Journal Jay's 60cm Brazilian

[TRyan]

Looks awesome!

 

[techman81]

Looks awesome!

Thanks. It looks better in the photo than in person. It's still a bit rough and working through some early algae but it's going in the right direction.

 

[MrJG]

Looking great! Awesome that you got the stone issue sorted, can’t imagine that was an easy decision to pull those out so early.

Really like the plant groupings front left wrapping around the stone.

 

[techman81]

Looking great! Awesome that you got the stone issue sorted, can’t imagine that was an easy decision to pull those out so early.

Really like the plant groupings front left wrapping around the stone.

Yeah, the tank is still maturing so it was best to just take the hit early. Plus, the smell wasn't going to get any better.

 

[Sb1415]

Looking great, how is the maintenance on the La Plata + colorado sand ? do you keep refreshing the sand and how do you prevent it from rolling forward.

 

[techman81]

Looking great, how is the maintenance on the La Plata + colorado sand ? do you keep refreshing the sand and how do you prevent it from rolling forward.

Between this tank and my 7g shrimp tank, I've seen enough of how easily light colored sands show detritus/mulm. I get why people want it for the look, but if you're even a little OCD, it's going to bug you. So this might be my last use of the lighter color stuff. I've been cleaning it using the turkey baster approach and topping off with a little fresh sand as needed. As far as it sliding down the slope, I haven't really had any problems with that. I think partly because of my hidden trough/ladder in the valley, but also because I'm just careful. Of course, I did have some slide down during the removal and reinstall of the rocks but that just provided an opportunity to syphon out more of the dirty stuff.

 

[JacksonL]

Looking great, well done on the rock removal and reinstalling, I’m sure it wasn’t an easy task!
Those fake rocks are very cool, apart from the smell obviously. I didn’t know they were a thing!

 

[techman81]

It's been nearly a month now since the faux stones were drilled and placed back in the tank. Happy to report most of the new TC Cuba survived the transition to submersed. The trick now is getting the new growth to stay attached to the stone.

Everything seems to be going generally well, although I'm still dealing with GDA and some BBA in the front left corner where I'm sure the flow from the lily pipe is the issue.

Only other issue is the uneven plant growth triggers my OCD. With the incredible wealth of knowledge here regarding plants, why haven't any of you figured out how to make every plant stem grow at the same rate?

WB 25 2_26_26.webp

• techman81
• Today at 5:45 PM

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

You better submit this to competition! For a small tank it's really excellent.

I purchased some 18" long aquascaping scissors so I could trim individual stems every day or so, without getting my hand/arm annoyingly wet. It's helped me keep good shape to my stems!

 

[Sb1415]

Looks awesome! Great healthy plant growth. The glass is pristine everywhere!

BBA in the front left corner where I'm sure the flow from the lily pipe is the issue.

I am sure you saw the the recent Dennis post about considering plant choices in low flow area.

I am not very familiar with how roots from Buce looks against rocks but when I had H.pinnatifida it would send out these nice roots which might look great on the rocks. Just food for thought since I know you had them in a different tank. (More stuff to trim though )

 

[techman81]

I am sure you saw the the recent Dennis post about considering plant choices in low flow area.

The issue here is high flow. The flow, as shown in the photo below, dumps into that left front corner due to the lily pipe design. BBA apparently loves high flow. The Biomaster 250 is a bit much for this size tank so I have the output turned down, but I don't want to turn it down too much. I'd like to get a jet style glass outflow but they are hard to find in a 16/22 size.

I am not very familiar with how roots from Buce looks against rocks but when I had H.pinnatifida it would send out these nice roots which might look great on the rocks. Just food for thought since I know you had them in a different tank.

I do (or at least did) have plans to add some more Buce or Anubias petite to the rocks, but I don't want to get carried away with it. my own supply of Buce in other tanks is a bit short right now to steal from, so it would likely be the Anubias. I do have some Buce in this but the roots are tucked away in crevices.

 

[MrJG]

This is looking amazing. The different tones from the rocks is incredible!