New low light, low tech 15 journal*Rescaped 6/10/09*

[Minsc]

Thanks!

[Minsc]

Well, I've taken this tank as far as it can go in it's current form.
The java ferns have grown in to the point where almost no light is making it to the substrate, and my crypts look like they may start dieing soon if nothing changes. This tank is only a couple feet away from my 10 gallon with 96 watts on it, and the contrast is pretty jarring

So, I plan on completely redoing the tank in the next few days, as soon as I have time. I still want a branchy Jfern tree, but only on the left side, and further back in the corner. That should open up the right side to grow in some of the neat crypts I've acquired from people here and on APC.

Here is the final FTS:


And this one shows the lower area better:

Pardon the reflections, I had to go for 1/8 and 1/4 second exposure times!

[Minsc]

Reborn!

[Minsc]

A month and a half later, and no major changes. The plants are looking better now that they have light and some room to breathe.
If there is anyone on this forum who hasn't tried a low tech tank, I urge you to!
Whenever my life gets hectic, my other tanks take a turn for the worse, but this one just keeps chugging along slow and steady. I give it a squirt of ferts when I remember, try to feed the fish at least 4 days a week, give it half a teaspoon of GH booster every week or so, and remove some salvinia when it gets too thick.
That is it!

[legomaniac89]

I was scrolling through the older pics, and GNR's "Welcome to the Jungle" popped into my head

I like it a lot! Is it just crypts, Java Fern and moss?

[Minsc]

Thanks, the tank needed a title
It used to just be fern, moss and crypts, then I got rid of the moss.
There is some pellia that sneaked in at one point as well, and for some strange reason refuses to die.

[demosthenes]

for a low-tech, this tank looks really upbeat and well taken care of. in the very back, is that needle leaf JF's or balansae's?

[Strick]

Very, very nice. I like the jungle look, but the newest version is much more open.

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

for a low-tech, this tank looks really upbeat and well taken care of. in the very back, is that needle leaf JF's or balansae's?

Thank you. The background is crypt spiralis.

Originally Posted by Strick

Very, very nice. I like the jungle look, but the newest version is much more open.

Thanks!

[SearunSimpson]

I would maybe move all the crypt Spiralis to the back left corner behind the driftwood and move the other smaller crypts closer to the hardscape in the front.
This might give it more of a flowy feeling from the back left to the front right. Other than that, that tank looks stellar. Very low tech and ammusing!

[Minsc]

I see what you are saying. The tank is only 10 inches front to back, so trying to move anything around is a pain. If I ever touch it again, I'll keep the suggestions in mind