Newbie 1st attempt..

[felix_fx2]

Your not the only one with that complain.
But then, I only have test strip for ammonia. Their almost never used, I gauge more then testing.

[Cyberkinetic]

Just visited Seaview this morning with my son and the missus. Blew me away! It's like the "Mustafa" of fish shops I've visited so far... Haha
I was expecting a ten minutes visit before heading to Jalan Kayu for lunch but ended up staying there more than an hour!
My son was so excited that he kept going round and round the tanks of fishes and gave his parents (us) a good sunday morning workout following behind him.
No fish purchase.. Although I drooled at the Eheim filters, but deadly stare from the missus means I just run along soon after. Haha..
End up buying some plants to replace the dead ones. Spent the whole afternoon doing the tank maintenance while the rest of the family take their afternoon nap. Super tired now, but happy, tank is all lush and green again.
Got to visit Seaview couple of times more before they move..it's five minutes taxi ride away only now! What have I been missing! Urghh..

[wongce]

Lol, deadly stare... Very powerful,all woman got this special ability...welcome to my world,thats why i never bring my wife to lfs....lol

OT: My record is 4hrs in seaview...anyone stayed longer than me??lol

[Cyberkinetic]

Urghh... the new staurogyne and some unknown ones that i planted over the weekend is melting again! Same locations at the left corner in front of the tank and middle of the tank besides the rocks.

I don't think it's feng shui, but can't figure out why the others(staurogyne included) grows well in the same tank, in the middle and right side of the tank..

Am thinking along the lines that the front of the tank lacks nutrients since the bottom soil layer stops about an inch from the edges of the tank. But this doesn't seems valid since those staurogyne on the right frontal area are doing well.

Then wonder if the corys which likes to disturb the sand throughout the front area are the culprits, again, other than some stems in the front being uprooted, can't explain why the right side staurogyne not affected.

Water circulation? The fluval C3 sits smack in the middle at the back of the tank.. can't be as well..

What else could be the cause? could it be that area underneath the substrate is contaminated somehow??

Hope experts can help. Many thanks in advance.

[dc88]

You may want to consider clearing some open area infront (remove some plants) to allow the cory to forlick.
They may then leave the other front areas planting alone. Is their way of living. Get those sinking wafer meant for cat fish and place at the open area at night when light off.

[felix_fx2]

How come melt?
I keep my too many cuttings of both emersed grown and high tech grown ones in 2 breeder boxes.
Can confirm melting is to the stem or just the leaves alone.

IMHO, melting leaves on some plants in new tanks is quite acceptable. So long as the stem or rhizome(certain plants) remains intact.

[Cyberkinetic]

When I remove the melted ones over the weekend, I found that the melting not just on the leaves, the roots turns mushy as well..practically nothing left of the plant..I just use the tweezers and try to grab whatever remains that was left.
I don't think I'm the only one, as I googled and found others with same issue elsewhere. But unfortunately no real solution was found..
It's really strange... I've a whole patch of it underneath the bamboo plants and on the right of the stems, they are lush, green and growing very well. The corys do go over and do their stuff as well , but no problems.
Alternatively I will plant some of the stems there when I do a trimming this weekend. They are growing really fast! Doubled their height again. Roots extending deeply into the substrate as I can see them from the tank wall.

[felix_fx2]

Plant the cuttings?

[Cyberkinetic]

Yes, they grow so fast! I planted the cuttings the last time I trimmed them 2-3 weeks ago. Now they are growing till double the height since last trimming. Probably get around 20-30 cuttings to plant I estimate. Initially I thought they can't be growing so fast, maybe it's dislodged from the substrate, but I noticed roots appearing in the side of the tank wall, extending almost to the bottom of the tank... So quite safe to trim again I supposed. the nightmare will be trimming them and find that there's nothing much left under the substrate.. Haha..
Think need to clean the filter pads too.. Water starting to get a little murky and I saw the indicator tab popping up just a little bit which means the pads on the C3 is clogging up. I know I shouldn't ..but I can't get the eheim 2213 out of my head..hahaha

[felix_fx2]

They have good root system within 1-2 weeks...
wait till your ones established, my trimming always alot.

Use C3 for a while, no harm but good to experience equipment 1 by 1.
Sometimes i do miss using HOF as easy to maintain.

[Cyberkinetic]

I know i shouldn't...haha... just drooling, unlikely to get it for now.

Didn't do enough homework then, else would've gone straight to canister.

Anyway, every single new stalk of staurygne i planted over the weekend are melting. Washed out the filter foam for the C3 as well as the water started to look murky and have very fine particles suspended in it. Doesn't seemed to work still, water is not as clear as before.

[Cyberkinetic]

I know I'm stubborn and going against better judgement, I went out and got a new batch of staurygne and replanted into the SAME spot again. Only difference is that I added some root fertilizers around the tank parameter where it's just plain sand and no soil underneath. Also added some additional plants in the background as there seemed to be too much "empty space" of blue oyama paper. Now worried with increased plants, whether oxygen level will be sufficient or not. I had a rosy tetra jumping out of the tank yesterday(which i opened a separate thread for discussion). Not sure if it's related. Anyway, fingers crossed as I go eye-power again for the next couple of days. I do have my airstone ready for action anytime.

The C3 filter either is not doing a good enough job or my water quality is really lousy with a lot of fine particles. After washing the filter pad and reinstalling it, water condition didn't improve. Only got better(slightly) after I did a 30% water change. I didn't really clean it until it's all white and spotless. Just rinsed it with 3 changes of tank water and gave it a couple of good squeezes each time. The dirty filter indicator popped up just after 2 days of cleaning when I turned it on the max flow mode. In moderate mode, it's ok, the red knob stays down. I think the filter pad is probably clogged inside with dirt that's why water is not that clean. Looks like have to clean it again tonight and do a thorough job at it this time.

A good thing which came out from this filter and dirty water issue is that I got the go-ahead from the Missus that if getting a "bigger, better" filter means I will spend less time on the fish tank and more time on my kids, then, get it asap and be done with it. hahaha But I have learnt my lesson, will do my research properly this time before spending money again. She didn't say I can get a bigger tank, but I'd planned the filter with that in mind... hahaha

My son had a great time at Seaview and we've been there again last weekend although it was a short trip due to other appointments. But think my beloved missus is resigned to the fact that father and son enjoys going there BEFORE it shifts.. haha

Current tank shot. No time to trim the foreground plants, let them grow a little bigger and do it this weekend.

Fish tank 22jul2012.jpg

[kotaaro]

wah nice tank!!

haha and why all missus are like this

[Cyberkinetic]

Thanks.. It's more of a trial attempt..would love to try out those iwagumi styled tanks in the future.not sure if I can maintain this basic setup properly yet.

To my disappointment, the new stauroygne I planted over the weekend showing signs of melting again.. And worse.. A stalk on the other end of the tank from the original batch seemed to be affected as well.. Darn it.. If they can't make it this time, I think I'll just replant with something else. Surrender.

On a happier note, the missus is chasing me to get the new filter and "mandates" I get it done this weekend. Haha... Trouble is I can't decide which one to get. Hope the experts in the forum can help me out quickly.. Eheim 2215 or 2224.

Oh and the stems in the foreground began sprouting new shoots from the base.. Definitely doing well, they are directly in the water flow, I wondered if that helps with growth.

[diazman]

I would go for the classic 2215, the simpler the better for me. Just my opinion though

[felix_fx2]

Go get !!
I'm not married but my co. Had the most sinful idea. Every dollar for a dollar.... To her pocket.

Can you do 1 simple test? Free float some stalks.
They will grow, but slow, roots everywhere and like vines.

[Cyberkinetic]

Diazman, that is the attractive part of2 215, but I figured after buying double taps, the price difference not much. Plus power consumption higher.

Felix_fx2, I want to buy! But which one???? Haha... Do you mean float some of the staurogyne? Ok.. Will try that.
I read an article last night on AQ, it's a link to an article by a russian about crypts dying .. Can't find it now.. Hnn.. Maybe I'm dreaming??

Anyway, heading down to C328 now and see if can have some ideas..

[diazman]

Keep us updated!. The last time i made a trip to C328, I came back with a 2211 . Hand itchy

Missus giving the green light

[Cyberkinetic]

Hehe...got myself a 2224. I had to ask the auntie a few times to confirm the price!

I think she must be amused by my antics. Anyway, below my budget and comes with media some more.

I'll be sleeping tonight with a smile. Can't wait for weekend to play with my new toy! Missus happy too because I told her savings from purchase goes into our kids' piggy banks. haha

[diazman]

Good for you. I must wait till i get married and have my own house. wahahaha. then setup my dream tank