My 5.5G Shrimp & Moss Nano Tank - Aiming to convert into iwagumi layout

[HiJaC]

Originally Posted by Purrbox

It's Fissidens fontanus and one of my favorite mosses. I'm actually at a point where I should trim mine back fairly severely. Feel free to PM me and I can see about putting together a plant package for you.

Thats a lovely offer but i really doubt it is going to get to me alive in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It's a real shame too as i know plenty of people over here in the UK who would love it, since its just not available.

[Purrbox]

You might want to update your profile with your location information. Mosses are pretty resiliant and ship very well. I just wouldn't have a clue what the shipping requirements are to ship aquatic plants from the US to England. If you wanted to research the shipping requirements, I'd still be willing to give it a go if it's legal and not prohibitively expensive.

[HiJaC]

Originally Posted by Purrbox

You might want to update your profile with your location information. Mosses are pretty resiliant and ship very well. I just wouldn't have a clue what the shipping requirements are to ship aquatic plants from the US to England. If you wanted to research the shipping requirements, I'd still be willing to give it a go if it's legal and not prohibitively expensive.

updated now. i'll check out the postage when i have time tomorrow.

thanks again for the offer.

best regards,

John

[LindsayBlum]

I was just searching threads about cherry shrimp and found your post. Your tank is SO beautiful!!

[HiJaC]

Originally Posted by LindsayBlum

I was just searching threads about cherry shrimp and found your post. Your tank is SO beautiful!!

don't know about that. i wasnt happy with it hence the iwagumi idea.

i've actually been sorting this out today.

here is a sneak preview.






Need to wait until the ricca grows a bit and make a few more stones for a better carpet.

I tried to follow the sanzon iwagumi style with one large rock and two smaller ones which represent a big buddha with two smaller buddha bowing down to it. It looks better then this photo shows tbh and i can't wait until the ricca fills out.

Best Regards.

John

[new2betas]

John,
What are the plants wrapped in? Are the plants that are wrapped the ricca? I can't wait to see it progress....Where's your little shrimpies? I only see about two in there. And, what kind of fish do you have in there??

[HiJaC]

Originally Posted by new2betas

John,
What are the plants wrapped in? Are the plants that are wrapped the ricca? I can't wait to see it progress....Where's your little shrimpies? I only see about two in there. And, what kind of fish do you have in there??

Hi,

Currently there are 2 oto's and the 7 remaining RCS from the previous setup, i also bought in another 10 today, so 17 in total.

I was tieing the ricca down with cotton but it was giving an uneven finish so i did a little shopping for nylon netting. I couldnt find anything of the size i wanted but stumbled apon one of those old fashioned shower scrubs for 75p in ASDA-wallmart when doing my grocery shopping. A little snip later and i had a meter long tube of net with the perfect size i needed.

It makes attaching ricca SOOOOOOO much less time consuming. Cover rock in a thin layer, twist till tight on the back, place a cable tie over the end and tighten, snip excess tie and net.

I've still got to work out the dosing on this tank so things arn't really growing atm. A job for tomorrow me thinks.

Best Regards,

John

[Purrbox]

I really like the direction you're taking this aquarium. I look forward to seeing more pictures once it's grown in.

[HiJaC]

Originally Posted by Purrbox

I really like the direction you're taking this aquarium. I look forward to seeing more pictures once it's grown in.

Thanks Joy, your compliments and advice are always welcome.

Dosing -

Since i'm using liquid co2 and a bit lazy over the weekends i'm going to try and get away with the cut down dosing regime i use on my main tank. The difference on this one being that i'm going to use RO water instead of my tap water to avoid silicate and phosphate issues.

Monday - 50% water change, 10ppm N, 10 ppm K, 2 ppm P, 10ml of Kent Botanica GH mix (will be testing this to aim for GH about 4)
Tuesday - Trace Mix
Wednesday -
Thursday - 10ppm N, 10 ppm K, 2 ppm P,
Friday - as Tuesday
Sat -
Sun -

My trace mix doesnt have any magnesium in it as ive mentioned elsewhere on this site. I was adding it seperately on my main tank but stopped recently when i ran out, nothing much has happened and i'm debating restarting now i have it back in stock.

A carefully balance blend of the 6 essentials trace elements that are required for healthy aquatic plant growth.

This trace mix is designed as the source of trace elements for growers who mix their own N-P-K fertiliser.

Made using top quality matierials, with all metals fully chelated which means it is up to 5 times more efficient than sulphate based mixes. It contains the following elements:

Boron 1.06%
Copper 0.23%
Iron 8.2%
Manganese 1.82%
Molybdenum 0.15%
Zinc 1.16%

With the RO water on this tank i need to add the GH to keep everything happy, this is a new thing for me but from i have read and the instructions on the bottle i see GH mixture is just magnesium and calcuim salts mixed to a 1:3 ratio.

I presume this is why my suppier sells their trace element mix without magnesium, as some people wish to use GH boosters which already contain it....

I've also never done a ricca tank before so any advice on tweaking this nano dosing schedule is appreciated.

Best Regards,

John

[Atl300zx]

is that tiny amt of copper gonna affect the shrimp? i know they are sensitive.