Johns 450ltr (110 Gals) Journal

[Underwurlde]

For what they are, they are expensive IMO... of the order of about £25-£30. Look on-line (I'd start with zooplus).

Search the DIY section for 'python': They can be knocked up with bits & bobs from B&Q / Homebase etc.

I'll edit up a link if I find one...

Andy
*edit* http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=95738

 

[john starkey]

hi everyone just thought i would make a list of plants for my initial planting (hopefully to beat algae) all fast growers, when the tank is established i can then add and remove plants to acheive the look i want. feel free to suggest any plants you think would benefit the initial planting regards john.

Cobomba caroliniana,
cardamine lyrata
ceratopteris cornuta
ceratopteris thalictroides
echinodorus quadricostatus var "magdalenensis"
egeria densa
glossostigma elatinoides
gymnocoronis spilanthoides
hemianthus micranthemoides
heteranthera zosterifolia
hydrocotyle leucoephala
hygrophila corymbosa "angustifloia"
" " " " "siamensis"
stricta
hygrophila difformis
" " polysperma
" " big leaf
lilaeopsis macloviana
limnophila aquatica
" " sessiliflora
ludwigia repens
" " " " rubins
lysimachia nummularia " aurea"
micranthemum umbrosum
riccia fluitans
rotala rotundifolia
rotal sp "green"
rotala wallichii
sagittaria platyphylla
" " subulata
shinnersia rivularis
" " " " weiss grun
vallisneria americana
" " " " natans
vallisneria spiralis " tiger "
vesicularia dubyana
zosterella dubia

some list hey, i should have quite a jungle like i said please feel free to add your opinions.
regards john

 

[Underwurlde]

What to say? That's a hell of a lot of plants and will take quite a chunk out of your fags n'booze budget!
No doubt some will compete with others: You may find that some flourish others don't (and can be removed & replaced).

In a new tank, it is, I think, generally a good idea to bung in a load of fast growing weeds (gets the plant ecosystem going as opposed to an algae ecosystem). These weeds are then gradually removed and replaced over the course of a number of months with those on your wish-list. Dunno If others think this is a good thing to do or not...

BTW, Have you got a planting plan Mr.S? Post up a pic perhaps....

Andy

 

[nry]

Sure you've not forgotten everything?

Personally I would simplify it signficantly, especially if you are just planting fast growers to reduce algae build-up initially. Some of those are reasonably expensive in comparison to how much of them you will get for your cash...depends if you are rich really, I would imagine there would be people queuing up on here when you start getting rid of anything

 

[john starkey]

What to say? That's a hell of a lot of plants and will take quite a chunk out of your fags n'booze budget!
No doubt some will compete with others: You may find that some flourish others don't (and can be removed & replaced).

In a new tank, it is, I think, generally a good idea to bung in a load of fast growing weeds (gets the plant ecosystem going as opposed to an algae ecosystem). These weeds are then gradually removed and replaced over the course of a number of months with those on your wish-list. Dunno If others think this is a good thing to do or not...

BTW, Have you got a planting plan Mr.S? Post up a pic perhaps....

Andy

i havent got a planting plan as yet, i am decideing whether to buy some wood from ae my thoughts on design is at the moment a concave effect with swimming space in the middle but my end result will take months ( and lots of cash ) as this is such a lagre tank, when i have made up my mind i will show some pics regards john .

 

[john starkey]

Sure you've not forgotten everything?

Personally I would simplify it signficantly, especially if you are just planting fast growers to reduce algae build-up initially. Some of those are reasonably expensive in comparison to how much of them you will get for your cash...depends if you are rich really, I would imagine there would be people queuing up on here when you start getting rid of anything

hi nry, i take your point but i dont intend to plant all these plants this is the list i will work from, i will try to choose leaf shape, colour, and so on, one thing i intend to do is use jave moss on the wood thats why its take time find the right piece( btw i not rich just comfortable, finished my mortgage last year makes things easier ) anyway thanks for the ideas regards john

 

[nry]

Ahh, I misread the post

I would initially avoid plants that will have growth that sits along the surface for a long period of time. If you regularly prune things then it will be better. I find that things like vallis etc can be algae magnets if their leaves are flowing along the water line for a long time: I guess it is the growth that is no longer growing that can be worst affected.

Cabomba and egeria are probably good bets to start with, vallis is certainly a quick grower aswell once established, and keeping on top of the growth should reduce the chance of algae break-outs.

I think h.zosterifolia is a stunning plant, one I've debated trying myself. I also like the rotala nanjenshan I have bought recently, which is simlar to r.sp.roundifolia but smaller I believe. R.wallichii is also beautiful from the pictures I've seen.

 

[john starkey]

Ahh, I misread the post

I would initially avoid plants that will have growth that sits along the surface for a long period of time. If you regularly prune things then it will be better. I find that things like vallis etc can be algae magnets if their leaves are flowing along the water line for a long time: I guess it is the growth that is no longer growing that can be worst affected.

Cabomba and egeria are probably good bets to start with, vallis is certainly a quick grower aswell once established, and keeping on top of the growth should reduce the chance of algae break-outs.

I think h.zosterifolia is a stunning plant, one I've debated trying myself. I also like the rotala nanjenshan I have bought recently, which is simlar to r.sp.roundifolia but smaller I believe. R.wallichii is also beautiful from the pictures I've seen.

hi nry cabomba and egeria are high on the list to be used due to speed of growth,at the moment is still need 5kg fire exstinquisher (have a source locally) and i am still undecided how to run the co2 ie y joint two diffs one at each end of tank but i am worried about splitting co2 incase of loss of pressure?, have thought about in line diff but cant find one suitable to my filter flow rate,( not high enough lph) by the way have you heard of newall heaters if so are they any good. regards john

 

[afroturf]

John just a word of advice if you do decide to buy some wood/hardscape from AE buy more than you need as you never know what the pieces you get will look like. Much better if you can buy it from a lfs so you can pick and choose pieces.

 

[john starkey]

John just a word of advice if you do decide to buy some wood/hardscape from AE buy more than you need as you never know what the pieces you get will look like. Much better if you can buy it from a lfs so you can pick and choose pieces.

thanks afroturf for the tip i would rather buy something locally but i cant seem to find anything i like (sods law) i like the look of the redwood ae have on their site but as you say a look first hand would be prefrable. regards john

 

[nry]

Though there is the case of letting the random wood start off your scaping plans. Kind of like a lucky dip, could prove interesting! I spent months looking for some mopani wood that I liked, but because I didn't really know what I wanted, I gave up and just plumed for a peice that I thought would be OK.

 

[john starkey]

Though there is the case of letting the random wood start off your scaping plans. Kind of like a lucky dip, could prove interesting! I spent months looking for some mopani wood that I liked, but because I didn't really know what I wanted, I gave up and just plumed for a peice that I thought would be OK.

i have an idea of what i want roughly ( concave composition) using wood of some sort at each end , i have a nice piece i have had for about 15 yrs but it is a bit thick imo. i want more thinner branch type pieces for growing mosses on . regards john.

 

[john starkey]

hi all just a quick update,have placed an order with ae for £165 worth of stuff dry ferts,liquid ferts, bubble counter, diff,test kits (liquid) etc, should be here by wed/thurs total spent so far £1865 and stll counting regards john.

 

[Underwurlde]

Does the wife know....

 

[Castellop123]

hi all just a quick update,have placed an order with ae for £165 worth of stuff dry ferts,liquid ferts, bubble counter, diff,test kits (liquid) etc, should be here by wed/thurs total spent so far £1865 and stll counting regards john.

$$$