George's Nano Journal

[Themuleous]

Quikcepost - rocks are to linear for me, need to stagger at least one to get more depth.

Sam

 

[Sibelius]

I like the rocks colours, I think they work well. I'd be tempted to put riccia all over the substrate.

 

[voo]

Those stones are looking *much* better than the old ones. They're a lot lighter and show more detail. Interesting how you've gone for a similar shape to the old ones.

As Themuleous said, i think you need to have a re-arrange of the rocks, they are in too much of a straight line.

Will be interesting to see what your plans are for the riccia stones and how well they work. Just out of interest, why did you go for the stones and not a few pieces of broken slate?

When do you intend on cutting the hairgrass? It's grown really well in this short space of time. I planted some in my tank a couple of weeks before you did this tank and mine still looks like it's just been planted. Just shows what the extra lighting does

 

[George Farmer]

Looking good, George. I like the subtle ripple effect created by the hairdryer. Do you have it on low or high? I also like the new rocks, much better that the temporary replacement stones. Riccia sounds like a fun idea. Can't wait to see the updated pictures with the new plants. Are you then going for galaxy rasboras?

llj

Thanks mate. Hairdryer was on "low", and held by my daughter so I could take the photo.

The Riccia will be "fun", it grows very quick so I imagine I'll replace it with HC or glosso once I get fed up of the maintenance.

Galaxies seem no.1 choice ATM. They're lovely looking fish.

Hope you're not planning a coup in respect of entering this tank in the forthcoming PFK contest

Doubt it, I'm on the panel of judges.

Quikcepost - rocks are to linear for me, need to stagger at least one to get more depth.

Sam

Thanks for the mini-critique Sam.

I think you are right. I may move the right stone forward slightly. Once the substrate it covered much of any "linear" aspect will be lost in part due to varying depths and textures of riccia, hairgrass and microsword. ATM the whole scape is too uniform but the haigrass plays a nice role as a background plant I feel. With accents amongst the riccia of HG and MS I'm hoping for a combination of nature and fantasy (riccia being the fantasy of course with its shiny bubbles!)

I like the rocks colours, I think they work well. I'd be tempted to put riccia all over the substrate.

Thanks. Riccia on it's own may be too "flat". I think it is important to combine it with other plants to create a more natural look.

Those stones are looking *much* better than the old ones. They're a lot lighter and show more detail. Interesting how you've gone for a similar shape to the old ones.

As Themuleous said, i think you need to have a re-arrange of the rocks, they are in too much of a straight line.

Will be interesting to see what your plans are for the riccia stones and how well they work. Just out of interest, why did you go for the stones and not a few pieces of broken slate?

When do you intend on cutting the hairgrass? It's grown really well in this short space of time. I planted some in my tank a couple of weeks before you did this tank and mine still looks like it's just been planted. Just shows what the extra lighting does

Thanks. I liked my original rock layout so went for something similar. Interestingly there is a very similar composition in the 2006 ADA catalogue, so I guess I was doing something right.

I went for ADA Riccia Stones because I fancied treating myself.

I don't really intend cutting the hairgrass until it grows out of the water excessively (it's a marsh plant too, so may even flower). I like it tall as it provides a decent background ATM. If all goes well then the hairgrass accents amongst the riccia will be shorter to provide a sense of depth.

I think the haigrass has enjoyed the light for sure but 18w isn't really that high. No doubt my 1 BPS CO2 mist, 80% 3x weekly water changes and quality ferts have helped too.

 

[gsta13]

George i must say you are a pain, like a cold beer on a hot day to a reforming alcoholic.
Every time i read a thread that you post in you make me want to rescape my entire tank and put in plants and all sorts of crazy things. I recently odered a ejection seat from e-bay to be just like you
On a more serious note mate it looks amazing and everytime i read a thread you inspire me and im sure others into doing more with there tanks. Anyway im off to start a thread asking how to re scape my tank without causing to much damage!
Cheers
Greg

 

[George Farmer]

I've moved the stones as per Sam and voo's advice. It looks better, I'll get a photo soon. Cheers guys.

George i must say you are a pain, like a cold beer on a hot day to a reforming alcoholic.
Every time i read a thread that you post in you make me want to rescape my entire tank and put in plants and all sorts of crazy things. I recently odered a ejection seat from e-bay to be just like you
On a more serious note mate it looks amazing and everytime i read a thread you inspire me and im sure others into doing more with there tanks. Anyway im off to start a thread asking how to re scape my tank without causing to much damage!
Cheers
Greg

Thanks Greg. I am glad to help motivate you toward your aquascaping endevours. I take no responsibility for you falling off the wagon though, or firing yourself 300ft. into the air either.

 

[gsta13]

Hehe Just managed to convince my GF that 'SHE' wants a Nano whooooo im gnna get planning my scape now
Cheers again.
Greg

 

[George Farmer]

Quick update.

My dwarf riccia arrived direct from Tropica today. I got 8 decent size portions, enough to almost fill the foreground. I covered some ADA Riccia Stones and attached the riccia using hairnets, also supplied by Tropica. It was really easy to work with, so much easier than regular Riccia as it stays together like a tight moss. The riccia is pearling after 10 mins. of lighting.

I decided not to use the Lilaeopsis.

I've also upgraded my lighting to Daylight Plus 24w PC T5 and made a simply but very effective overtank luminaire that is suspended from the kitchen cabinet above the tank. This not only looks better than my old luminaire but is easier to work on the tank too. The 6500K Daylight Plus is also much nicer on the eye than the Triplus.

I am hoping the riccia will fill in in a week or so, then I can think about stocking some fish and having a final photo shoot.

The hairgrass is getting very dense so after photographing for PFK I imagine I'll go for a new layout.

Photos to follow

 

[R1ch13]

Quick update.

My dwarf riccia arrived direct from Tropica today. I got 8 decent size portions, enough to almost fill the foreground. I covered some ADA Riccia Stones and attached the riccia using hairnets, also supplied by Tropica. It was really easy to work with, so much easier than regular Riccia as it stays together like a tight moss. The riccia is pearling after 10 mins. of lighting.

I decided not to use the Lilaeopsis.

I've also upgraded my lighting to Daylight Plus 24w PC T5 and made a simply but very effective overtank luminaire that is suspended from the kitchen cabinet above the tank. This not only looks better than my old luminaire but is easier to work on the tank too. The 6500K Daylight Plus is also much nicer on the eye than the Triplus.

I am hoping the riccia will fill in in a week or so, then I can think about stocking some fish and having a final photo shoot.

The hairgrass is getting very dense so after photographing for PFK I imagine I'll go for a new layout.

Photos to follow

See how you attach it with hairnets and fishing line !

Can you eventually remove the hairnets etc ?

Or do you have to keep it on forever ?

Just wondering because i am interested in this, could you attach the ricca to mopani wood ?

Thanks

Richie

 

[Themuleous]

George!!!! Your not supposed to use riccia thats what I was going to do!!!! Dam my lack of money! Oh well well try it anyway.

Sam

 

[dasmall1]

What ideas do you have for stocking fish? Otos, cardinals, serpaes... ?

 

[Neal]

He's going to have microrasbora "Galaxy".

George, I thought you said pics to follow? We are impatiently waiting. Also, what are ADA riccia stones? I know you tie riccia onto them, but what is so special about them, and what do they look like? The AE picture of them isn't that clear.

Neal

 

[George Farmer]

See how you attach it with hairnets and fishing line !
Can you eventually remove the hairnets etc ?
Or do you have to keep it on forever ?
Just wondering because i am interested in this, could you attach the ricca to mopani wood ?

Hairnets or fishing line. Hairnets is easier and takes seconds.

No need to remove the hairnets. Eventually the riccia will dislodge and float, then simply re-attach. Keeping it pruned will prolong its submerged life.

Yes, you can attach riccia to wood. Amano has done this in his earlier works.

What ideas do you have for stocking fish? Otos, cardinals, serpaes... ?

I consider all those fish too large for my tank, especially as they prefer to be in groups/shoals. The aquarium's volume is only around 10 l. / 2.5G.

He's going to have microrasbora "Galaxy".

George, I thought you said pics to follow? We are impatiently waiting. Also, what are ADA riccia stones? I know you tie riccia onto them, but what is so special about them, and what do they look like? The AE picture of them isn't that clear.

Patience is a virtue!

Check out the review on the stones on AE.

 

[ChrisC]

Hi George,
just wondering, have you had any problems with the soil floating? What is your opinion on this substrate mixture? Effective?

Cheers

 

[George Farmer]

Hi George,
just wondering, have you had any problems with the soil floating? What is your opinion on this substrate mixture? Effective?

Cheers

No issues at all. You wouldn't know it was there, even when I pull up the hairgrass.

It's hard to say how effective the substrate is as I run a nutrient-rich water column. Let's just say the hairgrass grows well and looks healthy.

I imagine I'd get even faster growth with Aqua Soil, but to be honest I wouldn't want much faster growth.