Journal SkaleyAquatics Re-attempted Dutch

Burr740 said:
Damn man was really hoping youd enter. 2 weeks is actually a long time if you have the plants. I just put one together yesterday (mostly) in the 75p. Not sure Im gonna like it but we'll see. Said all this to say dont give up yet. Install everything you can and see whats left. Most all my entries Ive plugged something in that either wasnt enough or not the best choice. It can turn out a lot better than you think it can atm
Click to expand...
I'll take another look tonight at what I have but really nervous about throwing in something. I definitely have enough of 2 species of plants to fill that gap in the back left. Thought the repens does have a bit of gda on the lower leaves that I didn't pull off before putting it in the tank so Ill have to take care of that as well.
 
SkaleyAquatics said:
Well as suggested by @Mr.Shenanagins I took out the corymbosa. Only problem is the only thing I had enough of to take it's place was the hygrophila difformis. So I moved it, and now I don't have enough of one plant to fill its spot currently.

With that I am not going to submit to the AGAIAC this year. I am debating if I want to keep this layout and grabbed the picture for next year though because one I put a plant in it's place I think it will fill in nicely. But the question is what? 🤔
View attachment 6543
Click to expand...
One thing is for sure is that I feel like in other styles of scapes, the very easy plants do not get enough love. Hygrophila difformis and water sprite (too lazy to type the scientific lol) do not get enough love, they look amazing. I have seen them in some scapes and they look amazing in them.


Also, you had the tank leak thing right? Do you have a picture of that?
 
le.nella said:
One thing is for sure is that I feel like in other styles of scapes, the very easy plants do not get enough love. Hygrophila difformis and water sprite (too lazy to type the scientific lol) do not get enough love, they look amazing. I have seen them in some scapes and they look amazing in them.
Click to expand...
The first time I saw hygrophila difformis in a Dutch scape was @gjcarew and I couldn't believe how good it looked and that's when I fell in love with it.

I still want to try water sprite I just havent ordered any yet.
le.nella said:
Also, you had the tank leak thing right? Do you have a picture of that?
Click to expand...
That was a tank I haven't even shown yet. I've replaced it since the petco half off sale was going on and I've already taken one of the panels of glass off to make lids for other tanks in the fish room. I am trying to decide if I want to order another week aqua for it or not.
 
Another fun option is Hygro Triflora, I had it for a bit and it develops some beautiful pink at the topmost leaves. Similar to difformis but the leaves aren’t as heavily forked
 
Within a month the deadline last year @Unexpected said he didn't want to submit something. I'll tell you (basically) what I told him:

We're always our own harshest critic. I promise a year from now you'll look back on whatever you come up with now think it's pretty friggin cool. Plus, even if it isn't perfect, it's pretty amazing to get free criticism from some of the best scapers in the world.

Unfortunately, now you have to name your submission after me as well 😔
 
It's true! He also told me what doesn't look good to you may look good to the judges. I would seriously consider just entering what you have. You just never know.
 
le.nella said:
One thing is for sure is that I feel like in other styles of scapes, the very easy plants do not get enough love. Hygrophila difformis and water sprite (too lazy to type the scientific lol) do not get enough love, they look amazing. I have seen them in some scapes and they look amazing in them.


Also, you had the tank leak thing right? Do you have a picture of that?
Click to expand...
Yeah, some dude on Facebook ripped me about not having difficult plants. @Burr740 told me we have enough to worry about, no one has time for a difficult plant to stunt a few days before the final picture. I'm all about doing easy plants.
 
gjcarew said:
Unfortunately, now you have to name your submission after me as well 😔
Click to expand...
Hahaha I think i got a name without using your name but you'll know 😉

Unexpected said:
Yeah, some dude on Facebook ripped me about not having difficult plants. @Burr740 told me we have enough to worry about, no one has time for a difficult plant to stunt a few days before the final picture. I'm all about doing easy plants.
Click to expand...
I remember you saying that and I honestly was like what a load of crap. Dutch scapes aren't about growing the most difficult species. You should've told him then he should enter.
 
SkaleyAquatics said:
Hahaha I think i got a name without using your name but you'll know 😉


I remember you saying that and I honestly was like what a load of crap. Dutch scapes aren't about growing the most difficult species. You should've told him then he should enter.
Click to expand...
And I’ll tell you like I told @Unexpected

F^(% those idiots! Use plants you can be successful with, grow them well and beautiful, and shape them in a pleasing way. Do what YOU love, not what people think you should be doing. 👍🏻
 
Mr.Shenanagins said:
And I’ll tell you like I told @Unexpected

F^(% those idiots! Use plants you can be successful with, grow them well and beautiful, and shape them in a pleasing way. Do what YOU love, not what people think you should be doing. 👍🏻
Click to expand...
Was already planning it. Tank is being prepped for the final picture next week. Was able to scrounge enough plants to fill in the spot. Hopefully they grow a bit more in the next week. I think this is why it's important for my farm tanks to match the numbers on the main competition tank. Plants shouldn't need any adjustment period.

Will be interesting to see how using aqua soil in another farm tank will result when plants are moved from that tank.
 
Looking at the main tank this evening and things are not perfect. I think I will still submit for feedback at this point. I will attempt to make it look as good as possible but there is some imperfect plant growth. A little twisting on ludwigia palustris that wont be able to fixed, there is some algae ridden old leaves on the dwarf aquarium lotus I will remove, and the stargrass has some burnt tips ill remove.

Otherwise I am pretty happy with my last 6 months. I have learned a lot and have a lot of areas I can improve for next year. I am waiting until Friday or Saturday for the picture. From my seat 8 feet away I am extremely happy with what I have accomplished and cannot wait to make the improvements necessary moving forward.
 
SkaleyAquatics said:
Looking at the main tank this evening and things are not perfect. I think I will still submit for feedback at this point. I will attempt to make it look as good as possible but there is some imperfect plant growth. A little twisting on ludwigia palustris that wont be able to fixed, there is some algae ridden old leaves on the dwarf aquarium lotus I will remove, and the stargrass has some burnt tips ill remove.

Otherwise I am pretty happy with my last 6 months. I have learned a lot and have a lot of areas I can improve for next year. I am waiting until Friday or Saturday for the picture. From my seat 8 feet away I am extremely happy with what I have accomplished and cannot wait to make the improvements necessary moving forward.
Click to expand...
Congrats, the waiting is the worst part.
 
Unexpected said:
Congrats, the waiting is the worst part.
Click to expand...
I know, its always hurry up and wait. I've had more patience than I did in 2022 with this tank. I have not overreacted to an issue as I did in the past and make quick multiple changes at once. Maybe its being older that ahs allowed that or just knowing plants wont correct overnight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top