[darkfury18]

It has been a year since I've gotten into the hobby and with school ending, I decided on getting some upgrades and creating a new scape. My tank has just been a grow-out tank since I didn't have time to take care of it.

So first off, I decided to upgrade my cheap equipment to some real tools that would help me with the new scape. A glass scraper, cool new tweezers, and an 11" curved scissors.

And I've been without a camera for so long so I've decided to invest in a new camera and tripod. Both for photographing the aquarium and for social occasions. I went with the Canon SD700IS and a cheap tripod from eBay.

I've also grown tired of the ugly orange Shultz AS, and hearing the that the Oil-Dri stuff from Walmart has a similar color to SMS, I took the dive and spent $7 for a new substrate ;D.

So I spent half a day redoing the tank. New substrate, hardscape and a few plants planted.

Planted the downoi and blyxa.

Added some stems plants in the back.

I still need to tie some moss on the tip of the manzanita and I'm still deciding on what to plant in the "riverbed". Comments and criticism are appreciated!!! Thanks for looking :smile:

 

[darkfury18]

PeteyPob, Jessica, Orlando, mrbelvedere, baowow:
Thanks for the compliments.

RachPreach, jjjaks:
I got the driftwood from a member in AAPE.

macclellan, dufus:
I guess I'll try to relocate the lotus first, and if it doesn't work then I'll remove it.

I was thinking of using taiwan moss, but i also have xmas, creeping, weeping and singapore moss that I can use.. would any of the others be a better choice?

 

[darkfury18]

Well, I saw something interesting when I checked out my tank today. It's pretty common, but a first for me. My rotala and blyxa have turned red!! This is with my light downgraded, too (from 124W ODNO T8 to 108W DIY T5HO). I pretty happy to say the least :hihi:

 

[darkfury18]

DISASTER!! :icon_cry: :icon_cry:

Lesson learned: Don't place a super hot MH on top of the center brace!!!

 

[darkfury18]

Just a quick update, just a few changes and letting things fill in slowly.

A pix of the new inhabitants, I've removed all of the large fishes for these guys :thumbsup:

 

[darkfury18]

Thanks for the compliments. I've been trying to fix this and that all over the tank to try and make it have more of a natural feel. I've also been using PPS Pro and I'm so glad I don't have to do water changes anymore :icon_twis .

I really like the Oil-Dri substrate, I think it's the same thing as SMS charcoal, with a lower price tag It is a little light, but I haven't had any problems planting in it and all of the plants are doing pretty well.

I like the tank. What rotala species is that on the left?

Luke.

Thanks, that is just rotala rotundifolia.

 

[darkfury18]

What kind of camera do you have? That's some nice photography.

Thanks . It's a Canon SD700 IS. The images have been sharpened & brightened a bit using Photoshop though.

 

[darkfury18]

hehe. I wasn't going to say anything but that red cherry definitely has some "photoshop" to it

Great tank and pics though! I really like the layout...

-Ryan

Thanks Ryan. The pic of the cherry actually only got sharpened, that is my reddest cherry and it does look like that. I have to adjust the brightness on the full tank shots because the back wall is too bright and makes everything look dark.

 

[darkfury18]

What is PPS Pro?

It's a fertilizing scheme, like EI, but it gives the plants just enough ferts, unlike EI which over fertilizes and you have to reset it every week with a water change. You can read more about it in the fertilizer section on the APC forum. I've gone about one and a half months without changing water now. So having a planted tank isn't so much work anymore :icon_lol:

 

[darkfury18]

I've been busy with school since the last update, so I haven't had time to take care of the tank. Things are getting out of control... I think I'll have to do a good trim this weekend.

BBA has also taken over most of the driftwood