55 gal log -- UPDATED 3/2/07 WITH LOTS O PICS

[Mosaic]

Lol, I love the names! I bet the fishies are very happy in there. You've made a lot of progress already!

 

[MyCatsDrool]

Also, here is a stat update:


Added: Powerhead for water movement. Felt I needed it.

Dosing:
M,W,F: 1/2 tsp KNO3, 1/8tsp K2SO4, 1/8 tsp KH2PO4, 1 cap flourish Excel
T: 1/8 CSM+B, Excel
Th: 1/8 CSM+B, 1/4 KNO3
S: 1/8 CSM+B 1/4 KNO3
S: H2O change, 50-70%

pH: Variant right now. Since I just introduced a TON of CO2, it is still fluctuating. Today it is 6.6ish
KH: Likewise fluctuating due to new CO2. Today is 2.5
Nitrates: 20PPM (Just dosed the tank tho)
CO2: 24 PPM according to Chuck's calculator
Temp 81F

Need to test phos, but lazy and sick still.

Have 4 DIY CO2 running, 2 hagen systems, 2 gallon jugs of home-made, one in the power filter intake, one in a big rectangular holding thingy (see pics).

Put glass tops on the tank to help keep some of the released CO2 trapped

added some corkscrew val.

 

[J Migidy]

Nice Ghost Knife Fish!!!

 

[drobertson]

NIce names, Great Looking Tank!!!!!!!

 

[rkilling1]

KH: Likewise fluctuating due to new CO2. Today is 2.5

The KH is not effected by CO2 addition.

 

[MyCatsDrool]

Ok so here is an update =)


I am thrilled to say that adding ferts and tons of DIY co2 containers has reallly kicked off growth in my Hygro Sunset and cuban chain sword.

My Cabomba is looking better, and the ludwigia is taking off also.

Myrio, Rotala indica, and Giant hairgrass isn't doing great, and my java ferns are struggling also.

PH is 6.5
No3 is running about 20
KH is about 2.5
Carbon around 25ppm

Here is some pics:

some nice growth

struggling java ferns

Heath Ledger loving the lushness

Ubiquitus snail egg shot

Club Ludwigia.

Battling Diatoms and BBA

Another sad Java fern

How do i get rid of this black stuff on my anubias?

The sunset loves me

Obligatory full tank shot.

 

[Diablos]

Ummm sexy tank, very nice!

 

[redswi]

nice tank....can I lick it???

 

[MyCatsDrool]

licking costs $$$ here. bring clippings and we'll talk.

 

[SparKy697]

nice tank....can I lick it???

Lol, that makes me laugh because the term "Window Licker" used to be used to describe somebody that was not quite up to speed.

BTW, that is a beautiful tank!

 

[MyCatsDrool]

Thanks. It has come a long way since the first post even...

The licking comes from me offering to lick the glass of tanks i especially love.

I just took a crapload of pictures...i really need to get rid of the ones i don't want =)

Ty for the compliments. I am not happy with it yet but it is getting there.

 

[MyCatsDrool]

Update:


Well, I asked for a jungle...I got a jungle.


New additions:

Tonia
Marimo Moss Balls (TRIBBLES!!!)
Ozelot Sword

Changes:
Added two powerheads for diffusion, turned filters to minimum flow.


Plans: When I move, i am either going to completely change to Aquasoil Africana or Add more Flourite. Undecided as of yet.


Problems: Still seeing a lot of dusty looking diatoms

Finally have my CO2 at 30ppm and the nitrates are no longer bottoming out.

Here are the pics

 

[zenkatydid]

what is that shaggy plant in the 3rd pic? it's awesome!

 

[MyCatsDrool]

http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-278.htm

 

[newfound77951]

Looking good....you'll get everything under control. I had huuuge algae problems when I started my 55 and I swore the tank would never look good again, it takes a while but all of a sudden one day you'll notice the algae going away, fast.

Love the angels, they are gorgeous!

 

[travis simonson]

Wow, that's quickly becoming a very lush jungle Very cool.

The Tonina will appreciate your ~6.5 pH. It's a tricky one (at least for me).

You mentioned getting the black algae off your Anubias earlier; the only good way to rid yourself of BBA is to trim all affected leaves from the plant and maintain consistent CO2 levels in the 25-30ppm range. Moving the Anubias to a lower light area of the tank will also help. Anubias left exposed to strong light is very hard to keep algae-free.

I'm anxious to see this tank fill in. I'm guessing you're going to have your hands full just keeping the growth pruned

 

[MyCatsDrool]

Just a picture update:

1/15/2007. The day I added ferts, Excel and CO2 to my tank:

Today (3/2/2007):

 

[rich311k]

Looking good.

 

[travis simonson]

That is a dramatic change Very lush. I love it

 

[MyCatsDrool]

Only a true lush can produce lush.