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

[plantbrain]

I am leaning to the Rasboras truthfully.
If there was an African equivalent, I'd pick that.

Then I could add the B sidthimunki back, they did not eat the Fire shrimp enough to hurt the brood production much. Left the Amano's 100% alone.

[oliver77]

+1 for rasboras...

[plantbrain]

I'll post a new updated post trim pic tonight.

[plantbrain]

Close up of the UG. You can see some older original leaves covered in algae buried in there, but all the newer growth is clean. This was without the aid of algae eaters that pick off such algae, eg a horde of Amano shrimp.
Every so often I'll run a high light tank without any significant algae eaters to see. I'll be adding a horde tomorrow, but it's nice to see what happens even without them.





The Couch view is a nice spot to look at the tank. I replanted some of the UG closest to you. I hacked the pantanal and the Tonina, but really hacked and spread out of the Ludwigia senegalensis. This next cycle will grow and fill in a pretty large space full of that, and I moved the Syn belem to the rear corner.
This pictures illustrates the main piece of wood pretty well.

Someone said like a T rex or a squid.



Close up of the mucky mulm corner. This is where all the filth will end up.





The right side again: once this grows out 1-2 cycles, I'll be reasonably happy with it.





The left side? Well, I need to try a few more things still.





I'm not entirely happy with the color of the Ludwigia sphaerocarpa. I need a nice shade of red, but this is not it. I can move this plant to the middle rear or the left corner so there's a home for it.
But I'd like a different contrast around that UG to balance the other reds which are stronger. As is, the color combo is very weak on the left side vs the right.

The rear left corn needs some work to make the plants I desire and the color and textures to come together.
I'm not willing to forgo the Buce's and put them elsewhere, they need to stay in this shaded region as understory plants.
I also still want to see them some also.

I will need to find a suitable piece of twisty wood to put back there to elevate them and then plant a bright red larger leaf or green thick bunch plant back in there.
I also have some Mini pellia that needs a home and the darker color against the UG will look good in the corner.
I also need to add some more ADA soil to fluff up the downoi and make replanting easier in a few of the rows.

[marioman72]

every time i see this tank it amazes me, such rich colors and variety, really astounding. im excited to see this tank with some fish life, i think it will really liven up the tank and give it another dimension!

[Fat Guy]

tank looks very nice and clean. the colors are lovely.

[plantbrain]

I hope to have a decent video in a month or less.

[IWANNAGOFAST]

very nice Tom! Looks like you got one of those white anubias' very cool!

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by IWANNAGOFAST

very nice Tom! Looks like you got one of those white anubias' very cool!

It's doubled in size so far.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

It's doubled in size so far.

I like the spot in front of the dark moss that you chose for it too... it will look spectacular when it fills in the corner.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by bluestems

I like the spot in front of the dark moss that you chose for it too... it will look spectacular when it fills in the corner.

The Fissidens is already filled on that piece of wood where I want it.
I'll add more to some of the other branches on the ground, but not a lot more.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

The Fissidens is already filled on that piece of wood where I want it.
I'll add more to some of the other branches on the ground, but not a lot more.

I meant when the white anubias fills in

[antbug]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

I'm not entirely happy with the color of the Ludwigia sphaerocarpa. I need a nice shade of red, but this is not it. I can move this plant to the middle rear or the left corner so there's a home for it.
But I'd like a different contrast around that UG to balance the other reds which are stronger. As is, the color combo is very weak on the left side vs the right

IMO, It's the UG that's the issue not the L. sphaerocarpa. The UG on left side around the L. sphaerocarpa looks out of place. The part that makes a big "U". That section would look better with a different carpet plant or maybe bring the downoi back. I always like the look of the downoi on the left side.

Another idea would be the just pull the UG between the L. sphaerocarpa and the L. red and replace it with a different green plant say hygro purple or similar....... food for thought.

[Betta Maniac]

I love this tank! love Love LOVE

[plantbrain]

I'm an idiot.

I was looking at all these different fish and thought, gee, these blue tetras look good. Nice smaller rummy nose sized fish. Perfect swimming patterns and schooling etc. Good color etc.

They bite every other fish's tail in the tank.

Ain't gonna work.

Back to the plan:

Boraras brigittae
Or the Red phantom tetras. The Red phantoms are nice fish, but sort of hugged the plants a bit too much for my taste, but bothered no one, never jumped out, ate well, awesome color etc.

Water change and net them all out tomorrow and in the 20 Gal garage tanks till I get a chance the return them. PITA.

Did I say I'm an idiot?