Journal A Nature Style Journey: 75P Aquascape Journal

[DutchMuch]

Fertilization Details:

Also, if anyone was curious, and just as a note-to-self; I am dosing 2.8ml of APT ‘E’ daily (mornings) per the website’s recommendation;

 

[Syngonaut]

Looks good, man.

 

[ekmek]

the Helanthium/Eleocharis mix looks so good! Love the texture there.

 

[DutchMuch]

the Helanthium/Eleocharis mix looks so good! Love the texture there.

Thank you!! The mixed carpet is something I’ve never done before, inspired by Yosuke Homma’s usage of mixed foreground and mid-ground plants.

I’ve been studying a lot of the Aqua design Amano YouTube videos and posts lately, and the more I see, the more patterns I notice. The mixed carpets, the scattered plant placement— all with the goal of creating that natural, sporadic environment. I find it extremely interesting, and it’s clearly much more difficult to do than it seems.

If you have time for a read, this has been a very good summary about some of his aquascaping principles and techniques.

ADA SUIKEI CREATORS #01 Yusuke Homma | AQUA DESIGN AMANO

“NATURE AQUARIUM EXHIBITION 2021 TOKYO” (NAE) was held for 2 months. Five SUIKEI creators expressed their current best, and it became a starting point to further expand Nature Aquarium that they inherited. Now, after it ended successfully, we would like to ask them about their feelings and...

www.adana.co.jp

 

[techman81]

I’ve been studying a lot of the Aqua design Amano YouTube videos and posts lately, and the more I see, the more patterns I notice. The mixed carpets, the scattered plant placement— all with the goal of creating that natural, sporadic environment. I find it extremely interesting, and it’s clearly much more difficult to do than it seems

Homma San is featured creating a new 6ft scape in ADA's latest video if you haven't seen it. I'm amazed as I watch him imagine and plan such a large plant layout, calling out all the names of the plants for his assistants to bring him and how quickly and efficiently he plants.

 

[DutchMuch]

August 26th, Update

 

[DutchMuch]

August 29th, Update.

Happy Friday everyone!






At this time everything is smooth sailing with no algae to speak of.

Tomorrow I will be doing a hard trim on the Fissidens with the goal of encouraging more horizontal growth so it covers the wood more evenly with finer texture. The new additions have been growing phenomenally and I am still convinced they were a fantastic choice compared to the Dassen.

I am also working on dialing in my light settings. Right now it is still a little too intense at 65 percent for my liking. I think that is why the plants are spreading horizontally instead of growing straight up or at an angle, which is the look I would prefer.

The shrimp have started breeding nonstop and now there are tiny bright red cherries everywhere. I love it and it even gives my partner another reason to stop and stare at the scape.

Thank you for reading the update!~
I will check back in later this weekend after the trim and maintenance.

 

[DutchMuch]

Current adjusted light settings (lowered blue)

 

[DutchMuch]

August 31st, Update

I did an absolutely massive trim this morning, general maintenance attached.

Trimmed all of the moss and the stems, also mowed down the carpet.

I am nervous of the 53B… it hasn’t shown really any visible new growth, any suggestions appreciated.

Images of after-maintenance below!

 

[DutchMuch]

September 2nd, Update



Happy September Everyone

 

[BenB]

Looks good. Your foreground is starting to really fill in.

 

[DutchMuch]

Looks good. Your foreground is starting to really fill in.

Thank you! I did some big maintenance, primarily trimming this past weekend. Trying to shape things up, including the carpet.

 

[DutchMuch]

September 2nd, Update

View attachment 10080

Happy September Everyone

I’ve also noticed significant melting from the Hygro 53B, and I’m puzzled by the reason behind it. I haven’t observed any new growth from it, and chunks of the stem are literally melting away. I’ve removed some leaves that had melted off and entire stem sections with four to five leaves each.

I’d appreciate any feedback; Thank you!

 

[DutchMuch]

I’ve also noticed significant melting from the Hygro 53B, and I’m puzzled by the reason behind it. I haven’t observed any new growth from it, and chunks of the stem are literally melting away. I’ve removed some leaves that had melted off and entire stem sections with four to five leaves each.

I’d appreciate any feedback; Thank you!

Image below if anyone has insight:

 

[BenB]

I’ve also noticed significant melting from the Hygro 53B,

Have you checked your Phos?

 

[DutchMuch]

Have you checked your Phos?

This is going to be a little embarrassing, but no, I have not checked my phosphate since I do not have a phosphate test kit.

What I can share is that I have been dosing 3ml of APT ‘E’ every morning before the lights come on. Below is the detailed summary of the APT ‘E’ fertilizer contents:

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Total Nitrogen (N)........................................... 2.0%
2.0% Nitrate Nitrogen
Available Phosphoric Acid (P2O5)....................1.37%
Soluble Potash (K2O)....................................... 8.0%
Magnesium (Mg)............................................. 1.60%
Iron (Fe) ...........................................................0.16%
0.16% Chelated Iron
Derived from: Potassium Sulphate, PotassiumPhosphate, Potassium Chloride, MagnesiumNitrate, Magnesium Sulphate, DTPA Iron, EDTA Iron, EDDHA Iron

and:

Liquid inorganic macronutrient fertilizer
NPK (Mg) fertiliser with micronutrients and trace amounts of Boron (B), Copper(Cu), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo) and Zinc (Zn). 1.6-1.7-8.5 (+1.6)

1.6% Total Nitrogen (N)
1.6% nitric nitrogen
1.7% Total Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5)
8.5% Total Potassium oxide (K2O)
1.6% Magnesium oxide (MgO)
0.18% Total Iron chelated by EDTA, DTPA and EDDHA.

All nutrients are completely water soluble.

Ingredients:
Potassium sulphate (CMC1 CAS n°7778-80-5) Potassium chloride (CMC1 CAS n°7447-40-7) Magnesium nitrate (CMC1 CAS n°10377-60-3) Magnesium sulphate (CMC1 CAS n°7487-88-9) Potassium phosphate (CMC1 CAS n°7778-77-0)

I think based on the dosing instructions for APT ‘E’, 5ml per 100 liters adds about ~1.5ppm of phosphate. With the scape holding around ~40g total, the dose of 3ml each day works out to roughly ~0.6ppm of phosphate daily, or just over 4ppm across a full week supposedly.

 

[BenB]

I think based on the dosing instructions for APT ‘E’, 5ml per 100 liters adds about ~1.5ppm of phosphate. With the scape holding around ~40g total, the dose of 3ml each day works out to roughly ~0.6ppm of phosphate daily, or just over 4ppm across a full week supposedly.

I dose a bit more, but still if your plants are used to the 0.6ppm, I would think it is enough that you wouldn't be having such a significant problem as melting.

 

[DutchMuch]

Update, September 4th.

 

[DutchMuch]

September 12th, Update



Also purchased and installed a GLA inline diffuser, this will be the last product I buy from GLA as a long time customer. The quality for the price…

They’ve just fallen off in recent times.



Will work on re-dialing in my Co2 since PSI is now increased

 

[techman81]

September 12th, Update

View attachment 10262

Also purchased and installed a GLA inline diffuser, this will be the last product I buy from GLA as a long time customer. The quality for the price…

They’ve just fallen off in recent times.

View attachment 10263

Will work on re-dialing in my Co2 since PSI is now increased

What issue did you have with the diffusers? You may be aware of this, but the GLA diffusers already have a built-in check valve in the push-to-connect fitting. If you use a 2nd external check valve, it can result in pressure issues. If you unscrew the fitting on the diffuser and remove the spring and teflon plug, it should work fine. I learned this when I bought my first diffusers from GLA.