Looks nice, love the layout.
Fishenthusiast's 30 Gallon Planted Odyssey
- Thread starter fishenthusiast
- Start date
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OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
Thanks everyone! I am very glad that this tank is low maintenance. If I would have remained with high lighting, the tank would be a mess. Only two plants are not doing well. The True Dwarf Sag and Vesuvius Sword are not growing that much, but I'll give them time. If by Christmas they haven't done anything, I'll ditch the plants for something else. On the bright side, the Crypt parva is beginning to sprout new leaves.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
Trimmed the Trident Java Fern last night, along with a couple Crypt and Anubias leaves. I rearranged the driftwood a tinge to give the Anubias more space to expand. The filter was cleaned, and everything seems to be doing well--except for the Vesuvius Sword and True Dwarf Sag. If those two plants continue to not do well, I'll get some regular Dwarf Sag, and a different Crypt for the background. Pics to come tonight.
My last Threadfin Rainbowfish died last week. The lone survivor lived for the longest time. Maybe this fish will make an appearance in the tank again one day.
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My last Threadfin Rainbowfish died last week. The lone survivor lived for the longest time. Maybe this fish will make an appearance in the tank again one day.
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OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
Started using Imgur. Hopefully it works. Here is the tank after two months of growth:
https://i.imgur.com/JUIJk57.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vfCZ32M.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8b7A3V8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DueFqHO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vN46euJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X5niNAw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/M5nWMGL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/M04fOgh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6TEw5V1.jpg
FTS shots:
https://i.imgur.com/5W2ir9f.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jS4elno.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RzjUEzh.jpg
This tank has become very relaxing to work with. Very little algae, very little trimming, and short water changes, with monthly filter cleanings. The fish are slow-moving and contrast the tank well. Excessive flow isn't needed. This setup is here to stay. Changes will be minor. I'm thinking the True Dwarf Sag and Vesuvius Sword will eventually be replaced--they aren't growing that well, if at all. I might add some more Anubias, or some Buce, around the low areas of the driftwood eventually.
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https://i.imgur.com/JUIJk57.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vfCZ32M.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8b7A3V8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DueFqHO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vN46euJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X5niNAw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/M5nWMGL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/M04fOgh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6TEw5V1.jpg
FTS shots:
https://i.imgur.com/5W2ir9f.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jS4elno.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RzjUEzh.jpg
This tank has become very relaxing to work with. Very little algae, very little trimming, and short water changes, with monthly filter cleanings. The fish are slow-moving and contrast the tank well. Excessive flow isn't needed. This setup is here to stay. Changes will be minor. I'm thinking the True Dwarf Sag and Vesuvius Sword will eventually be replaced--they aren't growing that well, if at all. I might add some more Anubias, or some Buce, around the low areas of the driftwood eventually.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
Nice pics! I love Imgur. I think you've reached your Nirvana. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. More time starin' and less time swearin' (Die algae, die!)
RIP last threadfin. Quite a while back I recall inquiring about those fish and started following your thread as a result.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
RIP last threadfin. Quite a while back I recall inquiring about those fish and started following your thread as a result.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
Until you get bored with the tank 
Looking good! Nice photos and a crisp jungle growing there.
Looking good! Nice photos and a crisp jungle growing there.
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
Until you get bored with the tank
Looking good! Nice photos and a crisp jungle growing there.
Thanks! I'm sure I'll get bored of it eventually, but pulling out massive Crypts will restrain me. What a mess that'd be! I want to try some Otocinclus Catfish again when the tank gets a little more grown. I've also been unsuccessful with inverts, but I want to try some Amano Shrimp. Those two are on the shopping list.
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Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
Those are good selections. Amanos now; Otos later.
About the boredom thing, I tend to be that way because I know any drastic changes will quickly come to order due to the rapid plant growth rate. If things were not that, I would be less likely to make such changes.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
About the boredom thing, I tend to be that way because I know any drastic changes will quickly come to order due to the rapid plant growth rate. If things were not that, I would be less likely to make such changes.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
I am going to plan better this time for the Otos. They are a nice fish, but they only lasted 2 weeks the last time that I had them.
TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
Same thing happened to me. I added 3 and within 2 weeks they died. Lord knows they had algae to eat too.
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OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'll be posting some tank pictures tonight or tomorrow. No big changes, just more plant growth.
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
Are the crypts sending out runners or is new growth primarily around the base of each plant?
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
The new growth is primarily around the base with new leaf growth. I took out the Vesuvius Sword and True Dwarf Sag as both were not doing well. Also, the Anubias may be showing signs of the rot, as the rhizome for some of them is taking on a brownish color in parts. This means that I might be taking the Anubias out soon if it gets worse. If this is the case, I'll replace them with Buces. I planning on doing a minor rescape in December, but I'll just be moving a plant or two for the addition of some new plants.
Tank photos:
https://i.imgur.com/Z6Pr9ye.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WvU1Z7G.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6FgdQvc.jpg
I'll get some closer images of the Anubias later tonight.
What do you think is causing the rot out of interest?
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's something that I'm trying to figure out. It may not be rot, but the Anubias should be having no problems with the given conditions. [emoji848] I'm currently researching and I'll report back when I get some findings.
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
What's the taller crypt on the right (rear)? C. undulata?
Is this as low maintenance overall as you had hoped for?
Interested in trying buces one day.
Is this as low maintenance overall as you had hoped for?
Interested in trying buces one day.
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
That is Crypt wendtii "bronze". There is some Crypt undulata in there, it just hasn't gotten tall yet (on the left side next to the Java Fern). This tank is very low maintenance. Most of my work with it revolves around filter cleanings and water changes. I feel like something is missing with this scape though. There's not enough driftwood for my liking. I might do something about that in coming months. I'm just taking it slow right now. Buces will definitely be in the scape again--most likely of the brownie species.
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
Over the next couple months, there will be some changes coming to the tank. Note that this will not happen soon, most likely. Instead of Crypts being the focus of the tank, Java Fern will be the main centerpiece. What does this mean? It means that I'll be buying more driftwood, with Needle Leaf Java Fern being a major component to the next phase of this tank. Although it's not something to brag about, I've never had any trouble with Java Fern, and it's always been the best looking plant in my tanks aesthetically and health-wise. For example, this was when I had regular Java Fern when the tank was high tech. https://i.imgur.com/iMcPq57.jpgThis will not be a huge undertaking besides pulling some Crypts out of the substrate to create room for the additional driftwood. I plan on buying the Java Fern from Han Aquatics, and the Buces will be bought elsewhere. Crypt wendtii "green" and "Green Gecko", Crypt wendtii "bronze", Echinodorus parviflorus, and Crypt parva will be kept. Dwarf Sag, some Coffee-leaved Anubias, and possibly Crypt wendtii "Mi Oya", will be added as well. This tank serves as some inspiration: https://i.imgur.com/i1SXKrS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jH5C1LC.jpg The Crypts will bring strong contrast to the Java Fern, as will the fish. The tank will be status quo for now, so I'll update when I'll undertake this rescape. The tank will still be low tech, low light, and low maintenance. That aspect will not change.
TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
Ooohhhh I can hardly wait.
OP
OP
fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'm excited for the rescape as well. The hardest part will be selecting the driftwood. I've always had trouble with that, so I might just have to buy multiple pieces so I'll have many options. Spider wood will be the driftwood of choice as always!
