aquaSynthesis' 1 feet tank

**aquaSynthesis** · 11th Aug 2008, 13:36

Hi guys.. here's my 3 months old 1 footer. I need your inputs and critics on how i can improve on this scape. Below are some specs:

Tank Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 (ft)
Soil: Magic Soil
Liquid Ferts: ADA Brighty K, Wonder Gro Micro & Macro
Water Change: One a week
Co2: Pressurized @ 1 bubbles per 1.5secs
Lighting and Co2 durations: 7 hours on timer
Lighting: 24W Illumax
Cooling: 12V fan
Filter: Eden501 and a temporary hailea internal filter (i feel that the eden is tad weak for the water circulation)
Flora: Rotala sp Green, and reddish stem plant like rotala, downoi, mini riccia, Jap HG, HM

Front View

Is this Ember Tetra?

Your comments and critics are welcomed. Thanks guys..

**fireblade** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:24

the rock scape looks great!
the left back and front got some white sheets, if that can be replace with HC, or leave blank with a different colour gravel, it might look nice and looks like starting of beach ..

**aquaSynthesis** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:38

Originally Posted by fireblade

the rock scape looks great!
the left back and front got some white sheets, if that can be replace with HC, or leave blank with a different colour gravel, it might look nice and looks like starting of beach ..

thanks for your comments bro.
ctually those 'white' sheets are s/s wire mesh which mini riccia is growing...

hhmmm...yeah, you are right. a different colour of sand might do a little magic... but i was thinking of covering the foreground with mini riccia. what do you think?

**fireblade** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:48

think they should looks good too! :>
especially when they are pearling..

meaning the whole forground will be mini riccia?

do keep us updated!!

any full tank shot?
btw, where you got the rocks?

**AquaObsession** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:50

The fish look like ember tetra.

**aquaSynthesis** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:51

Originally Posted by fireblade

think they should looks good too! :>
especially when they are pearling..

meaning the whole forground will be mini riccia?

do keep us updated!!

yeah...whole forground with mini riccia. but one thing, will the mini riccia actually grow out of the wire mesh and onto the soil? or do i need to use the wiremesh to cover all?

the rocks from Mizuworld...
thanks to Ben for recommending me...

**fireblade** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:52

not very sure about the mini riccia.. never try this plant before..
now I wish I can have a riccia lawn.. :P
but my tank too messy liao..haha

**aquaSynthesis** · 11th Aug 2008, 14:55

Originally Posted by AquaObsession

The fish look like ember tetra.

thanks boss... i thought it was boraras brigatte...dang!!! i got it wrong!!

**aquaSynthesis** · 11th Aug 2008, 16:11

Update:

My mini riccia taken with a reverse mount kit lens.. cheap thrills but produce results...kekeke

my solitary Oto..

**aquaSynthesis** · 12th Aug 2008, 11:44

Just a question: Will the mini riccia actually 'creep' over the wiremesh and onto the soil then eventually cover the whole foreground?

**Panut** · 12th Aug 2008, 12:20

Mini riccia won't cover your entire foreground.
Ottos do best in a group, maybe you can consider putting in 2 more?

cheers,

**aquaSynthesis** · 12th Aug 2008, 12:31

Originally Posted by magic4lifez

Mini riccia won't cover your entire foreground.
Ottos do best in a group, maybe you can consider putting in 2 more?

cheers,

ok sir...will go get 2 more OTOs. nice creature... very gentle. tried Yamatos.but all died, water parameter sucks?

**Panut** · 12th Aug 2008, 12:44

Yamatos are one of the hardiest shrimp imo, and if they drop, it means something is wrong.. Must be the water parameters, why don't you do a check?
Let us know the readings

Yeah, Ottos appreciate company, and letting them co-exist in a group will also enhance their lifespan?

**aquaSynthesis** · 12th Aug 2008, 12:46

Originally Posted by magic4lifez

Yamatos are one of the hardiest shrimp imo, and if they drop, it means something is wrong.. Must be the water parameters, why don't you do a check?
Let us know the readings

Yeah, Ottos appreciate company, and letting them co-exist in a group will also enhance their lifespan?

i only have a PH meter... reading around 6.7.
What else should i read?

Sorry...i'm a newbie in planted..

**Panut** · 12th Aug 2008, 15:20

Ammonia ,Nitrite, Kh, Gh.

**aquaSynthesis** · 14th Aug 2008, 08:54

My mini riccia seems to have brown patches. anyone knows and can advice me?

i've taken out the HM between the rocks... any idea what is suitable to plant in between there? Or should i just leave it bare?

**Mizu World** · 14th Aug 2008, 09:22

Blyxa japonica will be a great midground filler and is often used for filling in gaps.
Alternatively, you can also try Hygrophila corymbosa 'Compact' for something different.

Keep exploring!

**aquaSynthesis** · 14th Aug 2008, 10:04

Sir... the gaps are merely around 3-5mm only. i'm not sure the plants you mentioned are able to fill the gaps. plus the rocks are kinda small too....initially thought of laying moss along the cracks...hhhmmmm...