My redone 1.2m (original 1.2m, not the 1.2m with sump)

[solex69]

Ola ola

This is like sooooo overdue, but here we go :)

I've redone my original 1.2m tank over the festive period. The main reason for redoing the tank was because the initial substrate wasn't to my liking (bottom layer was Tetra Complete Substrate, mid layer was normal coarse silica gravel, and top layer was fine silica sand). My plants didn't really thrive in that substrate, hence I took my lazy-bottom and redid the tank. The entire job took me 6hrs...suffice to say that I was pretty tired after the ordeal, but it was well worth it. I removed one piece of driftwood as I wanted more plant rooting space.

The tank specs now are as follows:

Lights - 1 x 40w AquaGlo, 1 X 40w FloraGlo, 1 X 39w Danz T5
Heater - Jaeger 150w
Filter - Aquaclear 300 H.O.B
Substrate - Approx 35kg of dark fine/smooth silica sand (yah, took me forever to clean this!)

Plants

Anubias barteri var.nana
Ludwigia Repens
Echinidorus grisebachii
Cryptocoryne undalata
Cabomba piauhyensis
Myriophyllum aquaticum (I know, don't say it http://www.apsa.co.za/board/Smileys//default/smiley.gif)
Cryptocoryne parva
Rotala wallichii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Limnophila sessiliflora
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Barclaya longifolia (bulb only...currently in its dormant phase)
Vesicularia reticulata (tied to the piece of driftwood on both ends with normal elastic bands)
Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Najas guadalupensis
Eichhornia diversifolia


There is another type of rotala in there, but it was uprooted by my over-curious clowns (or pakistanis). It is Rotala Macranda, but considering the leaves on it is small, I now have my doubts if that is actually it.


Fish

6 X Rasbora Scissortails
1 X Redtailed Black Shark
2 X Clown Loaches
3 X Pakistani Loaches
2 X Golden Gouramis (breeding pair)
2 X Pearl Gouramis
3 X Catfish (2 is synodontis but the other I don't know)
2 X Leporinus Fasciatus
1 X Black Ghost Knife
2 X African Butterfly Cichlids (breeding pair)
2 X Firemouth Cichlids
1 X Flying Fox
1 X Ctenopoma Ansorgii
1 X African Jewel CIchlid


All fish live quite peacefully together...occasionally the black shark goes 'n bit postal and harrass the Leporinus (and I'm in no mood to catch that fast nobb and risk distrubing or uprooting my plants).


Here are some pics

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004783.jpg



http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004784.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004785.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004786.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004787.jpg

Comments will be appreciated

Cheers
Dale

[LiftCrazy*]

Looks good! Did you level the sand or is it just the photo?

This is on my to do list as well. 1x complete tear down to replace the gravel with silica sand. I am STILL busy washing the sand. It is really heavy and the "dust" just doesn't seem to end

[Henk Hugo]

duuuuuude! looks good! we need to find out if that Leporinus sp. would be the 18cm or the 30cm one :D

[solex69]

Shot doooooods :)

@liftcrazy - The sand is level, didn't take a lot of effort getting it level...the effort went into the cleaning :P

@henk - I'll try to get a close-up pic tonight of the Leporinus and post it here.

[Singularity]

Looking good, going to be great once the plants start to grow and fill up :p

[solex69]

Thanks dude, I'm like seriously hoping to flood this tank with plants :)

[solex69]

Herewith some close-ups of my Leporinus. Hope this helps

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5004793.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5004795.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5004797.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5004798.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5004799.jpg

[Henk Hugo]

its either sp affinis or sp. fasciatus faciatus. The sp. desmotes has got the black in its fins....

I am thinking faciatus faciatus due to the black stopping clean in the dorsal fin... but i might be wrong... if not then you are looking at a fish of 30cm....

[solex69]

I also think it's the fasciatus...id of that is identical to what I have. Hmmm....now to find a tank big enough for them. Wonder where I will put them when I can't house them anymore :) lol

[Henk Hugo]

i have no idea where you are going to find a 90cm wide, 80cm high 2.5m tank.....

[solex69]

Your lounge? :dancing2: LOL
Or, get some heating on on your pond and chuck them in there :D

I'll make a plan....just sell them off before they get too big

Cheers
Dale

[solex69]

Ola

Herewith the updated pics & info on my 1.2m planted angel tank. Have made quite a few changes to the tank since then, tons of fish came out and were given away. Lots of plants came out as well and now I'm just letting the remaining plants fill up the tank.

Specs
Aquaclear 300 HOB Filter
150w Jaeger Heater
1 X 39w T5
1 X 40w FloraGlo T8
1 X 40w AquaGlo T8
Substrate = Fine silica sand
Ferts = Professor Dirk Bellstedt's Plant Fertilzer (alias 'Dirk se Druppels')

Plants
Hygrophila salicifolia
Anubias barteri var.nana
Anubias Barteri
Aponogeton longiplumulosus *current flowering*
Rotala macranda
Rotala wallichii
Myriophyllum aquatica
Sagittaria subulata
Hydroctyle leucocephala
Hygrophila corymbosa
Ceratopteris Siliquosa
Limnophila Heterophila
Glossostigma elatinoides *recently planted*
Barclaya longifolia *bulb in dormancy, but have another smallish bulb with some leaves as well*
Vesicularia reticulata
Taxiphyllum sp
Cryptocoryne undalata
Ludwigia Repens
Echinodorus amazonicus
Microsorum pteropus
Eichhornia diversifolia
Cabomba pulcherrima
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Still have another type of hygro in here but didn't ID yet. Excuse the elastics pls...have to use something to hold down the moss & rhizomes when fishing line & cotton is absent :blink1:

Fish
11 X Scalare Angels (Juvies....all from same parents)
2 X Golden Deacons (What's the scientific name for these fish....can't seem to find it on google)
2 X Torpedo Barbs (One adult & 1 Juvie)
2 X Golden Gouramis (Breeding pair)
1 X Flying Fox (Juvie)

I'm most likely going to give the Golden Gouramis to Gert so he can breed with them instead. The Golden Deacons will be moved to a tank of their own as they are growing at a rapid pace now. The fox will come out as well. I'll only leave the angels in there together with the 2 Denisons to break the colour in nicely.

PICS
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005141.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005142.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005143.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005145.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005146.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005147.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005150.jpg
And here's the aponogeton flowering
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005151.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005159.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005160.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5005161.jpg

[2time]

You will not find any info on the deacons because they are actually called severums here is a link

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichlid,%20Severums.htm

[solex69]

Ah....thanks a lot for the info 2time, much appreciated mate

Wonder why LFS call them Deacons?

[Henk Hugo]

Deacons would be their common name... just like angels are P. Scalare

[solex69]

Yup, but as explained to you earlier, google comes back with church deacons :) LOL
Everytime I search on common name, I get the results I want....sadly not this time though :)

Chiao
D

[LiftCrazy*]

Yup, but as explained to you earlier, google comes back with church deacons :) LOL

D

LMAO!!! :p

B.T.W. the tank is looking great Dale

[solex69]

Thanks Lee, I can't wait for the plants to really go bos in this tank....would look even better.

Chiao
D

[carl p]

Solex please give more info regarding your substrate, did you only use silica sand and no other layer like peat beneath it?

[solex69]

Hi Carl

Correct, I only use silica sand as a substrate in my tanks, nothing else.

Cheers
Dale

[solex69]

Looky-looky at my newest discus :cool: Got him/her for free from another member and it's about the size of my hand...quite mature already.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Tank%20with%20Sump/S5005186.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Tank%20with%20Sump/S5005187.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Tank%20with%20Sump/S5005181.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Tank%20with%20Sump/S5005203.jpg

[2time]

what a nice discus

[veegal]

Looky-looky at my newest discus :cool: Got him/her for free from another member and it's about the size of my hand...quite mature already.



Aish - what a beaut!!!! Now I'm turning all green with envy :) Seriously though, a real stunner!

[LiftCrazy*]

Not really a Discus fan*, but this one looks cool! (and healthy too)


*I think it's the shape that doesn't agree with me

[solex69]

Thx guys. The fish is also quite not shy and very active. Was a bit nervous on day 1 wrt eating, but I've changed foods for the last couple of days and now he's happy (Thanks Henk)

Cheers
Dale

[Rowland]

Looking good dale!! Enjoy!!!

[Gert Combrink]

Dale, Glad he settled in nicely!
Rowland, could u perhaps help Dale with a female?
Gert.

[solex69]

Ok guys...time for updated pics + info

Added CO2 to the tank about 3 weeks ago
Added more Rotala (both wallichii + macranda)
Added Cabomba Aquatica
Added Aponogeton Madagascariensis (has shown signs of growth already)
Added 2 X Local S.A plants (don't know the names of them but one looks very close to a local form of Sagittaria graminea var. platyphylla) *thanks to Riaan "urbionic" for giving them to me*


Both anubias are firmly attached to the wood already.
Since the addition of the CO2, my moss has started creeping up the wood at a much faster pace than before.
My Java Fern 'stompies' I had has also since shot out with leaves and is start to attach itself onto the wood.
An extremely small piece of windelov that I attached under an elastic band on the wood is now showing signs of growth
Suffice to say that I am now quite impressed with the addition of CO2 to the tank.
CO2 + Prof's magic drops are an absolute awesome combo...plants are luvvvvvvving it.

As for the fish for this tank, I only have the following in there:

4 X Torpedo Barbs
11 X Scalare Angels
1 X SAE

My apologies in advance for the poor pic quality as they were taken with my phone (my normal camera was lent to a friend of mine)

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/DSC00585.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/DSC00586.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/DSC00587.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/DSC00588.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/DSC00589.jpg


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/DSC00590.jpg


Once my other 1.2m has all the tetras + clown loach out, I'll move my scalare angels into this tank to join the 6 X Halfblack + 1 X Black Lace Angels. Once done, I'll be out shopping for another 6 torpedo barbs and then this tank will stay like that (as far as fish are concerned) for quite some time.

Cheers for now
Dale

[Gert Combrink]

Tank is realy looking good. Can't wait to see it in person.
Only realise now, how long it's been since I' ve been to your place!
Have to see it soon...
Gert

[veegal]

It's looking great Dale....those plants are really responding well to the CO2. :)

[solex69]

Yup, so much so that I got another CO2 kit for my other 1.2m....I connected it yesterday. Hopefully I should start noticing a difference within 2 weeks

[2time]

Dale what co2 kit are you using

[sarf]

Hi dale.where did you get that tetra co2 kit that you mentioned in another thread?how much was it

[solex69]

I'm using the 'Tetra CO2 Complete' kit. Cost R 145 for the diffuser + 1 filled cannister. Refills apparently costs R 50 each. Don't think the cannisters run empty quickly either, but I'll confirm that once this cannister is depleted

[solex69]

Here are the updated pics as promised
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005488.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005494.jpg

Here are those two SA plants I was referring to (front & back)
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005496.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005484.jpg
And here's my tiny windelov :)
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005509.jpg

And here's my only Barclaya left...still trying to come out
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005508.jpg

And here's the Madagascar Lace Leaf showing some promise
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005507.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005506.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005505.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005504.jpg

And here's the scalare juvies
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/S5005503.jpg

Will update pics again once it's worthy
Cheers
Dale

[Rowland]

Looking stunning Dale!!

[Zafgak]

Looks great Dale - just a suggestion - instead of the white elastic bands - the fishing shops sell the elastic, you use to tie bait onto your hook - this is available in black and almost disappears against wood and rocks..

[Philfarm]

Thats gonna fill up nicely(oh and be very red when it does):blink1:

[solex69]

Shot oakes

I've been meaning to go and buy fishing line but never got around to it, so the elastic bands will have to do in the interim. I've already removed one elastic band after its done its job, so the rest will be remove when they do the same :)

I think I found the right balance of green & red in the tank....going to keep it that way.

[Henk Hugo]

glad to see your lace plant is one of the VERY few that survived

[veegal]

Geez Dale, I can't believe the difference since I last saw it.....me thinks me needs to come make a turn and see it 'for real' :)

[solex69]

Henk - Yeah, hoping the lace plant will grow nicely in my tank. Btw, both Torpedo barbs I got on Saturday are dead.....needless to say that I am definitely not impressed

Vee - I should be home for most of the time this weekend, so feel free to come around.

[Henk Hugo]

interesting - they have been there for like 2 months.... you broke it :D

[solex69]

They were there for like 3 months or more

I'm so pissed cos these fish don't come cheap hey

[Henk Hugo]

you broke them :(

[solex69]

Ah well, better to lose a fish than a plant I always say :)

[veegal]

Ah well, better to lose a fish than a plant I always say :)

hehehehe - that sounds about right.....for you :p:blink1:

I'll definately give you a call sometime this weekend and we can make a plan......

[brentnorm]

I'm using the 'Tetra CO2 Complete' kit. Cost R 145 for the diffuser + 1 filled cannister. Refills apparently costs R 50 each. Don't think the cannisters run empty quickly either, but I'll confirm that once this cannister is depleted

Can you tell us where you purchased this kit ? Sounds good.

[solex69]

Got it from Panorama Pets...think I grabbed the last one on Saturday. Just ask them to order it for you, they would happily do so.

This is the kit

http://www.dlsaquatics.co.uk/ekmps/shops/dlsaquatics/images/opt.png

[Philfarm]

glad to see your lace plant is one of the VERY few that survived

mine is also doing great!

[solex69]

On the lace plant topic, I noticed another small leaf/shoot that popped out. So, mine is doing fine....just takes its time to grow

[Gert Combrink]

My and Edward's lace plants are doing nothing! just sitting there...

[solex69]

I'll suggest you take them out of the substrate and put them in a small plastic container and let it float in there on the water surface and see if it shows signs of growth after a week or 2. Bu tbe careful, don't let it get too much light like that, else algae will go bos in the container (ask me, I know....happened to my Barclaya bulb I tried to get out of dormancy but the bulb was actually off)

[Henk Hugo]

The ones that iwas given smelled awful and then just rotted away

[solex69]

Ok...I've decided to humour you all by posting this tank's "virgin" pics and the ones in between just so you can see what I've been through :) Laugh...you have permission to do so :p

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003487.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5002350.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5002353.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003268.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003331.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003338.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003444.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003445.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003483.jpg


And here's my beloved plant who is no more :(

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003541.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003643.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5003641.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004129.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5004131.jpg

[brentnorm]

Looks great. What are the plants in front and behind the left hand log in pic 1 ?

[solex69]

Behind - Limnophila Sessiliflora & Hygrohila Polysperma
In front - Normal Mondo grass (for outdoor use only)

[brentnorm]

Behind - Limnophila Sessiliflora & Hygrohila Polysperma
In front - Normal Mondo grass (for outdoor use only)

So you saying the Modo grass is not intended for aquariums ? Is there any negative effects it has on an aquarium ?

[Henk Hugo]

it dies and rots - you can buy a HUGE pot of it from the nursery for R24.95....

[solex69]

I've had it in my tank and it didn't do anything, nothing negative or positive, but eventually it'll rot in your tank.

[brentnorm]

Ok so that one is a no no. Any recomendations on good plants?

[solex69]

Yeah, everyone's got their own personal preference of plants. Unfortunately, I like almost ALL aquatic plants, so my list of good plants are actually endless. I'm actually not the right person to be asking that question to :) lol. Have a look here (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=501) so that you can get an indication of plants that I like (but don't have yet)

For quick growers & easy to maintain, try these:

Ludwidgia Repens
Ceratopteris Cornuta
Ceratopteris Silliquosa
Hygrophila Difformis
Hygrophila Polysperma
Limnophila Sessiliflora
Limnophila Heterphylla

[brentnorm]

Thanks Solex. Where do you find the best place to find them. I am looking to purchase quite a few for my 1.5m.

[solex69]

Places I normally go to when I go shopping for plants are Ecopets & Aquariums, Hartlands Aquatics, Panorama Pets (a bit like Russian roulette this one...one the day, they'll get in stuff that nobody has but then you must grab them quickly) and Bird's Haven. The other shops are not really worth getting plants from my experience

[veegal]

@ Brentnorm - we picked up some REALLY great plants at Aqua Terra yesterday at ridiculously low prices.

[solex69]

Oh yes, that's right.......THEY picked up plants gr8 at Aqua Terra at really good prices

[veegal]

Oh yes, that's right.......THEY picked up plants gr8 at Aqua Terra at really good prices

Not OUR fault that you FORGOT about our get-together (see I wasn't going to mention it but you brought it up :bigsmile: ) and arrived too late.

What were those plants again Dale??? Ooo - what about the ones you picked up at that other shop??? The ones I never got 'cause you and Gert grabbed them! :p:bigsmile:

[brentnorm]

@ Brentnorm - we picked up some REALLY great plants at Aqua Terra yesterday at ridiculously low prices.

Really? Never heard of them.

[solex69]

@veegal - LOL, I was waiting for that response! :D Ja, maar julle weet mos ek's plant-mal, so you should've grabbed one of those nice ones for me :)
You talking about the Aponogeton Crispus. Don't stress, I'm sure I'll be able to organize for you....your 2m tank definitely needs one.

@brentnorm - Can't give you address details on here, but consult your local yellowpages or google-is-your-friend :)

[veegal]

@ Dale: -I would have Dale but how was I supposed to know what plant it was....it just looked pretty :) Besides, I told you to take one.....but NOOOOOO :)

@ Brentnorm - Yip....R9.50 per plant....had Dale droolin' when he saw them :)

[solex69]

Nah, I think you need those first...will look absolutely gr8 as 2 centre pieces in the 2m.

R 9.50 was an absolute bargain for them....ABSOLUTE steal

[brentnorm]

Sounds like it was a good day.

[veegal]

It was a GREAT day. We were even taken on a private tour of their hatchery - which is not available to the public. Extremely interesting and I've never seen so many tanks in one place!

[Gert Combrink]

Read the fine print... If you take ten (10) you only pay R75-00!
If one know his/her plants, you could make a steal there.
Fortunately Dale stay far from Aquatera!

[veegal]

Read the fine print... If you take ten (10) you only pay R75-00!


SERIOUSLY :eek: Geez....I'm going back there next weekend!!!

[Gert Combrink]

I could save you the trip, as I'm driving past them everyday!
I will let you know as soon as they get in more plants!

Ps: don't tell Dale... he could just get more plants for his 1.2 ...
and get us back to this thread topic!

[veegal]

I could save you the trip, as I'm driving past them everyday!
I will let you know as soon as they get in more plants!

Ps: don't tell Dale... he could just get more plants for his 1.2 ...
and get us back to this thread topic!

Mmmwahaaa - My lips are sealed :blink1: If you could that would be awesome THANKS :bigsmile:

[solex69]

*nom-nom-nom-nom.......more plants* :party:

[Risen]

is it a plant / lighting or supplier issue?????

[Gert Combrink]

out of stock issue...

[solex69]

FYI...the aponogeton madagascariensis bulb is vrot, so much for that. Now I too join the gang of dead lace plants :) lol

[Henk Hugo]

ai tog.... lodge your complaint in the sponsors feedback section then....

[sarf]

Hi guys..sorry 2go a bit off topic..but does aquaterra stil have those crispus?coz i sure think i need to go pay my good fren neil a visit.lol

[solex69]

I put H.C & 1 new Barclaya bulb into this tank. The barclaya has already begun sprouting.

Here are some oulike pics of the HC I managed to capture with my pandas

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006381.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006382.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006383.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006385.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006378.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006384.jpg

[solex69]

Howdy


Got the time tonight to post an update of this tank.

Fish currently in there are:


1 X Discus
1 X S.A.E
2 X Torpedo Barbs
2 X Ottos
+/- 20 Betta Splendens (self bred)

Added another 39w 13000K SunSun T5 tube to it.
Last water change - Don't know


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006580.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006578.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006579.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006581.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006588.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006643.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/Updated/S5006644.jpg

[Ferryman]

is this the tank that got sold dale?

[solex69]

Nope, this one I'm keeping...the other one with the sump is the tank that got sold.

No chance in hell I'll sell this tank....after all the crap I went through with it? :) Finally managed to get this tank in exactly the shape I wanted it. Pity my camera is crap :(

[Ferryman]

lol, pics still look good though
[you might want to try doing a white balance on the cam, or use Gimp or something, it'll bring out the tank's true colours a bit better
(digicam's usually compensate colours depending on the light source shining over the subject matter, then a pic looks more yellow, or green or whatnot than it really is, it also helps to turn the flash off, and let the tank lighting do the illumination)]

Got some great looking cories there, i like the one in front with the black band over the eye so dark, bit the iris still showing that copery ring

I like the torpedos, and your betta fems have great colouring! i havent seen any that look THAT nice in any shops ive been to, wish i could afford some all the way from you down there in CT

I like how the plants are progressing, i seem to be doing it wrong with my planted tank, i cant seem to get the foreground to be open, every inch of the tank seems to be planted up somehow

[Gilbertr14]

How big your torpedos dale?
I got 3 in a 90 cm

[solex69]

@ferry - I just need to buy a new camera, the one I got is real crappy. Those are still the same pandas I bought from Nic and Hartlands Aquatics 2yrs ago. There were 3 but one died on me last year. This tank will eventually house about 8 torpedos, 1 discus, 1 SAE and 2 ottos...the bettas will be sold eventually.
Be glad your foreground is covered, the more plants the better. You must still have a look at Phil's (eskimo) tank....will take your breath away

@gilbert - They are about 10cm. The SAE is about 8cm, hence the reason why my other 5 juveniles aren't in this tank yet cos they'll get killed by him.

[solex69]

Update time

Removed all red plants from tank
Rearranged some plants
All duckweed eliminated
Added Denison Barbs...total of 9 now
Added 3 x Discus...total of 4 now
Lost 1 Betta (think ottos too as I haven't seen them in a while)
Tied certain areas of the moss (was growing a bit out of control)
Topped up evaporated water

Busy fighting off a bit of BBA, not major though

Pics

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006747.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006753.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006754.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006755.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006758.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006760.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006774.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006773.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/Main%20Fish%20Tank/S5006766.jpg

[Donny]

Tank looks awesome

[solex69]

Hey everyone

Decided last weekend that my original 1.2m tank needs to be redone after my previous fish just chomped my plants and dug holes everywhere. So, here's the initial pics of the tank I've redone. I'll post again once I feel there's a need and that my plant development is worthy thereof.

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PS - Anyone got a cutting of Rotala Macranda for me perhaps pls? CPT region

Ciao
D

[wearsbunnyslippers]

dale is back!

[solex69]

back with a vengeance :)

Thanks to Henk for the cuttings received, the crypts looks awesome

[JRH]

Really love the tank... you are giving me an idea for my tank next year.

[solex69]

Shot JRH....going to give this tank some time before I post new pics again; want it to return by being more green. Problem is that I want so many plants in here but it's only a 1.2m tank unfortunately :(

[JRH]

Agreed... I'm gona be trying my first planted tank in the new year... hopefully everything doesn't die on me :)

[solex69]

Update pics time:

Got enough plants in there now, no space to add anything unfortunately. I kinda also feel that I have too many types of plants in the tank but hey, when you only have two tanks and love aquatic plants, a man must do what a man must do I suppose. Got most of my old plants back from old friends, so now I can get things going again.

Going to change the filtration as well as add a proper CO2 system in early next year. For now, I'll let my ferts and lights do the growth. The only fish in here are two corys...they've been with me for yonks already. Will only add fish when I feel this tank is properly planted to my liking before. So far, been thinking to put a school of about 40 to 50 green neons or cardinals in here.



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A bit lame that each post only allows 5 pics each btw

Here's a quick video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTjia2qVvyo

[Firefly]

AWESOME growth there!
Well done!:smile1:

[firemanmuzz]

tank looks fantastic ,literally a garden, someday i will get there!

[solex69]

Shot gents, but this tank is still in its infant stages. Gonna see proper growth once the CO2 system gets added next year.

Got my Aponogeton Ulvaceus busy flowering at the moment btw

Some more pics

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[Wyvren]

solex69 - the tank is looking good! Im green with envy!

[Zoom]

Looking good dale.

You need to get some red growth in there....

[solex69]

Shot gents

@ Ash - I have 3 red plant types in there but this will be more visible when I add my red T5 tube. Not going to add more reds as I'm allowing growth. You'll see at a later stage once they grow more. *watch this space* :p

[Skye01]

solex69, your tanks are awesome. When I grow up...sigh

A couple of questions:
1. In your main tank there is a long leaved plant with frills on the leaves, its behind the wood on the rhs. What is that?
2. In your second tank there is a stunning plant with curly leaves almost in the centre, what is that?

Your tanks are an inspiration to those of us who are trying their hand at a planted tank.

TIA

[solex69]

Thanks Skye01 for the kind words. In answer to your questions:

1. Ceratopteris Thalictroides (directly behind the wood)

2. Aponogeton Ulvaceus (busy flowering)

They're both in the same tank.

Cheers
Dale

[solex69]

One more plant addition to the tank :) Going to move it elsewhere this weekend

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[solex69]

Ola


Update time. Nothing much changed except crazy growth and lots of pruning. Been covered with work :(


Going to prune this weekend...pics as follows:


http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/upd6.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/upd7.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/upd2.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/upd1.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/solex69/upd5.jpg

Chat soon again


Cheers
D

[Razer2007]

Wow those plants are looking good. Is that the Madagascan Lace you got from Gert?

[solex69]

Yep, but the bulb has been moved to another tank and has gone in to dormancy. Hoping it'll regrow soon again.