George's Journal

Well it's update time.

I'm quite excited about this latest layout. As always I've kept it simple, the only new addition being the Nymphaea stellata (thanks George) on the left - more an experiment to see if I can get away with a secondary focal point, a red one at that.

As you can see I've moved away from the mound layout - too symmetrical and the fern was just not working due to its overwhelming size.

I think it will look quite effective once the glosso and sag get established fully, and it will be interesting to see how the lily influences the whole composition. I think it will either make or break the aquascape - unfortunately I have no artistic vision myself so I'll just have to wait on that one.

On the practical side of things I've switched my filter output and inlet positions. The spray bar is now postioned horizontally (3" below surface) at one end, flowing directly across the tank with the inlet at the other end's rear corner. This change was implemented because I was experiencing minor BGA symptoms in my fern. I believe in part due to lack of circulation amongst the fern itself with my previous water movement flowing around the fern (around the perimeter of the tank), rather that across it.

I've also started dosing magnesium via MgSO4 (thanks Richard). This was due to experiencing some pale new growth in my glosso and sag. I ruled out nitrates, potassium and iron so Mg was the next option. I'm waiting upon a calcium level to see if I'll need to dose that too, although I doubt it though as my GH is around 6 degrees. If I'm deficient in Mg then I'll have plenty of Ca by default (GH is made up of Mg and Ca).

Anyway I'm probably boring most of you now so here's the photo. I've rotated the image horizontally just for a different perspective.

Looks good mate, the lily is dwarfed by the fern isn't it. Did you get a chance to post those tablets yet?

gt568 said:

Looks good mate, the lily is dwarfed by the fern isn't it. Did you get a chance to post those tablets yet?

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I'm hoping the lily will grow!

Tablets on their way buddy.

The lilly will look great in there once it's a bit bigger. Man. I can remember when mine was that small. Barely 3 inches. Now its 20 inches! I'm glad you have thrown some red in there. It will really pop against the black background.

hmm a move to the right i think i like this layout better too, do you think the single driftwood sticking out is a bit weird ?

btw how much mg via epson do you dose georgE ? i am dosing both MG and CA right now on advise regardless of my GH levels, only 1 deg per week of a 3 or 4(ca):1(mg) ratio of both... anyway that not the point, im reading around the the ratio is much more important compared to the quantity of both ? have you read this around too?

kenneth_kpe said:

hmm a move to the right i think i like this layout better too, do you think the single driftwood sticking out is a bit weird ?

btw how much mg via epson do you dose georgE ? i am dosing both MG and CA right now on advise regardless of my GH levels, only 1 deg per week of a 3 or 4(ca):1(mg) ratio of both... anyway that not the point, im reading around the the ratio is much more important compared to the quantity of both ? have you read this around too?

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The photo is actually flipped horizontally so the fern is really on the left. I just fancied a change.

<Is the driftwood weird?> I don't think so personally. For me it provides a pleasant transition from the big fern, sag and Anubias mound to the glosso. I think it would look more weird without it there - too much contrast. Once the moss grows it will look even better, and now my SAEs have a new home it will stand a better chance (they were eating it!)

I've read that the Ca/Mg ratio is important and I've read that it isn't. Tom Barr himself recommended my dosing without Ca so that's good enough for me at the moment, at least until I see Ca def. I'm certain my Ca levels are high enough but I intend getting a water supplier's report to confirm.

gf225 said:

kenneth_kpe said:

hmm a move to the right i think i like this layout better too, do you think the single driftwood sticking out is a bit weird ?

btw how much mg via epson do you dose georgE ? i am dosing both MG and CA right now on advise regardless of my GH levels, only 1 deg per week of a 3 or 4(ca):1(mg) ratio of both... anyway that not the point, im reading around the the ratio is much more important compared to the quantity of both ? have you read this around too?

Click to expand...

The photo is actually flipped horizontally so the fern is really on the left. I just fancied a change.

<Is the driftwood weird?> I don't think so personally. For me it provides a pleasant transition from the big fern, sag and Anubias mound to the glosso. I think it would look more weird without it there - too much contrast. Once the moss grows it will look even better, and now my SAEs have a new home it will stand a better chance (they were eating it!)

I've read that the Ca/Mg ratio is important and I've read that it isn't. Tom Barr himself recommended my dosing without Ca so that's good enough for me at the moment, at least until I see Ca def. I'm certain my Ca levels are high enough but I intend getting a water supplier's report to confirm.

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regarding the wood, are you planning to use moss that looks similar to xmas moss ? IMO that might look better, something that would hug the wood maybe ? not those typical upright hair growing moss, but thats just me...

Id guess it is safe to go with what tom barr says, he after all tests his theories out with his plants. I even enjoy reading the debates they have over there are the other forums. hehe

Thanks Kenneth.

Xmas moss would be great but it's pretty rare in the UK unfortunately. I agree with your suggestion though, it would look better than the Java moss.

I too love the debates. It is great to witness this wonderful hobby being regarded with the highest level of passion that some of the guys over there do. We could certainly learn a thing or two from them over here in the UK.

Thats a nice goldfish in that tank George

Lookin good, its better with the more open plan style.

I like it. The Lily is a nice change as is the layout. Your tank is very elegant. Are you going to add more platies, or are you sticking with just the one?

Interesting angle!

Also interesting is the pearling makes it look like it's raining inside your tank!

lljdma06 said:

Are you going to add more platies, or are you sticking with just the one?

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Hey George I have some wondefull platies that I could offer you

Your tank is looking stunning and that fern is lovely. How have you grown the fern to be so large? Is it made up off plantlets or is that just one mother of a fern?

Ste_J said:

Your tank is looking stunning and that fern is lovely.

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Thanks for the kind words Ste. I have somewahat a fragile ego and your complimentary words help .

The fern was simply removed from its pot after purchase and tied to the wood with cotton thread. It was about a third of the size you see here. I re-planted a plantlet on the right of the wood as you can see. And that's it, just plenty of light, CO and nutrients and hey presto. I remove a few old, ugly leaves every week and apart from the major prune I did a couple of weeks back it has been maintenance free.

Thanks for the kind words Ste. I have somewahat a fragile ego and your complimentary words help laugh.gif .

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No worries credit where credit is due


I'm just getting round to the train of thought that these thing take time and looking at what you have managed to create is a true inspiration.

I'm hoping that my fern will be just as nice one day but it's hard not to think I wnat it to be like that NOW

I wish i could send you guys plants from here, the most common moss we have here has similar properties to xmas moss, it creeps low and sticks to the surface, forming branches as it grows... and it costs super cheap something like .20 UK pounds for a bag full of it !