Aquascaping idiot seeking for opinion

[ywl]

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[uklau]

Thanks for all the encouragement, bros .

As for the plants, I had deviated from the actual plan, mainly due to my failure in getting the foreground plant to grow (using Tom Barr emersed method). Grown algae, instead . I believe my mistake was having too strong lighting (2x39W T5HO, the least I can use with my DIY set). Incorrect plant selection could be another possible reason.

I bought 90% of my plants from Mizu World. They are unbeliveable healthy & strong, when I received it. I'm impressed with the top notch service provided by Mizu World. Well done, Mizu World . Keep it up.

Plants like Barclaya Longifolia, Aponogeton Madagascariensis, Aponogeton Boivivianus & Crinum Natans came with a tuber/bulb, which is as big as an egg (or am I sua ku)! Or my wife always buy the smallest egg from the market? Too bad that I didn't get my camera ready prior to planting day. Ran out of battery (both batteries were drained) upon taking the first photo. My old, bad habbit. Always assuming that the camera will work whenever I need it!

The rest of the plants were purchased from NA & Midori (all are healthy plants too, which were not available at Mizu World when I put in my order). Not forgetting some free plants (not the cheapo ones) compliments from fellow AQ forumers. Thanks for your generosity, bros.

Among all these plants, Barclaya Longifolia (red) is the most unusual one, in the way that it is totally different from the one I gotten from Teo's farm last year. It has much deeper red & the leaves texture is so different. I'll take some photos of this beauty when it grows bigger (perhaps after I poisoned it with Wonder-Gro Root+).

[torque6]

Benjamin,
Looking good, very well planned as usual lol.

[bubberls™]

Whats the depth of your tank?

Lighting does not always cause algea. If the plants thrive in good parameters, they use up nutrients well enough to starve the algea. what kind of lighting intervals also help. so maybe change in lighting regime?

well just my 2 cents worth.

[Mizu World]

It's looking good. Once the plants start filling in, it will look much better.

You may want to raise the driftwood where the A. coffeefolia is. They will be blocked once the stem plants start to grow and take shape.

For the foreground, you may want to level the front substrate line so that it will appear neater.

[r36613]

Very nice Uncle, specially the coffee. I think some background cover to hide the pipe will bring more nicer look

[uklau]

At last, we can see some plants and lots of water in the tank!

Don't be overwhelmed by the magnitude of your tank. Find a way to rule over it. Bigger tanks are not always much more troublesome, though sometimes they can be a huge burden.

Hope time will slowly change my perspective towards huge tank..... to be more precise, huge tank phobia .

Back to the tank. I have underestimated the tiny mini algae left over from my emersed setup (Tom Barr method). Although I had removed the top layer with algae infestion, the algae returned as monster 2 days later. Green, blue & black in color..... So scarry .

There goes UncleBen's Labour Day.... pull out all the HC & Laleopsis Mauritius. Did not dare to touch the Cryptocoryne Parva though. Siphoned out a thin layer of the substrate & top it up with the new, left over substrate. Since most of the HC has melted, I only replanted the L. Mauritius. Lastly, finished my rest day with a huge water change.

Aponogeton Boivivianus is growing strong (so far). Echinodorus is sending out new leaves. The rest of the plants are just bubbling & melting. Hope they'll send out new submerged leaves soon.

I also added in a big bunch of Hornwort floating on top of the Anubias species. Hope this will reduce the GSA on the beautiful nanas... Always like to have Anubias on DW. I have nana, nana petite & nana yellow heart on that piece of DW.

Hope to start enjoying the tank soon, instead of being slave to the tank. My wife has been teasing me since day one .

[uklau]

Now, I'm seeking for opinions on suitable foreground plants with my setup. I'm using Seachem Flourite covered with Onyx sand, high lighting, CO2 injection & with a chiller running.

Would very much wanted to try Glossostigma or HC but heard that I may not get the desired effect with my setup. Tried Echinodorus Tenellus with success in my 2 footer but I think it is too invasive & high maintenance.

Is C. Parva a good choice under such an intense lighting? Ideally, would like to get something that is low maintenance under high lighting. Is there such a combination? Or I'm just day dreaming .

[PeterGwee]

Glosso is less invasive? If you seek less work, moss or lower light might be a better choice.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[Jervis]

Is C. Parva a good choice under such an intense lighting? Ideally, would like to get something that is low maintenance under high lighting. Is there such a combination? Or I'm just day dreaming .

Yeah if you do not fancy "lawn mowing"... C. parva is quite a good choice. However, it will make your tank looks small if you fill up your entire foreground using it.

[illumnae]

i always recommend hairgrass dwarf hairgrass or japanese hairgrass...the maintainence is a fortnightly haircut!

[Cpark188]

Hi Ben, well done and I like this aquascape with overall layout of plants beautiful planned for a 210 litres tank. There is a pleasing flow to the layout and a nice feeling of depth. Any plan to include fishes or shrimps into the tank to brighten the atmosphere in the tank? Hope to see the foreground plants spread out evenly when mature. After all the pain, hardwork and effort are worth it. Many of us here could learn from you the skill of layout and plan first before the setup. Keep us update and cheers.

[uklau]

Finally, I could feel some form of satisfaction when I reached home last night. The tank is crystal clear! Pardon me for my lousy photography skills.

Day 7 - After a huge water change on day 6. I have been cycling the tank with the fishfood & commercial beneficial bacteria method since day 1.


Big & beautiful Anubias Coffeefolia bought from Midori. Don't even think of it. You can't get it anymore . Not forgetting some A. Coffeefolia compliments from an overseas friend. Hope they will thrive in my tank.



The corner with all my favorites plants - Aponogeton Madagascariensis, Barclaya Longifolia (red) & very beautiful specis of Echinodorus (compliments from an AQ forumer). I have never tried A. Madagascarienses . Hope it will at least survive in my tank.



The various Anubias cave corner - Nana, Nana Petite & Nana Yellow Heart (all from Mizu World)

[Jervis]

Which is the Yellow Heart bro? I am planning to get some too

[uklau]

Which is the Yellow Heart bro? I am planning to get some too

It's on top of the "cave", Jervis. The ones with yellowish leaves. Looks exactly like what is shown at Mizu World website, except the ones I got are bigger in quantity.

[uklau]

Saw algae on the US Fisiden & flame moss today. Need help from fellow forumers to confirm that it is the green hair algae.

Thanks in advance.

Algae on US Fisiden



Algae on flame moss

[torque6]

i always recommend hairgrass dwarf hairgrass or japanese hairgrass...the maintainence is a fortnightly haircut!

At least you send them to supercuts, i dont even bring my tank to the barber with me lol. Btw, is there special long scissors with vertical snips to cut hg ?

[illumnae]

i don't know about vertical snips, but i have a pair of stainless steel scissors with curved ends that i use to trim hairgrass with ease. cheaply available at most LFSs

[Panut]

Finally, I could feel some form of satisfaction when I reached home last night. The tank is crystal clear! Pardon me for my lousy photography skills.

Day 7 - After a huge water change on day 6. I have been cycling the tank with the fishfood & commercial beneficial bacterial method since day 1.


Big & beautiful Anubias Coffeefolia bought from Midori. Don't even think of it. You can't get it anymore . Not forgetting some A. Coffeefolia compliments from an overseas friend. Hope they will thrive in my tank.



The corner with all my favorites plants - Aponogeton Madagascariensis, Barclaya Longifolia (red) & very beautiful specis of Echinodorus (compliments from an AQ forumer). I have never tried A. Madagascarienses . Hope it will at least survive in my tank.



The various Anubias cave corner - Nana, Nana Petite & Nana Yellow Heart (all from Mizu World)

May i know what colour(s) are your lights that you are using?

[uklau]

Glosso is less invasive? If you seek less work, moss or lower light might be a better choice.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

Thanks for ringing the bell, Peter. I have never grown Glosso successfully & did not realise that the invasive growth of a plant is actually the attribute that created beautiful lawn .