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60L Tank first AquaScape

I suspect your HC will be light challenged (MC is much more tolerant) but nothing ventured, nothing gained :)
- I’m assuming light is still the 4.8w mentioned in first post) - I’d position the light so it is directly over the HC

I’d plant the HC as smaller clumps for better coverage, also if there is “melt” it may be less widespread
 
I was originally hoping to get Monte Carlo, but couldn't find it locally. If HC doesn't work will buy some MC online and replace. I will be replacing the lights at some point, but for now will just have to see how the HC goes.

Cheers
 
My blue delta enjoying the naturalness of the tank. A joy to watch the fish explore. Looking forward when I get more plants and the tank becomes more mature, going to enjoy the journey.
 

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Got a picture with minimal reflection, trouble with a phone and no background to eliminate any reflection. Finding evening best time to take photos.
 

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Already seen good growth on my HC, which is a great surprise, no browning so far. I have also just ordered my next bunch of plants:
  • Alternanthera Reineckii Rosanervig
  • Pearl moss
  • Hydrocotyle Verticillata
  • Hygrophilla Siamensis 53B
  • Anubias mini mini
  • Monte Carlo
Be able to bring this fish tnak closer to completion, be a great joy brining this tank together. Still got more equipment I need to buy to upgrade the setup, Oase thermo 200 External filter, better light (hopefully a twinstar), glass intake and outflow probably going to use the poppy pipe rather than the lilly.
 
Something was really bothering me about this tank, (if I had all the funds then this tank would look 100% different) the background will go once plants arrive tomorrow, but the bog wood just ended very abruptly like it was sawn off. I had one more bit of bog wood left so turn it upside down and added in where the wood originally finished. It sticks out the water and I feel creates a much better flow. Will be planting Anubias mini mini, with some moss I think this will really complete the look of the tank, with all the other plants yet to plant up.
 

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The new planting begins will post a picture when it gets darker to eliminate all the relefctions. I have another bit of spider wood to mimic roots coming down into the water, really starting to be happy with the tank.
 

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Although I have done this aquascaping a bit backwards for to a few things.nits starting to take shape
 

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A few more photos of the tank after planting
 

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Just upgraded my light from 4.8w to 24w hopefully it's enough to save my carpet plants that are struggling.
 

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Looks like I'm winning against the brown algae, have now just upgraded my filter to Oase 100 thermo. I will keep my old internal filter in place and running for now until the new filter had had time to go through it's nitro cycle. Don't want the brown algae to come back in anger.
 

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More change, added Java fern, shrimp. The brown algae is finally disappearing getting some other hair algae but with regular maintenance I'm not too worried. Need to change the name of this post As I got rid of all the slate. My next step will be to get some carpet grass and more Monte Carlo. I will also add spider wood upside and buried behind the bog wood to create a nice tree root look.
 

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Hi Paul,
Couple of thoughts for you... the anubias is very high up near the light source. With its long lasting leaves anubias is often better a bit more shaded to avoid things such as green spot algae growth (can't be removed without damaging the leaf). Also just checking - is your java fern planted in the substrate? It needs it's rhizomes to be in the water or they will rot. They may also fare better higher up where the anubias are for example.
Can't wait to see the tank develop!
 
Looks like I have some work to do when I get to make these changes, thanks for the tips much appreciated
 
Added two types of grass. Moved the java fern to ensure they are not buried. Brown algae is all but gone. I have some green algae on the wood but I like the looks, make it feel more natural an it's more like moss. Just need a bit more Monte Carlo and some more moss an this will be tank finished just then be shaping the look. Really happy how this tank is turning out being first aquascape learnt a lot and still learning. Looking forward to seeing this tank mature as it is still young only just two over months
 

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