First time scaping - 3ft something...

[Hip]

First time really gave scaping to go. The point is not to get it perfect the first time but I did gave it my best with what I have at the time.

Here are the specs:

3ft normal glass with a desk a stand
2 x Up aqua LED Z light. 1st one on at 5pm for 7hrs, 2nd on at 7pm for 4hr
CO2 3bpp on at 4pm
2260 with NA Co2 reactor (this one is definitely overkill as I already reduce the intake size as well as reduce the outflow rate. May be 2 x 2217 would do.
ADA amazonia soil but about 2yr old so I add fert sticks every now and then
Rocks are just pebbles
Fert is dosed weekly and just LUSH GRO micro and macro


Plants:
Red sword
Green sword
Blyxa aubertii
Red crypt wendtii
Cynum calas
Pinatafilada
Blyxa Jap
Staurogyne
Small red lotus

Fish:
50+ cardinals
4 x red line barb
2 x otto
10+ Yamato shrimps

Here are some photos

Main view angle from dining table


Alt view angle from sofa


Right side


This was the old tank and 2 months of no maintenance


I'm planing to buy a 2nd 3ft soon so I'll get to practice it one more time. All feedback and comment are welcome. Thanks for viewing.

[Dscheng]

Front part can put HC / MC or even mini hair grass to make it carpet type will be even nicer. I like your tank size, sigh I don't have the space.

[hc rotala]

At open front area, Staurogyne is better than HC, because HC didn't grow well in soil gravel, tend to uprooting, it grow thicker if compare to sand gravel bed.

[BFG]

You did good, you found an interesting looking centerpiece wood with unique character, bought it and used it in your aquascape! How much did it cost you?

[Johnenrui]

Hi! nice wood! may I ask whats the bushy grass like plant in your old scape?

First time really gave scaping to go. ......
This was the old tank and 2 months of no maintenance


I'm planing to buy a 2nd 3ft soon so I'll get to practice it one more time. All feedback and comment are welcome. Thanks for viewing.

[Hip]

I don't think my lights are strong enough for HC to carpet. And you are right the they will up root very easy especially with the barbs. Even the Staurogynes are struggling with them

@BGF: i bought it off an AQ member long time back for about $20 if I remember correctly.

@John: that was the Blyxa jap over grown.

[Shadow]

Very nice wood you have there but unfortunately your Blyxa overshadow it.

[Gavan]

that driftwood is seriously nice! perhaps when the plants are a little more grown out, the way it gets hidden partially might even accentuate it's beauty.

At open front area, Staurogyne is better than HC, because HC didn't grow well in soil gravel, tend to uprooting, it grow thicker if compare to sand gravel bed.

hi, you mean to say HC can't grow well in normal Aquasoil such as ADA Amazonia? is it the grain size?




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[ZIr]

Somehow I prefer your old setup with it's wild overgrown look. But then maybe the new setup needs time to mature and who knows after 2 months no maintenance, maybe it'll look even more impressive

[Johnenrui]

@John: that was the Blyxa jap over grown.

Thank you for your reply! I went over to c328 and surround shops but couldn't find it was looking for star grass too haha...



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[Hip]

@Shadow: advice please advice. What should I change? Remove all the Blyxa and give to John?

@John: I just throw away half a bucket after i rescape my old tank. Just watch the sales area there will be plenty. Or if you can wait for a while I will give you some.

@HBK: it was way over grown there let see what this one turns out to be. I like this a bit more because it gives the fish more space to swim.

[Johnenrui]

@Shadow: advice please advice. What should I change? Remove all the Blyxa and give to John?

@John: I just throw away half a bucket after i rescape my old tank. Just watch the sales area there will be plenty. Or if you can wait for a while I will give you some.

Wow... That's so generous of you... I really wouldn't mind!!! Currently needing to add more plants to my 4ft but c328 doesn't have any of the plants I want.. I don't mind waiting! Thank you in advance!! >.<


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[limz_777]

2260 on a 3 feet , how's the flow ?

[Shadow]

@Shadow: advice please advice. What should I change? Remove all the Blyxa and give to John?

you can trim it or replace it with shorter plant

[Hip]

2260 on a 3 feet , how's the flow ?

Definitely over kill even with reduced intake to 16/22 and NA Co2 reactor and reduced outflow rate. After all of the above the flow is still slightly strong. So if I also include a chiller (without changing anything else) then it might be just right.

But water quality is second to none.

[Gavan]

At open front area, Staurogyne is better than HC, because HC didn't grow well in soil gravel, tend to uprooting, it grow thicker if compare to sand gravel bed.

anyone can corroborate this piece of info?


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[Hip]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1437287966.067680.jpg

Tank has been rescape since. Comments are welcome.

[Hip]

Most recent photo

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1437306627.121289.jpg

[comet]

Your wood piece is really beautiful, the nice curve and texture.

I do like your old Blyxa jap in your old tank. It looked so fluffy and healthy. Maybe I should try growing it

[Hip]

Thanks. So you like the overgrown look better. I bet if I leave it for a month not doing anything. It might be just like the old one.

Blyxa is really fast growing. I already trim it once in the new tank.