Is there life on Mars?

[jinx©]

Cool looking scape and setup, but care to share how hard it was to train the cat to check your hose connections?...lol

[ikuzo]

lol jinx© i was wondering for the same thing. taking the picture at the right moment is also amazing.

[Minsc]

Jinx, Ikuzo: it is pretty easy to take pic of Rupert causing trouble. Basically, you set up an opportunity for mischief, and start taking pictures

Plants!



They're not the plants I wanted, but I was getting impatient! When I saw the downoi, I knew it was time to get the tank started.

Apparently, this is what downoi looks like emersed, ugly as anything


Keep in mind, all these plants are place holders until they can be replaced by the ones I want, but I think the general idea gets across... Here it is, complete with six inch downoi


My LFS promises Toninas and UG next week, so there are some spots set aside for them... Look for more updates soon!

[@marko@]

how big are those HC clumps?
you may want to split them up some more (if you have the patience, it takes a LOT of patience but you dont have fish in there to undermine your efforts so it may be easier).

[pleco4me]

Looks great.

However im not sure thats downoi. Ive seen it grown emerse and it looks like a normal downoi, only a little different. Yours looks like an emersed rotala of some sort. I could be wrong here though...

Keep us updated on growth

[SeaSerpant]

Yes keep us updated. is there any pic of your aquarium with clean water?

[python]

cute cat

[adamprice271]

Yeah, so I can read cats minds, and I thought I may let you in on his little secret....he is making sure he knows how it works. Look...


Adam

[Minsc]

That is great! He is just as likely to end up in the tank as he is in the stand though....

Originally Posted by @marko@

how big are those HC clumps?
you may want to split them up some more (if you have the patience, it takes a LOT of patience but you dont have fish in there to undermine your efforts so it may be easier).

That is very true, but I'm finding I don't have quite the level of zen to plant foregrounds all day right now. It can take it's sweet time, no rush

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

Yes keep us updated. is there any pic of your aquarium with clean water?

Even with clean water, it still just looks like a handful of ratty plants!
I promise to get some good shots when the tank looks a little better.

[Minsc]

On the subject of whether it is in fact emersed downoi or not, Florida Aquatic says it is.



Perhaps the level of humidity affects the shape of the plant? Some of the leaves are elongated and have a bit of a ruffle similar to that of downoi.
At any rate, we shall see over the course of the next few weeks. If it does in fact convert to the submerged conditions and is the plant I want, it was a great deal. There were a ton of stems in those pots!

Random picture of Rupert:

[python]

Originally Posted by Minsc

That is great! He is just as likely to end up in the tank as he is in the stand though....

Haha... this gives me an idea for a new thread... whose cat has taken a swim in their tank? lol

[Minsc]

My biological filtration has finally caught up with the ammonia, and consequent nitrites that the Aqua Soil has been leaching all this time.

That means, it's time to start adding fish!

These are the tanks first two inhabitants:


Right now they are about the size of full grown otos, so it is still to young to sex them. Hopefully they are male and female!

As for plants, my LFS FINALLY got in their rare plant shipment.
The selection was a bit sparse this go around, but there were some things I wanted.

This is $56 worth of plants. Ouch!


I'll take some tank shots later...

[SeaSerpant]

56$ eye yeye eye, hope those go to good use.

[fishsandwitch]

56 bucks!!!! Why not order online??????

[@marko@]

FIFTY SIX!?!
for a single stem of HM, two stems of something (is that stargrass?), some little plantlets (eriocaulon? or what are they?), and a carpet plant?
that is the worst rip off i have ever heard of.