[shhh]

I restarted my low tech spec v a little over two weeks ago.

MODIFICATIONS
1 Current satellite+ (I really like this light and have it on 3 of my tanks)

SUBSTRATE
river gravel (I know! Everyone hates gravel and things don't grow in it, but I like it)
Osmocote plus underneath gravel

CURRENT PLANTS
Crypts (lutea, balansae, retrospiralis was ordered but looks like more balansae)
Golden anubias nana
Various buces
Flame moss
Trident java fern
Hydrocotyle Japan
Monte Carlo
Salvinia minima (courtesy of awesome RAOK from rwaters - thanks again!) - I don't have pictures of this in tank yet because I just added it

CURRENT INHABITANTS
“Pest” snails - bladder snails and mts (courtesy of awesome RAOK from rwaters - thanks again again!)

I will probably put a pea puffer in this tank in the future. There hasn't been that much growth so far in a couple weeks, but I can see a lot of little monte Carlo leaves right below the gravel ready to come through. The java fern has a lot of baby ferns growing probably as a result of the stress it experienced in shipping and now it's growing leaves suitable for my tank. The hydrocotyle has already gotten quite a bit taller. There is the usual crypt melt and regrowth. I like my rocks, especially the one rock that has a bit of an overhanging hook to it that creates a cave. So far I'm happy enough with this restart, but I'm sure there will be changes.

 

[shhh]

I'm really happy with the growth I've gotten so far. The hydrocotyle has grown so much. The Monte Carlo died back a lot at the beginning, but I'm getting some carpeting now and there has been steady new growth. I'm still not dosing anything and no co2. I have to take handfuls of salvinia minima out each week and put it in another tank because it grows so much.

 

[irishspy]

It's coming along splendidly!

 

[travellife]

That is a pretty layout. The rocks look great.

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[Hephaestus]

Nice looking Spec V! They really are great little tanks.

 

[shhh]

Thanks! It's my fifth layout for a planted tank and each attempt the layouts have definitely improved. I think I'm going to rip off the bunch of java fern on the left and stick it in with the bunch on the right to make more of a separation btwn the big rock with all the crypts and the group of rocks. I want the strip of hydrocotyle to be a little more prominent. I'm just waiting for the java fern babies to grow out bc I'll have to rearrange them anyway.

 

[shhh]

The hydrocotyle Japan became tall and scrawny, so I eventually removed it. I had forgotten how nice it was in the tank until I looked at this journal. That plant never grows well in my tanks (with no fertilizer or co2). The Monte Carlo is still spreading slowly, so just another 25 years before I have a fully carpeted tank. Overall, I'm very happy with how the tank has been growing in. I'm hoping to get some emerald dwarf rasboras for the tank soon.