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

[Francis Xavier]

I did a few things today, which started with seeing some BBA and removing it:



Then, I noobishly broke my diffuser and took it out on my tank via intensive trimming:



I trimmed everything down to the base, including the Riccia again, this will enable the moss to grow in a bit more.

Still has a cool look to it though, no?

One of the cool things about appropriate planning, is you can even have a cool scape when you trim back the main features. Here you see an entirely different look to the scape than when the tennellus and hair grass is prominent and this temporal change adds a whole dimension to the enjoyment of the tank!

[FlyingHellFish]

How you break your diffuser?

[@marko@]

personally, i like the trimmed back look even better. lol
i noticed that bba is particularly reactive to excel spot dosing. you may want to try spot dosing the areas with bba after you remove as much as you can manually (there is always some left over).
is your bba localized to one specific area of the tank or dispersed throughout?

[Francis Xavier]

The BBA is a fairly minor issue in a tank like this: just on some old growth that needed trimming away anyway. If need be I'll use some excel, but the problem should be more or less resolved.

I've found that BBA tends to show up initially when fish are added and co2 levels are modified to adapt to that. Swift removal then tends to make sure it doesn't come back.

Another correlation is BBA showing up at about the time the tank's growth is full and stabilized, again a sign of needing to modify dosing and co2 regime.

But to answer the question it was hanging out a little on the big rock.

[Francis Xavier]

Originally Posted by FlyingHellFish

How you break your diffuser?

I had back pressure in the diffuser when I removed it and went to take the tubing off. This caused it to snap at the weak joint.

Always make sure the co2 is fully drained in the tank before removing a diffuser, this ensures no back pressure problems.

[Francis Xavier]

The effect -is- quite nice with the tennellus and hair grass cut back. It was getting a bit unruly.

Now I get to enjoy a new scape while it grows back in.

Some fun photos:


Classic, slight angle shot. Maculatus Dancing for food.


Top down angle shot to enjoy the texture subtleties and color contrast in the scape





Amazing how pronounced the back slope becomes in a shot like this with no extra height in the tank (plants)

[mluk27]

So much green! This tank keeps looking better with age! How many amanos do you have in there? Do any of them crawl out on you?

[Francis Xavier]

Thanks Mluk! It is great to be able to enjoy the natural changes of the scape.

I have 5 Amano's, 2 o-cats and 23 Maculatus.

No Amano jumpers or crawlers, no Maculatus deaths or jumps (just two that I regrettably sucked up with airline tubing and they didn't survive the suction...they're too damn friendly).

[Francis Xavier]

Darting through the aquascape, the tiny rasbora become like shimmering jewels, playing in the flow of water. Like the seasons, the scenary changes with trimming, maintenance and care.



Displaying their full colors in vibrance, the rasbora nibble at the surface, seeking attention with excitability.




Across the way, the Otocinclus lazily hang in their favorite spot: right near the inflow of the filter. Moving ever so slightly every few minutes for another spot of micro-algae. Shrimp tend to the plants and rocks, diligently scouring the aquarium for algae, quietly acting in the background.



Meanwhile, in the backdrop Riccia and moss pearls releasing oxygen into the aquarium and creating a shimmer to the scene of vibrant green. Together, fish, shrimp and plants create a wonderful and relaxing scene. Existing in a state of tranquil evolution.

Watch the Video in 720p

In other news, I'll be speaking on Saturday on Robert's Aqua Botanic Radio Show about Aquascaping and Iwagumi. Listen in for some useful techniques and tips.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aquabotanic

[FlyingHellFish]

Hey Frank, not sure if you listed this but what is your photo period like? Do you do the whole "burst noon" lighting?

Any tips for improving my layout?

[frrok]

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

In other news, I'll be speaking on Saturday on Robert's Aqua Botanic Radio Show about Aquascaping and Iwagumi. Listen in for some useful techniques and tips.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aquabotanic

Great i listen every Saturday! I would call in and ask a question but I work a weekend cash job and probably wont get a minute.

[Francis Xavier]

After being bush-whacked, the Tennellus is growing back in thicker and more vibrant than ever. Riccia after repeated trimmings has developed to be smaller and more compact.




Growing back in, clean of algae and pristine, the color becomes a deep crimson red under the light:

[Dollface]

Those aren't snails, are they?

[Francis Xavier]

Those are indeed snails. I just kind of remove them as they appear with airline tubing.

[frrok]

i have a snail issue also, and do the same thing. as long as they dont breed like crazy i dont mid them too much except when they leave poop on the glass. gross!