My first attempt at 4ft Planted Setup

[barmby]

Tank is serving as divider I guess.. They are more challenging because it is 4D instead of normal 3 dimensional view.

The hard scape is in place. I think it is nice. Very smart

[np73]

whats the ' bus stop ' structure about ?

This whole tank layout is dubbed by my daug as the neighbourhood. The whole big leafy mess is divided into 2 parts - the school ( from the left) and the shopping centre (from the right). And that driftwood on is own in the middle of the jap hair grass, that's the busstop.

All based on what my daug told me. LOL
The busstop is meant for the shrimps to wait for their bus. Destination? Unknown

I did that busstop structure as a shade of sorts for the fish and shrimps. Well mostly with the shrimps in mind. But I didn't want just a crevice/ cave coz it would then be viewable only from one direction. With both ends open, the structure can then be viewed from both sides.

[np73]

you can actually just buy CAL solution . I believe dennerle solution also premixed.

I'm not hearing you
I want those curves on the double checker!
I don't desire just the Cal solution. I want those round curves on the double checker

[np73]

Thanks all for the encouraging words on the layout. In a way I'm done with the hardscape part, now I'm jut keeping my fingers crossed that the jap hg will start carpeting the entire foreground.

Well also for me to find some nice creeping plant to cover the entire roof of the busstop.

[Ark]

Nice setup, i love these big leaves plants on the slope.

[np73]

[limz_777]

creative thinking she has

[np73]

Not sure what happened. I removed the inline attachments to free up space, and ended up removing attached pics from all the previous posts~ Frak it. Cant edit the previous posts as well so cant add them all back.

Anyway, a little update (lots of pics) on the situation.

1) Tank cycling was completed
Funny thing is tank was cycled by Day 10. Ammonia and Nitrite all 0 after 4 consecutive days of monitoring. pH seems stable at 6.5. GH and KH also stable at 6 and 2 degrees respectively. YaY!

2) Stocking Up
Stocked up over the last few days with the following tank inhabitants. I know i know. Should never stock up with so much livestock at one shot, expecially right after tank cycling. I can never resist it! At most, I dilligently change water every weekend.

- 100x neon tetra
- 10x yamato shrimps
- 15x unknown fish (see enclosed pics)
- 1x golden algae eater
- 1x sae


Glad to see all can coexist peacefully (so far so good).

[np73]

Pic #1: Name the fish?!
https://picasaweb.google.com/1051309...98682623874130


Pic #2: Updated View from Door
https://picasaweb.google.com/1051309...98644356363794

[Shadow]

Penguin Tetra or Thayeria boehlkei

[np73]

Penguin Tetra or Thayeria boehlkei

Doesnt look like it, coz the overall shape is not elongated like the emperor and penguin tetras. Like you, I also initially thought it was a penguin tetra.
These fellas though have a almost triangle body shape with a round tummy, almost like a goldfish.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1051309...98682623874130

Ive been looking for the actual name of this fish in the hope of better caring for them, but no luck so far.

[np73]

Update:

The Jap HG all seem to be finally kickstarting their growth (well its only visually apparent now). Can see tiny new shoots appearing from the substrate.

In fact, all the plants seem to be doing well, well except for the mini pelia on the roof of the busstop. Most have browned, but there are some green shoots appearing too so there's hope yet for the pelia.

See instances of beard/hair algae in the tank. Quickly got more clean up crew (horned nerite snails, otos) into the tank. Clearing up now as we speak. I have also been dilligently removing them using the good old pincer method. And cut back on the lights in the tank.

Over the past few days, I added a surface skimmer - hooked it up to one of the canister intakes and it served its job well. No more oily protein layers on the water surface. All good except....now some of the fish find the skimmer intake a fascinating and snug(?) hideout at night when all tank lights are off. Every morning for the past 2 days, I have been waking up to fish stuck in the intake.

Picture 059.jpg

[np73]

A quick update 2 months down the road......

- Dwarf HG still not growing quick enough. well anyway the nosy SAEs have been uprooting the HG quite frequently but no choice I need the SAE to clean up and maintain a BBA-free tank
- I have had my nana plants flower a few times since the last update. will post pics later
- I also have another sword-like plant (havent been able to find its name) flower as well
- Overall all plants have been growing well, well except for the dwarf HG
- All other fauna are also doing well, amano have berried but i know....no way their larvae will survive anyway in the tank

[np73]

IMG_2449.jpgIMG_2479.jpg

[aquarius]

Any full shots of your tank? Would love to see how it is now.

[rubbersandal]

A nice journal, by the way have you solved the humming noise from your 2260?

[np73]

A nice journal, by the way have you solved the humming noise from your 2260?

Hi Rubbersandal,

Yes I have solved the problem. Just the pump making noise as it vibrates on the top cover. Just tightened the screws and place a small towel ontop of the pump (not fully cover, just partially cover the top part of the pump). The towel part seem to really help to dampen the humming noise.

Either that, or I have already gotten use to the humming.

[np73]

the following pics were taken 1 mth back. Not been bothering to rescape. Just let nature take its course. A few subtle differences over the shots from a few months back.

1) the red plants have grown very big and tall. Current size is about twice that in the picture. Runners all over, competing against the dwarf HG. New plants also keep sprouting up from the substrate. I am hoping to eventually cover the entire foreground with this red plant. The name still escapes me though.

2) Dwarf HG sprouting runners, new shoots appearing, but not fast enough. Seems like they have hardly grown, with bald patches still visible from the top view.

3) The amazonian sword has grown so tall, it has already flowered (see the first pic) and the flowering portion is way over the tank hood, which should mean its more than 3 feet tall. The parent plant has also sprouted new plantlets(?) at the same time. I have since cut off the new plant, and relocated to the other side of the tank, so it may grow to its full size.IMG_0068.jpgIMG_0065.jpg

[rubbersandal]

Hi Rubbersandal,

Yes I have solved the problem. Just the pump making noise as it vibrates on the top cover. Just tightened the screws and place a small towel ontop of the pump (not fully cover, just partially cover the top part of the pump). The towel part seem to really help to dampen the humming noise.

Either that, or I have already gotten use to the humming.

Hi Norman u may wanna try remove the screws or leave just 1 screw on yr 2260 pump, the hummin noise will cut down quite tremendously, heard from some mates. Another way is to detach the pump from canister and place it on the floor instead.

[felix_fx2]

Hi Norman,
Here's how i do it in firefox.

1. Select "attach image" (Quick reply and advanced reply both have the same option)
2. Select "From URL" Tab
3. Copy & Paste a direct link to your image in the URL frame. EG: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B...re%2520045.jpg

• Uncheck "Retrieve remote file and reference locally" for a larger picture.
• Leave it checked if only preview is required.

Below i attached as a sample for your reference.
Please upload them back, your tank is nice





Picture%2520045.jpg