Caliban's AquaOpti 85L

[Caliban07]

About 4 months. Not bad when you consider I started with this much.

 

[flchamp89]

Thats awesome. Mine has similar progress.

 

[Bert2oo1]

About 4 months. Not bad when you consider I started with this much.

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Crazy, shows the different conditions does it. Like my rotala is struggling but everything else is thriving. I guess some plants just work better in some systems and others struggle. As u say as they compete for uptake etc. my helfari in the front right so it wouldn't have great flow going past it and maybe it doesn't get as much light as other plants get? Or maybe the co2 doesn't get to it as much.

So many variables it's hard to say really

 

[KingKoopa512]

Cloudy pic of my tank after trim yesterday afternoon. I must have caused a ruckus uprooting the ludwigia as the tank is still hazy 24 hours later.

View attachment 297133

Very nice cali. Mine is hazy as well hahahah just got some golden nesaea replace all the ludwigia repens since I have already grown that before but never have had golden nesaea so now the tank is cloudy [emoji12]

 

[Caliban07]

Thanks buddy. It's getting there.

 

[flchamp89]

Question...what is your hypothesis for tds continuing to decline as tank ages?
1. Tabs exhausted?
2. Nutrients being more readily uptaked by growing plants?

Have you expierenced this? I find it both odd yet intetesting.....what a life I have lol

 

[Caliban07]

Question...what is your hypothesis for tds continuing to decline as tank ages?
1. Tabs exhausted?
2. Nutrients being more readily uptaked by growing plants?

Have you expierenced this? I find it both odd yet intetesting.....what a life I have lol

My thoughts would be uptake. Maybe not just buy plants. Everything. Plants are the key though because they set the scene and provide the conditions for a vigorous ecosystem.

I have this now. Where I can't get my TDS to go up despite adding EI and then some. I think it's the first time I've seen this 'plants as filters' mantra come in to fruition.

 

[Caliban07]

Tank looks ok. There's still some less than ideal growth but I've been doing a lot of experimental changes. Getting there.

 

[KingKoopa512]

Tank looks ok. There's still some less than ideal growth but I've been doing a lot of experimental changes. Getting there.

View attachment 297833

Looking good Cali it's getting there buddy

 

[Bert2oo1]

Tank looks ok. There's still some less than ideal growth but I've been doing a lot of experimental changes. Getting there.

View attachment 297833

Didn't come home to any disasters then? Bonus! [emoji106]

 

[Caliban07]

No some mixed results growth wise but otherwise ok. Learning so much running this tank and what certain plants like and don't. Which are hardiest and not etc been fun.

 

[Bert2oo1]

No some mixed results growth wise but otherwise ok. Learning so much running this tank and what certain plants like and don't. Which are hardiest and not etc been fun.

Yea same with mine. I'm still struggling to make rotala thrive and that's ment to be an easy plant! Lol not sure if it's the previous toxicity or if it's not liking the conditions. As u say it really is a challenge to meet every seperate plants needs. Your tanks looking good tho! That MC is carpeting in nicely!

 

[Delapool]

Tank looks ok. There's still some less than ideal growth but I've been doing a lot of experimental changes. Getting there.

View attachment 297833

Looking nice! (and I see you still have fish in there! I'm getting to the stage where I just have fish because saying I have a plant tank gets strange looks when I say how much they were. Spend that much on fish and people think that's entirely fair [emoji51]).

 

[toolman]

Looking nice! (and I see you still have fish in there! I'm getting to the stage where I just have fish because saying I have a plant tank gets strange looks when I say how much they were. Spend that much on fish and people think that's entirely fair [emoji51]).

Lol...I know I almost enjoy the plants more.

 

[flchamp89]

People keep fish....oh ya I have 4

 

[Bert2oo1]

People keep fish....oh ya I have 4

Haha I laughed I have the same attitude. If it wasn't for my wife I wouldn't have any fish in my tanks. Apart from the Oscar and his tank
Mates. I like big fish [emoji106]

 

[Caliban07]

Noticed a few shimplets. One is either a red cherry and crystal black cross or it's an Amano.

 

[KingKoopa512]

Noticed a few shimplets. One is either a red cherry and crystal black cross or it's an Amano.

Awesome baby shrimp . ?

 

[Caliban07]

Awesome baby shrimp . [emoji3]

Yeah man. Is Amano shrimp breeding common enough in freshwater? Most likely black crystal

 

[KingKoopa512]

Yeah man. Is Amano shrimp breeding common enough in freshwater? Most likely black crystal

Yea that's what I think it is . Amano shrimp are larvae when born they need brackish water to successfully breed an live til they are old enough to be in pure freshwater