A new day’s 44L

Thanks @T. Guppy

 

3 months since the rescape and VERY happy with the light (ZP4000P). Very low maintenance tank this, as long as one is happy to live with the barely contained chaos . Just did a trim and ripped out some plants (not that one can tell)

The tank came with lots of bba, which is now mostly gone/ considerate enough to stick to the driftwood (small patches) and to the anubias roots (which look quite structural).

Ferts: excel and flourish advance daily.

The maidenhair fern growing out of the leca balls is doing ok (pushing out some new growth) but not nearly as well as the one by the pond (bought on the same day). Thinking it would appreciate more light than it’s getting. The creeping Jenny cuttings did not work out for the same reason, just removed them. The HOB with maidenhair fern is not the main filtration but provides some extra surface agitation which works out well.

Inhabitants are still happy (the adult bronze corys, 5 white clouds from the pond, snails and shrimp).

 

SAE vs BBA!

The minnows are out and 2 days ago I added one of my juvie SAEs to see what can be done with the BBA in this tank...

All I can say is that it’s incredible. Wish I took better before pics (scroll up to previous post). He’s taken care of most of the bba on the driftwood, and has started on the anubias roots also.

I’ve taken some close ups to track the progress.

 

@A new day
Your planted tanks are fantastic as always.
Very nice.

 

Yes I also understand that as they grow larger they become less interested in algae. Mine are the length of a cory now, and taking no prisoners from the bba. They don’t seem interested in shrimp yet.

 

As I worked from home this morning I could see him cleaning the anubias roots.

Can see a definite difference- 6 hours after the previous set of photos it looks like this:

 

Another 4,5 hours, the same plant

 

I’m just super impressed with the SAE! Like a proud mommy

 

So in 24h it went from this (first pic) to this! Same plant.

 

The corys’ spawning spot of choice is on the leaves right in front of the filter outlet, ie the highest flow possible. 9 out of 10 times that’s where they spawn.

The vallis nana pushed out a flower (floating on long stalk).

The SAE has done its job with the bba beautifully. Will just be near impossible to catch him again without ripping the tank apart It’s fast and there are plenty of hiding spots.

My goal is to set up a new larger tank and move the corys (& SAE) there. Think they’ll appreciate more space, although they seem happy here and constantly spawning. I do frequent water changes as I reckon this tank is overstocked.

Then perhaps a group of male endlers in here. Or a single betta (but probably not as I don’t want to put a lid on, and also worried that the spiderwood might rip its fins).

 

Got a Zetlight Aqua for this tank, and moved the ZP4000P across to another tank.

Because it’s elevated it gives much better spread across the tank.

Because the HOB plant box is so wide, I couldn’t centre the light so might have to rethink that situation.

In the plant box I have some pothos from @Donny, as well as Bolbitis Asiatica to try - apparently it does much better emersed than submersed, will see.

 

Ooh yes, thread fins are lovely!
Nice future idea, thanks

 

Thanks!
No I think the maidenhair didn’t get enough light here, I moved it to the pond with its buddy. Also filled the HOB with aquasoil. Think if I got another maidenhair now it will stand a better chance with the new light.

 

The Bolbitis Asiatica growing emersed out of the old HOB is pushing out new fronds. The rhizomes are simply resting on top of the aquasoil.
The one leaf hanging into the water is making babies like java ferns do!