It very well could be that the increased plant mass is demanding more nutrients.
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Journal A Nature Style Journey: 75P Aquascape Journal
- Thread starter DutchMuch
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Thread starter
- #82
Haha, funny you say this. I was also thinking this… I had a thought that maybe since the Java fern is now getting increasingly large and very dense, it could quite possibly be just chugging the fertilizer lol.
Having never owned Java fern or grown it prior, wow, what a stunning plant in a high-tech setup. The green coloration it has is just unmatched, let alone the pearling.
I wanted to point out that you're dosing 1.92ppm NO3 daily and 0.43ppm N. Still maybe not enough, but not as little as you thought you were.
I haven't closely read everyone else's posts. Maybe someone mentioned this.
Its reputation as “easy” I think turns people off to it because the low tech growth isn’t a testament to its true beauty. With high tech parameters you get stunning bushes and unbelievable root systems. There are plenty of varieties to suit your needs as well.
In my current set up, Blyxa japonica and Pogostemon helferi are very easy, but they are 2 of my favorite plants. I don't know why people think like you mention. You're looking for plants that great an effect. It doesn't matter if they are easy.
@DutchMuch , I know you're ready to move on from this scape, but I think it has potential, and I'd love to see if a bit more ferts along with Mg is the answer to some of your issues. I'd encourage you to give it just a bit longer and tweak the aquascape some to your better liking.
- Thread starter
- #86
I can’t thank everyone enough for the responses and feedback. I very much appreciate everyone’s input. Thank you! 
That being said, I felt bad that I left everyone off with an imageless update, so please see the images below
September 24th
The Hygrophila ‘53B’ has come back full swing. I believe it just needed to get its feet in the ground. I’m still extremely pleased with this plant in terms of its looks, and can’t thank Burr enough for selling it! Not too easy to find.
That being said, I felt bad that I left everyone off with an imageless update, so please see the images below
September 24th
The Hygrophila ‘53B’ has come back full swing. I believe it just needed to get its feet in the ground. I’m still extremely pleased with this plant in terms of its looks, and can’t thank Burr enough for selling it! Not too easy to find.
What is that in the front center? Gorgeous!
- Thread starter
- #88
- Thread starter
- #89
September 27th, Picture Dump Update!
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Livestock! WooHoo!
The pics look so much greener. Did you change your camera settings, or has the increased NO3 worked that quickly?
- Thread starter
- #92
The No3 has shown improvement already… at least to my eye, haha.
I used my actual camera today for these images. I usually use my phone (my typical uploads) out of laziness.
- Thread starter
- #93
September 29th, Tiny Update
- Removed UV filter.
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After observing the scape the last few days, I’m starting to see the vision of what I’d originally imagined. Of course, that inherently means the scape is reaching its near end.
My plan for now is to let everything grow out and just get large and fill their spaces.
Once the Siamensis and Rotala are “overgrown,” I’ll do the very careful final trim to try and make the new growth all even with one another - and once the new growth is in a spot appealing enough for a portrait, I’ll take the final scape shots. Estimating 3-4 months for this at most.
Just for fun, I’m going to really block off all external lights for the final shot using poster board and a whole setup, which will be fun and interactive with my partner! Recently, with the new growth, I’ve noticed they are watching the tank more and more, and it reminds me how thankful I am to have this hobby. Have nature in my living room, and watch the plants grow and the shrimp forage. It’s something I think we as hobbyists should focus more on, the little things.
Thank you all for tuning in for today’s small update and ramble!
- Removed UV filter.
—————————————————-
After observing the scape the last few days, I’m starting to see the vision of what I’d originally imagined. Of course, that inherently means the scape is reaching its near end.
My plan for now is to let everything grow out and just get large and fill their spaces.
Once the Siamensis and Rotala are “overgrown,” I’ll do the very careful final trim to try and make the new growth all even with one another - and once the new growth is in a spot appealing enough for a portrait, I’ll take the final scape shots. Estimating 3-4 months for this at most.
Just for fun, I’m going to really block off all external lights for the final shot using poster board and a whole setup, which will be fun and interactive with my partner! Recently, with the new growth, I’ve noticed they are watching the tank more and more, and it reminds me how thankful I am to have this hobby. Have nature in my living room, and watch the plants grow and the shrimp forage. It’s something I think we as hobbyists should focus more on, the little things.
Thank you all for tuning in for today’s small update and ramble!
Awesome pictures!
I just wanted to do my due diligence and say I absolutely love this journal, and your plants look stunning.
Having a beautiful underwater nature scene is what i strive for in my tanks. It adds so much to any room.
Plus a lot of people like looking at them, even with no understanding of the ecosystem.
Your tank is looking great. What moss is that?
Plus a lot of people like looking at them, even with no understanding of the ecosystem.
Your tank is looking great. What moss is that?
- Thread starter
- #96
Thank you Krunk for the comment. I’m glad someone else understands, haha.
The moss is Fissidens fontanus, which is known to be relatively slow and delicate of a moss. However, even with daily Excel dosing, I haven’t seen it affect this moss at all, even in “larger than recommended” quantities. It also grows at a medium-high rate, I’d say.
Highly recommend it as far as moss goes.
I love the look of Phoenix moss. My experience is that it took a long time to adapt to submersed growth and is slower growing than java moss but while it may be delicate to human handling, it absolutely dominates the tank once it gets going. While Java tends to choke out carpeting plants in the substrate, Phoenix tends to find landing spots up higher in the tank. Mine has gradually been taking over driftwood I never attached it too, including all the areas I placed the Java, and it's now overtaking the Java. This weekend I decided to just pull out all the Java I could, and I'm going to let the Phoenix fill in wherever it wishes. It's part of the big reset. I'm beginning on the tank.
- Thread starter
- #98
This is so accurate, i couldn't have said it better myself lol.
- Thread starter
- #99
October 2nd, Update
Happy October everyone!
Happy October everyone!
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I know this post is old, the brand of this Lilly Pipe is ZRDR or Wyin. Its annoying when a second party his happy to sell the product and collect $$$ but isn't prepared to sort out issues.
