CRS Spec Journal

[rocksmom]

Originally Posted by MABJ

I've learned the fuzzy stuff is just a little bit of fungus. It hasn't always been there so I wasn't sure.

Anybody have some criticisms on the scape?

I like it, I guess my only criticism would be that the wood looks kind of bare. Some fissidens would look nice on it. Or maybe some small hydrocotyle species growing up it and out of the water?

[MABJ]

Originally Posted by rocksmom

I like it, I guess my only criticism would be that the wood looks kind of bare. Some fissidens would look nice on it. Or maybe some small hydrocotyle species growing up it and out of the water?

I love the hydrocotyle species idea. I tried to get it before, and I failed at keeping it alive. It melted before I got it in the tank.

I ordered fiss then decided I don't want to use it. :/.

I wonder how it would look on the wood, how would the hydrocotyle grow, too?

[rocksmom]

If you didn't even get it in your tank before it died, I'd say that's not your fault. You should give it another try. It's one of favorites. The leaves are adorable and it grows like crazy. I'm not sure what specific species I have since it was just sold as dwarf pennywort in my lfs. I was also sent some in a RAOK recently that he said was the "japan" variety. I could send you some if you'd like. PM me if you're interested.

Why didn't you like the fissidens? I love the look of it, I've just had trouble attaching it to things.

[acitydweller]

i think the tank is coming along nicely mark.

although the driftwood looks nice, it doesnt scale well in that particular size. Sometimes in a tank, we want the illusion of a larger tank by using items with more details and less girth. if a more defined piece of manzanita was used with thinner branches, it would also increase the surface area for biofilm, bacteria, enzymes to grow not to mention a jungle gym for shrimp to frolic in between.

The new lamp provides more light but it also looks too large for the tank. be mindful of algae as it may be triggered with the extra light. Loving your moss... xmas?

[MABJ]

Originally Posted by rocksmom

If you didn't even get it in your tank before it died, I'd say that's not your fault. You should give it another try. It's one of favorites. The leaves are adorable and it grows like crazy. I'm not sure what specific species I have since it was just sold as dwarf pennywort in my lfs. I was also sent some in a RAOK recently that he said was the "japan" variety. I could send you some if you'd like. PM me if you're interested.

Why didn't you like the fissidens? I love the look of it, I've just had trouble attaching it to things.

m

Hmm. I couldn't see how it would fit into the overall look of my tanks.

I guess the fronds turned me off. I LOVE Xmas moss in all varieties.

Fissidens is nice for a lot of tanks, but I only like the mini variety.

I'll PM you. That sounds wonderful.

[MABJ]

Originally Posted by acitydweller

i think the tank is coming along nicely mark.

although the driftwood looks nice, it doesnt scale well in that particular size. Sometimes in a tank, we want the illusion of a larger tank by using items with more details and less girth. if a more defined piece of manzanita was used with thinner branches, it would also increase the surface area for biofilm, bacteria, enzymes to grow not to mention a jungle gym for shrimp to frolic in between.

The new lamp provides more light but it also looks too large for the tank. be mindful of algae as it may be triggered with the extra light. Loving your moss... xmas?

Hmm I'm concerned about algae regardless. I haven't found a light which is strong enough to break through floaters and still fit on the tank.

Appreciate the comment, Albert! I understand the scale comment. It makes complete sense, but this overly big scale is what I was going for kinda. I wanted one big root-like thing, and I was going to try to attach some plants to the top. It would almost be like a mossy, dead tree. I just have no clue what to put on top lol.

I also liked this piece because the flow in this tank is pretty quick, and the CRS need to climb, I agree, and that was the best way with my wood at hand. I'm always open for new changes though!

Yes, I am in love with this moss. It is mini Xmas moss. I got it to 'carpet' a little by tying it to a larger rock I buried in the deep soil.

[MABJ]

I gave the tank a makeover, but I am a little worried about something.

I took the driftwood out to clean it, and it kicked up a little mulm from the dirt. I REALLY don't want a bacterial infection, so I put a half dose of paraguard in there.


Other than that, I moved mosses, trimmed things and added some Hydrocotyle Japan. Let me know how it looks.

[MABJ]

Still check out the picture update one post ahead of this, but I wanted to ask people, especially those who were a tad bit concerned for the light, about some algae.

It seems I'm NOT getting algae on my mosses, but I definitely have it on my walls. I do believe dust algae. Should I be concerned? Seems shrimp don't mind it.

[rocksmom]

I got dust algae like that on one of my small tanks after upgrading the light as well. It went away in a week or so, not sure if it was on its own or with help from the snails.

The hydrocotyle looks good. Just need to figure out how to train it to climb up the wood as it grows. Not sure if it will do it on its own or you'll you'd have to tie it with some thread or something.

[MABJ]

Thanks for the comment!

Yes, I'll be training it as it grows. I think some of the roots are already binding to the wood. Not sure though.

The dust algae isn't GROWING per say, and it was faintly there before the upgrade. The thing about this light is it is only three LEDs lol.

I've added a feeding dish, and may wind up adding cholla wood to the tank. Any suggestions on where?

[MABJ]

Placed a bit of cholla wood + a cappatia leaf.

I don't LOVE the wood where it is, but it doesn't look bad, and they have a new place to explore.

I hope people are enjoying the pictures..
I don't get TOO much feedback on this tank, but I'd love some!



Oh and the Hydrocotyle is adjusting well. It already has... Leemmmmee count.... 10 new leaves forming, three leaves already nearing completion.

That's a fast growing plant!

[MABJ]

Updates:

Hmm the plant moved a little.

I added a nerite to eat some of the algae on the walls. Hopefully he does good work.

I've added three SS CRS.

That should bring me to 17 shrimp in here. I'd love to see a berry someday soon.

One of my favorite types of shots


You can see the Nerite in this working on the wood.


Again, a really nice shot because you get lots of green.


They love the cholla wood. There's always 6-10 on or in it. You can see an SS in this.


They're all different shrimp who come and go, but I love this photoshoot area lol.



Perhaps waiting for food? Only one day left till feeding day lol.



This is what I see from my bed!

[Mumford]

Love this spec


- Mumford

[MABJ]

Originally Posted by Mumford

Love this spec


- Mumford

Yay haha. Thanks very much. Any scape suggestions?

[Mumford]

Originally Posted by MABJ

Yay haha. Thanks very much. Any scape suggestions?

If it were my tank I'd drop that huge piece of wood and pick up some tiny manzanita twigs/branches to replace it and put in some very tiny stones.

But that's just me




- Mumford