Sam's Now To Be High Light And Tech 20g

[Themuleous]

Thanks Qays

Yeh the two smaller ones at the bottom are nana, the small one at the top is nana petite. Cant remember what the big two are!

The sags seem to be taking hold now which is good, but the abunias leaves are looking a bit worse for wear, thinking they are lacking some nutrient or something, who knows. Got major diatons too, so gonna add 2 ottos today so hopefully that'll clear that up. (you were right after all Zig )

Sam

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Yeah, i think it need something behind your planted wood, some stem plants or grass's.

They dint have to be dominant, just something to stop the wood from looking like its just been dropped into the middle of no where, it could look like you have had the wood and dropped it onto a flat carpet af seg, Oooo and I'm sure you've thought of it, putting some moss on your wood will help too.

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh I've thought about trying to transplant the moss/liverwort thing I have in my nano onto it, the shop says it very easy to do. Trouble is is grows really slowly and probably even slower in the low light but will see, its a hell of a lot of wood to cover!

Sam

 

[TrueNoob]

nice
ill be taking some ideas here and there

 

[netcode]

Hey sam, never realized you had a journal till just now. I love the tank, the anubias looks great! Are you planning to add anything in the background?

Looking forward to some new pics

take care

 

[Themuleous]

I have two

I wasn't planning on updating this for a while, wanted to get it looking perfect first, but have realised that'll probably take years and wont be as fun not showing you guys it progressing

The moss is weeping moss, was hoping to cover the whole of the wood, think it'd look cool once establish, but unfortunately the stuff I got from greenline wasn't in the best of health so I had to check it carefully and its only just showing signs of growing. Going to get a load more when aquaessential get their stock in.

The sags have done well though, although I think I got two types, both dwarf and thin leaved, the thin leaved being the tall ones at the centre, again from greenline, and a bit annoyed really as they are too tall but don't really want to place them after such a short time but think I might have to. Will see how the funds look when AE have their plants in. I do have a red lotus at the left back its taking time to grow, but I'm sure it'll get there eventually, it is a low light tank after all, only 1WPG!

Anyway here's a pic as of ten minutes ago comments welcome.

Sorry about all the filter crap in there it was an impromptu photo so didn't have time to remove it all! Perhaps next time

Sam

I did add a pic, but it was crap so have photoshopped it to make it a bit better

And one of the moss, it seems to eb growing but isnt at all green!

 

[netcode]

Anyway here's a pic as of ten minutes ago smile.gif comments welcome.

seems like u forgot to put the pic in

 

[Themuleous]

There you go

 

[lljdma06]

I haven't seen this one for a while, Sam. It looks very pretty. I like the moss. Hopefully, it'll grow more for you. Just give it time, but I can see that some stuff's brown. Shame really. I miss the anubias alittle, but I've always been partial. It's really very good growth for 1WPG. Keep up the good work.

llj

 

[Themuleous]

Thanks Llj yeh it is good growth, but guess I'm used to the growth in my nano! I should upgrade the lighting really, Ive got everything else in there to make it an EI tank, just being lazy about the pruning I'd have to do!

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

Thanks Llj yeh it is good growth, but guess I'm used to the growth in my nano! I should upgrade the lighting really, Ive got everything else in there to make it an EI tank, just being lazy about the pruning I'd have to do!

Sam

Then don't. The tank is great without all the extra work. I'm not crying into my pillow every night because my tanks are no longer EI tanks. Sure, I miss the layout plans and the attention to detail, but I've only had to prune heavy once this past month. And that's with Wisteria and Anacharis in the tank! Every week, it's a sprig of pennywort here, a lotus leaf there, which is much easier to handle. So much easier than a major overhaul each week and getting my hands all nasty and dry afterwards. Remember the nano Sam? Think really hard.

Now a hijack question for you, since you've grown HM in your nano. I'm getting a big bunch from FKNM in late September. Would it be better in my 8g with 3WPG? The tank depth is 11 inches. Or, would it be better in a 36g bowfront with a depth of 21 inches and 1.8WPG? Doesn't need to be bushy and gorgeous (though I can dream), I just don't want it to die. I will inject CO2, dose some ferts, and the substrate is laterite with fine gravel, but neither of these tanks are EI. You'd think the 8g was one, but with smaller tanks the light is less intense. I have little algae with only 2 doses of Flourish a week, and I actually need a bit of algae in this tank with the oto and baby barbs. I'd really like it in the 8g since I think it'll provide better cover for cherry barb fry and I think I can plant the whole tank in HM and mosses and I think it'll look very nice, and easier to maintain with just 2-3 species of plants really. But if it's the 36g, I'll understand. The 36g will be setup when I return from my vacation.

Sorry to bother with a question, but again, think about whether or not you want to put that much effort into maintenance and what you want out of your planted hobby. I found out that I still like the fish better (especially when they have babies!) and I don't think I'll ever have the patience nor the inclination for any of the fancy setups that many here have. I am really liking my jungle/easy to grow/low maintenance setups. I still basically grow what I want, and these tanks fit much better with my schedule.

llj

 

[Themuleous]

Thanks for the advice, you're right, when I get my huge 100g tank in a few years perphas I'll do that one properly, who knows! But you're right I don't want this hobby to become any more dominating over my life than it already is. I still enjoy my fish and plants and it might get to the point where I don't if I try and take on any more and that would ruin it. So for now it'll remain as it is. I think I might upgrade to more like 1.5 to 1.8WPG when I have the money to help the moss but going over the magic 2WPG might need of thinking about first

As to the HM, that's a tricky one, both tanks sound about the same really. I do have one suggestion though, knowing FKMN and her generous ways () she'll probably send you quite a bit, in which case why not plant half in each? And see what happens?

Again thanks for the advice, hope I have been equally helpful in return

Sam

 

[Themuleous]

I think Im going to replace all the sag with ones from AE when Richard finally gets his order in! The taller ones were never part of the plan, but greenline I think sent me the wrong sort.

Lots of fish in there! Check out my profile!

Sam

EDIT - Having looked at it, you're right you cant see any fish in the first pic can you! There's plenty in there too! Camera shy I guess1

 

[lljdma06]

I think Im going to replace all the sag with ones from AE when Richard finally gets his order in! The taller ones were never part of the plan, but greenline I think sent me the wrong sort.

Lots of fish in there! Check out my profile!

Sam

EDIT - Having looked at it, you're right you cant see any fish in the first pic can you! There's plenty in there too! Camera shy I guess1

I checked out your profile and Wow! I thought I was stocking heavily. It's amazing what you can get away with when you create the right environment. I wonder if you can add more lemon tetras, though? They're best in larger groups, 5+. I know you know that already. Just something to think about. They are a great fish. If you get that giant tank you're dreaming of, that'll be the perfect home for the clowns.

Thank you FKNM, that was a sweet comment. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Shucks. I hope the anubias don't disappoint.

 

[Themuleous]

I did have 6 lemons originally but they've reduce to just 1 over time. I don't really think I should add any more fish to the tank, as you say, it is quite full (although it doesn't look full, not the best guide I know but its really not as bad as my profile might suggest), apart from a pair of rams when I can find some, the big eheim 2222 keeps the water in good condition. The clowns are a big reason for getting the 100g when I can. They are fine in my 20G at the moment but will need more room eventually.

Thanks for the advice

Sam