New setup 4.5ft planted tank

[Verminator]

Hey Jaws.

Assuming this tank is still up and running how about an update. Thread seems to have gone cold and i'm very intrigued Been a month since last update, so surely some growth updates to show of. Also if you added any more rock, to the centre or mid central area(s)?

[Jaws]

Hey Jaws.

Assuming this tank is still up and running how about an update. Thread seems to have gone cold and i'm very intrigued Been a month since last update, so surely some growth updates to show of. Also if you added any more rock, to the centre or mid central area(s)?

Sorry, been without my digi cam cause wife took it with her to europe . I will update pics soon when she is back. The hairgrass not growing well especially at the front corners. However, the background plants(don't know whats the name) is creeping and a few new plants are growing right in the middle of the tank . Quite a few snails have appeared and I've got 3 dwarf puffer to help. Some green spotted algae have appeared on the front glass and I have added some SAE and more otos to cope with the algae. Will take pic of that so that the bros here can advise. Will update soon.

Thanks.

[Verminator]

Righto. Can't wait.

[Jaws]

Here goes...

[Jaws]

Can spot the algae on the 2nd pic? Its near the dark spot right at the center of the pic. Any way to get rid of it? Thanks in advance.

[Jaws]

Right now I am using T5 54w x 4, CO2 1bps and I am running a Eheim 2026 + 2028 with rainbar both fixed at the back of the tank. Fan only runs when light is on to cool things down abit. Fauna I have around 100 pieces of rummynoses, 7 cardinal tetras, 3 dwarf puffers, 1 apisto, 5 otos, 5 sae. Is the bio load too high?

[Verminator]

Yes i see it. Three small green blurred dots on the glass?

Just spot algae on the glass mate. Even some of the best tanks have this growing on the glass, just got to scrape it off. I'm unaware of how to stop it. Some of the cleanest and algae free tanks i've seen seem to alwaysd have spot algae growing.

Any chance of a full tank shot?

Would that be Eleocharis Parvula you have used as your foreground HG? Looks very much like my HG which is Eleocharis P

[Verminator]

Bioload certainly is quite high. I wouldnt add any more at least. That may account for some algae growth. Alot of KN04

[Jaws]

As per your request...

[Jaws]

Just realised you are from UK Nice weather there for good plant growth

Not sure what HG is that. I just got it from a local fish shop and they can't tell me the details as well

[Verminator]

Indeed i am from UK. If our weather is good for plant growth then i'm obviously not taking full advantage of it . I must say its obviously a blessing for me to have my tank running at 25oC without heater and/or fan to keep temp constant. Just lucky i guess.

Alot of people early on in this thread were sceptical about the "separation" your rock placement suggest. But i have to admit with the Rotala sp. "Nanjenshan" in the left and right corners growing like that it looks great. Tall grass at the back with small HG at the front. I'm impressed. If the HG spreads at the front to create a carpet of HG it will look particularly complete. I like this tank alot. Correct me if i'm wrong on my I.D of plant in either corner. Appears to be Rotala sp. Nanjenshan anyway.

[Jaws]

The Rotala is courtesy from bro Hii. He gave to me without asking for anything in return.

I have been searching around for small rocks of similiar color to place round the front centre portion but so far I have no luck.

Been hunting for this to place in the tank. What do you think?

[Verminator]

Personally adding trivial things such as this arent to my taste. I stick to fish, water, rocks and plants. Not so keen on additions such as this, or castles and colourful weird 'toys'.

Each to thier own. I think it may look out of place personally. Its up to you though.

[Jervis]

You can add that in but proceed with caution. Personally, if I am to place that inside my tank, I will scape the tank around it. Which means I will probably look at Japanese Garden as a theme... pebbles... bridges... shrubs... bamboo looking plants... the list goes on

[Jaws]

That looks like really quite abit of work to be done if I add that. Anyway, Can't find a piece that I really like so I think I will give up that idea. Only wanted to add something to the center portion of the tank to make it look less empty. Perhaps I will continue my hunt for the rocks then. Thanks for the advice bros.

[Verminator]

Have you concidering a nice piece of wood. Would look more natural than a terracota hut for example. There are some beautifull specimens out there surely.

[Jaws]

I had bad experience with wood. My water turns yellow I was thinking of getting ADA wood but hesitate due to the cost.

[Verminator]

Thats perfectly natural mate. After a month or two all the tannins will have leeched out. Its does absolutely no harm what so ever my friend. It's just because the wood obviously has not been submerged before. One way to avoid it is to leave it in a bucket for a month perhaps. Other than that it just looks a bit unsightly in your tank for the first month, and after it passes your wood is fine, and water is back to normal.

Nothing out of the ordinary. My tank went through its first two months looking yellowish. Does no harm to plants or fish in any way shape or form mate

[Jaws]

I have a piece of driftwood that I really like and it was soaked in my previous 3ft tank for quite a few months. Should be pretty safe to put it in but I not sure how to place it in the tank. Will take a pic and post here for all to advise.

More pics...

[Jaws]

From left angle...