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

[freph]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

The method does very well with HC and Gloss.

You can keep progressing back for each sod slice and it'll give a wavy look to the mat, but.....it'll never be bare and ugly.

I'm slightly confused by this so I just wanted to confirm.

Do you mean that instead of mowing it down to the ground and having the barren look you just move through the carpet from front to back, sod a strip out and let the carpet cascade over the empty parts? May be a revolutionary trimming method here. Doesn't seem like something to do for OCD folks who want a perfectly flat or "natural" (flatten then let different stems have their own growth rates for a more wild look, kinda what I do in the mini since it's intertwined with hairgrass) look but it is certainly a wonderful method to use, especially at the edges of the carpet.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by freph

I'm slightly confused by this so I just wanted to confirm.

Do you mean that instead of mowing it down to the ground and having the barren look you just move through the carpet from front to back, sod a strip out and let the carpet cascade over the empty parts? May be a revolutionary trimming method here. Doesn't seem like something to do for OCD folks who want a perfectly flat or "natural" (flatten then let different stems have their own growth rates for a more wild look, kinda what I do in the mini since it's intertwined with hairgrass) look but it is certainly a wonderful method to use, especially at the edges of the carpet.

Yep, a slice every 3-4 weeks will do.
The most noticeable slice is the front, the middle and rear slices, you hardly see. A plastic paint scraper cuts a nice neat sod.

You start in the front and work your way to the rear.

Simple.
Effective
Not too ugly, recovery is nice.
Fish do not destroy the barren area.

A few detractions: the growth is not even after a few trims, but the growth after the front sod trim is, and the older rear growth will look more like a waterfall of cascading plants.

[chew]

Do most of those plants transition well into tropical temperature aquariums? Or is it mostly for your work? Would love to go pick some up next time I'm in Kirkwood if there is any

[peachii]

Your tank is an inspiration for someone as new as I am to the hobby.

Thank you for the hours and hours I have been reading this journal and all the useful information contained within. I know now the name of some plants that I would love to eventually be able to get into my tanks.

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by chew

Do most of those plants transition well into tropical temperature aquariums? Or is it mostly for your work? Would love to go pick some up next time I'm in Kirkwood if there is any

Not sure if there's any in say like Silver or Caples, you need smaller, shallow natural lakes that have some wetlands around them.

[Black Hills Tj]

Envious.

Just thought I would let you know, Tom. That after a year or so hiatus from planted aquariums due to dabbling in saltwater a bit, you are a key part of the monster that is driving me back into planted aquaria. I'll be honest...I missed the green stuff! I wasn't totally out, but my planted tanks were being neglected to say the least. I have some making up to do!

Thanks and excellent work as always.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Black Hills Tj

Envious.

Just thought I would let you know, Tom. That after a year or so hiatus from planted aquariums due to dabbling in saltwater a bit, you are a key part of the monster that is driving me back into planted aquaria. I'll be honest...I missed the green stuff! I wasn't totally out, but my planted tanks were being neglected to say the least. I have some making up to do!

Thanks and excellent work as always.

Well, you can grow marine macro algae and prune and garden a fair amount there, and have the tank linked to the reef also, a side by side tank would be interesting and likely what I have planned once I move, it'll be a mangrove forest, then a macro algae/seagrass and then the reef, all linked.

Freshwater will be similar. Headwaters to the delta.

Well, that is the plan anyway

[sjb1987]

Did you make that trip to get the pond weed...curious to see how it turns out in the rear corner..is it a type that will grow straight up or does it want to lean in stronger lighting?