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Yes for sure. The B series MK II is RGB-W and I think has a very decent colour rendition. And they're relatively cheap units, with an inline controller for dimming and setting the photoperiod.

Take a look at the Twinstar range, the colour rendition is pretty good at a decent price. And take a look at what our sponsors offer. Either way best to go for something dimmable. https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/led-aquarium-lighting-54-c.asp

Welcome :)

Lepidium sativum

Absolutely not. Nor shrimp. Not even the largest container. Aside from the diminutive size, the gas exchange will be minimal not only since some are taller than wider but also because of the narrow neck. And with a wooden ball in it just for good measure, it's effectively sealed off. Apparently...

Welcome :)

Hi-tech, or take the hybrid approach. Grow less demanding plants, like those suggested above. And like Darrel @dw1305 mentions above inject just enough CO2 to turn the drop checker green instead of lime green. You'll get healthy plants but more of a slow burner, and more wriggle room...

Dario Dario springs to mind but they're perhaps best at least kept as a pair, that is if you can find a female. But Sparkling gourami make pretty decent centerpiece fish in a small aquarium.

Old credit card and Brush can be picked up from Amazon for a few quid

Beautiful fish. His pout is better than Derek Zoolander's

Welcome :)

Beautiful build as usual. Both fish species will love it in there. I think you could get away with a few more rice fish. They'll perhaps be a little less skittish in a larger group.

There is about 8 weeks between the two images above. You can see the difference in growth habit.

I guess it does transition through to a different growth habit. Below is mini Christmas moss, for instance, it stays fairly compact emersed but submersed the leaves and stems elongate and become a bit unruly. I've grown a few species emersed and then flooded and they all seemed perfectly happy...

Great journal, very inspiring :)

Probably has nothing to do with the fact that his old mate and mucker, Jeremy Gay previous PFK editor, was also Marketing and Business Development Manager at Evolution Aqua. No siree Bob, nothing to do with that at all, no way Jose. Definitely not a conflict of interest. Definitely not snake...

The instructions suggest it's entirely up to you. But I think it's always best to rinse through. Pre-washed for your convenience, can be use without rinse. Please, fill up the tank without stirring the sand bed by pouring the water carefully in a surface. You may rinse it with water before...

It's a creative metaphor. Nature exploding. It'll never be confined in a box. . . Really nice work Ady

Great idea. What better medium could there be to engage folk in aquatic habitats and aquascaping or planted tanks.

I know what you mean, that’s the beauty of UKAPS, you get to share your experiences with like minded folk. Either way, well done for trying to involve your wife. I gave up trying along time ago. She thinks I spend my spare time hanging out online with fellow fishy geeks. I keep telling her it’s...

I don't think it's available in the UK, or Europe. https://www.flowgrow.de/db/aquaticplants/poaceae-sp-purple-bamboo#:~:text=This%20plant%20is%20cultivated%20in,of%20true%20grasses%2C%20the%20Poaceae.

We’ve discussed this a few times before. I think its business model failed in an increasingly competitive market. It closed in 2018. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/the-green-machine-website.63921/page-2#post-632065...

I've grown it a few times, I don't remember the leaf edges being so crenate, or the leaves being that long. But then I grew it low-energy without CO2, and like @ElleDee mentions above, crypts have a great deal of phenotypic plasticity when it comes to leaf morphology, responding to different...

Welcome :)

That one. You'd expect snake oil from any commercial concern whose sole reason for being is to invent new and interesting ways to try and part us from our hard earned cash. But I find that sort of maneuver form Practical Fishkeeping particularly cynical. Either way, we all know there is...

Welcome Matt :)

Welcome :)

Good to hear :)

Sorry spp. is just shorthand for species. So I meant just check out all the different Hygrophila species. https://tropica.com/en/plants/search/?mode=search&sew=hygrophila&dif=&pgr=&ori=&use=

Not a bad idea

Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, should be kept in small groups like @PARAGUAY and @mlgt mention above, six is a good number. The minimum tank size should be 100x40x50(h), preferably bigger. It should be well planted with tall leafy plants like amazon swords...

Still not a particularly good idea. Not strange at all. It’s kind of an exponential difference in terms of tank dimensions and swimming space. Perhaps a better idea. Research, research, research. . .

Leave them until you rescape. Then cut them on half and hide the ugly ones behind those that still have tips and new growth.

Not sure you'll find any aquatic plant that has thick enough stems to withstand strong flow without bending to some degree. But here are a few suggestions Hygrophila ssp. Pogostemon erectus Ludwigia repens

@AlStu have you thought about self publishing ? There are a few services out there that might be worth investigating. It could be a cost effective kickstart into a career writing and illustrating children's books. Then there is this as well https://shop.winstonebooks.co.uk/products/9781399408929

There are a few on the market these days. Not so long ago the only real choice was Hydor. I've run a Hydor for a few years. They can be a bit temperamental, I've had to take mine apart a few times to get it working after it's been in storage for a few months. Other than that it's kept the tank...

I think @malik uddin you're perhaps going about this the wrong way. It's always a good idea to do as much research as possible before considering what livestock are suitable. And once suitable inhabitants have been identified even more research is required to learn how best to recreate as close...

Both these scapes were grown low-energy in a mix of 1:1 Westlands aquatic compost and Westlands Irish moss peat, with a couple of large handfuls or horticultural grit. The depth of the soil was generally around 30-40mm. The soil was deeper in the scape immediately below; it was banked to about...

It'd be helpful if we had a little more info inc. a FTS. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/please-read-the-guidelines-for-algae-help.60672/ https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/algae-problems-read-this.58460/

Just a good layer of capping substrate, 30-50mm. I often used pool filter sand, which worked very well. Some terrestrial soils and composts do solidify in the process of becoming aquatic sediments. I think what happens is the organic matter breaks down and is used as nutrients by plants. This...

Welcome :)

Something like this. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardman-Gr...ding+gardmans&qid=1565549090&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Welcome 🙂

I don't think I'd opt to use mesh bags filled with actual soil, maybe AS. But only under around 40mm of capping substrate. I've usually used a plastic mesh divider with 1-2mm gaps. Roots naturally pass through it unhindered via a process known as geotropism. I've used filter bags and nylon...

Very nice. Thanks for sharing @Gill :)

Not sure how much success you'd have trying to grow a dense low growing carpet without CO2 and fairly high light intensity, regardless of species, but it can be done, sort of. There's a section at the end of my tutorial regarding low-energy lawns, and one or two threads that might be of...

Jetwash. It's very soft rock and the holes hide all sorts of loose fine material.

They’re present anyway. And will be introduced with plants, maybe other than in-vitro. Too much light unbalancing the system is probably an algae trigger. But it perhaps works in synergy with high organics or ammonia and poor maintenance. Introducing material from a cycled tank has the...

So far I've only posted pics of the front garden. The back garden hasn't really been much to look at. When we moved in 18 months ago it was a complete jungle dominated by ivy and overgrown shrubs and trees. It took four of us a week to clear the undergrowth, and then I got busy with the chainsaw...

Really looking forward to the event too, including Tai’s talk. Hope to see both old friends and put some new faces to names. Thanks for hosting us again Dave @Aquarium Gardens And like Geoff mentions don’t forget to vote in the poll at the top of the page folks, we want to make sure there's...

@Vandal Gardener No need to dark start before dry start. Dry start is best if you want to establish a lawn etc before flooding. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/return-of-the-shallow.50172/page-3#post-497164

I don't think I would necessarily. Not sure where this figure of 5 weeks has come from. Seems a bit arbitrary, unless it’s for a specified reason I’m not aware of. Either way, dark start method, as opposed to dry start method (same initials), seems to have become overly complicated somehow...

Welcome 🙂

I must admit to having been very sceptical about animal sentience in general and especially that regarding fish. However, over the past few years I’ve read some peer reviewed scientific research, and witnessed both animal and specially fish behaviour which has unequivocally changed my mind...

Not sure I’m comfortable with this. I guess we can reason all we want about what is ethically, scientifically, morally and philosophically appropriate. And I’m not sure it meets with UKAPS rules and regulations regarding animal welfare. I guess that’s a judgement call for a forum that has...

Twinstar B-Line II gets my vote. It's cheap, dimmable, and has a timer. When it comes to spectrum the only thing that really concerns us as hobbyists is how attractive it makes our plants and critters look. And the B-Line II is RGB-W, so has good intensity and great overall colour rendition...

I think Ray the founder and owner retired back to Ireland and left the shop with Joe. Obviously his interests lay elsewhere.

That's the problem, the wild form is quite hard to come by these days. Probably not commercially viable compared to the more colourful strains.

Anyone know the latest on Seriously Fish? It'd be a massive shame if it stopped functioning. I've tried contacting the forum a while back but didn't get a reply. We could still host it on UKAPS. If anyone has any contact details or knows someone that might be able to get hold of the owners...

Really nice suggestions @AquaBonsai99, thanks. Sundadanio axelrodi is a lovely little fish, definitely worthy of a biotope themed scape. Absolutely love honey gouramis. I've kept them before a few times. Not a big fan of the new strains though. Much prefer the species in its original natural...

Welcome 🙂

Thanks Steve. Yes, I thought a dozen small tetras. Maybe green neons or embers. And maybe a pair of dwarf cichlids, open to suggestions though 🙂

Lovely little island scape and nice use of epiphytes. Very much like how you've filled the canvas, but left enough negative space for contrast and to give the whole thing some tension.

Made a few small changes. Many thanks to @G H Nelson for sending me some beautiful Anubias mini coin. I've swapped them out with a buce and placed them in a suitably shaded position. Hopefully, they'll fill out the space given time. The buce has been placed higher up the big bolder nearer to the...

Welcome 🙂

You'll need to spray once a day, and air the container for around 5-10mins. Or leave a small permanent air gap. It helps prevent mould. Also, I recommend adding fertz to the spray bottle to foliar feed the plants. I use a weak solution of TNC Complete, approx 3mls per litre. There are also...

JBL gets my vote. Might have mentioned that once or twice before ;)

Take a look at these https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/pincettes-tweezers-that-actually-pinch.62465/#post-616278 https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/recommended-pincettes.67197/

Might be immaterial now you've knocked up a nursery but I keep mine on a north facing window ledge. They'll be fine for a couple or three weeks, or more

Welcome :) Looking forward to seeing those pictures ;)

Rhododendron back in bloom. It was crowded out by other plants and weeds and was in desperate need of a prune. Really pleased to see it bounce back so well. There are twice as many flowers than last year.

I prefer Helanthium tenellum over Lilaeopsis spp. I think it looks and grows better. Helanthium tenellum, previously Echinodorus tenellus, left. Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini' (dwarf hairgrass) right

1. Myriophyllum aquaticum 2. Lobelia cardinalis 3. Alternanthera cardinalis 4. Fittonia ?

Difficult to make out, and I should think difficult to take a good image. But it'd help with diagnosis. Could it be a skin fluke?

Welcome 🙂

This springs to mind by @ShawnMac https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/project-ikebana.59918/#post-587217

Thanks Marcel. I’ve put the ferns back in the garden wall where they belong. Mainly for the reasons you mention above. They’re doing okay there. Although these are evergreen, I think. But just don’t look so good during the winter. Anyway, spring has sprung and I think we’re all hoping for...

@richardcunliffe I guess it’s just experience, and with that comes a great deal of misplaced confidence. I can envisage how it’ll look if I do this that and the other. It doesn’t always work out. But it’s just a hobby and for me, the essence is daring to try new things and different...

It's been a while, and neglect had taken its toll; rampant moss completely taken over. I finally found the time and energy to spend an hour or so getting to grips with the scape and removed most of it. I was surprised to see the plants below were still healthy and had grown. The epiphytes had...

Yes it’s one of my scapes from a few years back. No longer running. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/naturescape-the-end.52807/page-31#post-587134

I think for many scapers, at least, plants come first and the fish are chosen to compliment the scape. It doesn't mean they are any less important in terms of husbandry though. For me less is definitely more. So overstocking or coming anywhere near is never really a problem. But like most of...

Or maybe it is. I was just paraphrasing the consensus. https://www.aquasabi.com/aquascaping-wiki_algae_twinstar#:~:text=The%20operating%20principle%20of%20the,effect%20for%20many%20years%20now.

morphic resonance

If you want to be a record breaker…yeah…

Roy Castle and Noris MacWhirter would have read it

Crikey, this thread just keeps going round and round in circles. I’m confused now though. I thought we’d reached some sort of consensus. It’s not an electrolysis machine, but produces nanobubbles of oxygen. Nanobubbles have unique properties that allow them to accumulate in water to create a...

Thanks. It's made from local granite, formed 450 million years BP. Its use as a building material is a fairly common sight in the area, not just the material but also the method of construction. The geology around here is both ancient and complex dating back some 600 million years to the...

Been a beautiful day, the first really dry and warm day of the year here. Took the opportunity to tidy up the front garden a bit. Don't forget the clocks go forward tonight. Love this time of year :)

I would also use a thin layer of sand too. Play sand is an excellent option. It's mostly inert silica and won't affect water parameters. It's also very cheap, so not very expensive to syphon out and replace. The volume needed for a thin covering will also be quick and easy to rinse through...

Not quite sure what I'm looking at here. Are the leaves just turning brown or are they all actually melting, or both? In addition to @MichaelJ 's advice. C. wendtii is a highly variable species. It has a great deal of phenotypic plasticity allowing it to change its physiology/morphology...

I use 20mm - 30mm polystyrene. As well as offering a good level of protection it also raises the scape so it doesn't become drowned out by substrate, and retains tension.

Autumn moon over a local reservoir

Nice, good job. You've got a very decent sense of perspective and proportion, and have filled the canvas well. I wouldn't worry about the uneven substrate level at the front. If anything I'd make it more random. It adds to the tension. When you plant you could try and create a bit more negative...

Awesome looking build 👍

Beautiful 🙂

Me too, looking forward to it 🙂

It’s actually a thing! I was only joking. And hand painted. There’s no hope.

Welcome 🙂

Jackson Pollock orchids. Why?