Kid Creole's 65 Gallon Journal

[kid creole]

I'm starting this journal a little after the tank has been started, so I'm skipping some time. I'll post an early picture for posterity, and then the current picture below.

Algae world:


Here is a pic of the tank after the algae was fought off:


And, here is the current pic:

[kid creole]

Here is a pic of one of the festivums:



I really like this fish. The picture isn't 100% true, but I'm still learning how to take pictures.

[kid creole]

Equipment Stats:
-65 gallon Marineland 65 Gallon Corner-flo
-Marineland Tidepool II wet/dry
-Eheim 2217
-T5HO lighting (78W currently)
-Pressurized CO2
-Flourite substrate

Flora (I'm learning the names. If you can help me be more specific, or correct, I appreciate it):
-Anubias nana
-Wisteria
-Jugle Val
-Corkscrew Val
-African Onion (in the back right)
-Amazon sword (maybe not, tbd)
-RAOK from ADhlc. I asked him what it was, he told me, it's awesome, and I forgot the name and deleted the PM. It's the twisty val like plant on the front right. If you know what it is, let me know.
-Ludwigia (I'm not sure which ones)

Fauna:
-3 SAE
-2 Festivum
-1 Flying Fox (oops, but so far has turned out better than I was lead to believe it would)
-5 head and taillight tetras. I think I need to up this group. There were more, and they were the first fish... but now there are 5

[Adhlc]

It's about time you posted a journal! Your tank is looking excellent.

[yikesjason]

That was some great improvement. How long did it take you to get rid of that much algae?

[kid creole]

Originally Posted by yikesjason

That was some great improvement. How long did it take you to get rid of that much algae?

It was quick. 3 weeks maybe? I had way too much light. After that was fixed, the algae just died.

[brion0]

Looked like a severe algae problem, glad you got past it.

[Tex Gal]

Incredible! I think I may have pulled it all out and begun again!

[Pinto]

Nicely done. How did you get your tank so spotless from algae.
Your tank looks great.

[kid creole]

OK y'all, here is my March update. It's been about a month, and although you can't see too much change, I had a nice big pile of plants to show for it.





Pinto- It was a simple matter of too much light. Cutting back on the light took care of a huge part. Then getting CO2 and some ferts in there finished it off.

BTW, the end goal is to bring the ludwigia down to about 2/3 of it's current height. I'll do that over time. I want the crypt on the left to get a better foothold first. I'm going to be trimming the jungle val better so as to get some more light on the crypts. I think I also may rearrange the wood. I would keep the formation as it is, but rotate it 45° clockwise so that the downside that points towards the back would come to the front corner.

As always, ideas are needed, appreciated, and usually implemented.

[sewingalot]

What kind of crypts are in the front left of your tank? I love them.

[kid creole]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

What kind of crypts are in the front left of your tank? I love them.

It is a Red Wendtii. There is also one on the right. Even though it is much bigger, it is harder to see in the pics I posted.

[fastfreddie]

Looks good! Way to whip that algae! What are the dimensions of your tank?

[kid creole]

Originally Posted by fastfreddie

Looks good! Way to whip that algae! What are the dimensions of your tank?

36" wide by 18" deep by umm, tall? Probably 24" tall or so. I really wished I could have fit a 48" tank in there, but the width of the alcove is 48", so with the overhange of the stand it would have come out into the trim of the wall on the wall on the left, which wasn't acceptable in the living room.

I'm going to keep bringing the ludwigia shorter and forward to create more depth. I also have some Wisteria hidden behind the driftwood that will come up eventually.

[funkyfish]

Great looking tank you got there. Love the fish. And nice to see that you got rid of all the algae.