Greenwood - now back to brown (more pics)

[Basilisk]

Not the typical show here.

I have been 'cultivating' this green algae on a nice couple pieces of mopani wood. I don't really know whether it is extended green spot, short geen beard, or even green dust as someone has suggested. It has been progressing over months. Only the snails make a dent on it, but the cherries are often foraging over it. The surface of the wood has become rather soft, I'd say breaking down, and the snails are able to scrape it.

The tank is a bit in bad shape. I pulled all the A. reineckii, to hunt down the naiads, and replace it with H. zosterifolia. The timer has been failing, sometimes leaving lights on all night. That has favoured some of green spot on leaves, but that's recent, came long after the one on the wood.

I really like it, and it doesn't seem to be taking over the tank.

Enjoy.







Can anyone make a guess on what kind of moss this is?



Here you can see what the snails have been scraping off.



Note the tiny green spot algae and diatoms on the crypt, due to lighting issues. Also note those older leaves showing calcium deficiency, it's been addressed.





As always, all comments welcome.

Cheers

[MikeP_123]

Its always natural looking to have a little algae growing on the drift wood, as long as it doesn't take over the rest of the tank. BTW that moss looks very nice on the DW also! Great tank and GJ.

Do you have any full tank shots?

[Chrisinator]

Haha. My driftwood is getting 'green' too.

[CL]

I like the way it looks. Is that java fern 'trident' next to it?

[Hilde]

I would like to see a full view of the tank. Like algae is nifty. Makes you think of the woods outdoors. On 1 side you the trunks have green on them.

[EdTheEdge]

I had driftwood like that once. The most beautiful color of green. Thanks for sharing.

[@marko@]

i think it may be lichen. they grow slowly (thats why its not taking over), and look pretty similar.

[Basilisk]

Thanks for comments!

No full tank shots yet. I did not post one on purpose, since the tank is in the middle of a minor rescape, and nursing a few stems temporarily. I'll post plenty as soon it is done.

clwatkins10: It's Windelov. It does grow in a way I like more than the ones I see in pictures, which look like regular leaves with little splitting at the tips.

@marko@: Lichen! Never ever thought of getting aquatic lichens in the aquarium. It sounds great. I suspect they like cooler water, I'm going to research further on them.

[Basilisk]

It's back to brown. I have no idea how to cultivate it. I lowered temperature to 23ºC. Kept my lights, co2 and ferts the same, but there's no progress. The shrimplets have been growing, there were always some of them foraging on the wood, I guess they just shaved it too heavily.

Here are the pictures:





Nevertheless, the wood is still green, the moss is making a nice advance. I'm liking it much. Ignore the riccia drifter.


A picture of the Windelov. It's too close to the glass. Maybe I'll remove the other piece of wood and push this one back. There are some crypts framed by the two pieces, not sure.



Next time, full tank shots.

[Jeremy VanderKelen]

Well shoot, Basilisk, you have things going so in perfect order that you are upset when you remedy an algae. Natural jealousy is setting in.

Your pictures on TPT so far have been amazing. Keep up the fin-tastic work is all I can say.

[Basilisk]

Hey, thanks Jeremy. I'm encouraged, so here are a few random shots:

Taking cover under C. x willisii, some diatoms on the glass.


Seems this guy likes a well trimmed moustache.


And here's the way I found to keep a small clump of Riccia. Forgive the blurry pic, it just wouldn't focus.



I'm removing the shrimplets and a good number of snails, hoping it comes back. Still not sure whether it's lichen or algae, been too lazy to take a sample to the lab.

Cheers.