UDGags-125g-New Pics (7/19/16)
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Well I'm back from xmas travels and the tank looks good except for the Bacopa Japan. It came in the roughest because of shipping and I don't know if it will last. Most has melted but we'll see. I'm still holding out hope for it.
I decided to clean my Mag 9.5 NW for my CO2 and accidentally broke the cover tonight. So I ordered a replacement and until then I plumbed the CO2 line into my return pump and then positioned the returns to face my Vortech MP40.....tank is a Jacuzzi (bubbles) right now
I'll get some pictures this weekend most likely assuming the replacement cover comes in. Taking pictures now with bubbles won't look so hot.
I decided to clean my Mag 9.5 NW for my CO2 and accidentally broke the cover tonight. So I ordered a replacement and until then I plumbed the CO2 line into my return pump and then positioned the returns to face my Vortech MP40.....tank is a Jacuzzi (bubbles) right now
I'll get some pictures this weekend most likely assuming the replacement cover comes in. Taking pictures now with bubbles won't look so hot.
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Well I got bored today so took some pictures even with the jacuzzi going on from my CO2. I should get the replacement cover for my NW pump tomorrow but probably won't get it repaired (need to redo PVC piping to cerges as well) until the weekend.
So here are some close-up's of the bubbles just to show what I mean. If the pictures look cloudy, etc. this is why. I tried to adjust camera settings some but I'm not a camera guy and didn't want to waste time with it. I also didn't waste time editing/cropping any pictures...just wanted to take some for documentation purposes.
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Full Tank Shots
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Random Close-Ups
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Overall, I'm happy with the progress since I planted it on 12/23. It will be just about 2 weeks and things are doing okay. The Bacopa Japan and the Erio are the two worst off but I'm seeing new growth on each so I'm hoping they pull through. I need to add a couple more plants and have some ideas of what I would like but going to let some of these grow in a bit before I buy any more. I made the mistake last year with this tank and had way to many different plants IMO. I also need to move a few plants once things grow in/become stable.
I'll probably adjust the wood some once the moss takes over it all. I know I will have to move it to add moss to bare spots so it's kinda of just laying in there at the moment. I might also make it so the tips are in the dirt so it looks more natural....not sure yet.
Let me know what you guys think. I always like to here comments, critiques, etc. so I can get better.
P.S. the rock isn't permanent
So here are some close-up's of the bubbles just to show what I mean. If the pictures look cloudy, etc. this is why. I tried to adjust camera settings some but I'm not a camera guy and didn't want to waste time with it. I also didn't waste time editing/cropping any pictures...just wanted to take some for documentation purposes.
Full Tank Shots
Random Close-Ups
Overall, I'm happy with the progress since I planted it on 12/23. It will be just about 2 weeks and things are doing okay. The Bacopa Japan and the Erio are the two worst off but I'm seeing new growth on each so I'm hoping they pull through. I need to add a couple more plants and have some ideas of what I would like but going to let some of these grow in a bit before I buy any more. I made the mistake last year with this tank and had way to many different plants IMO. I also need to move a few plants once things grow in/become stable.
I'll probably adjust the wood some once the moss takes over it all. I know I will have to move it to add moss to bare spots so it's kinda of just laying in there at the moment. I might also make it so the tips are in the dirt so it looks more natural....not sure yet.
Let me know what you guys think. I always like to here comments, critiques, etc. so I can get better.
P.S. the rock isn't permanent
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I personally loved your dutchish style from the last set up the best (one of my favorite looking tanks) but I am learning the hard way myself; referencing on your comment of having way too many different kinds of plants. It's good to learn from when having so many but then need to move on and focus on different set ups. Can't wait to see this one come along. Are you worried about algae issues being that you have such a low plant load currently or do you have the lights reduced ?
I've been telling folks these tanks are like works of art that change and are literally alive. My plants grow so fast that the tank looks different every two weeks at least. Some folks invest in expensive works of art that stay the same until the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics takes over...
I've been telling folks these tanks are like works of art that change and are literally alive. My plants grow so fast that the tank looks different every two weeks at least. Some folks invest in expensive works of art that stay the same until the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics takes over...
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I think this will end up being more dutch like. I really wanted to try more ADA style but I find myself drawn to tanks like Tom B. does and other dutch aquascapers (Shay Fertig's aquarium is what got me into this hobby). I'm hoping I learn from my past mistakes.
I'm not too worried about algae right now. I've been doing water changes twice a week and being pretty good with trying to clean the tank. In the pictures the back wall and sides need scraped and I'm hoping to get to that this weekend. The CO2 was a bit funky for a couple days while we were out for xmas with the tank getting low but everything looks fine. I'm not getting any new algae that I can tell.
My par is between 90-100 micromols at the substrate on my Apogee meter. Lights are set at 60% and still at the same height as before. I'd like to add more plants but don't have the money to spend on them right now so got to work with what I got.
Yeah, these tanks are definitely works of art. After going through everything with this tank I can really appreciate the skills of certain people/aquascapers. This hobby is definitely one where you learn from hands on experience. I've read a lot and seen a lot but until I had experienced some of it first hand it didn't really click for me. Like you read people complaining about BBA but until I got it I had no idea....no I can sympathize with these people
I'm not too worried about algae right now. I've been doing water changes twice a week and being pretty good with trying to clean the tank. In the pictures the back wall and sides need scraped and I'm hoping to get to that this weekend. The CO2 was a bit funky for a couple days while we were out for xmas with the tank getting low but everything looks fine. I'm not getting any new algae that I can tell.
My par is between 90-100 micromols at the substrate on my Apogee meter. Lights are set at 60% and still at the same height as before. I'd like to add more plants but don't have the money to spend on them right now so got to work with what I got.
Yeah, these tanks are definitely works of art. After going through everything with this tank I can really appreciate the skills of certain people/aquascapers. This hobby is definitely one where you learn from hands on experience. I've read a lot and seen a lot but until I had experienced some of it first hand it didn't really click for me. Like you read people complaining about BBA but until I got it I had no idea....no I can sympathize with these people
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Loving the new layout...can't wait for it all to grow in.
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999 Posts
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999 Posts
I decided to raise my light a bit and reduce my light intensity. I'm now around 50 micromols at the substrate. I think long term this will be easier for me to maintain. I also had the CO2 cranked up so much the fish weren't all that active so I wanted to lower the light intensity and in term lower the CO2 demand to prevent algae. My 5 month old likes to watch the fish and I'd like them to be a bit more active for him
I'll see how the plants do over the next month and adjust again if necessary.
I'll see how the plants do over the next month and adjust again if necessary.
Thats good at least.
ya the bacopa japan stems are so soft and fragile
Lol they will be nice if they didn't get stuck in the mail lmaoYeah whoever talked me into them should be shot.
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This past weekend I adjusted the wood so it looks more like roots. I buried the tips and more of the wood in the substrate. I moved around plants, trimmed, etc.
I'm happy with the wood but the plants aren't exciting me right now. I'm going to be patient and let it grow in again before adjusting but I have a few ideas in my head once the weather gets a bit warmer for shipping.
These pictures are from tonight.
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I'm happy with the wood but the plants aren't exciting me right now. I'm going to be patient and let it grow in again before adjusting but I have a few ideas in my head once the weather gets a bit warmer for shipping.
These pictures are from tonight.
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