ADa 60p NON CO2/no excel either for 046 Zebra plecos

[CL]

Hey Tom, I have a 30 C that doesn't have co2, and hasn't since I rescaped it months ago, but it's a small tank.

This is a really neat concept you have here. I like the scape a lot, and am looking forward to seeing more pictures

[Holy Samosa]

Beautiful. Is the driftwood Manzanita?

[tcampbell]

I think this will be the tank I will be waiting the longest for updates.
How has the progress been going?

[macclellan]

Lookin' good, Tbarr!

Originally Posted by hydrophyte

I really like the idea of an artistically-rendered setup that showcases a cool fish--you don't see that very often.

Not here you don't, but this isn't a fish forum. The top-shelf setups at cichlidforum and everywhere else are just stunning.

[plantbrain]

Zebras are finally in.
100 RCS as well........

I do not like the water sprite as much as I'd thought.
It'll be using more xmas moss, HC, Anubias and a "darker" feel.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[jmhart]

Can't wait to see the Zebras in the tank!

[tcampbell]

And the wait continues

[plantbrain]

And



Fish are in there but hide.
100? CRS are also in there.
Bolbitus is growing without any CO2/Excel etc.


Regards,
Tom Barr

[Church]

Sweet! Are you going to be leaving the front portion of the tank unshaded like that? I was just wondering because it seems really bright at the substrate level.

I love love LOVE this tank and can't wait to see it evolve!

[roybot73]

Nice! Are all 4 bulbs burning?

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by roybot73

Nice! Are all 4 bulbs burning?

No, just 2.
4 is way too much.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Church

Sweet! Are you going to be leaving the front portion of the tank unshaded like that? I was just wondering because it seems really bright at the substrate level.

I love love LOVE this tank and can't wait to see it evolve!

White sand is why, it's not that dark in person.
the tank looks weird if you it got covered, and there's less flow since it would block the return.

I want to cover the returns with the plants and have the plants train up the poles and cover other equipment. And it will in due time. Might take a year or so, but it's not a rush job.

I'm still somewhat playing with plant choices, and seeing what will look nice and work in the tank.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[mykoe817]

It looks amazing! Hope they come out of hiding soon.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by mykoe817

It looks amazing! Hope they come out of hiding soon.

No, they never do.

They might move a bit here and there, but they park it unde rthe wood,rocked etc.

I can see them fine, but they do not make for a nice pic as they are dark in the corner.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[plantbrain]

I lost 2 Zebras after I did a water change and refilled it up higher than the top lip of the Lily pipe.

Even with a non CO2 tank, a Rena XP 3(300-350gph) and a water change, the O2 dropped. Typically I leave a little below the lily pipe to add surface movement, after the CRS multiplied and the plants grew in a little, the O2 was dangerously low. Well, so low I nearly lost them all, saved the other 7 fish.

I'm so stupid.

Anyway, I'm 110% done with lily pipes.
I like current and high O2 levels.
They are terrible to clean, and adjust and ofter either .......noisy degassing grugle, or no O2.

Yes, you can adjust them, but evaporation and being able to wander away for a day or two without messing with it seems a joke. Heck of way to learn how really little O2 they add with surface movement if you add just another 1/2" or even less water.

I'm pissed, I had grown those fish up from 1/2" babies to about 1.5" over a year of pampering.

Hard lesson to learn, but everyone does, no matter how careful and good you think you might be, Murphy will get you.

Regards,
Tom Barr