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I Donated 2026
(I hope this is acceptable as the start of a journal, new here).
Greetings, I’m Alec and this will be my third aquascape. I plan on rescaping my 60p (current scape pic below). The first time I did it, I sort of winged it in the moment. The second time, I came in with a design but it wasn’t strong enough and slowly was buried by aquasoil and plants.
So this time I’m coming in with those learnings and trying to design with intention.
Second pic below is my potential new hardscaping.
I have never done an island composition, and usually I am not a fan of them visually. But while messing around with my rocks I found this tower layout impressive.
My idea is to have the right side be a lower sandy area with some smaller rocks (not shown in pic) along with my big ass Anubias and the various crypts as well. Floaters would be above this area.
Front middle and left would be the Monte Carlo carpet, along with some Ludwigia or other stems tucked along the rocks to become bushes.
Tucked into the cracks of the rocks would be Monte Carlo & Java moss to accent it, along with my Hygrophilia.
Back-left would be stem-city. Big Rotala area with some Bacopa and Ludwigia in front of it, especially towards the center.
The middle area surrounding the top tower rock itself would be Cardamine Lyrata, as it grows naturally well in vertical bushes.
Focal point to the right of the top of the tower stone would be Ludwigia Diamond, which gets decently red.
Looking for potential feedback from those with more experience! Some of my concerns:
1. My Anubias are massive, at least for the small. I’m mostly saving them for my fiancés betta tank we hope to setup later this year. I’m a bit worried they won’t fit well into the right side area.
2. The tower is very central, which is the point of island compositions, but I worry my plants might detract from the island look, especially with my plans for the left side.
3. A commenter on my Reddit thread suggested I remove the left side “slope cliff”, instead do another smaller tower there with a sand path. Thoughts?
Thank you for reading. I will probably update this journal with other composition ideas & tweaks as I go, and of course progress pics once I actually rescape it.
Greetings, I’m Alec and this will be my third aquascape. I plan on rescaping my 60p (current scape pic below). The first time I did it, I sort of winged it in the moment. The second time, I came in with a design but it wasn’t strong enough and slowly was buried by aquasoil and plants.
So this time I’m coming in with those learnings and trying to design with intention.
Second pic below is my potential new hardscaping.
I have never done an island composition, and usually I am not a fan of them visually. But while messing around with my rocks I found this tower layout impressive.
My idea is to have the right side be a lower sandy area with some smaller rocks (not shown in pic) along with my big ass Anubias and the various crypts as well. Floaters would be above this area.
Front middle and left would be the Monte Carlo carpet, along with some Ludwigia or other stems tucked along the rocks to become bushes.
Tucked into the cracks of the rocks would be Monte Carlo & Java moss to accent it, along with my Hygrophilia.
Back-left would be stem-city. Big Rotala area with some Bacopa and Ludwigia in front of it, especially towards the center.
The middle area surrounding the top tower rock itself would be Cardamine Lyrata, as it grows naturally well in vertical bushes.
Focal point to the right of the top of the tower stone would be Ludwigia Diamond, which gets decently red.
Looking for potential feedback from those with more experience! Some of my concerns:
1. My Anubias are massive, at least for the small. I’m mostly saving them for my fiancés betta tank we hope to setup later this year. I’m a bit worried they won’t fit well into the right side area.
2. The tower is very central, which is the point of island compositions, but I worry my plants might detract from the island look, especially with my plans for the left side.
3. A commenter on my Reddit thread suggested I remove the left side “slope cliff”, instead do another smaller tower there with a sand path. Thoughts?
Thank you for reading. I will probably update this journal with other composition ideas & tweaks as I go, and of course progress pics once I actually rescape it.
12 Replies
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837 views
My Youngest grandson Binge watched that show hundreds of times in toddlerhood as I was his chief caretaker 5 days a week..
I knew there were irregularities with the dentists tank…
Today I noticed here we have a saltwater tank with Madagascar lace in it and other plants that are not macro algae…. And the plants are live plants, not silk, given leafs being torn off,..
I also really have to question an immense algae outbreak within 24 hours from a blocked impeller…
I knew there were irregularities with the dentists tank…
Today I noticed here we have a saltwater tank with Madagascar lace in it and other plants that are not macro algae…. And the plants are live plants, not silk, given leafs being torn off,..
I also really have to question an immense algae outbreak within 24 hours from a blocked impeller…
1 Replies
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10 views
Today somebody gave me a brand new never been used wifi enabled toaster oven.
It left me scratching my head wondering why I would want wifi capabilities on a toaster oven..
It works just like a standard toaster oven without using the wifi feature..
So what does wifi get you?
It is specifically a toaster oven to use with the companies meal subscription service.
You buy pre prepared meals, scan the bar code with the oven and it sets the temperature, time and cooking mode…
For this convenience the tv dinners costs between $10-14 each…
In all fairness you do get more food per meal then most store bought frozen dinners. Calorie counts are in the 400 - 800 calorie range with about 35 grams of protein…. Store bought meals are typically around 250-350 calories and 10-15 grams of protein…
But by golly convenience costs….
I seriously doubt I will connect to wifi and download the app, and I know I wont be buying any meals…. But, it is a free toaster oven…
It left me scratching my head wondering why I would want wifi capabilities on a toaster oven..
It works just like a standard toaster oven without using the wifi feature..
So what does wifi get you?
It is specifically a toaster oven to use with the companies meal subscription service.
You buy pre prepared meals, scan the bar code with the oven and it sets the temperature, time and cooking mode…
For this convenience the tv dinners costs between $10-14 each…
In all fairness you do get more food per meal then most store bought frozen dinners. Calorie counts are in the 400 - 800 calorie range with about 35 grams of protein…. Store bought meals are typically around 250-350 calories and 10-15 grams of protein…
But by golly convenience costs….
I seriously doubt I will connect to wifi and download the app, and I know I wont be buying any meals…. But, it is a free toaster oven…
3 Replies
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32 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
So I'm sitting here trying to create a plant layout for the garden scape and a thought came across my mind; What would ChatGPT do?
I provided the tank size, substrate, (very long) plant list, and aquascaping style and said while you're at it, create an image of the final scape. As you would guess, ChatGPT knows the "rules" for a Dutch scape but doesn't have much of a human artistic touch, so the result is very clinical indeed. It also used synthetic images for many of the plants and therefore is a bit off on leaf shapes and colors. It only took a few minutes though. And to be fair, I didn't go down the list first to balance out plant colors.
This reminds me of the days when computer scientists were trying to program computers to challenge the great chess masters. It took a while but they eventually did it. So how far away are we from AI producing a truly competition worthy aquascape?
I provided the tank size, substrate, (very long) plant list, and aquascaping style and said while you're at it, create an image of the final scape. As you would guess, ChatGPT knows the "rules" for a Dutch scape but doesn't have much of a human artistic touch, so the result is very clinical indeed. It also used synthetic images for many of the plants and therefore is a bit off on leaf shapes and colors. It only took a few minutes though. And to be fair, I didn't go down the list first to balance out plant colors.
This reminds me of the days when computer scientists were trying to program computers to challenge the great chess masters. It took a while but they eventually did it. So how far away are we from AI producing a truly competition worthy aquascape?
8 Replies
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103 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Sorry about the dramatic title but I think this topic deserves something monumental as it has and continues to be a persistent pain in the neck for aquarists of all skill levels. Let’s face it, BBA is a tough algae to get rid of once it settles in. This thread is dedicated to its eradication by showing real life treatments and their effects. The hope is that we, collectively, arrive at a process that works.
This is important because there is just SO MUCH bad information out there. It’s inconsistent and all over the place. It is based on what someone heard or read but not on first hand experience.
For example, I just saw a BBA help question posed in one of the Facebook groups. Within 4 hours, there were 85 comments. People suggesting everything under the sun. Here is a sampling:
- reducing phosphates
- Ottos and amano shrimp
- Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE)
- American Flag Fish
- Hydrogen peroxide
- The One Two Punch
- Algae Fix
So, with this background in mind, I present to you the present state of my aquarium on the left. BBA has taken over and is now firmly entrenched on the plants, the AquaSoil, the circulation pump and even on the internal UV filter in the back. You can just make out on the lower left that it is now also growing as a lawn on the AquaSoil.
Let’s not get lost looking backwards, although some background as to how we got here is important and helpful. The tank was neglected for about two months. It’s an automated tank but the CO2 ran out and the light and fertilizer stayed the same.
Format
This post is in the form of an article. This means that I will be able to take good discussions from posts below and update the article with them as needed. Feel free to let me know if you feel something from the article merits changing.Background on BBA - what we know to be true
To be continued…
31 Replies
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1836 views
Hello,
This is my first post here.
This is my 25cm aquarium, you've probably seen it before if you’re on UKAPS, I wanted to try using mud I dug up from the garden without capping. The reason I dislike capping is that I hate it when the substrates mix together and create a mess.
The substrate was set up up on 7/7/26. It took me days to figure out what I wanted to plant, but on 8/7/26 I ended up planting Micranthemum sp (probably M. glomeratum.) using the dry start method, because I already have it cultivated as emersed plant.
7/7/26
This is my first post here.
This is my 25cm aquarium, you've probably seen it before if you’re on UKAPS, I wanted to try using mud I dug up from the garden without capping. The reason I dislike capping is that I hate it when the substrates mix together and create a mess.
The substrate was set up up on 7/7/26. It took me days to figure out what I wanted to plant, but on 8/7/26 I ended up planting Micranthemum sp (probably M. glomeratum.) using the dry start method, because I already have it cultivated as emersed plant.
7/7/26
5 Replies
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15 views
Do the leaves stay greener?
Is co2 most responsible for leaf size?
Does growth rate really slow down much?
Do stems get thinner?
Haven't seen many set ups with very low light (20-30 par) but with high co2.
Is co2 most responsible for leaf size?
Does growth rate really slow down much?
Do stems get thinner?
Haven't seen many set ups with very low light (20-30 par) but with high co2.
0 Replies
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11 views
Journal Countrykingdom09's Journal
Hi. Have 3 tanks. 3 years of tank experience. 2 of keeping plants. I had some great success last year with all my plants, this year, ehh.
2 are cycled, the one is not but stores plants only. And a handful of bladder snails (rn at least).
10 Gallon planted WCMM tank:
Stocking: 6 wcmm, bladder snails
plants: Anubias, amazon sword, Val, dwarf sag, water sprite, moss ball, hornwort, and dwarf lily.
lighting and ferts: ACO EG ferts, nicrew light, nuthin to special. But it does the job. And working on A BUDGET.
HOB filter, PF sand. Rock planter for the anubias. Airstone. It has been set up for 2 years. Has had MANY MANY plants over that timeline!
20 Gallon planted community:
stocking: 6 harlequin rasboras, and bladder snails, ofc they hitchhiked lol.
plants: anubias, amazon sword, Val, dwarf sag, water wisteria, hornwort, moss ball, windelov java fern babies, tiger lotus.
lighting and ferts are the same.
Two sponge filters. PF sand. I plan to add more fish including...
honey Gourami
pygmy corydoras
green neon tetras
5 gallon hornwort tank:
Bladder snails, cheap topfin light, came with tank. Hornwort, a LEGO cave for fun lol. I grabbed the water from my 20 long. It was in storage for 2 plus years, but I have a LONGGGG story about my hornwort. It is not cycled.
More info later folks! Glad to be here, -whitecloud09
2 are cycled, the one is not but stores plants only. And a handful of bladder snails (rn at least).
10 Gallon planted WCMM tank:
Stocking: 6 wcmm, bladder snails
plants: Anubias, amazon sword, Val, dwarf sag, water sprite, moss ball, hornwort, and dwarf lily.
lighting and ferts: ACO EG ferts, nicrew light, nuthin to special. But it does the job. And working on A BUDGET.
HOB filter, PF sand. Rock planter for the anubias. Airstone. It has been set up for 2 years. Has had MANY MANY plants over that timeline!
20 Gallon planted community:
stocking: 6 harlequin rasboras, and bladder snails, ofc they hitchhiked lol.
plants: anubias, amazon sword, Val, dwarf sag, water wisteria, hornwort, moss ball, windelov java fern babies, tiger lotus.
lighting and ferts are the same.
Two sponge filters. PF sand. I plan to add more fish including...
honey Gourami
pygmy corydoras
green neon tetras
5 gallon hornwort tank:
Bladder snails, cheap topfin light, came with tank. Hornwort, a LEGO cave for fun lol. I grabbed the water from my 20 long. It was in storage for 2 plus years, but I have a LONGGGG story about my hornwort. It is not cycled.
More info later folks! Glad to be here, -whitecloud09
13 Replies
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1424 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, Nat
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Nat!
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?
1 Replies
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17 views
Supporting
Rockstar
The Tonina and Syngonathus continue to grow straight and tall. Based on Dennis’s posts and reading online, it appears that I would have to wait for them to branch out before splitting. But they don’t seem to branch out, anything to be done or just wait? 
2 Replies
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38 views
My confidence in answers obtained by AI is vanishingly small.
I tried several of them last night asking
Does Father Fish teach that water has memory…
All of them asserted no. None of them displayed any uncertainty.
Here is one typical response.
I then proceeded to supply a section of transcript from a video. And asked it to evaluate the transcript.. in essence it agreed that in the video Father Fish was claiming that water has memory.
I asked if going forward if asked if Father Fish taught water has memory would its initial response be different. It stated know because the transcript I provided, had Father fish state it was sort of like memory, not that it was memory…
By golly talk about wiggle room…
The above screenshot was asking the same question this morning and it is the same answer I initially got last night, so A+ for confidently giving incorrect answers consistently.
I then followed up asking if there are any Father Fish videos where be states that water has memory and I got the following reply.
So, the answer you get will be highlydependent on exactly how you ask..
Its like nailing jello to the wall..
I have had similar experiences with AI over many questions in areas that I have deep knowledge base in. I have vanishingly little confidence in its ability to give correct answers with nuance.
I tried several of them last night asking
Does Father Fish teach that water has memory…
All of them asserted no. None of them displayed any uncertainty.
Here is one typical response.
I then proceeded to supply a section of transcript from a video. And asked it to evaluate the transcript.. in essence it agreed that in the video Father Fish was claiming that water has memory.
I asked if going forward if asked if Father Fish taught water has memory would its initial response be different. It stated know because the transcript I provided, had Father fish state it was sort of like memory, not that it was memory…
By golly talk about wiggle room…
The above screenshot was asking the same question this morning and it is the same answer I initially got last night, so A+ for confidently giving incorrect answers consistently.
I then followed up asking if there are any Father Fish videos where be states that water has memory and I got the following reply.
So, the answer you get will be highlydependent on exactly how you ask..
Its like nailing jello to the wall..
I have had similar experiences with AI over many questions in areas that I have deep knowledge base in. I have vanishingly little confidence in its ability to give correct answers with nuance.
14 Replies
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79 views