RIVERCATS 220G Transformation Journal

[Rivercats]

After waiting for my 220g to finally grow in, it did, and it still wasn't what I envisioned SO I did some serious rescaping and this time thought I'd show how the tank transitions. First off the tank is now 100% planted. I removed alittle over half of the Rotala Macrandra in the front center of the tank, about two thirds of the Limnophila hippuroides from the center and right size of the tank and about half of the corkscrew val. One big change is I removed the huge crypt in the very front of the tank that blocked part of the DW with the fissidens fontanus on it. What a change! The tank just openned up with it's removal and so for the second time I am trying to do a HC carpet. Last time I planted big chunks of HC which grew but were also too much of a temptation for my yo-yo loaches not to want to dig up while they were just starting to root to get to the goodies they knew must be hiding under them. This time I have planted very small pieces that hold no lure for the loaches to dig under (not yet at least). I will be taking pic's later to show how the tank is starting off this time and to show how the plants grow, some changing from emmersed to immersed growth, and how they need to be trimmed to shape them properly.

I have always loved the Dutch style so I am pushing alot more into stem plants. This is a list of plants I have added:

Baby Tears (Hemianthus micranthemoides)
Dwarf Baby Tears-HC ((Hemianthus callitrichoides)
Dwarf Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea hirsuta)
Didiplis diandra
Heteranthera Stargrass (Heteranthera zosterfolia)
Hydrotriche hottoniiflora
Ludwigia peruensis aka Ludwigia glandulosa
Rotala Magenta
Pogostemon Erectus
Hygrophila Pinnatifida

After doing all this serious changing I have decided all the Corkscrew Val is going but will have to get more plants to finish filling in that area. Plants I'm considering are:

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'
Ammannia Senegalensis
Hygrophila balsamica
Myriophyllum mattogrossense

If anyone has any other interesting suggestions for stem plants, ones that aren't commonly seen or used please post your ideas.

I have also changed my T5HO bulbs to Geisemann 6000K Midday bulbs and am seeing much better color in my plants in the short time I've had them.

Hope you come along for the journey!

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Oh nice! Can't wait to see the transformation! You know I'm subbed!

 

[Rivercats]

Got the camera battery charging so hopefully the first pic's tonight. This will take months to mature with so many different plants, the different growth rates, and various other factors so hope your in for the "long ride".

 

[abrinn23]

Definitely following this

 

[Rivercats]

Oh nice! Can't wait to see the transformation! You know I'm subbed!

So got any suggestions on stem plants? They will be for the area where the rest of the Corkscrew Val is left. I already planted the Hydrotriche hottoniiflora where I removed the one section of Val's but I still have quite a bit of Val left which will leave a good sized hole. I figure I'm going to need at least 2 more different types of stem plants to fill in. In such a big tank you have to use bigger areas of stem plants so they don't get lost in the scape. This is the one true disadvantage of planting such a large tank! You need tons of stem plants to fill it!

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Haha... you look at is as a disadvantage but I'm always running out of room! One day, I'll have a massive tank

Anyway... I'm a visual person so post a pic in its current state and I can help imagine what would look good. At the very least, we can help bounce ideas off each other.

 

[Scottyhorse]

I will be following.... I'm not a huge plant expert though. Maybe you could add some branchy DW and add some moss or something?

This isn't moss but I really like Hygrophila Pinnatifida. I'm going to get some for my betta tank.

 

[Sharpchick]

I'm partial to giant hygro and cabomba. Neither of those makes your list of not commonly seen though.

I just love seeing cabomba go CA-BOOM.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

I'm definitely following along! Some of those plants are in my 40b rescape!
When your 220 filled in last time I didn't think ANYTHING could top that, that being said though if anyone can do it, it would be you.
:Epic:

 

[Rivercats]

Got some pic's so here we go, first picture is the front center of the tank that had a big Crypt Wendti Bronze removed and openned that area up. Planted starts of HC, Dwarf Hair Grass for a carpet (loaches allowing) and a small patch of Dwarf Four Leaf Clover against the DW. Now you can actually see and appreciate the entire piece of DW with all the Fissiden Fontanus growing on it. Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Rivercats's Album: RIVERCATS 220G Transformation - Picture.

Picture two is the front center where I remove over half the Rotala Macrandra and some of the Limnophila hippuroides. There are the plants newly planted... Cabomba Furcata, Nesaea pedicellata 'Golden', Proserpinaca palustris, Rotala Magenta, Didiplis diandra, Pogostemon Erectus. When newly planting everything blends together but as they grow and color up each species of plant will come into it's own and with proper trimming and shaping will combine to make a bold statement. Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Rivercats's Album: RIVERCATS 220G Transformation - Picture.

Picture three shows what's left of the Limnophila hippuroides but look how intense pink the growth is coming in with the new Geisemann 6000K Midday T5HO bulbs I added a couple weeks ago. Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Rivercats's Album: RIVERCATS 220G Transformation - Picture.

Picture four shows emmersed growth Hygrophila Pinnatifida. Once growth changes to it's immersed form the leaves will look very different, thin, delicate, and hopefully with my high light will turn red. Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Rivercats's Album: RIVERCATS 220G Transformation - Picture.

Picture five should the far right side where I removed most of the Limnophila hippuroides from. In this bunch of plants are Stargrass, Proserpinaca palustris, Hygrophila Pinnatifida, Ludwigia peruensis aka Ludwigia glandulosa. Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Rivercats's Album: RIVERCATS 220G Transformation - Picture.

 

[Scottyhorse]

Wow, looks great Rivercats!!

 

[Rivercats]

This picture is the one Brian that shows where I already moved some of the Corkscrew Val and planted Hydrotriche hottoniiflora. You can just see the Hydrotriche in the open area behind the DW. This is the area I want to remove the rest of the Corkscrew Val and am considering at least two of the below or something else if someone comes up with a good idea:

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'
Ammannia Senegalensis
Hygrophila balsamica
Myriophyllum mattogrossense

Do anyone have any other interesting stem plant idea's for that area? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/members/64804-albums11692-picture51851.html

 

[Rivercats]

It looks interesting Scotty, that's for sure. I just want everyone to see how it starts with small stem cuttings placed in groupings, that have different colors (well when they get colored up) and different leaf shapes and textures, and how they grow, get trimmed and shaped, and eventually turn into a big beautiful (hopefully) aquascape. This is the start and over the next months we can all watch how it grows!

 

[Scottyhorse]

I think it's pretty neat. I also think whatever plant(s) you choose will be great, you are the master of plants IMO

 

[Rivercats]

I also want to give a big THANK YOU Brian as he fixed the glare off these pictures AND he made me two new Avatars without me even asking!!! Your a sweetie Brian!

 

[Rivercats]

I think it's pretty neat. I also think whatever plant(s) you choose will be great, you are the master of plants IMO

I'm doing this in hopes of helping you younger hobbiest learn more about plants and aquascaping in general. Plus I actually get to see my tank change since I didn't know how to do picutes for over the first 1/2 year of the tank being set up.

 

[Scottyhorse]

It really does help, my plants aren't doing so well. They seem to be recovering, but I think I may get a few low light ones in case they don't..

 

[Karay]

I'm doing this in hopes of helping you younger hobbiest learn more about plants and aquascaping in general. Plus I actually get to see my tank change since I didn't know how to do picutes for over the first 1/2 year of the tank being set up.

Lol. Though I'm not necessarily a younger hobbiest I am following to learn from the experts!

 

[Rivercats]

Maybe I should reword it to newer hobbist... lol!

 

[Sharpchick]

I always drooled over your photos. Didn't think it could get any better.

But it did. Brava! Love it. Making notes here.

Curious...how are the fish taking the changes? I see they are incremental changes, but is anyone hiding that used to come out in plain view?