[EmotionalFescue]

Trying something new for a while...

The nice thing about the way the hardscape is foamed into place in this tank is that I can deal with the zones independently of one another. I got a little sick of the light sand and was curious how it would look without it. There are a couple changes here...

I've decided to go all in on the crypts. It's difficult to keep the water rich enough for fast growing plants due to the sponginess of the emergents, and now that I've got the lights situated and adjusted, the crypts are doing quite well. So, I planted the hill with more Undulata red and a bit of Helanthium tenellum. The outer zone has BDBS with a mix of Littorella uniflora and Helanthium tenellum. We'll see how it goes!

also, there are some new rocks, which will stick out like a sore thumb until they get nice and green like the rest!

These emergents are drinkin' all my ferts!

 

[Bootsy]

This is such a beautiful tank, EF! I feel serene just looking at your pics.

 

[EmotionalFescue]

This is such a beautiful tank, EF! I feel serene just looking at your pics.

Thank you! It's certainly provided me with endless hours of entertainment.

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Some macro shots...

 

[minorhero]

Change is good! Will be neat to see how the plants fill in. I've tried to grow Littorella uniflora 3 different times now. It never dies... but it never really grows either. It's either the worlds slowest plant, or it really really hates my water and only tolerates me just enough so it can continue mocking my attempts at growing it

In no small part due to jealousy over your macro shots, I recently purchased a used sigma 105mm macro art lens. Once it arrives I'm lookin forward to going on a massive macro binge

 

[EmotionalFescue]

In no small part due to jealousy over your macro shots, I recently purchased a used sigma 105mm macro art lens.

Nice!

Looking forward to seeing what you can do with it.

 

[Virtus]

This is still my favorite tank; looking good my friend! Is your pleco still in there and doing well?

 

[hydrophyte]

Really nice project!

 

[EmotionalFescue]

This is still my favorite tank; looking good my friend! Is your pleco still in there and doing well?

Thank you!

He's still in there, but he's a purely nocturnal beast, so I rarely get a very good look at him.

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Really nice project!

Thanks!

 

[EmotionalFescue]

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Saturday update...

Generally, the tank is doing well. Now that I don't have any fast-growing stems, I'm transitioning the tank to a lower energy state, and things aren't happening as quickly as they once did. That said, the new additions seem to be on the right trajectory.

The new crypts are showing pretty minimal melting and are putting out fresh leaves; the Helanthium is taking off best of all; The Littorella is also starting to show some fresh growth, but it's the slowest of the three new additions by far. I think the Helanthium will be too tall to let take over the sand on its own, so I'm really hoping to have a mix. I guess we'll see if the Littorella can thrive. If so, I'll work to keep the Helanthium in check while it fills out. If not, I might just let the Helanthium run wild see how it looks.

I had some Val die off along the back which seems to be the result of me letting the emergent plants block too much light. I trimmed a Pothos leaf and some of the Creeping Fig to let a bit more light back there, though I accidentally cut the piece of Creeping Fig that was running up onto the light mount and spreading out onto the wall. I hate when I do that!

The fish are down to two frozen feedings a week, and I increased my weekly water change size (60 gals vs. 45 before). I'm putting 100ml of macro solution for the first two days after the water change (vs. 80ml normally), and I seem to still be sitting around 30ppm nitrate by water change day. I'm hoping I'll have enough nutrients in the water for these lower demanding plants, but I may have to up the fertilizers throughout the week if the plants seem to be struggling.

Last week I cleaned the filter out again. Having the sink in the basement with on demand, heated and remineralized RO water really makes all the difference, and I plan to keep up with a monthly(ish) canister cleanout schedule moving forward.

I think that about covers it for updates. Til next time!

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Fish pics...

 

[rzn7z7]

This pic is amazing!

View attachment 1050806

 

[Count Krunk]

Beautiful fish pics. Tank is looking great as well. Stocking is those guys plus a pleco?

 

[EmotionalFescue]

This pic is amazing!

Thanks. That was my daughter's favorite from this set too. I do really like the ones that show the patterns and colors on their foreheads in focus like this one does.

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Beautiful fish pics. Tank is looking great as well. Stocking is those guys plus a pleco?

Thanks! Yeah, plus some number of amanos that live under the log.

 

[EmotionalFescue]

 

[EmotionalFescue]

pics...

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Ringo