[Jessica]

Hi everyone!

My name is Jessie (some of you may know me from other forums, years ago) and I have been in the hobby for about 20 years. After dabbling in Tanganyikan and New World cichlid breeding, I fell in love with the planted tank niche. Only in the last 7-8 years have I been aggressively involved with my 125g. However, over the last 4 or so years, life occurred and my tank went from low, to no, to bad maintenance.Over the last year, I have had the opportunity to redo my tank and have been collecting new...:

• Lights: AquaticLife 72" 12x39w T5HO with Geismann Middays, Aquaflora, and (can't remember the brand) UV Reds
• Filter: Fluval FX6 with supplemental Eheim Pro
• Substrate: Eco-Complete topped with Fluorite Black Sand
• Regulator: GLA w/ 2 bubble counters

Here's the intended hardscape:

And as of 20 minutes ago, filled with a modest portion of Fissidens (glued to the big floating lighter wood) and Rotala green "narrow" from a friend, and a lil leftover Anubias I had:

I have a few other shipments of plants from various sources on their way, as well.

Here's a few versions of the tank over the last 7 years:

Thanks for looking, I'll keep you all posted as the tank evolves

 

[Kai808]

Beautiful scapes! I hope to one day get just one large tank instead of multiple small ones.

 

[Jessica]

It's definitely a handful, but really fun because of all the options

 

[Coralbandit]

Will you get Denison Barbs again?
Looks like you had a great community selection in old pics!

 

[Jessica]

CoralBandit - I still have them They are in a 29g holding tank while the big house settles. I have a total of 5 and they are about 5 years old. I adore them.

 

[Jessica]

Hello again! Little update.

So far I've received 3 of 4 shipments of plants so far, so the scaping has begun. One came from AquariumPlants.com, and I give them a B+. Downoi was sad, Hygro. pinnatifida is obviously emersed, and they didn't tell me the Rotala wallichii was being substituted with Didiplis diandra, but that's ok, I like that too.

From the left of the tank, you'll see Cobomba purple in the back with Bacopa caroliniana (from PetsMart of all places - impulse buy) in front and Crypt bronze in front of that.
Glued to the wood are the saddest Anubias barteri you've ever seen.
Over to Limnophila hippuroides into Rotala green mini, into Downoi. Over to Vessuvius swords, down to S. Repens.
Over to Crinum calimnistratum (COOOL PLANT) and Didiplis diandra, to the Fissdens cultures on the stupid wood.
To more Bronze crypts and some sad Anubias, to Crypt Green (another impulse buy from PetsMart, what the hell) and then to what is very obviously emersed grown Hygro. pinnatifida.

Then the holy grail of shipments came today, in the form of a bag of Buces the size of my head. Talk about amazing. However, I've run out of super glue and rock work, lol, so upon attaining more tomorrow, I'll continue to attach them. For now, they are floating, lol.

I have another shipment of various neato stems coming this next week, as well.


Thanks again!

 

[ROYWS3]

I see from your past expressions that you really like the jungle look. Is that the direction you'll be heading again this time?

 

[sadchevy]

Tank is starting to look good again. It's always fun watching everyone's large tanks take shape. Join the 6 foot plus club, link is in my sig.

 

[Jessica]

ROYWS3 - Yes, I'm all about the wild and crazy. Granted, with this scape, I intend on having more discipline with trimming and shaping. I have a vision in my head, let's see how it comes to fruition

sadchevy - I love my big tank (even though it's a bugger to move). So much room for changes and a large collection of plants. I also have a 29g that is currently being used to house my fish for the big tank. After this is all settled, I'll redo that one as well for a high tech as well. I'm going to be busy

 

[Jessica]

Finally charged the battery on my DSLR. Snapped a few new pics after getting the majority of the Buce glued to rockwork.

FTS:

That big driftwood will sink again, one day, I hope. Then all the strange rocks will find new placements/homes.

Left:

Right:

Some beauty Buces:

I'm not too sure on the exact varieties of the Buces. If anyone has any input, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again for looking, more coming soon.

 

[sadchevy]

No experience with buces but I like the look.

 

[Jessica]

Final shipment planted, still clearing:

 

[Grumpy1415]

That's lovely!

 

[Culprit]

Will look amazing when it grows out !
Good luck !

 

[treyLcham]

this scape is stunning great job!!

 

[ROYWS3]

that last addition of plants looks extremely healthy. Where did you get them?

 

[Jessica]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate it!

ROYWS3 - they were a gift from a friend. I'm a lucky gal.

 

[skoram]

really love the hardscape and assortment of plants. can't wait to see how it fills in. :icon_smil

 

[Jessica]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

Here's an update that now that the tank is starting to settle/grow/misbehave, etc.

Starting to see some filamentous diatom growth on my Fissidens. Also some green dust algae on the glass and driftwood. I'm going to blast the CO2, overdose the Excel and reduce photoperiod. I'm ready for the plants to kick into growing-mode so they can soak up all the nutrients and starve algae.

Other than that, still waiting on that stupid wood to be become water logged again (two days out of water, after 7 months of soaking) and then I can adjust the awkward rock placement holding it down.
Here's some snaps from today:

Far left:

Towards center:

Centerish:

Right:

FTS:

What's funny is that in the years I've had this tank, many of those aquascapes involved a wall of Vallisnera, so I've never had a background on the tank! I think it's time to get one

 

[HSA1255]

Your tanks are beautiful! Love the plants you have added to the current set up. I am a fan of the full lush look of your past plantings, it's so cool to see fish move in and out of a fully planted tank. The red/bronze plants you have now add great contrast. Great job, I look forward to seeing how it progresses.