Project 1: Back-breaking rescape in mind

[AquaObsession]

Hi,

Decided to start a journal for my upcoming tank. Will seek everyone ideas on stuff. Because I feel damn bored at work, and I feel my hands are getting itchy, and I have not done up major scape recently. All trials in my small tank. Let me list what I have, and what I intend to get, or get rid of.

Tank : 120*60*45cm.
Lights : 4*54w T5
Filters : 2*Eheim Pro II 2028
Substrate: lapis sand with roots tabs ( will replace it with ADA amazonia II + Powersand special if I can sell my Lapis sand)
Fertilsers: KH2PO4, KNO3 (still have half of a can left ), Seachem Flourish, Seachem Iron.
Pressurized Co2 system, with internal reactor.
1 Fan

Design in mind: I have too many, need some inputs from you for guidance.

Design 1:
I do not want to use my any or all of my current bogwoods (see marketplace) because I feel in ADA amazonia, need to make good use of the soil, otherwise, Mr Algae will come say hi).
So, if I have to use wood, it will be wood with crypts and anubia nana, rocks, plants will be etenellus.

Design 2:
I want try a scape with vallisneria as the major plant, but unsure how to do that.

Design 3
Glosso or HC, or APP. But i feel i need some talk plants. very unsure with stem plants, as I cannot get them to grow with equal distance between the leaves (get what I am trying to say )

Design 4: A crypts tank. With one bogwoood in the center.

I listed all my designs here, as I wanna keep this thread as a journal, and see the progress later.

Currently I have rummy nose mostly. I think over 90 pieces. Black neons (10), another fish that look like black neon, with lower tail black (giving impression of curve body) (10), ottos (8 fatties), I wanna keep the fishes, coz I wanna grow them from small to big jumbo size. But it is a big distracting, so might sell some of them.

But, might get rid of them should I decide to keep plenty of shrimps (malayan, cherry and yamatos).

Questions questions:

You guys think my lighting is enough. My tank is 60cm deep, lights rest on tank, no stand. I fear Glosso/APP might not creep, but grow upwards. Not very keep on MH lights because of the damn stand. Will another T5 set (4*54w) helps.


How many packs of Amazonia 9L? 4 packs. How many packs of Powersand? 2 3L, or more??

Anyone here using mess to put on the powersand to prevent it from moving upwards to the surface. I've read some guys in HK doing that. Comments?

As I am bored in office, I will most likely be writing loads of things on this journal.

Cheers, Christophe

[Mizu World]

For design, go with your imagination. You should be able to create a lot of depth with so much room to play with.

For a tank of your size, you should consider getting the Power Sand Special M (6L). 4 bags of Aqua Soil (9L) should be enough for your substrate. Get some Aqua Soil Powder as well for filling up gaps in the substrate.

[AquaObsession]

Oh yea, one question. I've been seeing the word ADA Powder recently. I know you are promoting that on your website. I have one question.

After some time (few months), as the ADA soil breaks, it becomes powder, is it the same as ADA powder. Also you mention filling up the gaps, will that put too much pressure on the roots, and water circulation in the substrate?? Just asking.

Cheers, Christophe

[Mizu World]

Aqua Soil and Aqua Soil powder has different grain size.

When Aqua Soil breaks down, we simply term it 'mud'. It is definitely not the same as Aqua Soil Powder.

The granules are designed to be mixed and not suffocate the roots of plants.

It is quite unlikely that you will still face circulation problems with 2x 2028 filters.

[RHX]

4 x 54w should be sufficient if your light set has individual reflector for each tube.

If you are thinking of design 4, you have to be very very very very patient.

Like me, I have setup my 4 ft with crypts. And half year later my crypts have not grown much despite having ADA amazonia, powersand special, 54w T5 HO & CO2.

On top of that you have to mix with some fast growing plants, or you'll have lots of algaes growing.

Anyways, plan well & have fun!

[AquaObsession]

Anyone can recommend a nice 4 feet MH lights, with 2*150 watts. not ceiling mount.

[V31]

Hi Christophe,
just quickly to design #2 cos I have not so much time now.. how about using valisneria with sagitaria subulata and some moss on driftwood without empty place in foreground.. just well filled space with one-type and color leaves instinct with moss and some eleocharis vivipara. this combination could form wild looking and natural tank if you use simple nonbranching driftwood properly to reach harmony.. just my hint good luck

[ADA SG]

Oh yea, one question. I've been seeing the word ADA Powder recently. I know you are promoting that on your website. I have one question.

After some time (few months), as the ADA soil breaks, it becomes powder, is it the same as ADA powder. Also you mention filling up the gaps, will that put too much pressure on the roots, and water circulation in the substrate?? Just asking.

Cheers, Christophe

Hi Christophe,

not sure if you are confused with the ADA Substrate Additives Powders and the ADA Soil (Powder).

For the former, it is an additives to create a bacteria rich substrate and also add in certain trace elements and secondary macro nutrients into the substrate.

If you are using Power Sand Special, you can afford to miss out on the Bacter 100 and Clear Super. As they are already present in Power Sand Special.

For ADA Soil (Powder), it is meant to be used as a top layer dressing to allow ease of planting. This soil is smaller in granules and therefore allows planting of plants like glosso and stem plants much easier.

The combination of ADA Soil and Power sand will ensure that the roots are never suffocated due to compacting and thus water circulation in the substrate is ensured.

Very often, we hear about the soil become mud. However, that is generally after a pretty long time and the percentage of soil becoming mud is probably about 20-30% of the total amount.

We have personal experience of reusing a 2 year old ADA Amazonia I soil from one tank to another tank. And each granule remains the same. And yes, there is some broken down soil here and there. But generally, they stays in shape.

On the topic of your scape, do take note on the importance of the selection of hardscape and their positioning to create a sense of perspective. In the judges comments for 2007, many of them stressed on the importance to create a sense of perspective.

This perspective can be achieved by selecting appropriate sized rocks or woods such that the smaller ones are placed at the back and the larger one in front. This is also similar for the selection of plants. The larger sized leaves in front and the smaller leaved ones at the back.

Just some simple ideas which you can work on as well.
Hope to see your scape soon!

Happy scaping!

[AquaObsession]

To V31: Thanks for the advice. I may setup something like that soon!

To ADA SG: Thanks for the very kind advise. Yea, perspective perspective hehe.

Have anyone noticed that those who scape with wood tend to stick to wood () and those that use rocks keep using rock. I find it very hard to change from wood to rocks in a scape. Something about macro concept, or if you want things to look miniature. I have yet to find the find rocks to go with my woods and plants.

I tried a rescape yesterday, to play around for some time. I tried my Design #1 yesterday (10th June 200. Yea could not go to work after watching 2 soccer games. Will post pictures tonight.

I have my 3 bogwoods in the center back, leaving about 1 feet on each side. I trimmed most of my ferns, I intend to keep the leaves small, and mostly let only the windelov/narrow/needle ones spread, instead of the large java fern. My crypts were all put around the based of the bogwoods, then I planted the whole surrouding with E.tennnellus. I have also a small piece of bolbitis which I've put on the wood as well.

I did not remove my lapis sand to substitute with ADA soil yet. I did not have the courage to remove the lapis sand, I fear my back get hurt. Also no space to put them. Maybe if I dun like this current design, then in my next rescape I will switch to ADA.

Will be looking for anubia nanas and some spiky moss to tie to the wood soon. Also intend to put some red tiger lotus at a few places (yet to be decided) and 'trained' them to remain within desired size.

With this scape, any additional plants you guys can suggest?

Will a 2*150watts MH be an overkill for the tank (tank is 60cm deep though) given the plants? thinking of MH lights because I want my E.tenellus to remain short. Or is that done mostly by constant trimming to train them to remain short.

Cheers, Christophe
(will post pictures tonight)

[AquaObsession]

Biotope Services Pte Ltd registered company address is at 10 Anson rd.

The shop is there?? or just their admin building?? Let me know. Or is Biotope the one at AMK.???

Cheers, Christophe

[jacian]

Biotope Services is the ADA agent for SG. Biotope Aquarium is one of the retailer of ADA products. Biotope Aquarium is the one at AMK.

[AquaObsession]

Thanks Jacian

[zenscape]

2 x 150w MH for your tank size is not an overkill. So, have you made up your mind which brands? The cheaper ones can be found at NA. There is this nice SoLite Clip on you may consider but you may need two of that.

E tenellus remains short or even red if there is good blast of light. 'Training' by cutting is for fast spread of runners. I don't know whether this phenomenon is the psychology of plants when they get trimmed and sending sos alert and spread far and wide to avoid extinction

[AquaObsession]

I saw the clip. Never asked him for the price. How much is that? And is it external ballast? E ballast? PM me the price if you know.

Clip would be interesting, but not sure if can fit my tank. Mine is like NA 4 feet tank., the 4 feet out in the middle of the shop. Will see how on Thursday.

Leaning towards MH lights, because i want the short and red E.tenellus. Also, might go for rotala macandra green and want them to creep.

Do you know what kind of reflectors they have in the solite clip?

Cheers, Christophe

[zenscape]

Actually I bought one the other day. So far so good and it fits well on my tank. It looks good to me and the clip on component is not flimsy sort. External E ballast provided. Will PM you the price. There is another brand which is similiar to clip on and is S$50 cheaper appears weak to me.

If your tank is like NA's, it will be easier as you may ask Chan to fix it on to demonstrate. Reflector is one single unit and slightly curved out. Anyway, one set with only one bulb. Make sure you ask Chan to change the bulb for planted tank purpose (with no extra charge) as his existing bulbs in the set are 10000k. He replaced for me a 6500k bulb which I think will do the job.

[Shadow]

Biotope Services is the ADA agent for SG. Biotope Aquarium is one of the retailer of ADA products. Biotope Aquarium is the one at AMK.

o.. I though they are both the same company

[AquaObsession]

Here are the pictures. Just quick shots.

THat how it was before the rescape. SUbmitted that to ADA08. But got enough of the old look, trying something new.



Now, After 1 day of rescape.



Help me Id that nice. They are top swimmers. About 5 cm in lenght.



My very mischievous barb. Always uprooting my plants.


INternal CO2 Reactor


Newly acquired ADA Drop checker.


Left view of tank


Right view of tank


Full view of tank


Thinking of getting the MH lights tomorrow as NA opens. WIll get the lights maybe, then will get rocks, red tiger lotus and maybe a few bunch of blyxa japonica.

Do you think a black or a white background will be nicer. I am thinking black. because see in first pic, i think it bring out the green more.

Cheers, Christophe

[zenscape]

The common name for the top picture fish is called 'Penguin Tetra' and i believe the name penguin comes to mind due its tail and black stripe and the way they swim. The actual name is called Thayeria Boehlkei. Very interesting fish that swim at an angle facing up. Quite a schooling group if you have a bunch of them.

I would say your new scape looks good and placement of bogwood is just nice. I also like your previous scape. Seems like you get a hang of ferns and wood scape. and well done The beauty of java fern is that it will still look very mature even you just place it in the tank. By the way, whats the foreground plants there? E tennulus?

As your plant mass is low and if you are getting MH, try to test it out first with 5 hours a day in the first week and gradually increase timing.

[AquaObsession]

Foreground plant is E.tenellus. Bought a few points, and hurt my back so much planting them.

Plant mass is low, I cut most of my java ferns leaves, but left all the rhizomes untouched, They should grow back in no time I guess too. (see all the leaves in the first pic)

Will get more E.tenellus, nana petite, Red tiger lotus, and MH lights. Ya 5 hours should suffice in first 1-2 weeks I guess.

Now thinking again, I do not think I will get rocks. I find it hard to put wood and rocks together, maybe I will think creative later.

I need to get my 580 EX II too

Cheers, Christophe

[zenscape]

Oh..580EX mark II.. Me too!