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  1. P

    10 gallon non CO2 Buce tank

    This is a true non CO2 low tech approach. Soil is aDA aqua soil, tank is 60x45x10cm, a single small internal filter is used, and a light, no other electrical devices are used. I dose about once a week or two,a tiny bit of everything. Trimming? Not much, I thin some plants out maybe once every...
  2. P

    George Farmer in the USA, finally

    It was good to finally meet George and Emma in Washington DC. He gave an excellent talk, you all are lucky to have him over there. Ironically the last thing on my mind was to talk about aquariums, I wanted to run through some trails and creeks but my foot was bugging me. George like myself is...
  3. P

    5 meter x 1.2 meter x 1.2 meter planted tanks

    I have 2 of these big tanks to do.........and one guy have a reef tank that matches the planted...........so I'll actually do 3 of these, but less work with the reef. This piece will go in one of the tanks, not sure which just yet. About 1 meter tall. It's larger than you think, about 2 meters...
  4. P

    Where I collect manzanita driftwood

    New site, very nice spot.
  5. P

    Natural bonsai trees

  6. P

    Now for something very different

    I've taken care of reefs for client's for some time, and marine fish tanks. But I've had a few starts on macro tanks, cold water systems etc, and nothing really excited me all that much, macro algae did............but I wanted something else. So I seem to have finally got bitten by the reef bug...
  7. P

    Twinstar DIY

    Several people have made Twinstar DIY models from Stainless steel mesh. A research paper evaluates it, this is mostly for H2 production, but the by product is O2. http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/publications/2010-Zhang-etal-IJHE.pdf So an anode and cathod (SS mesh) and a wire coming...
  8. P

    Tom Barr Buce tank!

  9. P

    Erio compressum

  10. P

    New 70 Gallon hardscape Buce tank

    I'm still messing with the scape and will make some changes as things grow in a bit more. For now, I'm just getting some plant species mixed in that I want to grow in some more and not languish in a bucket or in the Quarantine tanks. I likely will add another emergent branch in the back and...
  11. P

    Video of Dutch 120 gallon version 2.0

  12. P

    Nice unique 90 cm Mopani

    Mopani is typically blocky and tough to scape with. I need to locate a few accessory pieces that match well with this main one.
  13. P

    120 Gallon Dutch hybrid version 2.0

    Been picking at the tank, have a couple of changes still to make(story of my life). Tank has bounced back as far dosing/ferts, no algae or other issues. Never missed a beat after being totally broken down and set up again. The H araguaia and the Blood vomits, I'll make a few changes in there I...
  14. P

    Cypress knee scaping

    I'm not sure why more have NOT used these,I set up a 75 Gallon sign these a few months back . ADA uses the same form, but from stone: Let me assure EVERYONE, Cypress knees are 1000X easier to cut to size/height, but it will float on its own, so the slate bottoms are used to keep it...
  15. P

    120 Gallon redone

    The initial plan: I'll be making some changes, but for now, this is about all the motivation I have for today. As is often the case, whenever you touch ADA AS, it mucks the tank up severely. If you redo a tank and re level things, it's mud stew. While this requires several complete water...
  16. P

    70 Gallon Buce tank teaser

    Well, no longer a teaser Bit of a teaser: I'll add a few more branches to this and have them hide the overflow more and the return in the 70 Gallon. Footprint is 24"x36" inches, about 60x90cm base. I walked by the tank a few months ago and got the idea and where I wanted to go with this...
  17. P

    220 Gallon mono culture of belem hair grass and rock

    I just finished up a nicely scaled ridge style lava rock scape using some faux Unzan stone. Tank came out very different from what the client had expected. He really likes. Video a couple of days later:
  18. P

    70 Gallon Buce tank

    Freshly planted with all Buce's: Notes: I have had some Buce;s that have thrived in here regardless of the abuses and other things I've done, mostly due to a lot of Amano shrimp. Few folks have done larger all Buce tanks, I've not seen any with rock like Iwagumi style displays, nor wood used...
  19. P

    Green dust algae and glass algae cure usign baby Bushy nose plecos

    Many have struggled with Green Dust Algae for months etc. No real mechanism for inducement has been found. No real solution for control over the long term has really been found that's acceptable to many. The few times I was able to get it to grow, I came up with a leave it be approach for 3-5...
  20. P

    Large rocks for large tanks

    One of the main challenges for the scapers in the USA is finding good high grade rock, well, trying to find it for larger tanks, near impossible. It's just not highly valued here. This is good because this means a a nice rock will be cheap, bad because you have to spend a lot of time searching...
  21. P

    Micrantherum monte carlo

  22. P

    Nice video of various South American habits, plants and fish

    If you have not seen this, then please do, set aside a good 45 minutes and a good cold beer and enjoy it. It's time well spent. [video=youtube;TzzJU810AIk]
  23. P

    A different method to compare and measure CO2 between aquariums, yes, it's free

    Frankly, I've never used bubble rates too much, just a rough gauge, an estimation. Then I spend a fair amount of time dialing in the correct rate for that tank. I do not like having to do that process again and again, anytime I switch out CO2 equipment. I loath that chore. Someone, a client...
  24. P

    350 Gallon iphone pics(updated 10/01/2012)

    FTS was blurred due to low light in the place, also, reflections made many cheap iphone pics stink. Strange look, no algae eaters..........also, the fish ate them all. Except for the larger plecos. I'll be thinning the coffeefolia more and allowing the needle leaf java to come back again...
  25. P

    70 Gal Manzigumi take 2

    Well, needed to move a tank out of the baby's room and that meant breaking down a reef. The Manzigumi was redone to another location in the house and I used all the same stuff from the 1st attempt. Well, 3 new pieces of wood, but most of the hardscape materials are the same. I also added about...
  26. P

    ADA 60p non CO2 ver 2.0 new wood

    Then I'll add the stainless steel mesh: Then after a week or so of soaking: add to this tank
  27. P

    70 Gallon Woodagumi

    Strictly speaking, all iwagumi displays use rock as the hardscape. But applying this concept to aquariums and the carpeting plants is a stretch already, but the method works very nicely and dramatically. One of my biggest complaints is the lack of high grade rock in the USA, while ?I can buy...
  28. P

    GDA, how to get rid of it

    There have been a few methods suggested, but for the more longer term persistent GDA blooms, Erythromycin has shown to work and prevent re-occurrence in at least 10 long term aquarist 's tanks that had long bouts with Green Dust Algae. So far several have not had any re occurrences. We do not...
  29. P

    "Dutch something or the other" 120 Gal

    I was not quite sure where I am going with this..........I have these more sublime tanks and all are different styles...........biotopes, etc.........reef etc.........no tanks are similar............ I wanted a more stem plant tank with some color contrast, nice plant streets and something to...
  30. P

    350 Gal manzy dsplay

    The cabinet cuts out 2ft of the front of the tank. Hard to get a decent pic of this tank. Tank is about on it's 4th week after total tear down. Need to add some color in the back, I'll have a V shaped hedge of stem plants in the middle rear. 240cm x 72cm x 72 cm About 200 Congo tetras, z...
  31. P

    Yanks, We suck.........

    I have been having a conversation about the sad state of aquascaping in the USA. This relates to the Art aspect, not the healthy plants, etc.........it seems many are more interested in other things than really pursuing the art or novel styles. Is there a similar feeling in the UK? Many are...
  32. P

    Aquascaping book for english speaking folks

    I am hearing a good deal of whining worldwide about poor aquascaping books and availability. I am not a MFA graduate...........I'm a techy nerdy Biologist who likes killing weeds in lakes and water ways. I was thinking of doing a large scale democratic text of the many styles of aquarium...
  33. P

    EI dosing impact on fish breeding and Fry

    I've had some folks long claim EI is bad for fish and bad for fish fry, bad for soft water fish, on and on........well time for them to eat some humble pie: Most of the fry gets eaten by the rams, checker boards, cardinals, so I have to stand around and net them as they hatch...
  34. P

    F2 Sturisoma on the way

    I have some F2's from these F1 Sturisoma. This is my 180 Gallon community tank. The adults have never seen another aquarium. This completes the entire life cycle on 1 generation. Regards, Tom Barr
  35. P

    Where the manzanita I collect comes from

    I thought I'd show you all where the manzy comes from and why they only get 1 meter tall: http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather- ... 2011-03-23 We have had over 17 meters of snow this year. These pics are from 2 days ago and we got another 30cm. Be a bit till this melts. Maybe June? So it...
  36. P

    120 Gallon/450 liter rimless starfire ADA "like"

    I love the aesthetics of ADA's rimless tank, they are also quite practical for the gardener. I liked the look of the stand as well. I bought a smaller 60p and really liked the over all display, I am not overly fond of the lily pipes and am surprised I have not broken them yet(2 so far). For the...
  37. P

    450 Gallon tank update

    Hell really frozen over: Yes, that is a real skull Foreground is C parva. Lots of intense fast swimming fish, yes, the P zebra will be removed. Not my idea:cool: The R side is getting over grown and they put in that dang Spadderdock, which needs removed. Light is a bit higher and the...
  38. P

    1600 Gallon update

    Hell frozen over. Not the best pics, I was working and did not have time for a decent photo shoot. Tank looks immensely better/improved, the owner' has taken more effort and thought into both keeping it up and the long term design. You cannot see the roots from the aunbias well in these...
  39. P

    Manzy wood to the UK, new shipment

    I have some more wood, I'll need to make up for my time and gas to get it. Shipping was about 90-100$ USD I recall, some went down to 60 USD$. Each box will be about 100$ + whatever exact shipping is. I should have enough for 3-4 boxes depending on demand. This is pre soaked and cleaned wood...
  40. P

    high grade CO2 check valves

    I was looking for some check valves and ran across these made in the UK Live Steam Inline Oil / Check Valve. 1/4 x 40 TPI (1/8" Pipe) www.steamfittings.co.uk Dean Rogers 36 Elder Drive Daventry Northamptonshire NN110XE United Kingdom Phone: 01341|280637 Email: dean@steamfittings.co.uk I'm not...
  41. P

    Volcanic springs in CA, Hat Creek source, aquatic plant nirv

    Why say much? There are a few places like this in CA, unlike TX, and FL, SEA and other regions where truly lush aquatic plants exist(Pupu springs in NZ is an exception), this is volcanic based geology for the source, not Krast(limestone). The lush growth, really wide diversity...
  42. P

    Do excess nutrients = algae? Is it possible to "know"?

    Some folks asked me about this this weekend. They suggested I cannot be 100 % certain that "Excess" nutrients do not cause algae. I mentioned: "I cannot test every cause of algae, thus I cannot ever be 100% certain. However, I can be virtually 100% certain of what something is not. At least to...
  43. P

    How to trim foreground weeds before/after pics

    Pre mowed: Mowed: About 2-3 weeks later: Helps to see pics and not be told what to do for trimming. This can help newbies a lot if you illustrate the trim methods. Regards, Tom Barr
  44. P

    Butterfingers

    Well, could the game could have very well gone either way, but them butter fingers, man. Better to see a good game and no mistakes truthfully. He made up for in the second 1/2. We got a good shot on him, but he got a hand on it. I guess it was what he thought would be an easy stop and then got...
  45. P

    Fertcicles, addign nutrients to sediment in an established p

    In advice to someone recently: Osmocoat seems like a wise idea for DIY root tab solutions that has seen some revisiting lately(been used for the last 30 years by aquarist). Slow release, small etc, ice cubes filled with Osmocoat also would make adding it in spots very easy too. This is similar...
  46. P

    Ideal needle valves

    I'd thought I'd post a nice reasonable high grade valve exampel for folks. I called Ideal Valve Inc up here and asked for a quote per valve for their vernier caliper handle valves which are far nicer than the Swageloks and already have the vernier handles, 1/8" MPT included. 67.50$, 5% off for...
  47. P

    EI dosing calculator

    This is a nice simple easy to use tool for modeling the concentrations in EI type dosing routines. Some may have already seen it: http://wet.biggiantnerds.com/ei/con_v_time.pl Plug is say 10ppm of NO3 for stuff(any stuff can be used) Then 3x a week, then 50% and then view. Change to suit...
  48. P

    Fire Red shrimp bred

    Pretty shrimp indeed. I must have 200 now. Regards, Tom Barr
  49. P

    60 Gallon 60cm cube

    This tank has gone through a few different changes, but has settled in. I'd originally wanted some finer foreground leaf shapes, but the plecos would have none of that, this plant does not uproot and and allows a nice understory place for the plecos to grub around and the RCS to pick and clean...
  50. P

    My old 180 rimless redone

    Decided to use the Staruogyne for a foreground. One of the few weeds that the royal plecos would not maul and uproot daily. Tank has some work to do still for nicer grouping for the rear, still somewhat undecided... but it's on it's way. See how many fish and critters you can spot. Regards...
  51. P

    Test kits, dosing calculators and calibration errors

    Hi, Bear with me here and think about this, not the perceptions, rather, the facts and critical thinking involved.I have long been hearing folks poo poo EI for being "crude", "merely a guess", "inaccurate", "old ways of doing things", "Less advanced" and many other similar terms. Ironically...
  52. P

    Fe Gluconate dry powder

    Some UK members have expressed interest in Fe Gluconate dry powder. I have shipped 5 pounds over to try out. This is a weaker ligand than the chelators like ETDA and much weaker than DTPA. The benefit and trade off is the weaker bonds, however also means easier for the plant to take up, so it...
  53. P

    The swamp cloud forest of the Alaka'i Kauai, HW, use

    I figure after visiting this place, I'd share the greenery and tropics. This is the wettest place on earth, roughly 451 inches per year average. Or 1146 cm per year. This is the hike to the swamp: About 1400 meters looking down at the Na Pali coast. Waimea canyon above. Mosses and fern...
  54. P

    Update on the ADA no CO2 046L Zebra pleco 60p tank

    And Fish are in there but hide. 100? CRS are also in there. Bolbitus is growing without any CO2/Excel etc. Regards, Tom Barr
  55. P

    4 years later, 350 Gallon planted tank redone

    I replanted and removed all the black flourite and switched to good old cheap dolomite. I reduced the light from about 50-60 micromols at the bottom , to 30. Easier to see the fish, nice sediment, happier client. Tank is about 2 weeks old after the redo and complete tear down. Tank is far from...
  56. P

    Enough rain for you?

    Well, no hurricanes, but you got pounded bad. Looks like a UK version of post Katrina. Bully for the RAF for saving folks! We will likely have a very wet year here in CA. 31 cm in a day, that's a lot of rain. Hope all is well for the rest of you. Tom Barr
  57. P

    ADA aqua soil and powersand analysis completed

    I will have it up and posted sometime in the next few hours on the BarrReport newsletter. Hades froze solid. I think you folks particularly will find some of the ideas and notions applicable for your methods and DIY approaches. If you use the ADA AS and or the mineralized (or perhaps not...
  58. P

    Aquatic plant management in the UK

    I just returned from a professional meeting of the APMS in WI. I listened to a UK researcher discussing how nasty many of the UK's streams and aquatic plant issues are. Seems most just like to study and look at weeds in the UK, where in the USA, we go out and actually kill them. The UK is...
  59. P

    Shipping manazanita wood and will leave cost for shipping to

    Hell froze over. sorry for the delay Moving , computer death(do not buy an HP!) etc. Anyhow, I've packed two good sized boxes with wood. I'll drag them down to the post office and get a weight, $ etc. If within reason, off they shall go. I really wish you folks lived closer, you could come...
  60. P

    Manzanita wood shipment to the UK: where to ship it to

    I need to know where to ship and how much wood folks want. Split the orders up if you live somewhat close. I got more today and will likely ever get more in 2 weeks, snow is still making some spots inaccessible. I'm working at the 1000-1500 meter range. Found this moss all over this stream...
  61. P

    Dammit, not another tank to do! 450 Gallon Starfire glass

    I have started a new client's project, this time a 450 Gallon starfire glass aquarium, 240 L x 90H x 75D (cm), this tank will hold 1000 Green Neons, shrimp. Plants are A coffeefolia on braches/wood, Crypt Green gecko in the rear center, Blyxa and hair grass belem in the front. Some swords near...
  62. P

    Group shipping buy for Manzanita driftwood from Tom Barr

    Hi, This is a response to some folks who want driftwood. the deal is this, pay shipping cost, the wood is free. Yes, free. It's considered a fire hazard in CA where this tree is everywhere. The fire Dept hacks it back from the roads for fire control. I saw the little beaver sticks shipped in...
  63. P

    Aquatic plants in CA

    I have long been driving, hiking, swimming, biking around the rural areas I live. Today it's a nice warm spring day in Northern CA. I look for wood, for rock, for wildflowers, waterfalls, trees, anything of interest, and I also look for aquatic plants. CA is not really known for aquatic plants...
  64. P

    1600 Gallon 5 meters long planted behemoth

    Hell frozen over.........New update: Does not look as big as you think..........but if you sit in front of it, relax in those chairs O death that fit you better than memory foam... sip some good wine after a long day.......... You realize that it's a community. EI dosed, CO2 is nice and...
  65. P

    The problem with the Redfield ratio theory

    I've had a few discussion with folks, mostly in the UK over this one. I will not get into the issue with the difference between the mass ratio, which is what is used, versus what Redfield actually shown in his paper based on averages of marine phytoplankton, it was atomic ratios, atoms, not...
  66. P

    Zebra L46 tank 60 gal cube

    Well, I've decided against doing the reef and took it down. I managed to nab 10 Zebra plecos that are F1's and about 1 year old. No, I will not breed them for another 1-3 years. But I love them and always have. I like rare plecos in general. I have another 60 cube that's an African biotope. So...
  67. P

    Funny things from Foreign friends about voting in the USA

    It's sort of a hoot that many of my friends abroad feel they should get to vote in the USA as the effects are felt very strongly in their countries. I can see their point:) I voted a few weeks ago via mail(the only way to go here, the pools are zoos about now and particularly today!). Looks...
  68. P

    Altums for the 180 gal

    Well, I saw some nice ones and they are eating like pigs..........frozen food, brine, blood worms, Mysis shrimp, live brine as well. I am planning on redoing the scape and reducing the plant species down to 6 or so species. I like the species stock list for the fish I have planned, I might get...
  69. P

    Group meetings/events

    I know several of you have gotten together and done some projects and scapes etc. Have you considered putting on a larger event with say Claus from Tropica coming to speak etc? Sell the plants, raise the $. You will find it to be pretty fun. Regards, Tom Barr
  70. P

    Nabbing new members for your club

    We noticed something, well, rather obvious in many ways, but our small local 2 years old club in Sacramento gained 12 new members in 2 days. I ask folks where they are from often and suggest local groups if possible. We used a simple Craig's List(CL's) posting to ask for new folks to join...
  71. P

    West Africa

    Just a normal day and quick pic snap shot. I have a few more fish and then the rest will be time and little moss on rocks along the bottom edge between the sand and the wood. When the Congo's feed, they really run all over and are well matched for this set up. Regards, Tom Barr
  72. P

    Dry start method results on a large aquarium

    Here's the 180 gallon tank's results after a few weeks of HC growth, I started with about 12x12cm mat and now have about 180cmX30cm mat a few weeks later. The ADA As is now well cycled, has roots and fungi embedded in it, All I do is fill it and then add lots of stems in the other regions which...
  73. P

    Plant Fest 2008

    No, you do not have to flip the bill and get all those shots to go to Brazil, Florida is closer and with the weak dollar, it's a deal. What's it like? Well check this out. http://www.barrreport.com/plantfest/422 ... 008-a.html Regards, Tom Barr
  74. P

    An idea for Group buys for UV, test kits and other shared it

    I think given the level of growth within the UK and rapid pace, the UKAPS might consider buying more than just a few bags of KH2PO4 etc. I'd strongly suggest for those that are inclined to test and measure things to consider a good set of test kits/Colorimeter/spectrophotometer. This along...
  75. P

    EI daily methods or PMDD + PO4

    This is just a solution for folks wanting a daily routine that's actually older than EI and was just a slight tweak of PMDD using PO4 as well and bit higher nutrient levels: EI was developed mainly in response to folks that had no test kits that lived in 3rd world countries and for lazy/cheap...
  76. P

    Some decent pics of Nerite Zerba snails?

    Anyone have good pics of these? I have some contacts and some snails I might be able to get in large no# in the USA. They are not available here. Regards, Tom Barr
  77. P

    A past historical approach to EI, the daily dose method

    This may help some of you get a bit closer and tweak things a bit further: http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-in ... osing.html As most methods today seem derived from PMDD, the addition to this method of PO4 as descrived on the APD about 10 years ago added a lot of success to the hobby...
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