My ever-evolving tank (picture heavy)

[OVT]

Oh, o...O I forgot to mention...
In addition to all of my talents, I can also predict the future. YES!

So, <closes eyes> <scratches chin> <checks the weather> ... <deep trance>

YES!

I can see new plants in your near future!

<has a heart attack>

[Amandas tank]

So tonight was a long one. Added 40 more pounds of Eco-Complete, Adorned the Mopani DW with all those Anubias species I've had floating around my tank for months now. I am not sure if I like it yet...will have to wait and see if my vision comes to life once all the other plants begin to fill in. Planted some more stuff. Some of the plants pop up and have to be re-planted. I have found myself doing this much more than I'd like.

Here is what I am aiming for...the dark green on the Mopani sits just infront of thick Red and some Tiger Lotus hanging over. Then the "grass" is kept in control infront of the Mopani. There is 2 entrance/exits on the bottom left of the Mopani and they lead to a tuneel that extends the length of the dw. Very cool for the Kuhli's for the time being.

On the right side I have red plants behind the Manzanita trunk and some along the side wall (just as is on the other side...only it's a different speices of reddish plant) with 2 brownish-red lily plants at the base of the trunk (front side). I hope for the same effect on this side with the "grass" as on the left. I also added two smaller pieces of Manzanita at the base of the Large one to give more depth. (At least that's what I tried to do)

Both sides are sloped steeply and have rocks at the base to hold everything in place. I found a descent Amazon Sword at Petco today and placed it to the left of the Manzanita trunk with Tall "grass" behind it and random Anachris. I have a couple crypts I have yet to find a spot for. I also placed to small pieces of dw (from my old 30 gallon tank) that has Anubias attached to it placed at the foot of the slope with the Manzanita.

It looks as though when things fill in, I may not want anymore different species of plants. I am thinking I really want the HM though to create a "bush" infront of the Anachris at the far back foot of the Mopani wood. Then I would like for the ground cover to fill in all the open space. I also have some beautiful lake rocks I collected a few years ago in Montana that I plan to toss in around the foreground.

I like what I see so far. I still have some work to do, but it's coming along faster than expected

Here it is tonight. With all the bubbles going full bore, it is hard to see everything, but it's there, trust me!

[Sethjohnson30]

This thing just keeps gettin better and better. I can't wait to see how it looks when the water clears

[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by OVT

Oh, o...O I forgot to mention...
In addition to all of my talents, I can also predict the future. YES!

So, <closes eyes> <scratches chin> <checks the weather> ... <deep trance>

YES!

I can see new plants in your near future!

<has a heart attack>

Ha Ha! You are a fortune teller too???? Wild! You aren't a kidden' in addition to all of your talents! Planted Tank specialist, Abundant knowledge of species of fish and aquatic plants and more also including great qualities such as kind and generous, thoughtful and conciderate, trustworthy...oops...I'm getting carried away!

New plants? In my near future? You have me thinking now HaHa!

now what's this heart attack? I don't like that part.

[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by Sethjohnson30

This thing just keeps gettin better and better. I can't wait to see how it looks when the water clears

Thank you! I am happy you like it. It's nice when others like something ya put so much effort into

[OVT]

Wow... that's quiet a difference. Me like it. Apparently, you do have some secret talents.

[AUvet14]

I like what you're doing with it. I'm not too experienced with a low tech setup. Lol. I'm not patient enough for the slower growing species. I tend to lean towards the stem plants right now. But it's neat to see what others can do without the need for CO2 and heavy fert dosing.

[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by OVT

Wow... that's quiet a difference. Me like it. Apparently, you do have some secret talents.

Thank you It's hard for me to believe that it's finally coming around. I tell ya I have been working on my tank for 2 years and finally it is becoming the scape I have been trying to get since. Money is the biggest reason it has taken so dang long. Being that I don't have much of it really makes creating what I wanted for this tank a huge challenge!

Thank so to you and your plants, it is looking much better!

Originally Posted by AUvet14

I like what you're doing with it. I'm not too experienced with a low tech setup. Lol. I'm not patient enough for the slower growing species. I tend to lean towards the stem plants right now. But it's neat to see what others can do without the need for CO2 and heavy fert dosing.

I'm not too experienced either Thanks to OVT I have some color other than green in the tank! Yippee!!! I have been collecting Anubias species for 2 years now and they have grown quite a lot since I first got them. They seem to grow faster than I would expect from reading baout them. Most of them were very small with only 2-3 leaves and now each of them have 6+ leaves often around 8-10. They have been the only plant that has stuck with me through my newbie skills. I've managed to kill Java Fern, Java Moss, Lemon Swords and Ruffle plants (can't recall the real name) along this journey. Actually, I have noted that when I had no luck curing the Denison Barbs ICH with heat/salt and with no other choice than to use Super Ich Cure, all the above plants died 2 weeks after using the product. From what I've read, this medicin blocks the plants from getting the nutrients they need...why the Anubia made it is a mystery. But, glad they did. They look nice on the mopani dw

I expect things to grow nicely with the new substrate. And I'm excited to have fast growing stems!

[Amandas tank]

Here are some am pictures without the air stone causing the place to be filled with bubbles! You can actually see things Still not the best pics, but hey. It's something right!









I am proud of this cave (below)


I had thought all my Kuhli Loaches had died. After the major part of the rescape, three big ones showed up! I have 4 small ones I added a couple nights ago, but only see the one. Hopefully the others are still alive. This little one here is the biggest out of the four...perfect betta food...or Angel food


I love my Malaysian Trumpet Snails


Little Angel checking out the new layout S/he loves the Amazon Sword it seems.


Starting at top right looking down to the left, notice Betta, Blue Angel and Koi Angel. They are always together. It's so cool



Below is a shot after I turned on the T5 lamps. I don't know if I like this much. I prefer the pinkish hue. But, maybe once the bubbles aren't going everywhere from the Penguin and the bubble wall, this light won't be so blinding. What do you think?

[Learner]

I think it looks great!! all that hard work has paid off in a big way, congrats. Your plants look no worse for the wear at all, you nursed them very well. Keep us posted!

[Amandas tank]

My canister filters arrived yesterday. I was too tired to mess with them. Today is the day...I hope. I have worn myself out the last few days And...I think I've got the flu to-boot!

[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by Learner

I think it looks great!! all that hard work has paid off in a big way, congrats. Your plants look no worse for the wear at all, you nursed them very well. Keep us posted!

Thank you My road to healthy plants is not over yet! They've just been added and I have to endure the adaptation stage...it is amazing that they look as good as they do concidering what they've been though. All credit is due to OVT for shipping me healthy plants with the extra omph he gave them a few days prior

[akdylpickles]

Nice tank!

What part of Alaska are you at?

[Amandas tank]

Originally Posted by akdylpickles

Nice tank!

What part of Alaska are you at?

Thanks! I am in Southeast. You?

[akdylpickles]

Anchorage!