TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
I would not trade my long tongs for anything. You can't plant glosso without them. Don't bother with plastic - go for stainless and they'll last forever.
Aquascaping a 150g.
- Thread starter kaaikop
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Tankgirl, thanks for the encouragement...! I need it right now, LOL
I think it looks a little empty, but will add on. Definately need to find
some "red" foliage plant for contrast, and I still want to put some
micranthemum micrantoide (or whatever it's called) in the central part of
the tank, I just like the look of that plant.
Feynman, I think I will eventually get some of those tools for myself...
in the longrun, they will pay off. Just earlier, I had to replant one of the
anubias which had decided to "float"... wow that is deep, LOL, had water
up to my armpit!
I think it looks a little empty, but will add on. Definately need to find
some "red" foliage plant for contrast, and I still want to put some
micranthemum micrantoide (or whatever it's called) in the central part of
the tank, I just like the look of that plant.
Feynman, I think I will eventually get some of those tools for myself...
in the longrun, they will pay off. Just earlier, I had to replant one of the
anubias which had decided to "float"... wow that is deep, LOL, had water
up to my armpit!
Quake2player
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hey Kaaikop, I only wish I could even have a tank HALF the size of your 150 . I wouldn't worry 1 bit about your tank looking "empty". I'm a plant newb myself and I also go WOW when I see the pics of the very lush planted tanks here and on the net... but I do believe that is lush growth given some considerable time for the plants to grow. So I'd be glad to have your problem... worrying about "what to buy next" to fill that 150... heh.
Soon enough, your plants will begin to propagate and multiply. I have 1 Amazon Sword that already has produced 4 baby Swords and they will eventually ovetake my humble 29 gallon... little did I know, but I had heard about how hardy swords can be. You'll have lots of fun watching the plants grow right before your eyes.
The one thing about plants... when they propogate new "baby" plants, they don't eat their young like most freswater fish do (cichlids exception of course!!)... hehe.
. I wouldn't worry 1 bit about your tank looking "empty". I'm a plant newb myself and I also go WOW when I see the pics of the very lush planted tanks here and on the net... but I do believe that is lush growth given some considerable time for the plants to grow. So I'd be glad to have your problem... worrying about "what to buy next" to fill that 150... heh.Soon enough, your plants will begin to propagate and multiply. I have 1 Amazon Sword that already has produced 4 baby Swords and they will eventually ovetake my humble 29 gallon... little did I know, but I had heard about how hardy swords can be. You'll have lots of fun watching the plants grow right before your eyes.
The one thing about plants... when they propogate new "baby" plants, they don't eat their young like most freswater fish do (cichlids exception of course!!)... hehe.
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
yeah gotta say, this is totally exciting!!!
Already seeing some progress, the hygro. polysperma & the alternathera are
slowly turning reddish (the tips). Isn't that cool!!! it actually works!!!
Now I'm totally broke from buying all that equipment, but hey, I'm happy as a
king, you should see my big grin
Isn't that what hobbies are all about? 8)
Already seeing some progress, the hygro. polysperma & the alternathera are
slowly turning reddish (the tips). Isn't that cool!!! it actually works!!!
Now I'm totally broke from buying all that equipment, but hey, I'm happy as a
king, you should see my big grin
Isn't that what hobbies are all about? 8)
Jchillin
Aquarium Advice Addict
I just caught up with this thread and I must admit, it's looking good. For quick reference, I compared your digital pic with the actual and it's looking just like you envisioned it.
Yes, that is all that matters.
Yes, that is all that matters.
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Not going very well... while cleaning the front glass, I noticed a sort of
scratch... under the magn. glass, it actually looks like the glass is
chipped (no much, just 1/4 in. long), but enough to make me panic 8O
Emptying the tank, called the rep. waiting for them to come & look it up...
FALSE ALARM: emptied, whatever it was, came off with the fingernail...
I guess I'm just nervous about this thing, have nightmares about picking
up 150 g. of water with towels and sponges...
scratch... under the magn. glass, it actually looks like the glass is
chipped (no much, just 1/4 in. long), but enough to make me panic 8O
Emptying the tank, called the rep. waiting for them to come & look it up...
FALSE ALARM: emptied, whatever it was, came off with the fingernail...
I guess I'm just nervous about this thing, have nightmares about picking
up 150 g. of water with towels and sponges...
JHawk
Aquarium Advice Activist
Now THAT is what it's all about!
Lot's of ups & downs in this hobby-I'm rather new at it myself, but there have been lot's of unexpected twists in my experience. Have fun with it!
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
Thank goodness! It was probably a stray tail of silicone sealant or something.
You are absolutely right to react strongly to a possible chip in the glass on any tank, much less one that size - the notion of all that broken on the floor is nothing to sneeze at! 8O My neighbor's 29gal fell to the floor and broke in a million pieces, and you would have thought there was 150 gallons on the floor with the mess that relatively small tank left behind.
You are absolutely right to react strongly to a possible chip in the glass on any tank, much less one that size - the notion of all that broken on the floor is nothing to sneeze at! 8O My neighbor's 29gal fell to the floor and broke in a million pieces, and you would have thought there was 150 gallons on the floor with the mess that relatively small tank left behind.
JHawk
Aquarium Advice Activist
Not to butt in
, but how did that happen?? Just want to learn from someone else's unfortunate mistake.kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
A little progress (3 days...) Added some creeping plants in the front
corners, still looking for some glosso for the central front area...
The rest is growing fine!
Population now: 6 otosynclus, 6 platys (these I had put only to help the
cycle, but I think the little buggers are going to give me some family!)
corners, still looking for some glosso for the central front area...
The rest is growing fine!
Population now: 6 otosynclus, 6 platys (these I had put only to help the
cycle, but I think the little buggers are going to give me some family!)
Attachments
G
Guest
Guest
Tank is filling in nicely, good job so far!
Looks like Sag. subulata, yes? I have it in a couple tanks, it's a good plant. Once it gets really established, "creeping" doesn't do it justice, more like "running 100mph"! Mine spreads fast in all directions, it's one I have to trim back a lot. Keeping it only where you want it requires very regular pruning, at least weekly. If I let mine go without pruning for longer than 7-10 days, it ends up trying to take over areas where I don't want it. (I'm envisioning it invading your glosso lawn.) Keep the pruning scissors sharp and ready!
I hope that didn't come across as too negative, not my intent. Just want to share my experience with it.
Keep this thread going, it's a cool "tank journal" post! I'm enjoying watching your tank evolve, kaaikop!
Looks like Sag. subulata, yes? I have it in a couple tanks, it's a good plant. Once it gets really established, "creeping" doesn't do it justice, more like "running 100mph"! Mine spreads fast in all directions, it's one I have to trim back a lot. Keeping it only where you want it requires very regular pruning, at least weekly. If I let mine go without pruning for longer than 7-10 days, it ends up trying to take over areas where I don't want it. (I'm envisioning it invading your glosso lawn.) Keep the pruning scissors sharp and ready!
I hope that didn't come across as too negative, not my intent. Just want to share my experience with it.
Keep this thread going, it's a cool "tank journal" post! I'm enjoying watching your tank evolve, kaaikop!
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Thanks for the comments! I appreciate it since I'm new to this, any input
helps! I think it is Sag. subulata... the LFS had no idea, LOL If it turns out to be
Vals... wow I'm gonna have a big problem, LOL
maybe just turn the tank
around
This is actually a lot of fun, I am learning a lot as I go along...
Just can't wait to introduce the cardinals!
helps! I think it is Sag. subulata... the LFS had no idea, LOL If it turns out to be
Vals... wow I'm gonna have a big problem, LOL
maybe just turn the tankaround
This is actually a lot of fun, I am learning a lot as I go along...
Just can't wait to introduce the cardinals!
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Wow, today was a big day... first, I woke up to find a baby platy! lost
track of it, was so tiny... Then I decided the tank still needs some
work, so got more plants!
Couldn't find any Glosso, so the heck with it. Instead I found some
Lileaopsis N.Z., interesting little creeping plant, took me hours to lay it
out, but that should fill in the front part nicely.
Then relocated the hygro. polysperma in the central background,
and filled the corner with some Myriophyllum matogrossowhatever, nice
touch of colour, and should be a good hiding spot for the fry.
And added 2 doz. neons, that was the missing touch!
Now, if I can only leave it alone for a week or two, and see
what happens...! I am becoming an addict, here LOL
track of it, was so tiny... Then I decided the tank still needs some
work, so got more plants!
Couldn't find any Glosso, so the heck with it. Instead I found some
Lileaopsis N.Z., interesting little creeping plant, took me hours to lay it
out, but that should fill in the front part nicely.
Then relocated the hygro. polysperma in the central background,
and filled the corner with some Myriophyllum matogrossowhatever, nice
touch of colour, and should be a good hiding spot for the fry.
And added 2 doz. neons, that was the missing touch!
Now, if I can only leave it alone
for a week or two, and seewhat happens...! I am becoming an addict, here LOL
Attachments
Rxblade123
Aquarium Advice Freak
Wow. If it looks so good now, imagine how it would look when they start growing and filling whatever spaces u have left in the tank.
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Baby platy still around, actually, pretty bold little guy, swimming up to
the surface and escaping a bunch of hungry predators, LOL
He's got plenty of hiding spots now, should be allright. I wouldn't be
surprised if I find more in the next few days. This is sooooooo cool!
the surface and escaping a bunch of hungry predators, LOL
He's got plenty of hiding spots now, should be allright. I wouldn't be
surprised if I find more in the next few days. This is sooooooo cool!
travis simonson
Aquarium Advice Addict
The tank is looking good man Looks like you've got everything laid out nicely. I've got a small L. novaezelandae lawn in my tank and have found that once it gets nice and thick, you can 'mow' it with a pair of scissors quite easily. Almost looks like the grass in my front yard Anxious to see this tank grow in
Looks like you've got everything laid out nicely. I've got a small L. novaezelandae lawn in my tank and have found that once it gets nice and thick, you can 'mow' it with a pair of scissors quite easily. Almost looks like the grass in my front yard Anxious to see this tank grow in kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Thanks for the comments!
Well, plants will continue to move around for awhile
Seems like I just can't keep my hands out of that tank, LOL
Example, the red myriophyllum, right in front of the filter intake... it's not a great
idea... it gets loaded with debris... will have to move that for sure... and the
hygroph. polysperma, it wants to "creep" instead of growing high... So, I'm on a
learning curve here, but it sure is a lot of fun!
Well, plants will continue to move around for awhile
Seems like I just can't keep my hands out of that tank, LOL
Example, the red myriophyllum, right in front of the filter intake... it's not a great
idea... it gets loaded with debris... will have to move that for sure... and the
hygroph. polysperma, it wants to "creep" instead of growing high... So, I'm on a
learning curve here, but it sure is a lot of fun!
travis simonson
Aquarium Advice Addict
I can see issues with Myriophyllum next to an intake - heheh. Don't worry about the H. polysperma, it will grow upwards once it gets adjusted. You'll have to start trimming it regularly just to keep it from overrunning everything
kaaikop
Aquarium Advice Freak
Well a little bit of progress here... first I move the Myriophylum away
from the filter intake (that was a BAD idea, LOL). replaced with the
Ludwigia, who seem to be happy right there. Had to trim the Hygrophila
polysperma, that stuff was getting monstrous. In the left corner, in front
of the Alternanthera (growing like nuts), I put new plants (bought at the
local LFS, they had no idea what it was LOL, I think some Rotala), the
nymphaea is making a new leaf almost everyday! and the carpet is
slowing making new runners, so that should look nice in a bit. The
anubias also making some new leaves, and finally got a grip on the
substrate (no more floaties).
Getting a little more confident on the nutrient dosing, I just ordered my
first "kit" from G.Watson to mix my own. The wood stumps slowly start to
have a "green" covering (just normal algea I guess), looks nice and the
Oto are getting something to eat! I still have a least 2 baby platys,
hiding in the myriophyllum, they manage to avoid predators 8)
from the filter intake (that was a BAD idea, LOL). replaced with the
Ludwigia, who seem to be happy right there. Had to trim the Hygrophila
polysperma, that stuff was getting monstrous. In the left corner, in front
of the Alternanthera (growing like nuts), I put new plants (bought at the
local LFS, they had no idea what it was LOL, I think some Rotala), the
nymphaea is making a new leaf almost everyday! and the carpet is
slowing making new runners, so that should look nice in a bit. The
anubias also making some new leaves, and finally got a grip on the
substrate (no more floaties).
Getting a little more confident on the nutrient dosing, I just ordered my
first "kit" from G.Watson to mix my own. The wood stumps slowly start to
have a "green" covering (just normal algea I guess), looks nice and the
Oto are getting something to eat! I still have a least 2 baby platys,
hiding in the myriophyllum, they manage to avoid predators 8)
Attachments
travis simonson
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's starting to fill in very nicely Excellent work. You'll want to keep an eye on your NO3 levels at the beginning because it's easy for them to get out of control in a new tank that isn't taking up ferts at full rates yet. Just make sure the green algae stays on the wood and not the plants
Excellent work. You'll want to keep an eye on your NO3 levels at the beginning because it's easy for them to get out of control in a new tank that isn't taking up ferts at full rates yet. Just make sure the green algae stays on the wood and not the plants 
