Journal A Nature Style Journey: 75P Aquascape Journal

[DutchMuch]

View attachment 9645

This is a day and a half with the lights off.

Following up on this, as of yesterday I removed the blackout box, but no visible progress had been made. Since the UV filter was arriving today, I decided to go ahead and resume the regular light schedule.

This morning, the water is crystal clear! I am not sure what happened in the last 8 to 10 hours to make that change, but I’m definitely not complaining. I am curious though, so if anyone has an idea of what may have happened in that time frame please let me know!!

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

August 12th, Update

Today I removed the cardboard coverings, only to find that no progress has been made at all in 3-4 days. It looks exactly the same…

Well, the UV gets here tomorrow haha. Fire with fire.

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UV and water changes are your best bet here. If you hadnt ordered a UV I wouldve suggested more water changes then just weekly.

Also I love how the tank is growing in and look forward to the outcome.

 

[BenB]

August 12th, Update

Today I removed the cardboard coverings, only to find that no progress has been made at all in 3-4 days. It looks exactly the same…

Well, the UV gets here tomorrow haha. Fire with fire.

That doesn't look terrible, but I know it's driving you crazy. Good luck with it.

Never mind, my page refreshed and I see you're good to go. So you did get an easier version. That's excellent. Green Water is such a pain.

 

[DutchMuch]

August 13th, Late Night Update

Sorry for the cinematic being super vivid.

Added UV sterilizer I received today, very straight forward setup. Have had this model before in the past, very reliable!

I really enjoy the Erectus mixing with the Dassen, they pair extremely well with one another.

 

[CincyScaper]

Following up on this, as of yesterday I removed the blackout box, but no visible progress had been made. Since the UV filter was arriving today, I decided to go ahead and resume the regular light schedule.

This morning, the water is crystal clear! I am not sure what happened in the last 8 to 10 hours to make that change, but I’m definitely not complaining. I am curious though, so if anyone has an idea of what may have happened in that time frame please let me know!!

Just a thought, your inflow seems quite high from the substrate. Is it possible that the flow pattern does not involve the substrate layer ? In which case it would make sense that when your stir the substrate it takes a long time for the water column close to the substrate to get cleared of nitrogenous waste but it eventually happens.

 

[DutchMuch]

Just a thought, your inflow seems quite high from the substrate. Is it possible that the flow pattern does not involve the substrate layer ? In which case it would make sense that when your stir the substrate it takes a long time for the water column close to the substrate to get cleared of nitrogenous waste but it eventually happens.

I also had the same thoughts, thus recently I purchased the X Series extender from GLA that is made for this inlet. It’s just a short maybe 3” long stainless steel tubing piece that connects to the inlet to make it longer.

17mm Stainless Steel Extension Piece for 17mm Inflow Pipe (100mm) (X-Series)

Green Leaf Aquariums 17mm inflow extension adds 100mm reach to X-Series pipes for deeper tanks or planted layouts.

greenleafaquariums.com

Upon receiving the item, it did not fit properly and turned out to be a manufacturing error that they acknowledged and are going to have their product engineer take a look at once I send it back there.

In the meantime they sent me a new one which gets here Saturday and should hopefully fit properly.

 

[DutchMuch]

August 14th, Late Night update

 

[DutchMuch]

Hi all,

Wanted to give the promised update regarding the Stainless Steel pipe extended piece from GLA (Green Leaf Aquariums).

Unfortunately, the replacement piece still did not fit. I’m going to work on DIY-ing it to fit, but this will be the 2nd extension piece I have from them now that doesn’t fit the listed product (x series SS pipes).

Support was helpful, but could only do so much. Overall, just look out in the future for this product. The pipes are great, but apparently, quality control is at a minimum as another member had a different issue - with the same pipe set…

Will do a plant update at a later time! Thank you.

To clarify: GLA’s response was “this hasn’t happened before” and the “piece was dry tested prior to shipment” so, I’m not sure what to say to that…

 

[DutchMuch]

August 19th, Update

Not much is going on right now. I plan to remove the Pogostemon Dassen entirely along with the erectus. I misjudged how the Dassen would look; even though it’s clearly thriving, I was aiming for a greener and healthier appearance to fit the “nature style” of the scape.

To move in that direction, I purchased some new plants from Burr740 to replace the Dassen and the Erectus, hoping they’ll bring me closer to the look I want for this aquascape.

The Rotala is doing really well, and everything else looks good too.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the older leaves on my Anubias are turning yellow. It’s only the older growth, but it still concerns me, so I’m planning to read up on it. For now, I removed the affected leaves.

I also put together a small DIY holder for miscellaneous equipment and accessories, and it turned out great!

Here are some pics:

 

[CincyScaper]

Nice set up. I am planning to have something similar for the stand as well but use a magnetic holder for the tools. Tank looks great and looking forward to the new plants

 

[DutchMuch]

Nice set up. I am planning to have something similar for the stand as well but use a magnetic holder for the tools. Tank looks great and looking forward to the new plants

For a magnetic holder, i have one on the right door - and its the UNS version. Works fantastic! Holds everything with a very strong grip.

 

[DutchMuch]

August 20th, Update

 

[DutchMuch]

The Pogostemon Dassen will be leaving the scape soon.

If anyone would like to have it, just cover the shipping cost. It’ll come with the erectus as well, and most likely some ramshorn snails since I can’t guarantee they won’t tag along.

 

[Syngonaut]

The Pogostemon Dassen will be leaving the scape soon.

If anyone would like to have it, just cover the shipping cost. It’ll come with the erectus as well, and most likely some ramshorn snails since I can’t guarantee they won’t tag along.

Too weedy?

 

[DutchMuch]

Too weedy?

Great question! It’s not weedy, but the leaf shape didn’t quite match my expectations, so I’m getting a slightly different plant shape instead. The same goes for the pogostemon erectus.

To me, the aquascape was more of a ‘garden’ style, and I’m aiming for a ‘Nature Scape’ inspired look… hopefully with these two improvements, it’ll be more in that category visually speaking.

 

[DutchMuch]

August 24th, Small Update



Planted Hygrophila Siamensis 53B’ (back right)

Planted Penthorum Sedioides (mid-ground, far right)

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Planted Hygrophila Siamensis 53B’ (back right)

Planted Penthorum Sedioides (mid-ground, far right)

Both great plants.

 

[DutchMuch]

Both great plants.

I haven’t grown either before, and the space looks much better now in-person. I think this was a great decision and am very excited to see them grow out. From what I have heard the 53B is a fast grower? Is this true in your experience?

Thanks!

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I haven’t grown either before, and the space looks much better now in-person. I think this was a great decision and am very excited to see them grow out. From what I have heard the 53B is a fast grower? Is this true in your experience?

Thanks!

Its decently fast. I run my lights at a lower intensity and do not find that it grows too extreme.

 

[DutchMuch]

More pictures prior to lights going off.