M first attempt at "Nature Aquarium"

@ Rudi Thanks for the imformative post. This is brilliant source of information, especcialy for a novice like me. The tanks lookin good and goink to look great once plants develop

 

Thanks for all the replies.
I want to point out one or two things.Some of you suggested a back ground plant,there is a background plant already.The Cryptocoryne balansae is planted at the back,behind the wood.C. balansae can grow up to 35 cm tall.
I can obviously speed up the whole proses "of growing in" by injecting Co2.I have all the equipment needed,but I really want everything to grow at a slower pace.
Now I need some advice or suggestions.I have some Microsorium pteropus,Java fern, and I'm wondering if I should tie some to the wood.I could replace the moss.
What do you guys think?
@shihr,@Zoom,@Vis,@everybody whose following the thread.

 

Hi Rudi

I think something else then moss would look good in that spot. I might wait a little for the crypts to grow and see what will fill the spot better.

Maybe the narrow leaf java fern or windilov. Just afraid it might get lost in the crypts. Then again you do not want a single plant to distract from the others.

mmmmmm, I will give it a little time and then decide if I were you.

 

I just remembered I've got some Bolbitis heudelotii (Africa fern) as well.I could throw that in the mix.

 

Agree with Rudi, the local LPS plant market really sucks if your are seriously interested in plants. You only have to walk into a serious Aqua LPS in Europe to see the real world. It's the same old story...the demand dictates the amount of suppliers/ plant farms and so we have just one or two, hardly an environment for competition which will ultimately create variety and quality.

Good luck to the new local on-line plant store or am I not allowed to mention this ... ?

 

[Now I need some advice or suggestions.I have some Microsorium pteropus,Java fern, and I'm wondering if I should tie some to the wood.I could replace the moss.
What do you guys think?
.[/QUOTE]

Hey bud, you saw my low tech java fern and moss wood forest or was it so quickly forgettable ?

 

hey rudi.. I think u dont have enough land scape imo.. Looks bit flat to me.. I'm sure that with plants, u can fix that but I'd give it more height in the middle to give it more depth.. Just my opinion

 

New fish added.

Time for a update on this low light,low tech tank. The plants are really growing well,considering I have not been adding any liquid ferts,not including the daily Excel,to this set up.The plants have been fully depended on the Earth worm castings and I'm very happy with the results thus far. I added 15 Rummy nose tetras and 4 Otocinclus and all are doing well except for one Oto.I had my doubts about it's condition and it unfortunately did not last long.The others are all doing well. I added some Narrow leaf Java fern and some Bolbitis.All tied to the wood and on some of the rocks.The crypts have all recoverd from the initial melting and even some of the poorer specimens have made a surprising come back.Only the lilaeopsis is struggling,but I will be patient. Some pictures:
Picture #1:Full tank shot
Picture #2:Bolbitis
Picture #3:Crypts
Picture #4:The Rummy noses but they are very difficult to photograph.

 

Looking great bud, it goes with out saying that initially growth will be relatively slow with no Co2, but of course the upside being it will be much easier long term maitenance when it is established.

By the way, I told you that there looked one sick Oto at the LPS out of the five left. After you took your four, the next day I saw one very healthy lonesome Oto left in the tank, presumably it was hiding in the sponge as it evidently could not face moving down to Kuilsriver.. lol

As for filming those rummy nose, minimum shutter speed from my recent experince needs to be 250, but ideally more, so almost impossible in a low tech lighted tank unless you use additional lighting for your pics, but that's another ball game..

 

Thanks Trevor,that lone Oto is really out of luck.I have the perfect home for it,but that's how it goes.

 

Looking great

 

@Rudi, All I can say is WOW! This tank really is looking stunning, I'm now following avidly to see how it all grows in and out.

 

Update after a loooong time.The plants are doing well.No algae.No problems.

 

@Rudi, looks very nice. I love the moss effect, with all the ferns in the middle. Well done.

 

Looking great bud !

Why did you leave your blue snorkel in for the pic, lol.

Hope your rummy nose behave themselves plant wise.., but would think with those plant types you should be ok...

T

 

@Trevor Pleco,I'm busy with a gruelling training program aimed at that little trip later in the year.Just forgot to take it out:bigsmile:.
The Rummy noses are great,I've never seen them molesting the plants.
Thanks guys.

 

Cool, but at least can't you try and train them to standstill..:wink:

Touche' !

 

I have,but they only do it when I'm not looking.Rummy's have a strange sense of humour.:weird: