Eden

[This Old Spouse]

 

I'm a bit of a latecomer to this conversation, but your tank is really beautiful. Just watched the vid from October when your tank was nearly bare, and I must say that even then it was a very pretty tank! Your tutorial above is great too ... I only wish I had a window that would open into my garden. Well done, Slim!

Aww Thank you very much. Its come along way in the last few months hasnt it? Just goes to show what co2 does
You can still do water changes this way but have the hose waste run into your sink or bath?
 

 
I guess I could do that, but I'll probably just stick to the bucket method. During the winter that's about the only exercise I get. 

 

[greenmumma141]

This tank is gorgeous! What is the plant with the broad maroon leaves? I really like that one!

 
It's a tiger lotus  

 

[SLIM]

This tank is gorgeous! What is the plant with the broad maroon leaves? I really like that one!

oooops sorry iv only just seen this sorry. Dunno how i missed it lol
Thanks for the kind comments
Yes i believe the broad leaf plant youve pointed out is a Tiger Lotus

 

[stanleo]

Yep that's the  one I was talking about! its beautiful! I will have to look for one at the LFS! Do they need co2?

 

[techen]

Too look the way they are in his tank you want co2 and powerful lighting

I believe am slowly getting my hairgrass to spread.

 

[SLIM]

My Tiger Lotus leafs are bigger than my hand and grow incredibly quick and yes for them to grow like this good lighting and co2 is needed. However they will also quite happily grow in a low light low tech too. I grew these exact same plants in this tank successfully when it was a low tech. But they will grow a lot slower and the leafs will only reach half the size

 

[greenmumma141]

Yep, my tiger lotus is slowlllyyyyy growing along. It has turned more red since I went high tech though. Still need to find a way to bump up the lighting

 

[SLIM]

Yep, my tiger lotus is slowlllyyyyy growing along. It has turned more red since I went high tech though. Still need to find a way to bump up the lighting

Add an extra T5? Or replace your existing tubes with T5HO's.

 

[greenmumma141]

I put two clip on lamps with CFL bulbs in them on there, but I just don't think it's penetrating. I am so crabby with my tank today 

 
I edited this bc I looked up what a T5HO is lol.  The only ones I could find were white

 

[SLIM]

I put two clip on lamps with CFL bulbs in them on there, but I just don't think it's penetrating. I am so crabby with my tank today  I edited this bc I looked up what a T5HO is lol.  The only ones I could find were white

lol!!!!
Whats wrong with white? You want your light to be white right? Lol
Ideally you want a light somewhere between 6000k and 8000k.
Dont get me wrong, plants will adapt to most lighting but this is the heat temp most plants will really thrive

 

[techen]

Whats the differences from pink and white. I know plants can take in both colours but would two t5ho whites be better than t5 ho white and pink.

 

[SLIM]

Whats the differences from pink and white. I know plants can take in both colours but would two t5ho whites be better than t5 ho white and pink.

Yes I believe so. I got rid of my pink tubes and replaced with daylight tubes, now all my tubes are white. Best thing I ever did, my plants have been growing crazy ever since. Plus not only that but whites with the right K temp will comtain pink/reds and blues, their just invisible to the naked eye.

 

[greenmumma141]

No no, I meant that the fixture is white. Which isn't too bad, but I have a black one up there now and I just don't know about switching. I'd like to find the perfect light that's black lol. 
 
I set up my 10 gallon for a shrimp/fry tank too. Started a journal, and planted it out yesterday. Holy cow do I need help lol. Not quite what i was going for....

 

[SLIM]

No no, I meant that the fixture is white. Which isn't too bad, but I have a black one up there now and I just don't know about switching. I'd like to find the perfect light that's black lol. 
 
I set up my 10 gallon for a shrimp/fry tank too. Started a journal, and planted it out yesterday. Holy cow do I need help lol. Not quite what i was going for....

Im just off to work. Sort us out a link and il give it a look when I get a chance

 

[greenmumma141]

I meant to include a link earlier, sorry lol    http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/420580-the-journey-to-black-lake/