Not Quite The Netherlands

[ian]

that is well planted mate, it could do with a little more plant mass. Trim it well at the back in a week or so once things have settled.

did you see this tank??

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/400085-tropica-plants/

 

[stu40]

yes i did, awesome.
Still got some more stems.How close should i plant? spacing is about 4-5cm ATM

 

[ian]

I would plant 3-4 stems together. This will give it more of a bushy effect.

 

[stu40]

Thanks for the quick response mate.

that is well planted mate, it could do with a little more plant mass. Trim it well at the back in a week or so once things have settled.

Sorry, do you mean 'trim it well back' or 'trim it well at the back'

I would plant 3-4 stems together. This will give it more of a bushy effect.

Ok, will do, didn't want to block out too much light lower down the stems.Never planted this many before

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Oooh can't wait to see this develop, only just saw an opaque background the other day, loving it!

 

[FishFanatic04]

Nice start Stu! Can't wait to see this fill up.

 

[minnnt]

Nice work mate. Looking great as always!

 

[ian]

Sorry, do you mean 'trim it well back' or 'trim it well at the back'

trim well at the back, stems tend to be ugly from the bottom third. It's also not the light that makes stems drop their leaves. It's to do with flow. However you're not in a position to chuck loads of flow in there. This is another reason to build the dutch scape up correctly, rather than just chucking loads of stems in a glass box, this is where the art form comes in.

Ok, will do, didn't want to block out too much light lower down the stems.Never planted this many before

the more the better mate. As above regarding the light...it's also important to do daily water changes on this for a couple of weeks. I would anyways, due to the melt and die off you're gonna get from the bottom leaves on the stems. Stick with it though Stu as this could be a proper winner.

 

[stu40]

Thanks people

It's to do with flow. However you're not in a position to chuck loads of flow in there

Is that because this tank is small.?

the more the better mate. As above regarding the light...it's also important to do daily water changes on this for a couple of weeks.

Understood.It's a habit that i've already got into whenever starting a new scape.Did 50% daily for the first 3 weeks last time around, and never saw any algae for the 6 months it was running

 

[stu40]

Day one proper

Tank - 61x31x38
Lighting - 2x T8 15w luminaire
Substrate -Fluval Stratum
Ferts -TPN+ 3ml, Easycarbo 2ml
Filtration - Tetratec EX600

Plants - Hygro Corymbosa,Limnophila sessiflora
Pogostemon Erectus, Ludwigia Glandulosa,Baccopa Carolina
Lobelia Cardinalis Dwarf,Red Lotus,Echinodorus Tennelus

Livestock - 8 Microdevario Kubotai, 3 Otos, Amano shrimp

For the record Ludwigia & Baccopa= 2 x Tropica pot
Pogostemon & Lobelia= 2 x AquaFleur pot
E.Tennelus = 4 x unknown pots (from AE,:had a B on the label?)

Needs bit more plant mass, but i'm now broke for the month

Will have to use cuttings to infill.

New growth already ?

Opaque backing went on fine, no air bubbles, 2 days later, looks a bit of a mess.Will try again.
Thanks for looking.

 

[lljdma06]

You need a dark background of some type. Many use cork in Dutch scapes or moss walls even. Or a black background.

Nice initial planting though. Can't wait to see it fill in.

L

 

[stu40]

Thanks.I previously had a dark background on here, thought it might be too much with the substrate being black.Will go dig it out

 

[minnnt]

Looks really good Stu. Plants look very healthy speciemens from the suppliers.

 

[stu40]

Actually i was quite impressed.A LFS has improved their holding tank with co2 & decent lighting.
It was quiet, so had a good chat with the chap who does the ordering.Lots from Tropica & AF.
He'll order in as well.Think they'll be getting a lot more business from me.

 

[FishFanatic04]

So jealous for that LFS.