George's Nano Journal

[George Farmer]

Your tank certainly is coming along nicely. By using the riccia stones do you think it's going to be possible to achieve a 100% carpet along the front, so that the stones or sand won't show?

Thanks for you interest voo.

I'm quite confident the riccia will form a 100% carpet, if you could see the spread/growth in just two days then I suspect you may have a similar confidence.

In my opinion, i think the hairgrass has grown a little too much and out of control, looks a bit too thick. Is there much dying off underneath, in the bottom layers?

I agree. As I mentioned I will be thinning the hairgrass and pruning appropriately to create a greater feeling of depth. There is no dying off underneath, I can see from the side glass. The lighting, CO2 and circulation seems to working very well.

Lastly, a word of warning really. I had a nerite snail in my tank. After a while it started laying these white eggs all over, which didn't hatch and didn't get eaten. This has ruined my bogwood as they're a pain to get off. A scrubbing brush isn't enough to remove them, I'd have to get a knife and scrape off each of the hundreds of eggs individually. Keep an eye on yours as if it does start to lay eggs, it could ruin your stones.

Thanks for the warning. I did hear about this potential nerite stubborn egg laying issue and have heard a range of experiences. I'm one to try things out for myself and so far so good. Obviously I'll keep an eye out.

BTW are the riccia stones all the same shapes?

The ADA Riccia Stones are all identical thickness (8mm) with 2 parallel sides, 2 sides varying in shape. Overall surface area ranges from approx. 2" square to 4" square/irregular rectangle.

The tank is looking great- once the riccia fills out a bit and hides the slate it will look even better.
Have you seen all the fantastic Aquaone tanks out now? My LFS has put them all out for sale (probably in time for Xmas)- the shapes and sizes are excellent and the prices are really good (I paid £8 for my ~2g one with rounded front corners- a 12x8x8 normally costs twice that). I particularly like the Panorama ones.
How's the HOB going? Since I'm planning stocking it at levels that would make most people gasp (probably a school of microrasboras or similar and some tiny bottomdwellers) I'm going to be sticking a huge one on it.

Hi OhhFeeshy,

Thanks, I look forward to having a full carpet soon.

I have seen some of the Aqua One tanks. Some are very attractive and good value.

My HOB is great thanks, especially at £7.99. I needed to supplement the bio/mech filtration media and remove the carbon, but at that price I don't mind. I will be adding some mature sponge from my daughter's Juwel Rio 125 just prior to adding my fish.

"Overstocking" is fine for the those with experience, so you will be fine (not that you need approval from me). I'm a big fan of water changes as well as over filtration.

I liked your letter to PFK, about the moderrn hobby wasn't it? I recall you mentioning a "busy internet forum".

 

[RadaR]

Hey George,
How much Riccia did you purchase from AE for the tank to cover all those ADA stones?
Cheers.

 

[George Farmer]

Hey George,
How much Riccia did you purchase from AE for the tank to cover all those ADA stones?
Cheers.

I used three "pots". They come in a plastic sealable container.

 

[RadaR]

Right-eee-oh.
Thanks for that mate.

 

[George Farmer]

Not long to go now. Give it a few more days/week and the hairgrass and riccia will be trimmed appropriately.

I'm off to buy some fish tomorrow. I've decided against Microrasboras as the tank is a lot cooler now with the open top and cooler weather. It stays around 21C so I'm going for a few white cloud mountain minnows instead. I really like these little fish and they're very hardy too. I'll try to get smaller specimens as well to give a better scale.

 

[Bufo Bill]

Getting a photographer in, did you say? That newest photo is a work of art George, you've beaten him at his own game, I think!

 

[RadaR]

Superb.
I must say that the pearling riccia looks very Christmasy

 

[three-fingers]

Love it . I really like the hair grass and would love to be able to grow it like that, you may have inspired me to give it a try in my aquacube!
I think(if it goes well ) I'm going to let it grow to a jungle like state, i think it looks really nice and natural.
Great choice of fish too, though your right smaller ones would be necessary. White clouds are very nicely coloured when settled, but subtlety so .
Once again overall i love it!

 

[MoreCoffee]

George,

Your hairgrass looks fantastic.
I couldn't resist looking back through this thread to your earlier pics when you first planted (page 5) it to make a comparison.

WoW ....... What a difference !

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks everyone.

I have to say I'm a CO2 mist convert. Growth is awesome, even at "only" 30ppm. This and good circulation.

 

[lljdma06]

21C, that's too bad, George. It's that cold in the house. These are the days when South FL is an awesome place to live. I haven't had heaters in my tank since I left IL. White clouds sound okay. They are messy, though, watch your nitrates.

Tank is gorgeous. Can't wait for pictures with fish. Lovely job!

 

[George Farmer]

They are messy, though, watch your nitrates.

Thanks llj. I have a feeling the plants may deal with them. If not I'm sure the water changes will.

 

[Aeropars]

Am i allowed to swear on here?!

 

[George Farmer]

Am i allowed to swear on here?!

It's not that bad, surely!?

 

[mikster]

Amazing work george, i guess you havent got a PFK High tech planted tank expert badge for nothing...