Frank's Planted Tank How-To Mini Novel - The Mini S Returns! New Layout

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

As you guys know, I've been a bit under the weather this month, but I've got some exciting news:

new layouts will be coming in the fall season;

And I will be gone from Oct. 24th until Nov. 7th for the Nature Aquarium Party in Tokyo, Japan.

Expect a lot of pictures!

hope you get better soon.
excited for the new layouts.

[CryptKeeper54]

That is awesome. Putting that on my "bucket list." I would love to see what you are about to in person. Goodluck and have fun.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by KH2PO4

I have not seen Tom put much interest on bacteria.

Well, I would like to read more from Frank than debating about this.

On my web site I have a sub forum for aquatic microbiology.
Most of the articles I wrote for my forum also address bacterial cycling, entire wetland cycling diagrams with references. Just because I do not go into detail here, implies nothing. I am FAR MORE specific about bacteria than ADA is, and I also qualify the and quantify those same specifics. So does Diana Walstad. Simply telling someone that there's a biological imbalance is not informative, anyone can say that. You go down one by one and fairly evaluate and compare. ADA does not do this, I've never seen an article from ADA or AJ that does.

The advice on the labor, trimming, general care, design aspects are very good however, but they are extremely weak in other areas. Compare ADA vs Walstad (see chapter IV). Likewise, Diana is hardly the best scaper out there, we are all weak in many areas

The point is to try and improve holistically. Then you are better able to achieve your goals, and then more importantly, help others achieve theirs.
ADA fulfills a very good aspect, so do many others, we each have a specific skill set that contributes to the entire hobby.

I've had GDA about 6-7 times and it's never lasted for long. I will say I do not know specifically what causes it and why some have long standing bouts with it. I've seen it at several places who have ADA full line ups. Eventually they got rid of it. But so does everyone at some point. I had it in a new set up on a client's 350 Gallon tank. 2 weeks later: gone.

Algae is not exclusive to any particular to any Brand, method/dosing, light type etc. CO2 concentration perhaps.........we see algae in ADA tanks plenty, as well as with EI dosing.

So is it the hobbyists looking to blame things? Or is it ADA's fault? EI's fault for the woes? It's us, not the methods.... they both work for the same reasons and they both add the same things.

Ponder that.

[houseofcards]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

...Algae is not exclusive to any particular to any Brand, method/dosing, light type etc. CO2 concentration perhaps.........we see algae in ADA tanks plenty, as well as with EI dosing.

So is it the hobbyists looking to blame things? Or is it ADA's fault? EI's fault for the woes? It's us, not the methods.... they both work for the same reasons and they both add the same things.

Ponder that.

This is so true. I mean there are incredible tanks in terms of growth, upkeep and scape the world over and they use different systems. How many have come on here and used full ADA setups and ended up with something out of Tim Burton movie. I like many ADA components and use them, but the main ingredients in any setup is knowledge and dedication. None of these systems run themselves, they all need the attention of the hobbyist.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

Don't Panic! This is an easy algae, and is no problem what so ever. Amano's devour this stuff. But we're not ready to add them yet, so airline tubing removal will hold us over in the mean time.

Hi Frank, I'm finally getting a chance to read through your journal and appreciate all the tips. Wish I had read this prior to setting up my tank a couple of months ago!

Also, I just added some rasbora maculatas, pygmy corys, and danio erythromicrons to my 7g aquarium on Sunday, and my hc and dhg has suddenly taken a wrong turn...



I have aquasoil as the substrate, Aquasky LED, dosing daily Green Brightly Step 1 x1 and Brightly K x1. CO2 is normally at 1-2 bps, except has been off since Monday night due to an airline issue. Is this sudden turn of events all because CO2 has been off a couple of days?

[catfishbi]

Frank what do you use to clean the lily pipe?

[freph]

Originally Posted by catfishbi

Frank what do you use to clean the lily pipe?

Spring brush and Superge. My personal favorite is just soaking them in bleach. Burns all the crud off.

[catfishbi]

do you use small size brush?

[FlyingHellFish]

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

And I will be gone from Oct. 24th until Nov. 7th for the Nature Aquarium Party in Tokyo, Japan.

Expect a lot of pictures!

I can't wait that long, post some pics! Some teaser pics or anything,

[Francis Xavier]

Hey guys!

Full report when the jet lag is done and over with!



I had the honor of placing #125 out of 2021 entries into this year's IAPLC. It ranked as the 2nd highest American entry and the highest nano aquarium ranking.

It's been a fun journey with this layout - from the people it has helped teach all the way to the end in the IAPLC. For me personally, there has yet to be a layout so valuable in meaning to what it means and represents to me.

When I finally had the honor of meeting with Mr. Amano, he asked me a simple question: "how long have you been doing Nature Aquarium before ADG?" When I gave him the answer, he requested his assistant to print out the layout I entered, and upon receiving it from her took an evaluative look at it and said:

Originally Posted by Takashi Amano

This layout is quite good. Very simple and for such a small size it expresses a feeling of wabi sabi well. For a first entry into the contest, you have done very well. Congratulations. I have no suggestions for improvement on this layout.

[somewhatshocked]

Nice, Frank!

Can't wait for you to share about a million photos and stories.

[iter]

I truly understand what Mr. Amano meant. Well done Frank!!

[freph]

I seriously just wish I had the ability to make a tank go right from day one like you do. Seems like there's always something I can't do right. Riccia won't grow, gets overrun by algae. HC and dirt gets blown away until it carpets over so I can't turn my filter outflow up = bad CO2, turnover, bad O2. That tank is amazing.

[Green_Flash]

Congrats Frank, it looks great.

[bluestems]

Congratulations! The tank looks amazing! I have those same rasboras. They are so much fun in the aquarium. I chose them for their touch of red, and the spots to compliment the okho stone, but they've become one of my favorites for their playful personality.