Journal Born on the Bayou (low tech)

[JuJuFish]

Not a huge update (this IS low tech after all) but most everything is growing in nicely. I had to rearrange a few things as the sword began shading them out. Fish are good, algae is virtually nonexistent, and the shrimp colony is growing. The Erio Vietnam is the only plant that is just sort of hanging in there. Not really growing but not fading away either. I remove floaters every week with the water change/prefilter cleaning and that’s about it for routine maintenance. It’s a jungle! (iPhone photo)

 

[Kwyet]

Gorgeous!

 

[ElleDee]

Looking great! Maybe the best low tech tank I've seen growing in just sand. Can I get a plant list? What are your tank dimensions?

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

This is a gorgeous tank, that I'd love to have sitting in my house.

 

[Unexpected]

Absolutely top notch! So many could learn from you. I’d imagine Father Fish had no influence on you

 

[JuJuFish]

Thanks so much everyone. @ElleDee Thanks for asking for a plant list. It’s been on my to do list so now maybe I will get it done.

 

[JuJuFish]

Tank dimensions: 60x18x20 or so.

Plant list: (Some of these could have been misidentified when I bought them. And I may just remember some of them wrong.)

Cyperus helferi
Nymphoides hydrophylla Taiwan
Helianthium bolivianum augustifolius
Leopard Val
Crypt spiralis tiger
Echinodorus Horemanni x Barthii (Red Dragon)
Heteranthera zosterfolia
Erio Vietnam
Crypt Lutea (?)
Blyxa japonica
Anubias (nana, nana golden, nana petite, frazeri, mini coin, kirin, barteri)
Echinodorus bleheri
Java Fern (Windolov, mini trident, narrow k)
Nymphaea Zenkeri
Hydrocotyle tripartia Japan
Aponogeton crispus red
Crypt wendtii bronze
Hygroryza aristata
Crinum calamistratum
Frogbit

 

[OmidNiav]

Very nice tank for a non-co2 setup......so.....it warrants investigation!
How long has it been setup? How many fish total? How deep is the substrate?

Thanks
Omid

 

[JuJuFish]

Very nice tank for a non-co2 setup......so.....it warrants investigation!
How long has it been setup? How many fish total? How deep is the substrate?

Thanks
Omid

Thanks, Omid. This tank was set up in May 2023. And it looked like this.



I planned on leaving it mostly bare sand for the corys but then plants kept happening. I’ve still tried to keep as much sand as possible with lots of nooks and crannies for them to zoom through. The substrate is just pool filter sand and is about 2.5-3 inches deep. It’s taken a good long while for the system to mature and stabilize. I’ve never had much of an algae problem but feel like I finally have the lights, ferts, and maintenance dialed in.

Livestock:

Corydoras aeneus - 20. I started with 8 adults and saved enough eggs to grow the group to where it is now. Still lots of juveniles in the mix.

Pearl Gourami - 6. Two males and four females.

Rasboras - 20 or so. A mix of Harlequin, Lambchop, and Glowlight. I’ve had them for 3+ years.

Otocinclus - 4. Also 3+ years old.

Glass catfish - 1. I know he should be in a group but he was a rescue and I’ve had him for 3+ years also.

Amano shrimp - 1

RCS- not sure. 20 or so? I just moved a few over to this tank a few months ago.

Ramshorn snails.

 

[Count Krunk]

Your pearls are stars for sure. Those are part of my must have when i get the 135g set up. Still a long ways off

 

[JuJuFish]

I’m thinking of upgrading my Finnex lights to Netlea AT5s. I just got one for a UNS 45U and there is a dramatic difference. Wow. So … do I get one 120cm light or two 60cm? I had a canopy built for the tank a while back and I’m hoping to mount the lights under it.

 

[Unexpected]

Probably just the longer one unless you would ever down grade tank size and would potentially have an extra light.

 

[JuJuFish]

Thanks @Unexpected !

 

[ElleDee]

Any reason to go with Netlea over something like a Week Aqua M series? I'm getting another RGB light for the next time I set up my 22 long. I don't need the power, but it makes such a difference for the colors.

 

[JuJuFish]

Any reason to go with Netlea over something like a Week Aqua M series? I'm getting another RGB light for the next time I set up my 22 long. I don't need the power, but it makes such a difference for the colors.

I asked the folks at Aqua Rocks Colorado for a recommendation for my low tech UNS 45U. He suggested the Week Aqua M series or the Netlea if I wanted something black. The black suited the location of that tank so I went with Netlea just based on aesthetics.

I then asked them for a recommendation for my 100 gallon tank and he said Netlea since I could use the same app. I think they are very similar and I’m sure either would work for me. Like you, I don’t need the power but I had no idea how beautiful the tank would look with such a good light.

 

[Koan]

If you don't need black for the 100 I'm a fan of these




Super simple app, beautiful design

 

[JuJuFish]

If you were going to trim this up, where would you start? Any suggestions? Or just let it continue to do its thing?

The aponogeton crispus red seems to be struggling but most everything else is going gangbusters. For a low tech tank.

 

[Unexpected]

I would clean the left curtain to match the right curtain. I would clean up the plant right of the left curtain, get those lower substrate leaves removed and same with the sword on the right side. I would trim the zymph, keeping it shorter than the right curtain.

Amazing tank as always and I still believe every non CO2 tank should be bothering you daily about how you achieved this amazing tank. Stealing your picture to show others why you are one of the best non CO2 tanks anyone has ever seen. Amazing!

 

[JuJuFish]

I would clean the left curtain to match the right curtain. I would clean up the plant right of the left curtain, get those lower substrate leaves removed and same with the sword on the right side. I would trim the zymph, keeping it shorter than the right curtain.

Amazing tank as always and I still believe every non CO2 tank should be bothering you daily about how you achieved this amazing tank. Stealing your picture to show others why you are one of the best non CO2 tanks anyone has ever seen. Amazing!

Thanks so much for the suggestions and the compliments @Unexpected ! I needed a new set of eyes to help me be able to see the scape again. I can study it fresh now and make a plan for next week’s water change. Thanks again!

 

[Unexpected]

I'm curious, what are you dosing and how much for this tank? GH,KH?