[sarazorz]

I decided on a dutch style tank. I feel like everyone is doing the minimalist thing, and while I do like those, I don't see as many dutch style tanks around so I wanted to make this style my first try with a heavily planted tank. I like the lushness of dutch style tanks. I feel like they're a little more magical than the minimalist style. Plus I have a crush on red plants.

Note: I posted more pics with the new Nikon DSLR. I won't torture you all any more with my smartphone pics, promise. In fact I have removed all those pics out of my posts because quite frankly they're embarrassing. If you'd still like to see them I put links in this post.

Newest Pic:

Some older Pics:

Finnex 30inch LED Daylight
Cascade 700 Canister
Finnex Digital Temp Control Heater 100w
Miracle Grow Organic with Sand/Gravel Cap

Flora:
Red Ammania
Golden Lloydiella
Ludwigia Peruensis
Rotala Indica
Rotala Wallichii
Water Sprite
Four Leaf Clover
Dwarf Hairgrass
Red Myrio
Wisteria
Red Tiger Lotus

Fauna:
3 Bloodfin Tetras
4 Cardinal Tetras
3 German Blue Rams
1 Guppy
2 Checker Barbs
3 Ghost Shrimp


Here are the old smartphone pics that I have moved into this post, in post date order:

Building the Hardscape
Plant Order Came in/Planted Stuff
Finished Foreground Plant/Cloudy Water
Brewing Tea
Tannins Cleared up with Purigen Use
Major Rescape

 

[sarazorz]

 

[sarazorz]

 

[sarazorz]

 

[alipper]

Awesome start.

 

[sarazorz]

Thank you!

 

[hisxlency]

lookin good maame!

 

[sarazorz]

Does anyone else think I should get rid of that big leaf red ludwigia? I feel like the broad leaf stuff doesn't fit in with the delicate rotala and myrio. I feel like it's just too much of a contrast. But that could just be me.

 

[PeterN1986]

That's a great start! When I got ludwigia in the past, it just melted, sadly. Myrio and cabomba grew like crazy and I had a lot of snail eggs in it. Also, the RCS's loved it.

Really like how the cabomba and myrio are varying heights; reminds me of home (NYC)

 

[sarazorz]

Thanks Although, the cabomba will be all the same length in the back after it hits the top of the water. I'm just letting it grow out right now, and it's growing like craaazy.

 

[dtejeda.arias]

Looks great!!!

 

[sarazorz]

I went to the LFS today because I ran outta Prime, and decided to try a black backer. I think I like it better than looking at my stair rails behind the tank, heh.

Also did a pretty big WC today, I've been having a nitrite problem. Had to siphon a thick layer of rotting junk in the back, was messing up my chemistry. Threw in a bunch of stargrass to float up top for a bit. Might float some more stuff from my other tank, we'll see. Added 2 red tiger lotus bulbs, I'm gonna attempt to make a small carpet with them by trimming em down a bunch. Removed indica rotala, kept coming up. Added Wisteria in the front, gonna trim that into a small bush. Also trimmed my four leaf clover to encourage carpeting.

The purigen I bought is working quite well for my crazy tea brewing problem. Now I just gotta wait for that haze to clear up.

*bad pics removed, see first post.

 

[sarazorz]

Oh yeah, and I have a new DSLR coming in the mail. Be prepared for new, much improved pictures and probably a million macro shots.

 

[UDGags]

I think it looks better with the black background too.

 

[msb]

Hi Sara, glad you started this journal as I have something to learn/compare from. A Dutch style with no co2, although Im using excel. About the Ludigia Peruensis contrast that you mentioned. I think the idea of a dutch is that you want the contrast. Like deep reds in between two green plants and varying leaf sizes so its easy to focus on each plant. This is just my idea though as I havnt really read anything on how to set up a dutch style tank. When I set mine up I didnt really have any vision and just did reds in between greens and gave them enough space to fill out without shading the other.

Some of the problems Ive had though is plants that I chose as a midground growing really quickly in front of a background plant. Like water sprite in front of rotala indica. Also, some of my plants have lost the deep red that they had at first.

 

[sarazorz]

I think it looks better with the black background too.

Ah good, I'm glad you agree.

I think the idea of a dutch is that you want the contrast.

Yeah, I know. I just felt like my eye was getting stuck on that ludwigia. My intention was to use darker plants as the majority (reds, darker greens) and use bright greens (water sprite, wisteria) as focal points. Right now, I feel like the ludwigia is popping more than I'd like because of it's giant leaves.

I think I'm just finicky about wide leaf plants. I feel like they look fake.
Ah well, that ludwigia isn't going anywhere. This tank has a long way to go yet, not even close to being able to form some bushes. I hope as things fill out I will become more satisfied with it.

 

[UDGags]

Haha, I'm sure you are.

I understand what you mean with the red ludwigia. Your eye stops there as it travels across the tank. I think the height difference of the plants might be causing the issue. Once all the plants grow in I would try and trim it so you have gradual lines/slopes.

 

[sarazorz]

Oh yeah, I fully intend on keeping it well trimmed. I'm just letting them grow out right now, for the most part. I've trimmed a little here and there. I'm not quite sure yet how to trim cabomba...if you snip the tops off, they lose their cool looking tops. I was literally just searching for guides on how to sculpt the plants to conform to dutch style. I can't seem to find much about it.

 

[sarazorz]

OMG You just gave me an idea. Time to get my hands wet!

 

[UDGags]

Oh yeah, I fully intend on keeping it well trimmed. I'm just letting them grow out right now, for the most part. I've trimmed a little here and there. I'm not quite sure yet how to trim cabomba...if you snip the tops off, they lose their cool looking tops. I was literally just searching for guides on how to sculpt the plants to conform to dutch style. I can't seem to find much about it.

I believe you should be able to trim and replant just the top (throw away the bottom). This way you aren't losing the better looking part.

http://www.nbat.nl/ has some good information.