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I Donated 2026
Hello. I have a seasoned 29 gallon tank that persistently experiences melting of Anubias and occasionally Buce as well. I’ve included a photo of the tank newly planted with anubias and Buce and what remains today. To clarify, the tank had been established for a couple months before adding the Anubias and Buce. The anubias completely melted to the point of being a clump of superglue attached to the driftwood. I removed that. Might I have used too much glue? You’ll see some of the Buce is still there and looks good to my eye. The Anubias came from multiple sources. The Buce (melted and remaining) was tropica.
I also seem to always end up with Java fern turning black over time.
I’d like to try adding Anubias or Buce back to the spots I attempted previously. Seems like I’m just repeating what I did previously and hoping for new results?
Tank runs on an oase 350T with matrix & purigen at 75 deg. Seiryu stone drives KH up to 6 and GH up to 12. No ammonia or nitrite. Heavily stocked. Fish are healthy. Twinstar S series light currently on 50%; formerly 75%. Running CO2 at roughly 50 ppm based on Hanna test kit. Was probably running more like 20-30 ppm back then. UNS contrabase and controsoil. Use a Sentra doser 4 times daily with APT3 per package instructions. 50% water changes weekly with RO water remineralized with APT Sky although I may have been using the MORE remineralizing product back then. Not sure when I switched.
Need to do better journaling ! (Seriously)
Please let me know if you have any suggestions on approaching this differently this time.
I also seem to always end up with Java fern turning black over time.
I’d like to try adding Anubias or Buce back to the spots I attempted previously. Seems like I’m just repeating what I did previously and hoping for new results?
Tank runs on an oase 350T with matrix & purigen at 75 deg. Seiryu stone drives KH up to 6 and GH up to 12. No ammonia or nitrite. Heavily stocked. Fish are healthy. Twinstar S series light currently on 50%; formerly 75%. Running CO2 at roughly 50 ppm based on Hanna test kit. Was probably running more like 20-30 ppm back then. UNS contrabase and controsoil. Use a Sentra doser 4 times daily with APT3 per package instructions. 50% water changes weekly with RO water remineralized with APT Sky although I may have been using the MORE remineralizing product back then. Not sure when I switched.
Need to do better journaling ! (Seriously)
Please let me know if you have any suggestions on approaching this differently this time.
33 Replies
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2658 views
This is made for pond Lily's and pond plants. Looked at the label and it seems pretty ideal.
Anyone tried it? It's fairly cheap for our use. I don't think I saw too big a difference when I used it but I also only added a few dozen pellets to a 20 gallon.
Anyone tried it? It's fairly cheap for our use. I don't think I saw too big a difference when I used it but I also only added a few dozen pellets to a 20 gallon.
3 Replies
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45 views
Rockstar
As I look at the topcis in the algae forum, it seems a lot of us battle this one.
1. Manual removal has mine back to minimal mostly in the crowns of a few plants and some spots on the substrate. I have an air stone running at night. It smells funky when I get close to the tank. I am taking it as a sign the emycin is working. What thinks you?
2. Something I read on using emycin said you must dose it at night. I think I saw it only in one place. Any ideas why someone might think that was the case? To me, antibiotics are going to work best when the algae is growing and active. That's how they work is by disrupting some process in the life cycle. My cyano contracts and almost disappears when the lights are off. Not a sign it is metabolically active. Am I missing something or is this just someone's questionable opinion?
3. I've increase aeration. I have lots of flow. I've manually removed most of it. I'm adding emycin. I try to keep my NO3 around 15. I'm going to test it before my weekly water change to make sure it isn't bottoming out, but for weeks, it's been fine. Is my NO3 high enough? Anything I'm missing?
1. Manual removal has mine back to minimal mostly in the crowns of a few plants and some spots on the substrate. I have an air stone running at night. It smells funky when I get close to the tank. I am taking it as a sign the emycin is working. What thinks you?
2. Something I read on using emycin said you must dose it at night. I think I saw it only in one place. Any ideas why someone might think that was the case? To me, antibiotics are going to work best when the algae is growing and active. That's how they work is by disrupting some process in the life cycle. My cyano contracts and almost disappears when the lights are off. Not a sign it is metabolically active. Am I missing something or is this just someone's questionable opinion?
3. I've increase aeration. I have lots of flow. I've manually removed most of it. I'm adding emycin. I try to keep my NO3 around 15. I'm going to test it before my weekly water change to make sure it isn't bottoming out, but for weeks, it's been fine. Is my NO3 high enough? Anything I'm missing?
9 Replies
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133 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, FreshTides_Neal
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @FreshTides_Neal!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
0 Replies
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6 views
I Donated 2026
Expert in Residence
MOTM Winner
Era of AI slop is truly upon us. Firstly, no one holds the Oxyguard analyzer's probe as it takes 15-20mins to get a reading.
Size of the box is wrong and no shadows below the box, caps missing and a strap that goes nowhere. Aquarium looks fake as well. Real pic below for comparison.
11 Replies
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324 views
Both tanks contain a lot of bucephalandra stems I have recently melted by feeding my caridina tanks with mulberry leaves. I have no idea what the heck happened but all buces melted in those tanks heavily over 3 days with every other plant + shrimp being fine. Don't wanna risk the plants dying so I'm throwing them back into high tech for a few months to recover.
Set Up:
Both tanks uses heavy co2 misting
Horticulture LED lights (dimmed, so probably 25-30 watts?)
Will steadily increase light weekly if I see no issues, max is 40 watts.
Dual sponge filters. (Air bubbles help prevent co2 gassing, also seems to really help stabilize tank, so less algae)
1 Internal filter with an atomizer for misting.
Regime:
All tanks get a 30-50% water change, twice per week.
Micros dosed daily (unless I forget, which happens fairly often.)
Macros Front Loaded and only in new incoming water.
6 Gallon bucket water change:
~350tds (Using seachem equilibrium remineralizer)
~22ppm KNO3, using KNO3 + KH2PO4
~40-50 ppm Potassium due to remineralizer
~4-5GH
Buce Lottery Colors
Lots of buces, various names, collected over the years. A lot of them were ultra rare and I cannot buy them anymore. Most of the ultra rare I probably accidentally killed from trying to grow them in a "no filter, no co2" style tank. Either way, not much color in low tech, will see what lottery colors we pull once they get going with better colors in higher lights + co2.
Both tanks are planted tightly front to back with bucephalandra. Kinda hard to see it all with moss blocking the way, but my view will be your view.
Random Mosses
Some mosses I've collected as well, honestly I grow a lot of them free floating so they kinda look the same. We will find out how they look after I attach them to something.
15 Gallon, very aged sand + pebble tank.
20 Gallon long, aged aquasoil I pulled from an existing caridina tank.
Wanted to take some macro shots, but does anyone know how to take an angle show on the glass without distortion? I have a DSLR long tube lens that works under water but color rendition is really bad.
Why so much moss?
Mostly to help stabilize the tank and to reduce light bleed. Less surface for algae to grow.
Set Up:
Both tanks uses heavy co2 misting
Horticulture LED lights (dimmed, so probably 25-30 watts?)
Will steadily increase light weekly if I see no issues, max is 40 watts.
Dual sponge filters. (Air bubbles help prevent co2 gassing, also seems to really help stabilize tank, so less algae)
1 Internal filter with an atomizer for misting.
Regime:
All tanks get a 30-50% water change, twice per week.
Micros dosed daily (unless I forget, which happens fairly often.)
Macros Front Loaded and only in new incoming water.
6 Gallon bucket water change:
~350tds (Using seachem equilibrium remineralizer)
~22ppm KNO3, using KNO3 + KH2PO4
~40-50 ppm Potassium due to remineralizer
~4-5GH
Buce Lottery Colors
Lots of buces, various names, collected over the years. A lot of them were ultra rare and I cannot buy them anymore. Most of the ultra rare I probably accidentally killed from trying to grow them in a "no filter, no co2" style tank. Either way, not much color in low tech, will see what lottery colors we pull once they get going with better colors in higher lights + co2.
Both tanks are planted tightly front to back with bucephalandra. Kinda hard to see it all with moss blocking the way, but my view will be your view.
Random Mosses
Some mosses I've collected as well, honestly I grow a lot of them free floating so they kinda look the same. We will find out how they look after I attach them to something.
15 Gallon, very aged sand + pebble tank.
20 Gallon long, aged aquasoil I pulled from an existing caridina tank.
Wanted to take some macro shots, but does anyone know how to take an angle show on the glass without distortion? I have a DSLR long tube lens that works under water but color rendition is really bad.
Why so much moss?
Mostly to help stabilize the tank and to reduce light bleed. Less surface for algae to grow.
13 Replies
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877 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, Chimera
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Chimera!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
4 Replies
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45 views
M
I Donated 2026
Journal 75P - Journey Into High Tech
Inspiration, Goals, & Considerations
I've had an interest in aquariums since a young age and had my own aquarium with fish like Angelfish and Mollies around middle school. Growing up, my dad had a bigger tank with Blood Parrots and Silver Dollars. Over 10 years ago, I had a low maintenance 55 gallon planted tank. I was pretty proud of it, but always envied the high tech tanks I saw on forums/social media and told myself when I broke that tank down that the next time I set up a tank, it would be like what I envied. At the end of 2024, I set up a small low tech 5 gallon planted tank to help scratch my aquarium itch, which really only reaccelerated my desire for setting up a high tech tank. And now, here we are!
The size of the tank was mostly dictated by the space. I originally planned on something around 30 gallons, but my LFS had the UNS 75P in stock and after measuring and discussing with my wife, we agreed it would work for the space. The tank is between the kitchen and living room, which is essentially a play area for my son, so lighting needs to be adjusted to make sure he's not blinded by the light when looking up at the tank.
Generally, I'd like to have a visually pleasing aquarium with lots of fish and plants that's peaceful to enjoy. I'd like to automate / reduce as much friction as possible and I realize there's still plenty I need to learn, so I'll need to have patience when things go wrong. I want to keep away from anything that's hard to get out of the tank once it's in (duckweed, moss, pest snails, etc). I felt like sharing prices below might give value to anyone in the future that's looking to start where I did with a high tech tank.
Specs (prices include sales tax)
Tank:
Lighting:
Filtration:
Co2:
Inflow & Outflow Pipes:
Substrate & Hardscape:
Fertilization:
Other Misc Equipment:
Chihiros CO2 Drop Checker
5 x Oase ShutOff Valve 16/22
Inkbird WiFi ITC-308 - $38
SwitchBot Leak Detectors - $15 each
"Stand"
Because the guts are located in a kitchen cabinet, I didn't want to screw directly into it and damage it. I was also concerned silicone would not be able to dry and outgas properly when sealing the edges. I opted to line the cabinet with contact paper. It's essentially a giant sticker, so I lined the sides, bottoms, and a second layer over the bottom edges/joints. I built a 3 panel "stand" inside of the cabinet so I could house everything and screw into the plywood without any concerns. I used 1 sheet of 3/4" Maple plywood and coated 1 side with a latex primer followed by a layer of latex white paint. This is mostly for water resistance and not necessarily water proof. I placed a silicone cabinet liner under the right side equipment. I made a shelf to place the EcoFlow on so if there's a catastrophic leak it's off the bottom.
One consideration I hadn't thought about was how "cramped" the cabinet would be since I placed the EcoFlow on a shelf with a "wall", which essentially made the work area much tighter.
Cable Management: Raceway and cable clips
Water
Express Water RO5DX - $160
Coming soon
I've had an interest in aquariums since a young age and had my own aquarium with fish like Angelfish and Mollies around middle school. Growing up, my dad had a bigger tank with Blood Parrots and Silver Dollars. Over 10 years ago, I had a low maintenance 55 gallon planted tank. I was pretty proud of it, but always envied the high tech tanks I saw on forums/social media and told myself when I broke that tank down that the next time I set up a tank, it would be like what I envied. At the end of 2024, I set up a small low tech 5 gallon planted tank to help scratch my aquarium itch, which really only reaccelerated my desire for setting up a high tech tank. And now, here we are!
The size of the tank was mostly dictated by the space. I originally planned on something around 30 gallons, but my LFS had the UNS 75P in stock and after measuring and discussing with my wife, we agreed it would work for the space. The tank is between the kitchen and living room, which is essentially a play area for my son, so lighting needs to be adjusted to make sure he's not blinded by the light when looking up at the tank.
Generally, I'd like to have a visually pleasing aquarium with lots of fish and plants that's peaceful to enjoy. I'd like to automate / reduce as much friction as possible and I realize there's still plenty I need to learn, so I'll need to have patience when things go wrong. I want to keep away from anything that's hard to get out of the tank once it's in (duckweed, moss, pest snails, etc). I felt like sharing prices below might give value to anyone in the future that's looking to start where I did with a high tech tank.
Specs (prices include sales tax)
Tank:
UNS 75P (8mm Glass - 29.52" x 17.71" x 17.71") - $519
UNS Atmos Backlight - $274
Lid - Working on getting a custom lid made
Lighting:
Chihiros WRGB II Pro 60 - $263
Chihiros WRGB II Pro Shades- $40
3D Printed Side Shades - Still need to do this
Chihiros Hanging Rope Kit- $37
Chihiros LED Lights Hanging Stand Kit - $64
Chihiros WRGB II Pro Shades- $40
3D Printed Side Shades - Still need to do this
Chihiros Hanging Rope Kit- $37
The mounting screws provided protruded beyond the bracket and would not fit with the backlight. I ended up getting washers and placing them outside the bracket to limit the screw depth.
Really disliked the fact that the stand was branded with Chihiros and visible when looking into the aquarium.
UNS Light Hanging Bar - $105
Filtration:
Oase BioMaster 2 Thermo 850 - $461
Oase tubing - Included with filter
Co2:
Misc. 10lb Cylinder - $118 (includes CO2)
CO2 Art PRO-SE Regulator - $105
Aqua Rocks Colorado Small Yugang Reactor 19mm w/ 90 degree elbows - $150
Inflow & Outflow Pipes:
Aqua Rocks Colorado Stainless Steel Lily Pipes 17mm - $54
Aqua Rocks Colorado Lily Pipe Clipper - $11
Substrate & Hardscape:
UNS Controsoil - Black, 'normal' used as a base and ‘fine’ on top - ~$129
CaribSea Super Naturals- Jungle River Sand (foreground sand) - $42 (only used a small mount of the bag - will user remainder in upcoming tank)
UNS Controsand Santa Fe (used as accent around dragon stone) - $57 (only used a small mount of the bag - will user remainder in upcoming tank)
UNS Controsand Sequoia (used as accent around dragon stone) - $52 (only used a small mount of the bag - will user remainder in upcoming tank)
I was surprised how dirty these rocks were and how much rinsing was required. For the price point, I felt like they should have come pre-washed.
Driftwood & Dragon Stone from Aquarium Co-Op - $111
Fertilization:
Burr Aqua Micros and Macros
Chihiros Magnetic Stirrers - $100
Battery Backup & PowerEcoFlow DELTA 3 Max (2kwh) - $680
Unfortunately prolonged power outages are not uncommon for us. We've been without power for multiple consecutive days, 7 days being the longest. This battery backup gives me some peace of mind knowing the tank can run for some time uninterrupted giving me the flexibility to get the generator out and running at a later time, refill with gas, etc. I believe run time will be around 12 hours.
Other Misc Equipment:
Chihiros CO2 Drop Checker
5 x Oase ShutOff Valve 16/22
Inkbird WiFi ITC-308 - $38
SwitchBot Leak Detectors - $15 each
"Stand"
Because the guts are located in a kitchen cabinet, I didn't want to screw directly into it and damage it. I was also concerned silicone would not be able to dry and outgas properly when sealing the edges. I opted to line the cabinet with contact paper. It's essentially a giant sticker, so I lined the sides, bottoms, and a second layer over the bottom edges/joints. I built a 3 panel "stand" inside of the cabinet so I could house everything and screw into the plywood without any concerns. I used 1 sheet of 3/4" Maple plywood and coated 1 side with a latex primer followed by a layer of latex white paint. This is mostly for water resistance and not necessarily water proof. I placed a silicone cabinet liner under the right side equipment. I made a shelf to place the EcoFlow on so if there's a catastrophic leak it's off the bottom.
One consideration I hadn't thought about was how "cramped" the cabinet would be since I placed the EcoFlow on a shelf with a "wall", which essentially made the work area much tighter.
Cable Management: Raceway and cable clips
Water
Express Water RO5DX - $160
I saw this recommended by @Naturescapes_Rocco, and feel like the value is pretty hard to beat. I waited until it was on sale to purchase, but even at the $190 list price, it's great. Water source is an artesian spring (well). From the tap, TDS measures 56. In my 5g, I've used water straight from the tap, but opted for RO so I can keep things consistent with this setup. TDS after initial filter flushing was 0 (yeah, 0!).
55 Gallon Brute Trash Can, 44 Gallon Brute Trash Can, 32 Gallon Greenmade Trash Can, and 2x dollys.I need to improve this setup because it's a PITA. RO goes into the 55g, then I need to transfer it to the 44g to fill the tank. The 32g was originally what I purchased because that was the biggest Costco had, but it didn't hold enough water to fill the tank, so I had to rethink my plans. Seeing the 55g in person, I wasn't confident I could fit 2 side by side in the space I set up the RO in (which I couldn't). This setup is very clunky and requires a lot of water moving to make it to the tank. I've been using the 32g for waste water so I could water plants with it, but I might get worn down quickly and send it down the drain.
Plants (all UNS TC)- Homalomena Sp Sekadau South (babysitter)
- Hydrocotyle Tripartita (potentially babysitter)
- Alternanthera Reineckii Rosanervig (initially planned as babysitter, but may keep some in long term)
- Hemianthus Callitrichoides 'Cuba'
- Rotala Rotundifolia Blood Red
- Anubias Nana Petite
- Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'
- Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini'
- Echinodorus Rose
Coming soon
- 25x Red Neon Blue Eye Rainbow
- 7x C005 Corydoras pantanalensis
- 3x C123 Yellow Cory 'Rio Nanay'
- Aphyosemion bivittatum 'Funge' Pair
- 5x Stiphodon rutilaureus Goby
- 1x True Siamese Algae Eaters
- 1x Bamboo Shrimp
- 8x Amano Shrimp
55 Replies
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3591 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, alessiosoi
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @alessiosoi!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
0 Replies
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10 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
46 Replies
·
834 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Journal 5.8 Gallon Licorice Gourami Home
I'm deep into planning my next tank, a 5.8-gallon Blackwater home for a betta and friends.
What brought me to this decision?
I've never had a betta; I've had all sorts of other aquatic creatures. Something new to me.
The small tank size fits my small space.
I have a nice light fixture that fits the tank, the space, and I believe is suited for the purpose.
And lastly, because you can't just have one tank.
I've jotted down a bunch of notes.
Theme
Dark and moody, brightly colored Half-Moon Betta.
Hardware
Lighting - ADA Solar Mini - New bulb needed - FPL27EX-N
UNS 5T - 14.17 x 8.66 x 11.02
OASE FiltoSmart Thermo 100
12/16 SS Lily Pipes w/Skimmer
12/16 Grey Silicone Hose
12/16 Shut of Valves
Kasa Smart Plug
Belkin 6 Outlet Strip
InkBird ITC-308 WiFi
ATO?
Lid?
Belkin Strip for filter and heater, mount so the switch is accessible.
Plug the Lamp w/Smart Plug, RCM, and LED light into the existing strip.
Stump in the left corner with roots spidering out, moss-covered rocks tucked between the roots with anubias and buce peeking out from crevices, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate
Stump in the left corner with roots spidering out, rounded smooth rocks tucked between the roots with anubias and buce peeking out from crevices, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate
Cascade of moss-covered lava rocks from the back left towards the front right with wood twisted within the rockwork, Dark and Moody, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate. Anubias, moss, and buce as plants.
Hardscape possibilities:
Mangrove Stump - Peruse stumps and complementary rocks at Aqua Rocks Colorado
Driftwood Stump
Nano Spiderwood
Frilly Branching Wood
Betta Botanicals 10 Gallon Kit
Lava Rock - 20lb+ on hand
UNS Controsand Maui
UNS Controsand Kona
White background?
Black background?
Livestock
Betta - PNW Bettas
Ramshorn Snails
Neocardinia Shrimp
Kuhili Loach
Plants
Buce - Small varieties
Moss-covered rocks and wood
Anubias - Mini and Nano
Dark Start - Build easily removable hardscape, glue firmly. Dark cycle tank. Remove hardscape wrap moss to rocks and wood, Buce and Aubias planted, flood
Dry Start - Build easily removable hardscape, glue firmly.. Remove and coat with moss milkshake and grow out dry covering the tank with film. Plant Buce and Anubias, flood, cycle.
Plant Heavy Start - Moss Mats wrapped to rocks and wood, Buce and Aubias planted, flood and cycle
Critiques and comments welcome.
What brought me to this decision?
I've never had a betta; I've had all sorts of other aquatic creatures. Something new to me.
The small tank size fits my small space.
I have a nice light fixture that fits the tank, the space, and I believe is suited for the purpose.
And lastly, because you can't just have one tank.
I've jotted down a bunch of notes.
Theme
Dark and moody, brightly colored Half-Moon Betta.
Hardware
Lighting - ADA Solar Mini - New bulb needed - FPL27EX-N
UNS 5T - 14.17 x 8.66 x 11.02
OASE FiltoSmart Thermo 100
12/16 SS Lily Pipes w/Skimmer
12/16 Grey Silicone Hose
12/16 Shut of Valves
Kasa Smart Plug
Belkin 6 Outlet Strip
InkBird ITC-308 WiFi
ATO?
Lid?
Belkin Strip for filter and heater, mount so the switch is accessible.
Plug the Lamp w/Smart Plug, RCM, and LED light into the existing strip.
Stump in the left corner with roots spidering out, moss-covered rocks tucked between the roots with anubias and buce peeking out from crevices, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate
Stump in the left corner with roots spidering out, rounded smooth rocks tucked between the roots with anubias and buce peeking out from crevices, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate
Cascade of moss-covered lava rocks from the back left towards the front right with wood twisted within the rockwork, Dark and Moody, leaf litter and pods over sand and small gravel substrate. Anubias, moss, and buce as plants.
Hardscape possibilities:
Mangrove Stump - Peruse stumps and complementary rocks at Aqua Rocks Colorado
Driftwood Stump
Nano Spiderwood
Frilly Branching Wood
Betta Botanicals 10 Gallon Kit
Lava Rock - 20lb+ on hand
UNS Controsand Maui
UNS Controsand Kona
White background?
Black background?
Livestock
Betta - PNW Bettas
Ramshorn Snails
Neocardinia Shrimp
Kuhili Loach
Plants
Buce - Small varieties
Moss-covered rocks and wood
Anubias - Mini and Nano
Dark Start - Build easily removable hardscape, glue firmly. Dark cycle tank. Remove hardscape wrap moss to rocks and wood, Buce and Aubias planted, flood
Dry Start - Build easily removable hardscape, glue firmly.. Remove and coat with moss milkshake and grow out dry covering the tank with film. Plant Buce and Anubias, flood, cycle.
Plant Heavy Start - Moss Mats wrapped to rocks and wood, Buce and Aubias planted, flood and cycle
Critiques and comments welcome.
64 Replies
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5162 views