Victim Of Its Own Success?

[Dude]

your tank looks great

iv never seen a fern so well grown

allso i really love the coloration of the fish you piced ( blue red neons (or cardinals) and orange platties

i have a simmular coloration design too


looks great
!!!!!!!!!!!1

i would add a few more plats if i were you

i aloso recomend an angel i think that it would look awesome in there !!!

good luck with your tank (S)!

 

[George Farmer]

I'm sorry, but I can't keep myself from adding my input.

Whenever I look into your tank, that fern bugs me. I think it looks rather hideous and much too overwhelming. I think it detracts from everything.

That's all. Please don't take this harshly, against your beloved fern, I just think that some other plants would look much, much better in its place.

No, no, I'm not saying it's poor, it's an awesome plant certainly, keep it! I just think it needs a little (a lot) trimming to keep everything balanced. It's a lovely tank, but the Java Fern throws it off a bit.

Fish_Mike - Certainly don't apologise for your feedback. I appreciate any constructive critisisms, they are a vital part of helping progress the aquascaping hobby/art. If all one heard were constant compliments then one may be lured into a false sense that their work was perfect, although personally this will never happen as I'm probably my own worst critic - except for my wife that is!

This layout is by no means the "finished article". My original intention of posting this thread was to display how one plant can grow so big as to become a "victim of its own success", in which case you happen to agree.

I totally agree with you that in its current environment the fern appears overwhelming. "Hideous" -rather an extreme adjective but if that's your opinion then who am I to argue.....

So out of interest would you replace the fern altogether as you suggested in your first post or keep it and trim it as per your second post?

 

[jimbooo]

well you know my thoughts mate. beautiful but getting big, i've just had an idea though i have 3 big ferns that are probably about the same size as yours was 8 months ago. about 1 foot long, 10 inches and 7 inches (left to right) and all about 8/10 inches tall.

when i get my co2 sorted out they will perk up nicely. assuming they look the part and there is no reason that they wont in a few months then your welcome to do a swop. 2 of mine for yours or something.

maybe i'll pop over when your back from your trip with mine in a bucket and you can see what you think. if you dont like them then i'll just stop for a cuppa and a chat.

just an idea, it is an awesome plant but i agree it's getting a little large. the problem is you cant really prune them down too much as all the leaves are the same size. give or take a few cm.

full marks for giving the plant a happy life though, she sure looks happy in there.

dare i ask though, i'm sure the answers no but do you get any algae problems on the upper leaves that are so close to the light? i've had some problems in the past when slow growers are high up in the water column.

 

[George Farmer]

maybe i'll pop over when your back from your trip with mine in a bucket and you can see what you think. if you dont like them then i'll just stop for a cuppa and a chat.

do you get any algae problems on the upper leaves that are so close to the light?

Sounds like a great idea James. We'll sort something out. Rest assured that the fern will not be wasted, where it lives though time will tell.

Algae - what is that exactly?

No algae mate, tiny GSA now and again but hardly visible.

 

[SRC]

Personaly, I think it looks fine the size it is.

The large fern in the middle has just become the "focal point" basically. Kinda like a prize rose bush in the middle of a garden, like a center piece on a dining table, or a large picture, between 2 candelabras, hanging on a wall above a sofa/table.

The tank has a bi-symmetrical balance that allows it to look pleasing to me; the plants to each side are symmetrical (or they appear to be anyways based on the pic angle). But, most things in nature normally aren't symmetrical, but are normally bi-symmetrical instead...so if you are going for a more natural "look" then you should probably change it.

Personally, I prefer symmetrical things lol..so I of course would leave it , but it's your tank, and if you think it's too large or to un-natural...do something about it. If you think it looks nice, leave it. lol

It's definately the best I've ever seen though...and I'm thoroughly jealous lol. I can't keep plants alive for the life of me...I have absolutely no green thumb (wet or dry) what so ever .

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks for your comments SRC. I'm glad you like it.

 

[Squid]

Personally, I prefer symmetrical things lol..

Me too.. my missus always takes the mick out of me for that.. she has a cheese plant in the office.. ghastly thing, wouldnt know symmetry if it hit it in the face. The damn thing wont die off either.. nothing will kill that damn hideous unsymmetrical eye-sore..

rant over
squid

 

[SRC]

The damn thing wont die off either.. nothing will kill that damn hideous unsymmetrical eye-sore..

mix some salt in the potting soil.






Or you could just let me take care of it for a week

 

[Dany]

how do you clean the gravel with thoses plants at the bottom of your tank?
oh..very nice tank..dont cut the fern...it finishes the tank...beutiful
dany

 

[Fish_Mike]

So out of interest would you replace the fern altogether as you suggested in your first post or keep it and trim it as per your second post?

Well, I would probably keep the fern, but certainly trim it down. I'd also strip it of the centerpiece function (Sorry ferny!) and just incorporate it into the design.

 

[George Farmer]

So out of interest would you replace the fern altogether as you suggested in your first post or keep it and trim it as per your second post?

Well, I would probably keep the fern, but certainly trim it down. I'd also strip it of the centerpiece function (Sorry ferny!) and just incorporate it into the design.

Like this?

 

[George Farmer]

how do you clean the gravel with thoses plants at the bottom of your tank?
oh..very nice tank..dont cut the fern...it finishes the tank...beutiful
dany

I don't clean the substrate. I have low fish stocking and good (over)filtration. The plant growth uses up any excess fish waste and I have a healthy population of Malaysian Trumpet Snails that also help keep the substrate fresh, I also have a substrate heater cable that provides numerous benefits.

My only "gravel" maintenance is sliding a credit card in-between the front glass and substrate every week to prevent any possible build-up of blue-green algae (BGA).

Thanks.

 

[Mbuna Dave]

As ever George it looks stunning,i rather like the huge fern in the middle which makes a gorgeous centre piece.

For me you can put a stick of cucumber in the middle and still make me green with envy.

 

[George Farmer]

For me you can put a stick of cucumber in the middle and still make me green with envy.

Never thought of that, must try it . Thanks Dave.

 

[Mbuna Dave]

Give it a try and show me the results with lots of lovely pictures.

Go on,you know you wanna.