"Suga Shack" - Sara's 55 gallon - (56K)

[solution7]

Wow that is looking really good.. So you are using Flourite and DIY CO2 correct? I can only hope to have a sword that looks that strong WOW..

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by dewalltheway

Looks much better and once you get your DIY reactor made and take out the powerhead, it will really allow the eye to focus on your beautiful plants.

Good job!

Thanks a lot for the tips, it really did help moving the equipment. I am actually using your post http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/613994-post112.html as inspiration. After seeing how well you did with diy co2, I started to venture into more plants than just my Amazon sword and hornwort.

Originally Posted by solution7

Wow that is looking really good.. So you are using Flourite and DIY CO2 correct? I can only hope to have a sword that looks that strong WOW..

Thanks solution7. Yes, I am using flourite and DIY Co2. I absolutely love flourite! My sword started out with just 0.72 watts per gallon and regular gravel with no fertilizers. The flourite is what really had the plant taking off, though. The additional lights were a bonus after that, at a little over 2.5 watts per gallon. I also just started dosing ferts using the PPS-Pro Solution, which resulted in the runner.

[sewingalot]

My last week's fiasco....I decided to restart my yeast concoction and used "quick rise" active yeast, since I was out of the regular kind. Bad idea. My co2 drop checker was yellow, half my fish were at the top and half where on the bottom just hanging out. I put in an airstone, did a 25% water change and after a day, most of the fish were back to normal. One of my male cories didn't make it, though. Now his mate is looking kinda sad. I am such an idiot. Here is an updated picture. This time, I had the lid up on purpose as I was trying to let in as much air as possible. Still no excuse for the lousy pictures. I will be rearranging the tank tomorrow. I got rid of my foxtail and purchased some sort of rotala this afternoon.

[sewingalot]

Changes! My amazon sword outgrew the tank....literally. She had seven babies on the runner and the tips of the mother plant were beginning to grow out of the water and were turning crispy in the light. So I gave it to a fellow hobbyist who has the room for her.

So, I trimmed my rotala green sp. and moved some to the right of the tank. I also planted the new rotala round. in the back. I am now in the grow out phase.... What do you think?

Oh, and my husband helped me out and used a tripod to take better pictures. Much better quality, no?



My new downoi has side shoots!


Is this java moss?


Found that rubber band that broke..... I love Marselia minuta! They came with BBA, but the excel is doing a good job of getting rid of it.


new rotala mini in far left, so tiny and so cute! Most is in my ten gallon, but I stuck a few stems in my 55 for accent. Thanks cardinal tetra for the great quality!


Blyxa is getting more and more side shoots. It is growing like a weed.

[fastfreddie]

This is awesome! Your plants are doing great. Keep up the good work!

I agree....dewalltheway's 55 is pretty sweet!

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by fastfreddie

This is awesome! Your plants are doing great. Keep up the good work!

I agree....dewalltheway's 55 is pretty sweet!

Thanks, fastfreddie! I hope to someday have a 55 as great as dewalltheway's.

[Neoman]

IM not sure if you mentioned it, but how many bottles are you using for the co2?

[sewingalot]

2 - 2 Liters. I have been pretty successful with 1 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon in each container. I only change one out every other week. The only algae I have trouble with is GSA, especially after moving the Amazon sword out of the tank. Haven't seen any other kind (so far). And since I am posting, here is a small update.

FTS


My bronze cory recovering after a recent scuffle with a checkered barb.


Anyone know what this red plant is? I like this picture, the reflection is pretty awesome IMHO.


Found the culprit who keeps uprooting the downoi. The albino cory was just swimming up to the downoi he flipped out of the substrate. Anyway, I like how his back is turned and the oto has his belly on the glass. Cute, huh?

[sewingalot]

For Christmas, my husband gave me a co2 regulator and tank. After nearly a week of fighting with the various parts, I am finally able to fine tune it to either 1 BPS or like 7 BPS, no in between. It is aqua euro usa brand, and the needle valve is pathetic. But hey, I am able to get it to work on a timer and I do get 1 BPS consistently now. It has been up for two days with no problems. I hope to buy a splitter soon, so maybe I can use that to get 2 BPS?

Other than that, I have been reading more on aquascaping and moved a few plants around to better compliment each other along with a small trim.



I love this red plant, lately identified by a fellow TPT member as narrow leaf rotala macranda. It came to me as a freebie with my first plants almost dead. Just lately started taking off!



Cool thing I noticed recently about my blyxa on the left side. I thought it was going taller than the right, but what is happening is new shoots are growing which is causing the plants to actually lift out of the substrate. Cool thing is just a few longer roots are actually keeping it from floating, kinda like a balloon with a weight on it. Here's a closeup:



And since he was being a ham, here's a picture of George for you all!

[sewingalot]

Yeah! I have babies! I was looking at the remnants of my GSA and wondering if it would ever go away and noticed I had fry. Oh happy day. I not only saw platty and guppy fry in various stages, but this little guy looks less than a day old! Oh Blyxa, "how do I love thee.....let me count the ways. . . "

My really gravid female has lost her belly since last night, so I am assuming their hers! This little guy was loving the camera and came out to investigate. I think I see a future model, he's working the camera, no?

[Phoenix-cry]

I love fry! they are soooooo cute!!!

[sewingalot]

Phoenix, I am glad you think so. My husband just rolled his eyes at me when I decided to name my fry Waldo. He said I am too interested in this fry business and went back to watching football! As if this isn't more important. By the way, I love your avatar. I just surfed your art, you are wicked talented!

[Wö£fëñxXx]

Huge transformation between first tank shot and last.
Welcome to the greener side of life.
Knowledge is power!

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by Wö£fëñxXx

Huge transformation between first tank shot and last.
Welcome to the greener side of life.
Knowledge is power!

Thanks a bunch! It's amazing how much you can learn on this site. I actually decided to start trying to grow plants because of you all. The information gathered here has been very helpful and adverted a couple disasters.

[fastfreddie]

Wow, this tank is looking sweet and that fry is definitely workin' it! Good luck with the regulator. Are you diffusing with that powerhead? I got a reg for Christmas too and I'm probably driving people crazy with questions. I can't wait to get stocked up like you!

What is your favorite plant so far? I'm guessing the blyxa judging from your Shakespeare quote.... or was that quote from Waldo to the blyxa? lol