Journal GRobbins Tanks Journal

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GRobbins

GRobbins

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Hey everyone-

Great to see so many familiar names over on Scape Crunch! Facebook, although fun to look at, just does not give the same level of interaction as a well managed forum! For those of you who know me, I am really looking forward to interacting more!

I have been in the planted tank hobby since about 2018, but a fish keeper my whole life. On another forum I have an extremely detailed journal of that journey, from selling off my African Cichlids and first jumping into CO2, to my final post there over a year ago (November of 2021). The past year or so has been extremely busy for me and my family, so the tanks have just not had the attention I would have liked to give to them. Now reading this forum and looking at them as I type this in my office, I feel I am ready to start planning my jump back into planted tanks.

I figured to start (and hopefully to get others interested!) I would post a bunch of pictured from the past three years, since moving from a 55 over to a 75, as well as adding a 40 breeder. From here I am sure I'll have some posts and thoughts on next steps, jumping back into this world!

December 2019- Last photo of the 55 gallon
December 2019 Last 55 gallon.jpg

75 Gallon Tank

January 2020
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February 2020

February 2020.jpg

May 2020

May 2020.jpg

June 2020

June 2020.jpg

November 2020- Some of my FAVORITE photos of this tank!

November 2020.jpg
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November 2020-2.jpg

December 2020

December 2020.jpgDecember 2020-1.jpg

January 2021


January 2021-1.jpg


February 2021
February 2021.jpg

March 2021

March 2021.jpg
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March 2021-2.jpg

April 2021

April 2021.jpg

September 2021
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November 2021

November 2021.jpg

40 Breeder Tank

April 2020
April 2020.jpg

April 2020-1.jpg

January 2021

January 2021.jpg

February 2021

February 2021- 2.jpg
 

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Hey my friend this thread feels like old times!

Great set of tank pics.

I look forward to hearing more about what you are up to now. Bows must be getting very big by now.
 
Last edited:
GreggZ said:
Hey my friend this thread feels like old times!

Great set of tank pics.

I look forward to hearing more about what you are up to now. Bows must be getting very big by now.
Click to expand...
It was fun looking them up to post! Been a while since it has looked like that.

The bows are doing really well. I recently added two Kamakas, which helped me to realize how large the other have grown! I got them in April of 2018, so they are over 5 years old now.

The platinum angelfish are doing great also. No aggression issues, no territorial behavior.

Here is the tank as of right now. I see a blank canvas! 😁

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I love blank canvases! Your tank(s) morphed so much so quickly. Really amazing to see the progression.

What do you have cooking for aquascape this time?

Those fish look absolutely beautiful, btw.
 
Art said:
I love blank canvases! Your tank(s) morphed so much so quickly. Really amazing to see the progression.

What do you have cooking for aquascape this time?

Those fish look absolutely beautiful, btw.
Click to expand...
I am thinking of starting simple this time around with mainly crypts, and possible a few stems.

Likely will try to get CO2 running in a week or so. First going to see if I can get the current regulator working again, if not I'll probably grab a GLA one. Also need to grab a new pH probe, I let the old one dry out!

I know I don't have the time I used to with the tank, so looking to bring that nature feel back, but with less triming seasons needed (though I did ways enjoy those sessions!).
 
Boy, that is my dilemma! I love the stems but I don't love the time needed to keep them looking good. It really creates frustration for me that I would prefer not being there.

It would be great for someone to find a middle ground between slow-growing crypt and buce tanks and fast-growing stems. I know I can throttle down lights, CO2 and ferts to slow the growth of stems down but that has proven difficult for me.
 
Slowly I am making progress. Setup the CO2 today to test that out. The new pH probe came in and I have calibrated the controller. I replaced the regulators solenoid today and so far it is working well. Something to keep an eye on. Lots to still do, but getting excited to get going.

I am thinking I will do a mix of some crypts and stem plants. Starting from nothing again, so will need to shop around to see what I can grab! Thinking a few ludwigia species, Limnophila aromatica would work well, possibly pogo k if I can find it (always been my favorite! So sad I lost my stems from @GreggZ this past year, had them going since 2018!). Trying to find a mix of mostly moderate growing stems to pair with slower crypts.

Anyways, here is what that tank is today, along with the 40 breeder.

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I’m curious about the brackets you used to mount your flow meter I have a flow meter but have not set it up due to being curious about which brackets to use with it
 
Oh and fittings are you using specialized stainless steel fittings? Or are those brass
 
CO2 is working so far! One LFS had some nice plants in stock, so grabbed and bunch and tossed them in to start converting to submerged.

Where I am really getting excited are the new additions: more rainbows!

When I started this tank many years ago, it was Boesemani and Turquoise as the only rainbows. It stayed this way (with other species of fish coming and going) until late last year, when I added a Kamaka pair. Then today at another LFS I saw lots of rainbows... so naturally I grabbed four... two each of Deepwater Creek and Bleheri rainbows! They are just little guys, but I can already see some beautiful colors developing. Give them time and a good diet and they will be looking gorgeous!

So in honor of the new additions, here are a bunch of photos, including a FTS (it's a planted tanke forum!).

@GreggZ I can blame you for both my plant collectoritis and now my addiction to having more variety of rainbows...

Will need a 120... 🤣

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Disaster struck me last month, taking out nearly 75% of my rainbowfish, many which were about 5 years old. Not 100% sure exactly what it was, but was it was devastating. After clearing that up, setting up a separate quarantine system, and making sure all new fish were medicated (and the older survivors healthy after their medication) recovery looks like it is here.

I took this opportunity to redo the look of the tank, targeting a more natural style with some more driftwood. It will most definitely evolve over time, however I am enjoying it right now.

I also expanded the species of rainbowfish vs. what I had previously and added some more roseline barbs.

This hobby can be challenging at times, but the rewards are great when you can show resiliency when things get tough.

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