120 Gallon ADA "like", ditched, Dutch style with lots of color instead

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by ua hua

How is the rotala magenta doing? I came to the conclusion that I can't grow the rotala macrandra in my tank. I don't quite know what to think as the rotala magenta became very stunted on the new growth and started to get some hair algae on it so it became compost before it spread to anything else. The rotala macrandra that I have planted twice looked really good for a few weeks then it started to melt from the bottom up. I have been thinking about a plant to put in the place of the rotala and everytime I look at your tank the Patanal stands out so that is the plant that I need to find now.

It did very well.
I've failed a few times with it in the past on other tanks(CO2, patience etc), but it's always around. Ludwigia spaerocarpa is more interesting and better behaved and at 10-15$ per stem............and very easy for me to grow..........so that's hard to argue with.

Pantanal might do better for you, R macrandra is easier than magenta IME.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by tcampbell

So if you where to do it again you would set it up like a reef tank, with an external Herbie or bean style box on the side? I am in the process of setting up a new tank (120x60X55CM) and want to go sump. Just can't figure if better sticking with the ugly box in the tank, a hand on box like yours or just having the box built to the side of the tank and then running a Herbie or bean style setup. suggestions? what size pipes and pump rate would you suggest for a tank this size - you have more experience than me.

Actual one end of the entire tank would be about 1.5" shorter and some smaller teeth would be used, but then it would go to a shallow bean animal style over flow.

I most cases a slim style like the CPR's are best, the 70 Gal I have is very exposed, but folks hardly even see/notice the overflow/return.

A smaller, but more costly option is the Mame all glass version.
2 of those would work on a tank your size. 500-600$ though.

[Requality]

Amazing tank! I was wondering what is your Co2 Set up? How is it defused and the bps?

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by ua hua

How is the rotala magenta doing? I came to the conclusion that I can't grow the rotala macrandra in my tank. I don't quite know what to think as the rotala magenta became very stunted on the new growth and started to get some hair algae on it so it became compost before it spread to anything else. The rotala macrandra that I have planted twice looked really good for a few weeks then it started to melt from the bottom up. I have been thinking about a plant to put in the place of the rotala and everytime I look at your tank the Patanal stands out so that is the plant that I need to find now.

dont give up. i had the same issue. but now in the same setup but with more CO2, i have r. macrandra variegated doing quite nicely, and r. macrandra green doing well too.
try planting a stem of it right between your foreground and midground. it wont look nice, but thats where the water is least likely to stagnant IME, and thus CO2 should be the most available as fresh CO2 rich water from the diffuser constantly washes over the leaves. if it does fine there, then you know what your issue is.

[ua hua]

Originally Posted by @marko@

dont give up. i had the same issue. but now in the same setup but with more CO2, i have r. macrandra variegated doing quite nicely, and r. macrandra green doing well too.
try planting a stem of it right between your foreground and midground. it wont look nice, but thats where the water is least likely to stagnant IME, and thus CO2 should be the most available as fresh CO2 rich water from the diffuser constantly washes over the leaves. if it does fine there, then you know what your issue is.

I'm not giving up on it yet. Lets just say I'm moving on. I had my rotala magenta in the midground of the tank and I could see the bubbles blowing all around the plant. It was doing alright for the first 2 months then it started stunting on new growth. The problem is I have been trying a few different methods of co2 diffusion over the past few months and during my experimentation there was some times the co2 wasn't ideal. I'm sure I will try it again sometime. It is a beautiful plant

[Abhi]

An amazing tank with an equally amazing thread with great info.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Requality

Amazing tank! I was wondering what is your Co2 Set up? How is it defused and the bps?

Right into the return pump. BPS?
Heck if I know.........

[antbug]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

Right into the return pump. BPS?
Heck if I know.........

you mean, too fast to count. haha

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by antbug

you mean, too fast to count. haha

You are welcomed to try.

[plantbrain]

UG is starting to take and fill in. I'll likely Fissidens the wood next to the Ludwigia sphaerocarpa(incorrect:L. pilosa) on the Right side to add some more contrast there.




Prior to hacking today:





I likely will fill in the L. tornado in the rear more.
I have some R vietnam in the Right corner that's growing fast and will contrast with the R wallichii.
I plan on having a pretty good sized bunch/patch of L senegalensis and in about 1-2 more weeks, it'll be a massive sight.
The L. sphaerocarpa(old incorrect pilosa) is a fast grower and does very well, better behaved for some reason that in the past. Easy for me to propagate.
S. belem is a decent plant in the rear. Might try something else other than it however.

The Rotala "sunset" is now in the 180 Gal and I'll keep it in the back ground. It does very well and can grow and branch all it wants in there.




Need to add some more fish.

[@marko@]

every image of this tank is something worth drooling over. and its awesome how youre always rearrange and changing things. makes for a very dynamic scape that never looses any of its appeal.

[Revonok]

This set up looks fantastic, seriously great job. You should take some super hi-res photos and make posters of this tank XD I'd hang one on my wall! 8]

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Revonok

This set up looks fantastic, seriously great job. You should take some super hi-res photos and make posters of this tank XD I'd hang one on my wall! 8]

Then it ends up being a cover shot in a Chinese mag, had enough images stolen over the years. Big enough to see on line, but not enough to make a mag cover, display with.

[BeachBum2012]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

Then it ends up being a cover shot in a Chinese mag, had enough images stolen over the years. Big enough to see on line, but not enough to make a mag cover, display with.

Some day, after reading more and more of your journals, I hope to have this problem.

The tank is looking great as usual. An inspiration for sure.

[Tom Barr]

Originally Posted by BeachBum2012

Some day, after reading more and more of your journals, I hope to have this problem.

The tank is looking great as usual. An inspiration for sure.

Yea, it only took me 35 years in the hobby