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Hey Folks! If you've not already heard, Me, Stu Worral and Mark Goodwin (Geordie Scaper) will be competing against each other in a scape off, up at Finest Aquatics in Widnes on Saturday. (Last time I competed against Stu I smashed him, and I haven't let him forget it so he's keen for revenge)...

Hi, this white growth is fine, just brush it off with an old tooth brush. You could syphon it off. It will stop growing in a couple of days, it's nothing to worry about.

I'm glad they turned up ok. Please let me know if there's anything else I can help with.

Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your friends troubles. Please pm me and I'll fire some plants over to you, and anything else that you might need, just ask, you're doing a lovely thing, the world needs more people like you.

Hi Guys, sorry if I've got anyones hopes up but I don't think this is going to happen for us, it's just too short notice. I'll make sure that everything is done sooner for next year and everyone has more time to arrange leave from work etc.

Sorry guys, 3rd and 4th of October. Pictures will be added afterwards at the very least, I'm sure we'll be using some social media during the show.

Hello everyone. We've been invited to the Festival again this year. It's at a more accessible location these days, in Hounslow Urban Farm, Faggs Road, Feltham, Middlesex TW14 OLZ. We've been offered some floor space. If I were to accept the invitation how many of you would come and say hello...

A press release sent out by Tropica Aquarium Plants.... "Tropica is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Evans in a new role as Aquatic Expert. Mark Evans is already a well-known name within the aquarium community as a judge in aquascaping competitions, photographer and video...

It wouldn't be financially practical for shops to just stock 1-2-GROW as Tropica only produce 19 1-2-GROW species. They offer over 150 species in the traditional form.

As the water evaporates the hardness rises. Well, actually it doesn't rise but the calcium doesn't evaporate with the water leaving the same amount of calcium but in less water, this shows a rise in hardness. Does that make sense? The "limescale" you see on the glass are calcium deposits, the...

Hey guys, the glassware issue has been discussed loads of times and there's never a good answer for everyone - what works for one doesn't always work for another so personal experiences are the only way of allowing someone to make their own judgment. If you want my opinion, Cal Aqua has always...

I can only answer one of your questions, well, sort of. I'll have beer, I always have beer ;0) The vans loaded, bed time for me now, 5am start. See you all over the weekend!!!!

Hi Folks, i've locked this thread as it is no good for anyone. If you want a fight, do so via PMs. If you want to discuss the IAPLC sensibly then start a new thread. Congratulations to all who entered the IAPLC, you should all be very proud of what you've achieved. Peas and carrots :thumbup:

ill be there for about a week, the way things are going :lol: I've got me a few reliable helpers, if anyone else is free to help setup on Friday I'd really appreciate it.

It's a big ask but the good thing about crypts is the amount if energy stored in their roots. This allows then to last out of water for quite some time. Crypts love to melt away after the smallest of environment changes which is why some people immediately cut them down to the substrate straight...

Hey guys, for whatever reason it had been moved, it's back now :)

Hi John, you'll have to end your subscription and start a new one if you'd like to claim a giveaway. It's pretty unlikely that they'll be offering a similar give away when you're ready to renew, lifes just not that good LOL

It's funny, I keep wild discus, scalare angels, cardinals and rummy nose tetras in my 4x2x2. All of the fish in there are really bold, constantly following me along the tank and they feed like crazy but they simply won't feed from the surface. Surprising from such bold fish... It may not be...

That is brilliant, thanks for posting that, Doug. It's really really nice looking back at it, thanks :)

Nice post Darrel! Tropica Plant Nutrition Plus for me, simple and very effective. Good luck with your new tank, read, read and read some more :)

Hi Folks, sorry for my lack of response about where they've gone. They have not gone bust or similar, they simply don't want to continue with their sponsorship. We've done all we can to support Aquariums Limited as their products are great, sadly their customer service just isn't up to scratch...

Hi, i'd buy some Tropica Plant Nutrition + from TGM when you get the plants. It's nice and easy to use with proven results. I would then seriously look to invest in good CO2, you are really going to struggle to grow HC properly with little light and no CO2, just upping the lighting isn't...

Hi and welcome to UKAPS. I feel you're going to struggle growing a HC carpet under the two halogen bulbs supples with the Edge. The LEDs will help. What CO2 system do you have and what fertiliser are you using?

Hi, what wood are you getting? Carbon won't hurt but it won't help with poisons or toxins that come from so types of wood. It will help with the tannins and after a while it'll become biological media which will become advantageous to your filtration in general.

Mark has already volunteered to do a tutorial for UKAPS. I believe he's in the process of doing it. It should be a great help to everyone :D

Hi, welcome to UKAPS! I've worked on these a few times but never actually owned one. The lights are dull and it's going to be hard to overcome given the location of the light fitting - right in the centre and close to the surface. If it were my tank then i'd aquascape the tank into a "mound"...

Have a look here for some inspiration viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9351

Adding ferts will NOT add to algae issues if you have good flow, good CO2 distribution and good tank maintenance. In my experience algae tends to effect those who are using too much lighting and not enough CO2, ferts and or flow. If you have algae issues then lower the lighting, sort out some...

No it's not :0) EasyCarbo is not the answer to good plant growth though, do you dose any ferts, what lighting do you have, filter, tank size?

Hiya, 25w over 10 gallons is a lot of light! CO2 is a must :( Is there anyway you can block around half of the light? Perhaps cover some of it up with cardboard or similar? I would highly recommend Tropica Plant Nutrition Plus :thumbup:

Hiya, i'd go for a Fluval FX5 for a tank of that size. A great filter, loads of media and cheap too!

If i were you, i'd just use a play sand and dose the water column with fertiliser, simples :thumbup: Play sand will cost you pence and you'll get no clouding, ammonia spikes or anything. Plants don't need a substrate fertiliser if you dose well.

Nice to see you back Jeff!

Hi mate, sorry to hear of your problems. To start i'd check that you are definitely dosing the correct amount of the required nutrients. What is your WC schedule? in this kind of situation i'd be inclined to at least two 50% changes per week. Next i'd swap out your reactor for an atomiser...

I don't change mine for months at a time, although i don't rely on it anymore. After a while you'll be able to tell if you're lacking CO2. Changing every couple of weeks will be fine IMO.

I've done this several times. Syphon off a bucket full of water, put your filter inlet and outlet in there and turn it on, then add your fish to the bucket. Syphon off as much of the water out of the tank as possible, until there is only water left in the substrate. Try and save as much tank...

It's good isn't it! It's got some good looking tanks on there too :wink: http://www.tropica.com/layouts/experienced.aspx

I didn't know that, cheers! All the pressure is spread over a few poxy little feet though, whereas a tank is spread over the entire footprint? My house was built in 1899 and i had a 240L tank in my bedroom with no issues, the joists ran front to back and the tank ran left to right which is the...

Hi Russ, it should be fine, it is after all a lot less than a bath full of water with a person in.

Are you going to try and grow these under water? If so i'd be interested to see how you get on!

What can i say? Interzoo rocked! It's like a dream for people like us, more equipment than you can shake a stick at with some good looking tanks and a few lovely fish too. It was great to meet Keymaker, Nigro and Victor, it was a shame we couldn't spend more time together. Oliver Knott's tanks...

So George and I are off to Interzoo this evening, we're meeting up with Roy Devani from Unipac at the airport and traveling over with him. We've gotta celeb packed list of folks that we need to meet up with including Lars Green, Oliver Lucanus, Chris Lukhaup, Oliver Knott and Heiko Bleher! Oh...

Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops TGM are offering franchise opportunities at the moment. It would be a worthy investment in my view, i suppose it depends on local competition and the ability to run a webshop too.

Re: Discussion: What's your favourite part of the hobby and I prefer the creative side i think. Starting a new layout is my favorite thing in the world. Using stylish equipment to compliment the layout and it's surroundings is also a favorite of mine I also like some of the science behind it...

I'd set it up mate, if you do it properly it's easily moved. The key is to get every drop of water out, use airline hose get the last bits out. I'd it's your big tank that you set up, slide it onto a board like a piece of ply and carry it that way. I suppose it all depends on how much you want...

Christ Garuf, I know that your the hardest person in the world to please but have some tact! George has given you a lot of help, guidance and encouragement over the years, thats more than most would bother to give you. I don't feel he, or anyone else for that matter needs such a personal and...

Tom Messenger did something similar for a uni project, perhaps drop "Tom" a message. Good luck with it!

Thanks for bringing that to our attention, we'll update that post now.

Re: Questionnaire Hi folks, thanks for the replies so far, the closing date is the 27th od December :thumbup:

Re: Questionnaire Thats why you've gotta PM me pal, there is no option to do that i'm afraid :(

Re: Questionnaire Please see the updated post above for a revised format for answering. Those who completed the questionnaire before this post have had their answers transfered to the new one so don't worry :D

Re: Questionnaire Thanks guys, interesting results so far :thumbup:

Re: Questionnaire Sorry, i think it's best if you PM me :)

Hi Folks, TMC are expanding their AquaGro range and have asked UKAPS if their members would help them find out a few things about the average plant grower. They are offering a CO2 diffuser to ten members that complete the questionnaire picked at random. TMC are looking to work closely with...

Re: AGA Results Christ buddy, what do you think should have won? That is one awesome tank which very few people could execute so well IMO.

Hiya, filling with water is a given :wink: There is great debate as to whether or not CO2 is a MUST. To me it is. This often depends on what your planting and how much light you'll be using. Whatever happens, CO2 is a benefit and i would recommend it from the start. Being a beginner...

OK great, the easiest way to do it in my experience is to 1 - Put your chosen substrate in 2 - fill the tank so that the water just covers the substrate and then stop 3 - Plant the tank as heavily as you can, i'd go for covering 80% of the substrate in plants, even if you don't want to plant...

Hi, welcome to UKaps! Aqua Clay is good, if you like the colour. If your on a budget then i'd look to plain 2-3mm gravel and does heavily on the water column. This is hard to answer for me. IMO CO2 is just a must, regardless of what your trying to grow. There are lots of people on here who...

Just read it, nice one George!

Well done Viktor, thoroughly deserved :clap:

Brilliant!

Im quite sure that they are currently updating their site.

On the 4x2x2 Hagen tank that George and i did, we used my blue stone from TGM. I currently use it as part of a "real" iwagumi ie. in the garden. Blue stone is relatively inexpensive in comparison to many rocks and it's lovely stuff.

Hi Jon, All your plans look good IMO. For ferts, i've had success with both Tropica and ADA although i'm recently having great success with the full ADA ferts system. If your going with Powersand Special and Aquasoil then i'd go for the ferts range too, they are designed to work together and...

Cheers John, i'm gonna be doing one soon thats for sure. Graeme did a similar thing a while back....

I've used the one above from Aquatic Magic to great effect. You can get the same stuff from B&Q but you'll also need suckers and mini zipties so the cost might even it's self up.

UKAPS BABY! :thumbup:

The very same :wink:

Christ mate, £90 is a steal pal, snap it up before I do LOL

Good luck with everything pal. We'll all be here waiting for you when you come back.

Black or white for me, depends on the scape :D

Listen to CEG :lol: Read some books Read some journals Take a trip to TGM Grow plants first, aquascape after

I find inspiration every time i go out the house, the UK is such a wonderfully inspiring place. Every time i hit North Wales i come back ooozing with new thoughts on rock placement, river banks, moss in the crevices of hardscape and all sorts. Inspiration is always there, for me, i just have to...

One of the problems with doing a tank with very low maintenance and low bioload is that the plants have no source of N & P. Most low maintenance tanks are packed with fish and they supply the N & P through their waste.

Well once we pay Tom then yes, the funds will go to UKaps via the donation button, we are only charging what we get charged which is effectively, everybody's share of the postage from the states and then the postage to get it to your door. :D

Thats great stuff Tom, we'll get the money over to you asap. Thanks again for all your efforts.

The money's fine Tom, PM me your address and the amount and i'll get it over to you asap. Thanks for all your help Tom!

Is this a brand new filter? If so, it sounds like a bacteria bloom, it should subside once the filter starts to mature.

Thats just incredible, i can just about remember to turn two taps of when doing maintenance, i'd be screwed in there :lol:

Theres likely to be a bit going at mine mate, if you still intend on coming....

Nice one Tom, just let us know when you want your money and we'll get it over to you.

I was chatting to Jeremy gay about this, he saw and instantly called to say we should so one and show them who's boss :lol:

I have "101 best aquarium plants" by Mary Sweeney and featuring some nice photos by our very own George Farmer! It's a good book and matches your requirements. http://www.amazon.co.uk/101-Best-Aquari ... 921&sr=8-1

:lol: :lol: :lol: Yes she would, luckily i live with my two mates, Jack and Jones :wink: I meant a tidy of the cabinet, the stuff that is strewen all over the place is whats come out and isn't going back in :D

Heres mine after a quick tidy...

Nice work fellas, a pat on the back all round!

Hi everyone, after a chat with James, Graeme and George, we've dicided that UKaps will pay for the cost of getting the wood to the UK. We will of corse need reimbursing but at least no-one need put up the initial outlay. Please could we have a list of people who wish to receive and are willing...

Hi guys, just to make it clear, i don't want any, i was just offering to accept it and distribute it.

Hi everyone, I never really put my name down for this but i'll happily organise the distribution. I'll be at George's Demo Day next month and my courier charges are £9 if your not going to be there. I'll do my best with the boxes, i'm sure i can get them from somewhere. If no-one else wants to...

My first guess....What lighting did you have over it whilst you were chucking in CO2? If you don't have enough light then theres no point in chucking CO2 in....

I love the bones of a good iwagumi! They can present more of a challenge than any other kind of aquascaping.

repli8es from other posts....

After a few points made about the lack of journals i thought it would be a good idea to have an area for you all to discuss it. I don't generally do journals because of my hectic lifestyle. I spend a lot of time here during work hours LOL but when i'm at home i'm a very busy guy. I have five...

I think I'm a long term scaper, my current main scape is about 9 months old. I have the luxury of another 4 tanks for playing with but each one still seems long term. As you know, long term nanos are tough but I like the challenge. I was particularly sad when I broke litle mountain down because...

I couldn't agree more Dave! I was thinking just the same the other night. I'm gonna do a test with food dye in the filter, film it and see how it goes....

Just to add to the tweezer thoughts, I have a set of ADA tweezers and I swear on my lively hood that they are WELL worth it, i've used about 6, maybe 7 different pairs of tweezers and these things are in a different league! Precision in every sense.

If you have a look at the updated blog you'll see who supplied the images :wink: and he was asked to supply those images and altered his methods accordingly (filled with water and floated it in a bowl for 3 days under 160w) The inlet was impossible to get off due to a number of reasons, hence...

Sounds like you've got it all worked out pal. BTW i don't heat any of my nanos, i have three of them with fish and crystal reds and they're all fine, providing it's an average heated house?

It sounds like a bacteria bloom, what did you say the filter media was?