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Looking good, Stu. Regards, Dave

Nice one, Dan. Have you still got that lovely Discus in the tank next door? By the way, judging by the second photo, your colouring in is really coming along nicely. Dave.

Re: English woodland Marsilea hirsuta will be an excellent plant for this size of tank. It is dead easy to grow, but gets a bit taller than Marsilea crenata in my experience, and is slower growing. Mine chucks out the odd three leaf clover, but I cut those off as they look out of place. I`m...

This sounds reasonable. I wonder whether there would be enough traffic to justify a sub forum for people wanting a critique of their work. Sorry for the thread hi jack, Chuppy. Dave.

I`m glad I stumbled across this comment, as I rarely bother with journals. For me, there is far too much high fiving, back slapping etc when people post their tanks, without any worthwhile comments on the scape. My guess is that you are right, and people don`t take criticism too well on UKAPS...

This a big shame, George. I think it goes to show how much maintenance we put in to our tanks day after day, even though we are not aware we are doing it. Although water changes with a little trim are all that register in my head, the constant little five minutes of faffing around here and there...

Re: My venture into my new 760 ltr aquariam. Is that a Bucker Bu 131 "Jungman" in your avatar? Dave.

Moss is a real crud magnet in my experience, resulting in algae. I always use a pasting brush to constantly fluff it up and keep it pristine. I find it a high maintenance plant, especially after cutting it back and trying to retrieve all the off cuts that sink. How have done yours, George? I...

It`s interesting for me to see how your Glosso is behaving at an early stage, George. I thought mine was getting a bit leggy, but seems to look like yours at the moment. Does a trim after a settling in stage lower it, or will stay at the height yours is now, but just fill out? I always got the...

Nice looking set up, but it is The Clash poster that sets it a class apart from the others. Dave.

Re: Steve's Opti-white Nano Can you wait until July? :wink: Dave.

Hi Chris, When I was in the RAF I used to work with a guy called Nick Sainsbury-Bowe, who had married in to the supermarket mogul family. We used to call him Waitrose-B`stard. He was a nice bloke, but has probably inherited squillions by now. Dave.

That is one hell of a first tank, Andy! Dave.

Re: My first Layout I agree with Garuf. Your rocks are way too low. Take a look in the journal section for an idea of how bold you need to be, otherwise your plants will just swallow them up. Even if you went for HC, you would have way too much water column above the scape. For rocks with...

I`m looking forward to seeing how you get on with Isotes sp too. It is a plant I have wanted to try for a long time. Dave.

I love the lay of the hardscape on the right hand side, and the look of the gravel too. Dave.

It`s starting to show some nice textures, Nico. I especially like the foreground and the ferns around the wood. Dave.

Re: lljdma06's New Nano Dutch! Loooong 1st post, sorry. :) Llj is actually a gorgeous, bodice wearing thespian :twisted: . There is photographic evidence somewhere on the internet. :shock: Dave.

Love the look of that new Crypt Llj. Hey, I have gone down to using 2 x T8 over a 240l tank. Can I be a member of your low light gang, or do I have to take one of the tubes out? :lol: Dave.

mmmm...I think you are a far better scaper than the SAEs. Is the HM doing OK, as it looks a tad brown to me? Dave.

Re: Skinz180189's 60L Budget Tropical Tank *Not Planted* (56K) These are some lovely, sharp images with great colour balance. I think people are being put off by the plastic. :lol: Dave.

I`m a tad confused Garuf. Did you not dose from the word go? Whenever I start a new scape, there is growth from the word go, which means a full dose of ferts from the day one. Once a plant shows a sign of any deficiency, that growth may not recover, so you are dosing for the next generation of...

That last pic is very Aqua Journal. Studio lighting certainly makes a difference. Lovely scape too! Another step foreward for sure. How did you get the edges of the tank aligned with the edges of the picture so accurately? I reckon I must be doing it wrong. Dave.

I have C. parva growing next to C. willisii in my 120cm. Both plants look virtually the same, except the willisii grows to about 15cm and looks down on the parva. It sounds as if you are describing C. willisii nry. Dave.

That`s a tasty taster John. Bet you can`t want to get your sleeves wet. Dave.

That`s an interesting take on the triangular scape. It should work a treat. Dave.

Looking good garuf. Shame about the cheap and nasty cabinet. :lol: Hope this shows how I braced mine. I`m certain it needed it. Dave.

Does your missus know about this amazing coincidence, Paulo? Dave.

It`s a first class tank in every respect, William. Portugal seems to have quite a lot of aquascapers. Is it a popular hobby over there? dave.

I like the way the textures of the plants seem to compliment this, and the way the Crypts are in contrast to it. As for the lace plant....I`ve never seen a scape with one in that it added something to, but that is just me I guess. :? Tank is looking good, though. :D Dave.

Hi Matt, I have just had a look at your Flickr account. You go to some interesting places. For now, with a low plant mass, you could help yourself by keeping the lighting back at four or five hours, and slowly build it up as the plant mass increases. Is it just stock lighting? When you get...

It is really starting to look great Clark. I really like the sparse look it has at the moment. The substrate looks superb. I hope the ET doesn`t make it too high maintenance. Dave.

Hiya wopmeister! Is the D. diandra going to be a fairly large bush? I have only used it in smaller tanks, and often wondered what an expanse would look like. That is one seriously healthy, vibrant looking tank you have. :D Dave.

Re: James3200s 6.5x2x2' planted tank - UPDATE - 23/01/09 I reckon Discus must be the kings of the planted tank. Looking good James. Dave.

Have you got fish in there yet, Clark? If not, put the CO2 up and keep the water well dosed. I accidentally discovered that this avoids crypt melt. I`ve not had a single crypt melt on me yet. I wonder if it is down to the huge difference in available carbon to the emersed growth and the...

Christ!!! You took that personally, didn`t you? :D I have clearly chronicled my misfortunes in my 60cm, and people are free to comment on any level they like. Don`t take it so seriously, mate. It`s only a hobby. You don`t hear from too often because you know how to scape and don`t need my...

Still suffering from premature stripdown, Mark? :lol: That`s the spirit. I have a 4 year old I can blame my 60cm disaster on. :lol: I often re use Amazonia, as I am a bit tight too. I`ve never had problems doing this, even after drying out. When I put it back in, it still has the nice earthy...

Strangely enough, this really works for me, too. I bet Oliver Knott wishes he had thought of it first. Were there any worries about any chemicals leaching out of the bricks? Dave.

Due to extreme laziness, I am going to ask you what the grassy plant is, rather than do some reading. :? Is it L. brasiliensis? Dave.

The wood has a bit of a too chunky feeling for me, but it is hard to picture the look until the plants have started to surround it. The hardware looks impressive. Reefers certainly know what they are doing from this aspect. Any ideas on your fishes? Dave.

People like George, Zig and Saintly seem to get it growing straight from the off, whereas I seem to have to wait a month or two, even though I know all ferts are good and they are planted in Amazonia. It makes me want to drop in to their tanks whatever went in to this one. :lol: This may get...

Cheers, Thomas. Unfortunately, it is on hold for the duration. I may plant out the HC once it has changed its growth to immersed, as I find it a very slow starter in past experiences. Some people can get it to take off straight away, but for me, unless I keep it potted up until the growth...

I thought I might as well turn this in to a journal, seeing as the woes with it require virtual daily posting. The hardscape was first put in way back in November 2008, long before I knew I would have the time to plant it up. Tank specs: Opti white 60l tank. Tetratec EX700 filter with glass...

I would liken it more to buying myself an Aston Martin DB5, but getting somebody else to drive it for me. Whilst I would pester someone like Tom for advice, I would have to do it myself. I guess the customer has asked Tom because they are not capable of aquascaping...which is a bit like...

There is definitely the foundations for a nice triangular scape here. What I would like to see is low foreground plants becoming increasingly more sparse as the eye moves to the right of the tank. Dave.

No 1 for me. Is the tank overhanging the stand? Dave.

Re: Once upon a time at the riverbank 125Ltr Amateur! Mine are way more dirty. :oops: Strangely enough, one of my lily pipes has a slight flaw in the glass that attrats a tiny amount of BGA from time to time. Fortunately, it is easily accessible for cleaning as soon as it appears. Amazing to...

Re: Aaron's 240l journal! Is the powerhead a cheaper version of a Hydor, Aaron? They look very similar. Dave.

Very nice. I like the bubble wrap idea for filling the tank. Dave.

Re: Once upon a time at the riverbank 125Ltr Lovely textures Andy. I think you have captured the title of this thread perfectly. Someone is an aquascaper, whether they like it or not. :lol: Dave.

I wish the owner had let you decide on the fish, Tom. For me it would have been based around wild caught Discus and/or Altums. Did the owner have a great deal of say on plant choice, or is it largely your scape, Tom? Dave.

Re: my first "proper" tank! any advice or tips welcome! It`s a good looking start BVB! Once you are happy with growth, you could try cutting and replanting the plants you like most, and possibly start to move out the ones you like least. Keeping plants in large groups together will give the...

I have to say that for a Noah`s Ark of a tank, you did a pretty good job. Isn`t the second tank a Barr creation, or am I getting it wrong again? Dave.

This should turn out looking nice, Fred. Plus you will have plenty of time for tinkering. :D Have you considered a smaller, complimentary Crypt at the front ie. parva? This may give you a more clearly defined foreground. Bolbitis heudolottii wouldn`t look out of place in there, either. Due...

Are you sure about using glass, Dan? I reckon some nice green plastic pipework would be much better. :lol: Dave.

Re: Tonsers Nano Rouge - planted ! George, Google the name Bruce Fraser. http://www.creativepro.com/article/out- ... g-workflow Whole books on bloody sharpening. :lol: Dave.

Re: saintly's 120cm iwagumi Scaredy cat! :lol: It is seriously high maintenance, though. I still think I will give it another go some time, but without any stems in the tank. Dave.

Loving the mosses on the stone, Stu. That`s something I haven`t tried yet, but intend to. Dave.

Re: saintly's 120cm iwagumi I have used E. Vivipara, but made the mistake of planting it near some M. umbrosum....what a mess. As long as it is the only tall plant in the tank it looks fantastic IMO. Not sure I`ll ever try it again, though! Dave. P.S. Mine was from Plants Alive and was very...

Re: James3200s 6.5x2x2' planted tank - UPDATE - 23/01/09 That`s what I get for not reading the thread and realising the size of the tank. :roll: Dave.

Re: James3200s 6.5x2x2' planted tank - UPDATE - 23/01/09 Flash used directly above the tank, or used to illuminate the background works well. I have two flash guns I can fire remotely, but have yet to try this out (too many other things to photograph). The underexposure Saintly mentions is...

Re: Jay's "The Fobidden Land" ADA entry teaser. I agree with this totally, but I am considering keeping my 120cm under wraps, just in case I enter it. Dave.

Re: saintly's "The Miracle Mire" I learnt the hard way that a CO2 adjustment has to be monitored. I wiped out a load of Copper harlequins in my 120cm. I use a hose to fill up the 120cm, and I make sure nothing distracts me from that job. I could imagine a waterfall would occur in no time...

Re: Jay's "The Fobidden Land" ADA entry teaser. Excellent scape, Jay! Dave.

Re: The Henge part 2 Got any pics of the creeping MU, Mark? Mine always grows upright. Dave.

Re: saintly's 60cm opti-white You might find keeping the moss pristine an even bigger PITA Mark. I can`t belive how prolific you are and still maintaining such a high standard. You do know you have a wife and kid, don`t you?:lol: Dave.

Re: saintly's "The Miracle Mire" I have had my doubts about the stems and overall effect on the shape of this aquascape......mentioned it a while ago. :idea: The IAPLC is becoming a PITA for people not showing their tanks anymore. Dave.

You have the same tap water as me Stu, I think. Therefore, it is very soft with negligible N and P. I like to add a pinch of GH booster at water change, too, just to keep the Mg and Ca levels up a bit. Your mosses look a bit sorry for themselves. Keep the Easycarbo away from them when you dose...

Re: saintly's ??????? scape Are the Anubias "coffeefolia"? If so, those huge emerged leaves will die off and some smaller growth will come through. This is the phase mine is going through. If the older leaves get too big, I will just cut them off, promoting more smaller growth. My only concern...

This is definitely your best looking set up to date, Andy. It has a Farmeresque feel to it. Dave.

This tank should look terrific when the moss has caught up. Make sure the Bolbitis doesn`t take over. It is becoming a bit of a monster in my 120cm and not quite the slow grower I thought. Dave.

I would say your planting lacks any real structure to it. There appear to be all manner of different Crypts all over the place. By trying to group the same type together you then get to see the form and texture of each type, rather than a general melee of different types. I appreciate the...

Hemianthus micranthemoides is the stem plant in Aaron`s tank. Hemianthus callitrichoides is the carpetting plant, which is also shown in the TGM tank. Dave.

You will need the 300W to fit the 1200 hoses. I run two 1200s on my 120cm and am very happy with them...and the Hydor in line heater. Dave.

I would just leave it under 100% darkness for the duration, Stu. As soon as the covers come off, hit it with as big a water change as possible and get straight back on to the ferts and CO2 for maximum plant growth whilst the Spirogyra is subdued. You may want to consider upping the water...

As difficult as it can be to get the hardscape right, sometimes, it seems to me that it could be even more difficult to use no hardscape. Dave.

Any updates, eoto? Dave.

I`ve been enjoying this tank without making comment for a while now, Mark, but am not overly keen on your choice of fish for this scape. The fish could become too dominant, and out of balance with the rest of the look, plus I am not too big a fan of hybrid fish myself. Still, it`s your money...

Yes, I reckon some nice hardcsape would give you a midground. Dave.

Original use of Blyxa as far as I know. Great stuff TDI. :D I do think your tank lacks some kind of transition from front to rear, though. Dave.

I could just imagine you there, drunk and peeing in to Amanos 9000l tank, dead Altums floating to the top. :lol: Dave.

I have always liked the undulating effect Riccia gives, but I think it might be overpowering the rocks in this scape. Good stuff, though. Dave.

Re: From scratch. YAR180 (Yet Another Rio 180) Sounds like it is going to be grasstastic. I had some E. vivipara a while back. I get the occassional plant still growing through, so if I have room in my spare nano to grow it on a bit, I`ll send you some. The nano is currently housing cuttings I...

I definitely isn`t Rotala wallichii. I am sticking with Rotala sp green. Dave.

That stem plant looks like Rotala sp green to me. It definitely isn`t HM. Personally, I am not sure about Eleocharis vivipara in this set up. It has the wrong texture for me. If you do use it, keep it away from the stems as it gets totally intertwined. It is probably the highest maintenance...

It looks promising, but i fear you may lose those rocks in the undergrowth. Dan is right about the rocks. You may have three, but the illusion is of two. Three distinctive rocks would give it a better feel. Dave.

Interesting that, James. My UG looks fantastic and stays really low and looks lush and grassy. The only thing is that it is a painfully slow grower. I use EI, but find it interesting that it keeps the plants healthy, but very slow growing. Dave.

Re: saintlys 60 x 30 x36 optiwhite Go for it Clive. I love a good verbal scrap, backed up by pictures of flourishing planted tanks soaked in toxins. :lol: I have been thinking of starting an `algae causes` thread on the TFF scientific section forum, but I lack your eloquence. Dave.

It`s an excellent first attempt for sure. Once it grows in it should look great. I am not sure what stems you had originally, but I would recommend the more delicate types for a tank of this size. Have you considered Micranthemum umbrosum and Hemianthus micranthemoides? One tweek I would make...

Re: Sam's Nano Emersed HC journal Good stuff Sam. Is the tank from the UKAPS meeting at yours? HC is a great plant! With a decent pair of curved scissors, you could keep this scape for as long as you want. Dave.

There is a lot of good stuff going on in this tank, but the Crypt is becoming a bit too distracting IMO, and doesn`t really fit in with the texture of the rest of the tank. Personally, I would replace it with some other type of stem along the lines of HM or MU. Rotala sp `Nanjenshan` or the...

The orangy red from the Rotala rotundifolia and Ember tetras are a little touch of quality to break up the mass of healthy green. I love the restraint. How many Embers do you have, George? Dave.

I pretty much agree with this. Having 100l/h of filtration at one end may not be as effective as having 300l/h at each end, in terms of movement of nutrients around the tank. Dave.

I am planning a 240l that will have two tetratec 1200s. I will have an inline CO2 reactor that will affect the output of one of them, but I aim to compensate for this by leaving the media at a bare minimum in both filters. They will run with Purigen, Zeolite and a little sponge of varying grades...

Oi, Jim got the Rotala sp `green` for me. :lol: Just joking, I already bought three pots. Just to let you know, Graeme, my Hygrophila corymbosa `compact` suffered a big die off. It has spent about two weeks underwater, and I am still waiting for it to grow back. If you see yours dying off, I...

I agrre that the hard scape looks great, Corin. IMO, getting this part right is the hardest part of aquascaping. It forms the foundations of everything that follows. Having said that, plant choice is very important, and I feel one or two of your choices are inappropriate for a tank this small...

HM would look pretty good around the base of that wood, Sam. Regular trimming will keep it nice and lowish and dense, and the new growth is the best looking part of the plant. Amano`s HM always looks as if he has pruned it two or three days before photographing it. It is also not the fastest...

I used to struggle with HC, but now find growing it to be relatively easy, provided it is given a good start. First off, I found it will thrive in a high light tank with CO2, a good substrate (Aqua Soil in my case) and regular ferts. When I first receive the pots, I sit them in my tank for...

Lovely looking tank, Dan. Most people seem to place their paths according to the golden ratio, but you have done a great job of chucking that rule out the window. The path is looking a little too well defined for me at the moment, as in man made. Will you be using mosses to blend it in a...

I was doing a total rescape on my 60cm yesterday and broke my Cal Aqua inlet pipe. :( I thought I was going to be looking at a crappy Eheim inlet for ages, but I ordered a replacement from Aqua Essentials and it arrived this morning. Quality service. :D Yes, they are very delicat and yes, I...