industrial look. However i do agree with Garuf that the CO2 set looks like a massive carbuncle on the side of the tank! :D Just as an idea - how much is all that kit worth? M
  34. B

    First aquascape- The Nano

    The green wall certainly has "impact" :D - Maybe a frosted backing just to soften it a bit? Or looking at Mark Evans' latest creation the black looks great. As far as planting goes i'd think about Marsilea Hirsuta - different leaf shape would complement the hairgrass nicely. Maybe planted...
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    Nitrates, tap water and plant aborbtion

    It's difficult to establish a causative link between nitrates and fish health. In the non planted world nitrates are often a result of poor tank maintenance - so nitrate build up = lots of other nasties in the water = poor fish health. Then the "leap" is made that high nitrates=poor fish...
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    Transparent Tank - the end

    Re: Mike's see-through tank challenge They're suprisingoly good at hiding! it'd take a lot of fish to handle a full sized amano! Looking good - especially like the "see through" shots though i'm sire they're a nightmare to take! Matt
  37. B

    Something else to think about!

    Feng Shui - Described in the Guardian as "The Ancient Chinese art of Seperating a Fool and His Money" but myabe that's why i'm skint....!! :D M
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    Noisey Aquamanta EFX 600

    The easy answer would be to drop out the bio balls and replace them with something heavier (sintered glass etc) or sponge. Bio Balls are good, but no better than a lot of other filter media. I've got Aquamanta 300 and it is quite a noisy beast. However, in defence of MA, i have also had quite...
  39. B

    Ideas for easy maintenance and nice nano tank,suggestions:)!

    Re: Ideas for easy maintenance and nice nano tank,suggestion I'd lose the rummys and possibly the Corys - the fighter and Ottos should thrive in there! If no water changes are being done then go low-tech. Try searching the Low tech thread or "walsted method" for low tech tanks. Off the top...
  40. B

    Hygrophila Corymbosa / Java Fern

    \difficult mate - could you post pics of what is happening and also provide details of where you buy your plants? Cheers, Matt
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    Amano's Complete Works book

    ...and following how amazing i've found NA book one - it really has been an epiphany - i've now gone and bought the big boys book! For £31!!! From here... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nature-Aquarium-Complete-Works-1985-20-Amano-TakaNe-/280686306274?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item415a3523e2 Can't wait for it...
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    Woah green algae!

    Re: Woah green algae I made exactly the same mistake. The best analogy i can think of is a car accelerator - you don't want to put your foot to the floor unless the whole system is balanced, as you tend to end up with a greasy unpleasant mess! :D M
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    P@H/Coopet Nano cube

    Lovely size for Bettas, amongst many other things! M
  44. B

    So What

    Loooks great with the hairgrass trimmed down hard. Great idea using LCD background - hi tech baby! Did you use lcd in final shot or a backlight? M
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    CSM+B and Salts

    Yup! Only thing is not to dose npk and trace together as they combine to form insoluble compounds. M
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    P@H/Coopet Nano cube

    some in Selby and Pontefract - got one of the big ones at Ponte a couple of days ago - looking forward to getting it set up!
  47. B

    Plant ID from TGM?

    Re: Plant ID? difficult to tell without a close up. I'd guess at either eleocharis parvula or echinodorus tenellus but might well be wrong. Post up where you got the pic maybe - someone might know it
  48. B

    BBA and liquid carbon

    That sounds like a good plan. Or can you just skim off the surface layer of substrate and replace it with some new stuff? M
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    ferts causing high nitrate!

    I came to planted tanks after keeping non-planted, and it took me a while to process the whole nitrate thing. In the non-planted world nitrates are viewed as the devil - i think because nitrates in these circumstances arise from fish waste in the tank. Of course this means that not only are...
  50. B

    BBA and liquid carbon

    you can see the bba die off almost immediately - it turns pink! M
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    Vecton V2 400 Steriliser

    hi there! Why are you running the uv? And what do you mean by 'not quite sufficient'? M
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    ferts causing high nitrate!

    step away from the test kit :) ! I'd say it will be the ferts - all in one is nitrate, phosphate and potassium (NPK) plus trace as these are all required for healthy growth. The only really effective test kit is tank health - if fish and plants are happy, don't worry about numbers! I'll try and...
  53. B

    Rolling in the deep

    i like the first one - very reminiscent of Peter Kirwan's scape on the UKAPS front page! The wood doesn't seem quite right to me on number 2 ... M
  54. B

    Best Lighting/CO2Strategy for 20 day Vacation

    i'd second that - cut everything right back. If plants suffer a little it'll be much easier than trying to sort out massive algae problems! M
  55. B

    First aquascape- The Nano

    also if you're thinking about changing filter you can get very effective hob filters for 9 quid from All Pond Solutions on ebay - from UK with postage included. I've got one and i'm really impressed, especially at this price! M
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    First aquascape- The Nano

    before you get your shrimp - as they don't like liquid carbon - dose a 50% lc solution directly onto the algae using a sprayer or syringe in the middle of a water change. Leave 10 mins and then refill tank. Hair algae is normally due to co2 fluctuations so ensure your dosing and distribution are...
  57. B

    Nano light

    ...or to put it another way... WPG used to be "the standard" until relatively recently, however (perhaps as a result of many more people getting involved in planted tanks leading to a much bigger test bed) views have recently changed to reflect the fact that with good ferts and CO2 (dosing AND...
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    Woah green algae!

    ah - that's more info! If you're dosing liquid carbon i'd go back to a 5hr photoperiod to stop the lc building up to dangerous levels. Anyone else have thoughts on this? If your diffuser still not here? I'd think about opening a case with ebay - you can always close it again if it arrives but if...
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    Amano's Complete Works book

    Just got NA book 1 for £10 delivered from eBay - having the book with the additional writing by TA brings a whole new dimension compared to seeing isolated images on the internet. I can appreciate that it's slightly dated but it's still bloomin' amazing! M
  60. B

    Amano's Complete Works book

    Just got NA book 1 for £10 delivered from eBay - having the book with the additional writing by TA brings a whole new dimension compared to seeing isolated images on the internet. I can appreciate that it's slightly dated but it's still bloomin' amazing! M
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    Removing media for no livestock tank?

    if it's not too late i'd add the media back in. As part of the constant cycle of growth and decay plants release ammonia into the water column so you need the media to deal with that. Hope this helps, M
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    First aquascape- The Nano

    try using 6mm airline for your water changes. It's slow but nothing gets disturbed. I agree with Ryan - shrimp it real good! M
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    Fluval Profile Range, opinions?

    And i bet they photoshopped George and Dan in front of the tanks as well... :D :D :D These tanks look lovely but i'm still amazed the big companies havne't clicked onto an open top ADA type plinth setup! M
  64. B

    HELP! Dry start failing badly

    I've probably asked this already (had a pint or two this afternoon...) but why not just flood it? M
  65. B

    Advice scaping deep aquarium

    I'd go for a big bitchin' anubia or bolbitis and put in some work cleaning the leaves... M (certified anubia nut!)
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    Stu's ADA Mini M nano - updated pics, page 12

    Re: Stu's ADA Mini M nano Aside from the name...mmm....Takeshi....i reckon the light unit holds the magic. I can buy a million and one BEAUTIFUL tanks, but they all look like dog eggs without beautiful lighting....mmm....Takeshi...sorry, got distracted... M
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    60 cm opti-white - Update

    Re: 60 cm opti-white - Choosing plants mmmmmmmm...tasty.... That's gonna look fantastic! M
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    P@H/Coopet Nano cube

    Ooooh...can i go on your christmas list canicanicani?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? :D M
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    Transparent Tank - the end

    Re: Mike's see-through tank challenge I'd drop the bogwood down a little if i was really picky inline with the golden ratio BUT it's all realtive to where you actually view the tank from! A "square on" pic is very nice, but does not necessarily equate with what you see day-to-day! I'd whack...
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    Staurogyne

    go for tropica 12grow staurogyne when you buy - it's so much easier than messing round with rockwool and the portion sizes are great! M
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    P@H/Coopet Nano cube

    that silicon work is amazing on a tank at that price - TAKE NOTE TANK BUILDERS! £9 HOB from All Pond Solutions on ebay and that is a very nice little setup indeed!
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    First aquascape- The Nano

    dosing should do it. Also try moving your internal filter round to work with the hob instead of across it. Gas distribution is still essential even in nano tanks! I couldn't believe the change in colour that i got when i sorted my ferts! M
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    First aquascape- The Nano

    sorry - was going to post on this earlier but got called away! The rocks are gorgeous, but they might disappear a bit when the grasses grow in as they lay a bit low. This isn't such a problem as you can always change the plants. The other thing i've learnt is that a steeply sloping substrate...
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    Tom's Mini M

    bugger.
  75. B

    L_Plates Juwel Rio 240 - Cycle and Design Log

    That's a very pretty lump of wood! M
  76. B

    algae knip it in the bud!!!!!

    The other thing (apart from lights and ferts) would be to sort your flow. It sounds like you have spraybars on three sides of the tank, which will cause very disruptive flow patterns and help the algae along nicely. If you shift all your spraybars along the full length of the back of the tank...
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    Crystal Red Shrimp Tank

    hi Seb, people are talking about larger tanks for breeding as small water volumes are notoriously difficult to keep stable for sensitive shrimp like CRS. If the aim is breeding then the largest affordable tank (within reason) becomes the best investment. If you want something pretty to look at...
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    Stupid is as stupid does

    Re: Stupid is as stupid does That is very, very good news! M
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    [DISCUSS] Aquascaping and Photography

    So...i've edited my original so that people will hoepfully focus on the message rather than the language :lol: I take the point that the camera maketh not the photographer - but the quality of the kit does make a difference to the end product. If it didn't i'm sure i wouldn't have received...
  80. B

    What's the BIGGEST mistake you've made?

    getting into planted tanks! Should have got a cheaper hobby. Like class a drugs or prostitutes ;D
  81. B

    [DISCUSS] Aquascaping and Photography

    As in other debates on here i think photography is an essential expression of the aquascaper, like painting a scene on canvas. However i think it is largely the prohibitive cost that stops most of us - and that possibly creates some resentment for some people. For example, to properly project...
  82. B

    Transparent Tank - the end

    Re: Mike's see-through tank challenge why are you losing the angels again? Pretty, pretty fish! Glad you're having good results with the ferts - i couldn't believe the difference just that made! M
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    My first "real" scape.

    plant splitting is quite easy - gentle pressure and they should come apart. I really like that lump of wood! As far as the deficiencies go have a look at the relevant pages on James's planted Tank site and that should help! Cheers, Matt
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    DIY ADA light unit - Interesting method of doing it :)

    nice. If i had more skill i thought something similar using gu10 led bulbs and clear perspex would be kind of cool! Damn my clumsy sausage fingers! Matt
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    EI daily methods or PMDD + PO4

    if you go to the APFUK section and ask Jonny (the owner) the same question he should be able to help. His ferts are getting good reports, but are a bit more expensive than mixing your own, but they are ready to use straight from the packet. Hope this helps, Matt
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    Tall 250l - Y llechen ogof

    flood it and move to full EI dosing mate ... but then i've never used DSM so my advice may not be the best! M
  87. B

    My first "real" scape.

    my choice would be either bogwood or manzi, but BIG lumps that give you height as well as horizontal focus. As you've found out hardscape always seems to shrink when you plant up, so think BIG! M
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    Tom's Bucket O' Mud - The End

    Re: Tom's Bucket O' Mud - New pics 14/04 love these little mites! And that is beltin' pic! Must get some daphnia!
  89. B

    My first "real" scape.

    your choices seem like very good ones! Good low light plants that look very healthy. My only 'scaping input would be to suggest sticking one or two BIG lumps of wood in there to add a little more variation and interest - but feel free to ignore me! I'll give my stock advice to new posters - we...
  90. B

    Help - Crypt ID please

    Any chance they could have been missold? They look more like anubias to me!
  91. B

    Changing times for UKAPS

    ....but could the journals and gallery sections have drop downs in the titles (like the For Sale section) where you can specify pico, nano, small, medium, large or divorce ( :lol: ) size tank, so for anyone quickly browsing through looking for inspiration, they can rapidly identify the size of...
  92. B

    Tonys 'Peacocks Crypt' - The End

    this is one of those rare tanks that we all 'know' - the Mona Lisa of the aquascaping world! And rightly so - it's an absolute masterpiece! Also a fantastic example of what can be done with undemanding plants that are (mostly) readily available. Genius! No pressure on the next one ... :D Matt
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    Yellowing of Leaves - Kinda see through.

    quick way to check gas distribution it to have a good close look at the mist created by your atomizer - it should be reaching EVERYWHERE without exception. If it's not, fiddle with the flow until it does! As a couple of people have said you have plenty of flow, but if it doesn't work together...
  94. B

    Get excited and make something.

    bit of a pity they've built that beautiful stand and then used black cable ties to secure the flex! There must have been a more elegant solution than that! M
  95. B

    New Tank setup

    really, really don't worry about adding more light. Concentrate your efforts on getting your nutrients and gas distribution spot on first - you'll still see amazing growth, and you'll reduce any algae issues. On a tank with those dimensionrs you'd also be better using spraybars rather than lily...
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    What effect does UV have?

    can you lend me a garden? :D
  97. B

    Lighting help.

    link to the light hasn't worked! But the good news is those plants will be fine. If you're not using carbon stay well away from high light levels as you'll have great successs at growing algae! Cheers, Matt
  98. B

    Favourite plant species

    choices choices ... My two favourites are anubias - esp. Lancelotti - and mosses. But they're quite big groups and probably breaking the rules a little bit! For two more specific choices i've jrt used Marsilea Hirsuta and Myriophyllum Mezianum for the first time and found them both to be...
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    120cm - George of the Jungle pg.5 new pics

    Re: 120cm - George of the Jungle the pics are fantastic but more than ever this is one i'd like to see in the flesh - just to get the full whack of all the different textures! Nice! Matt
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