[AutumnSun]

Truly gorgeous tank. What grade/grit of blasting sand did you use for your substrate?

 

[Igor95]

@burr740, a little off topic, but have you ever encountered cyano? If so, how did you treat it?

 

[LiQuiD SmoKe]

All the research Ive seen from many different sources say a 2:1 Fe:Mn ratio is best.

Tank is breathtaking Burr! Im in the process of setting up my 125 gallon at 6ft. Would your light be a good one to consider? Im having trouble deciding on what to do.

Your substrate is pristine looking. I have always had issues with root feeding plants like crypts and swords with sand. I know you dont have any of these plants, but to you add root tabs at all? Looks like most are water column feeders if Im not mistaken.

Last question. What brand of black diamond blasting sand did you use? Does it normally have those specs of red in it? Thanks for any and all help!! :grin2::grin2:

 

[burr740]

Truly gorgeous tank. What grade/grit of blasting sand did you use for your substrate?

Thanks. Its 20/40 med grit. I'd try the course version but my local Tractor Supply only ever has the fine and medium

@burr740, a little off topic, but have you ever encountered cyano? If so, how did you treat it?

Never had a huge problem with it but Ive had some here and there. Usually when a tank is in its first few months. A direct spray of peroxide is very effective at killing it. But then it comes right back until the root cause is fixed.

Manually remove whatever you can. If its on the substrate you can siphon it up using just the tubing from a regular gravel vac, take the big pipe off and use the 3/8" tubing.

Turn the flow off and spray it with peroxide. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and turn the flow back on. May need to do it every day for a few days.

Im not sure what causes it exactly. Thats just what I do and it usually goes away

Tank is breathtaking Burr! Im in the process of setting up my 125 gallon at 6ft. Would your light be a good one to consider? Im having trouble deciding on what to do.

Your substrate is pristine looking. I have always had issues with root feeding plants like crypts and swords with sand. I know you dont have any of these plants, but to you add root tabs at all? Looks like most are water column feeders if Im not mistaken.

Last question. What brand of black diamond blasting sand did you use? Does it normally have those specs of red in it? Thanks for any and all help!! :grin2::grin2:

Thanks!

This light is 48" long, not sure it'd be good on a 6' tank unless you want really low light on the ends.

You might look into sb reef lights, box type leds. There are some Chinese knock off versions that apparently work just as well. Ive never tried any of them, just from reading others.

I do use Osmocote+ sparingly. Single balls around some things, just put a few under the lagenandras.

Here's a thread with some swords and crypts in sand, both with and without O+

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/33-plants/876457-so-called-heavy-root-feeders-fact-fiction.html

Swords grew faster is about the only difference.

Yeah there's some red/brown specs in the bdbs, cant really see it except in close up shots.

'Black diamond' is the brand name, blasting sand is what it is. Tractor Supply carries it. There's another brand called Black Beauty though Im not sure where to get it.

 

[ILikeRice]

@burr740, a little off topic, but have you ever encountered cyano? If so, how did you treat it?

I used this and havent seen it since..Dosed twice with increased O2 and 20-30% water change after 2nd dose period ended.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QSK31M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[AutumnSun]

Thanks. Its 20/40 med grit. I'd try the course version but my local Tractor Supply only ever has the fine and medium


'Black diamond' is the brand name, blasting sand is what it is. Tractor Supply carries it. There's another brand called Black Beauty though Im not sure where to get it.

Thanks for answering my question. For LiQuiD SmoKe, I'm actually looking at buying the sand on Amazon and they have the Black Beauty there. With free/Prime shipping.

 

[Ben Belton]

On my phone so I'm not sure this will work but I am thinking congratulations are in order.

 

[ipkiss]

Indeed. That 1st place tank looks mighty familiar! Burr, you have someone copying your designs! I suggest you stop sharing your pics right now!

Congrats!

 

[LRJ]

Congratulations, man!! Stunning entry and well deserved 1st place in a competitive field this year. Your work and contributions to this hobby are a huge inspiration.

 

[Greggz]

Wow Burr you did it!

I am really happy for you, and it is certainly well deserved.

I know how much time and effort went into that scape, which must make it that much more rewarding.

Your journals certainly have inspired me and I'm sure many more on this board.

P.S. Does this mean we should now refer to you as Mr. Burr? Dr. Burr? Your Burrness?:grin2::grin2:

We gotta come up with something fitting.

 

[OreoP]

Congratulations burr!!

Your work is a true inspiration for all of us in this hobby. Might I also add that I along with many other TPT members have bragging rights to having some of your cuttings/trimmings in our tank.

Again, congratulations and well deserved!!

 

[ipkiss]

Wow Burr you did it!


P.S. Does this mean we should now refer to you as Mr. Burr? Dr. Burr? Your Burrness?:grin2::grin2:

We gotta come up with something fitting.

Congratulations burr!!

Might I also add that I along with many other TPT members have bragging rights to having some of your cuttings/trimmings in our tank.

Indeed. Journal posts from now on will sound like this..

Why yes, kind sir. You would be right in recognizing that that persicaria came straight from the blue ribbon tank of his Burrness.

 

[Phil Edwards]

Congrats Burrito! Time to repeat it this coming year.

Oh, and I got my old account back.

 

[burr740]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it!

P.S. Does this mean we should now refer to you as Mr. Burr? Dr. Burr? Your Burrness?:grin2::grin2:

We gotta come up with something fitting.

Well my friends call me Joe but I dont really care....just as long as you're calling me.

Indeed. Journal posts from now on will sound like this..

Why yes, kind sir. You would be right in recognizing that that persicaria came straight from the blue ribbon tank of his Burrness.

Hey maybe I can double up prices now for these award winning plants!

Congrats Burrito! Time to repeat it this coming year.

Oh, and I got my old account back.

Thanks man. Definitely gonna try to work harder for next year. Glad you got your account sorted, now post more!

 

[burr740]

There's a whole list of things I think could be better / wish I'd done differently, but Im pretty happy nonetheless. There were some good entries this year, which I think bodes well for the future

Here's some higher res pics

My own critique:
Needs a more powerful street, and better front to back depth
Curtain plants in both front corners would help
And I dont like the color rendition from the light, it's too cool or something.

One judges comment
"I feel like I am contradicting myself a bit in my comments. Where several entries have to many plants in their tanks, I feel this one is a bit too empty. However, the plants look good, the groups show clear variations in contrast and height and it is a really nice tank to llok at. Maybe just a bit more time will grow the groups a bit bigger and take away the empty feeling. All plants are very well placed, but please replace the red Persicaria sao Paulo with a green plant" ~Marco Aukes

He's spot on with the empty comment. I always felt like it was missing something but couldnt quite put my finger on it. That's what it is.

Its funny, 3 days after the final pics it was water change day. Everything had grown an inch or whatever. I was like damn that looks good, much better than the other day. So that's something I'll keep in mind for next time.

 

[burr740]

1: Myriophyllum guyana, 2: Acmella repens, 3: Isoetes lacustris, 4:Ludwigia sp. red, 5: Didiplis diandra, 6: Pogosteman helferi 'red', 7: Hydrothrix gardneri, 8: Penthorum sedoides, 9: Barclaya longifolia red, 10: Hygrophila siamesis 53b, 11: Bacopa colorata, 12: Oldenlandia salzmannii, 13: Limnophila aromatica mini, 14: Persicaria sao paulo.----- Wall plants: Christmas moss, Bucephalandra brownie sp, Hydrocotyle leucocephala. ------ Hardscape: Fissidens fox on Manzinita branches

 

[johnson18]

Damn, Joe! Congrats on a job well done. Will we be seeing one of those living room busting tanks of the Dutch masters in your future? These high res photos are amazing. I’m fairly certain I️ said “wow” out loud multiple times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Triport]

I love that Barclaya. Everywhere I have seen it for sale it is always out of stock.

 

[sohankpatel]

I saw the first place tank. I said to myself, "That looks rather familiar..." I entered as well, and someone I know placed third.
I think I spend too much time here if I can recognize that Burr scaped the tank without any prior knowledge of his plans

 

[ILikeRice]

Such a beautiful tank, congrats :]