restarting my planted tanks

[rkilling1]

I have been a member of this site for over 6 years and during that time I have invested untold amounts of money and to many hours to count on aquatic macrophytes.

Over the past 3 years, I have let my tanks just sit there and not much of anything else. Several weeks ago, I got the 'bug' again and started revamping my tanks.

This will be my journal of how my tanks went from garbage to tanks that people will enjoy again.

Here is the starting pictures of the tanks:

75 gallon


28 gallon

[severum mama]

Nice to see you back here.

I'm looking forward to seeing how your tanks progress.

[Coursair]

The more people with planted tanks the better

[rkilling1]

Last week I FINALLY changed the Eco-complete back to PFS that I enjoyed when I started this journey. I also recieved dozens of plant species from Peyton a couple of days ago.

Here is what I currently have in this tank:

Blyxa japonica
Echinodorus bleheri 'Compacta'
Echinodorus 'Kleiner Bar'
Eleocharis acicularis
Glossostigma elatinoides
Hemianthus callitrichoides
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hydrocotyle verticillata
Hygrophila polysperma 'Sunset'
Limnophila aromatica
Lindernia sp. 'India'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form'
Ludwigia arcuata
Ludwigia glandulosa
Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'
Ludwigia palustris
Ludwigia sp. 'Rubin'
Lysimachia nummularia "creeping jenny"
Marsilea spp. (quadrifolia)
Micranthemum umbrosum
Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow leaf'
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'
Myriophyllum mattogrossense
Persicaria praetermissa
Persicaria sp. 'Kawagoeanum'
Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo'
Pogostemon helferi
Pogostemon stellatus 'Broad Leaf'
Proserpinaca palustris
Riccia fluitans
Rotala Gia Lai
Rotala macrandra 'Green'
Staurogyne sp. ‘Porto Velho’
Taxiphyllum barbieri




I am keeping the algae on the back glass rightnow to ensure my algae eaters have something to consume while I continue to clean up the tank.

Most of the plants are currently spread out so I can get them growing faster. Once I start getting enough of them to bunch up, I will start setting up the scaping of the tank.

One of the few that made it in this attention deprived tank was Hydrocotyle verticillata. Here it is today all happy:

[rkilling1]

Here is the 28 gallon. Same as the 75, changed the Eco-complete back to PFS.
Here is what is currently in this tank:

Anubias barteri var. 'Nana'
Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'
Bacopa monnieri
Echinodorus bleheri 'Compacta'
Echinodorus 'Kleiner Bar'
Glossostigma elatinoides
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Ludwigia repens
Microsorum pteropus
Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow leaf'
Taxiphyllum barbieri



Changed the reactor over to something smaller. I will be transfering some of the species over to this tank once I get some decent growth from them.

[Peyton]

I can't wait to see the progress!

[rkilling1]

Originally Posted by Peyton

I can't wait to see the progress!

Me to! I sit and watch the tanks all day long and nothing is growing.

I can't wait until I have enough mass to start scaping.

Now all I need is some driftwood and maybe some rocks.

It is kinda nice seeing all the O2 bubbling up again.

[Coursair]

I'll be following your progress

[fort384]

Welcome back! Good to see you again. That is quite a species list for the 75. It will be interesting to see it all grown in in a couple months...

[dtz]

Originally Posted by rkilling1

One of the few that made it in this attention deprived tank was Hydrocotyle verticillata. Here it is today all happy:

Now that is one happy plant, just beautiful!

[rkilling1]

Just a small update. Starting to see some GDA. Nothing unexpected. Ordered some Driftwood and once it's come in, I will start scaping.

[Peyton]

Looking good so far!

[drobertson]

Nice to see a name that I remember getting back into the game. I have just recently started up my 75 again and have been lurking around here again. Your tank is really starting to look good. Always enjoyed watching your tanks.

[rkilling1]

Thanks guys. It's nice to hear from you again drobertson. How's the sail boat?

[Coursair]

Looks nice !!

[rkilling1]

Just received my driftwood. It will take some time to become soaked, so it's just sitting in there for the time being.

[Batt4Christ]

Originally Posted by rkilling1

Just received my driftwood. It will take some time to become soaked, so it's just sitting in there for the time being.

Looking good! That's a great looking piece of wood!

[Tcal01]

Originally Posted by rkilling1

Just received my driftwood. It will take some time to become soaked, so it's just sitting in there for the time being.

That is indeed a handsome piece of driftwood my friend. Can't wait to see this tank when its all done

[Ceej]

Awesome piece!

[tmdavies]

Hi rkilling your tank is amazing i have 2 questions where do you get wood like that and what are the large plants at the back. Cheers good luck with your tank