Journal Attempting a True Dutch

[Kwyet]

If you ever have plantlets I'll buy them, it's a beautiful plant!

You’ll be the first to know!

 

[JacksonL]

I think it’s a Reni, but it’s possible it’s a Red Rubin. I almost used it last year, but it got algae and I over trimmed it, so it was growing out in the 125 and then briefly in the 140. I’m afraid I don’t remember where it came from. The inner leaves get that deep red color and turn dark green as they age.

Beautiful tank, and I agree that sword is beautiful!
It has the colours of a reni, but it is far bigger than the reni I have had, which stays at about half that size.

 

[Kwyet]

Beautiful tank, and I agree that sword is beautiful!
It has the colours of a reni, but it is far bigger than the reni I have had, which stays at about half that size.

Thanks! It’s about half the size of the known Red Rubin that I have, but maybe it just hasn’t grown out as much yet. It’s 10 inches tall.

 

[Count Krunk]

Maybe plants look a bit different in every tank.

I know corals, esp SPS corals, can look very different tank to tank.

 

[Kwyet]

I feel like I should have finalized the layout by now, but I’m still playing with it. Also, I did a big trim on Monday, but my trimming skills are still not great. Still, I’m slowly getting there.



Some thoughts/concerns:

—the Erio Featherduster isn’t doing much for the scape. It was much larger and darker, but I felt it was creating too much symmetry with the sword. I may just take it out completely. BTW, I’m fairly sure the sword is a Red Rubin and not a Reni because it got quite large before I trimmed off the outer leaves.
—the Green Gecko Crypt on the left has Wendtii red or something mixed in with it. I think it looks cool, but I “think” it would be frowned on, so I need to pick one or the other and maybe add a few more.,
—I may need a nice, tall plant in the back right, but I don’t want something that will blend in with the greens that are already on that side, and maybe I just need to be patient and let the other plants grow up more.
—I think probably too much substrate is showing, and is it too colorful? I think it’s pretty, but should I put a lighter top over it before contest pictures are taken? Or should I try to get UNS to replace it, as mentioned in another thread? I don’t know if I want to disrupt everything to replace substrate right now. I figured if I was going to do that, I would wait until after the contest when I would be changing a lot of things anyway.
—As mentioned elsewhere, the moss is still infested with algae. I keep pulling off the top layer, but you can see that it’s getting quite stressed. I don’t intend for that much of it to show, so it might not be that bad. I could also just remove it if it comes to that, but it used to look so good. I would like to keep it, or maybe get some fresh, clean moss and start new panels. There probably isn’t time to grow new ones before the contest deadline though, whenever that is. I saw something that said it would be earlier this year though.
—I’m sure the layout could still be improved overall. I fix one problem that I see, think it looks good, and then come back and realize I created a different problem. At some point I’ll just have to stop and say this is as good as I can do this year. I enjoy the puzzle though.

The fish have colored up nicely. They don’t show up that much in a full tank shot, but up close they’re really something. They aren’t too good about staying in their respective top/middle/bottom areas of the tank though, lol!



Any comments/critiques are welcome!

 

[gjcarew]

I was playing where's waldo trying to spot the feather duster

I finally had to take the hint and think "what would be symmetrical to the sword?"

I'm going to butcher the species because I don't know what you have but here are a few thoughts:

• The large leaves plants (the sword and aponogeton) are blocking the groups behind them pretty heavily.
• The crypts and whatever the little round ball is on the left are too small. You need a bigger group there, and probably only one of those
• That myrio roraima is great. I don't have the patience for plants that grow that fast
• The acmella repens is a little awkward- is that a street? It seems too skinny and also kinda goes straight back, I find myself wishing it had a bit of a curve
• Is that lobelia cardinalis is in the back right? It's probably not gonna get the size you're looking for. Could be worth replacing soon instead of hoping it fills in the space.

Otherwise I think you're on the right track!

 

[Kwyet]

I was playing where's waldo trying to spot the feather duster

I finally had to take the hint and think "what would be symmetrical to the sword?"

I'm going to butcher the species because I don't know what you have but here are a few thoughts:

• The large leaves plants (the sword and aponogeton) are blocking the groups behind them pretty heavily.
• The crypts and whatever the little round ball is on the left are too small. You need a bigger group there, and probably only one of those
• That myrio roraima is great. I don't have the patience for plants that grow that fast
• The acmella repens is a little awkward- is that a street? It seems too skinny and also kinda goes straight back, I find myself wishing it had a bit of a curve
• Is that lobelia cardinalis is in the back right? It's probably not gonna get the size you're looking for. Could be worth replacing soon instead of hoping it fills in the space.

Otherwise I think you're on the right track!

Thanks for the input! The little round ball is Lysomachia nummularia aurea. The hygrophila behind the sword actually grows very fast and usually reaches to the surface. I cut it way back just a few days ago. I could shift it a bit as well. I’ll keep your suggestions in mind as I keep developing it.