my 4x2x2 planted tank

[StanChung]

I don't believe it to be true, unless you are trying to create tsunami. Aquasoil breaks down when eaten up by the microorganisms or due to rough handling more than adding an extra filter IMHO.

If you load one up with Bio Rio, I don't think the flow is that powerful. I just replaced my 2028 gasket[rubber ring] and the leaking has stopped. Hurray! A 5-6 year old 2028 so it was about time.

[Jervis]

Another 2028 loaded with Bio Rio (with 2 Bacter Balls inside) will help your setup tremendously in the long run

[wynx]

4 Weeks since planting this tank..

Here goes....


The overall view of the tank


Another shot of the tank. Cropped off the lights and sides...


Crypts are doing rather well...


Next up, gonna remove those ugly corkscrew vals..they hardly grow..any plants to replace them..and my balanse is taking too long to grow up...but I am seeing signs that they are growing...maybe just a little short...

I need to improve my photography..

[wynx]

Planted tank on 12th July 2008.
- 50% water change
- 60ml of Balance K
- 60ml of Aquatiziler

Removal of Hygrophila Difformis
Added:
Nymphaea lotus (zenkeri)
Echinodorus ‘Ozelot’ (Green) Echinodorus ‘Rubin’
Vallisneria spiralis ‘Tiger’
Nesaea crassicaulis

On another note, the tank looks clear now..but strangely it still seems a little yellowish...maybe it is time to add some activated carbon to clear it out?

[EvolutionZ]

i love that e.tenellus lawn!.. maybe you can add in some charcoal bamboo..

[sfk7]

thats the Vallisneria spiralis ‘Tiger’ at the right corner background?

[wynx]

thats the Vallisneria spiralis ‘Tiger’ at the right corner background?

Those will be in the middle...Those on the right, covering the filter inlet are Vallisneria americana (natans)

[wynx]

Some pics of the tank after almost 2 months...

[Panut]

Love the colour of the cardinals in contrast with your background. Is it time for a trim of your e.tenellus foreground?

[StanChung]

Hi Wynx,

It's coming along nicely-E tennelus does grow very well in soil[too well perhaps!]-

Corkscrew vallis grows very large and long. Don't be fooled by their small appearance in LFS!!! I've seen some that are almost 6ft long in an 8ft tank-taking into consideration the amount that floats on the surface of the water!

The Vallis nana that I thought was small, I've had in my tanks grow to 3.5ft without much effort on my part. In Amano's 4mX1.5X1.5 tank, it reaches the surface [~1.5m/<5ft] http://www.pbase.com/plantella/image/49374806

Your mosses aren't doing well. Some overzealous SAE's? I find Spiky moss are not touched by young SAE but once they are >2.5", they will start nipping.

I do think the water could be clearer-you must stop adding fishes!

[jasonchua1982]

A beautiful set up, well done bro

[wynx]

Hi Wynx,

It's coming along nicely-E tennelus does grow very well in soil[too well perhaps!]-

Corkscrew vallis grows very large and long. Don't be fooled by their small appearance in LFS!!! I've seen some that are almost 6ft long in an 8ft tank-taking into consideration the amount that floats on the surface of the water!

The Vallis nana that I thought was small, I've had in my tanks grow to 3.5ft without much effort on my part. In Amano's 4mX1.5X1.5 tank, it reaches the surface [~1.5m/<5ft] http://www.pbase.com/plantella/image/49374806

Your mosses aren't doing well. Some overzealous SAE's? I find Spiky moss are not touched by young SAE but once they are >2.5", they will start nipping.

I do think the water could be clearer-you must stop adding fishes!

The Tennellus Lawn is nice but it is getting too thick..will trim them down or should I manually uproot them?

My spiky moss are because I have not tied them nicely to the dirftwood..They seems to be growing okay..maybe at a slower pace, but Balance K does help..By the way, I have not SAE in my tank, I know how infamous they can be.

The Vallis Nana are getting very long now..some of them actually spans the entire length of the tank! If I had it my way, I would rather have Cryptocoryne Balanse as my background plant but alas they don't grow quite as well as the vallisneria nanas...

Have not added any new fishes...although I am tempted to add in some highlight fishes but that will have to wait. I think the yellow tint is most probably due to the driftwood.

[Jervis]

So what highlight fish are you considering? A small school of Bosemani rainbow can be nice... if you don't mind them being a tad common

[StanChung]

Hi Wynx,

I think you should uproot the front ones. Trimming destroys the trimmed off bits-not like stem plants. I uprooted the front of my HG lawn [carefully after turning off the filter] from my small tank and planted them in my big tank! You can save those and give/sell it to a member or cultivate it emersed. Looks nice emersed.

SAE is infamous-I have love hate relationship with it. I now know better and remove them when they're 3" above!

Your tank is looking a bit busy at the moment. I suggest limiting yourself to 4 species fish and 5-8 species plants. Possible? I know you want to try as many but most of the time less is more!

What show fish do you have in mind?

[illumnae]

it's altum season...why not some altums? you can keep them from young and grow them out in the tank...5-7 is a good number

[wynx]

Hi Wynx,

I think you should uproot the front ones. Trimming destroys the trimmed off bits-not like stem plants. I uprooted the front of my HG lawn [carefully after turning off the filter] from my small tank and planted them in my big tank! You can save those and give/sell it to a member or cultivate it emersed. Looks nice emersed.

SAE is infamous-I have love hate relationship with it. I now know better and remove them when they're 3" above!

Your tank is looking a bit busy at the moment. I suggest limiting yourself to 4 species fish and 5-8 species plants. Possible? I know you want to try as many but most of the time less is more!

What show fish do you have in mind?

Well, it is E.Tennellus trimming time soon...At the moment, I have only cardinal tetras + Nannostomus beckfordi, a few otoclinus, a pair of Apistogramma macmasteri, some yamatoes..

That's not alot..What show fish, I have in mind? Perhaps, discuses but I feel I am not up to the challenge...

I will work down the plant list...

[blue33]

What light are you using, it looks very thin and slick to me! Is it Solite T5? Very nice.

[wynx]

Some Updates Folks.....

2 Months after tank started....


Just before I do my little rescape, i.e. moving driftwood around


Shot this yesterday..after the scaping activity, I think now, the right side is very weak...But overall, this scape seems to be have better depth?

[Jervis]

Your water seems to clear up considerably in your latest full tank shot Anyway I think you are more than capable in handing Discus (especially the farm-bred ones)... give them a try

Just stay away from Altums

[wynx]

After 4 months...