Journal UNS 45T Nature Style-Inspired High Tech Build

[JacksonL]

Maybe because "aquascaping" still means hardscape-heavy nature dioramas to most people, not the gorgeous plants Dennis grows. I mean, how much stability does moss really need

I think that will change

I hope so.
It is quite out of touch with what the majority of people want out of a planted tank. They are stunning scapes, for sure. But, I think most planted tank keepers want to grow plants! More gardening, less pure art. I consume a lot of aquarium content, but very little of it is scapers on YouTube. I can grow moss, I want to know how to grow real plants better!

 

[JayP]

I hope so.
It is quite out of touch with what the majority of people want out of a planted tank. They are stunning scapes, for sure. But, I think most planted tank keepers want to grow plants! More gardening, less pure art. I consume a lot of aquarium content, but very little of it is scapers on YouTube. I can grow moss, I want to know how to grow real plants better!

I'm greedy. I want both.

 

[ample]

That is a lot of money for one sword. I would think Houston has some stores that are good sources of plants.

You’re not wrong. Unfortunately I’m one of the only people here who has a short commute so I’m spoiled and hate driving more than 30 minutes if I don’t have to. The really nice big stores are all kind of in the boonies relative to where I am. I don’t usually like LFS plants either because it’s all basic emersed stems or epiphytes in poor condition and feels expensive for what it is.

 

[ample]

I'm greedy. I want both.

Agreed.

 

[BranchScape]

Will take pictures of all swords today and share, 1 month submerged for Rose, Aflame, St Elmo's Fire and Fantastic Color.

 

[BranchScape]

You’re not wrong. Unfortunately I’m one of the only people here who has a short commute so I’m spoiled and hate driving more than 30 minutes if I don’t have to. The really nice big stores are all kind of in the boonies relative to where I am. I don’t usually like LFS plants either because it’s all basic emersed stems or epiphytes in poor condition and feels expensive for what it is.

I want to go see some place called 360 which looks huge and just tour ADG and pre order hardscape.

 

[ample]

I want to go see some place called 360 which looks huge and just tour ADG and pre order hardscape.

I’ve been going to 360 for all my livestock. Very cool store, very crowded. Does ADG sell hardscape still? They closed down their retail permanently which I figured would include hardscape.

 

[BranchScape]

I’ve been going to 360 for all my livestock. Very cool store, very crowded. Does ADG sell hardscape still? They closed down their retail permanently which I figured would include hardscape.

You have to call ahead, its more an option for those looking to buy enough to scape a full tank.

 

[ample]

ARC Premium Dual Stage CO2 Regulator

Premium dual stage CO2 regulator for planted aquariums. Prevents end-of-tank dumps, built-in solenoid, precision needle valve. Professional CO2 system for aquascaping.

aquarockscolorado.com

How do we feel about this regulator? Normally $230 but on sale for $160.

 

[Koan]

I don't know that anyone has talked about using that one yet. It's likely a rebrand but I don't have any information on of what

GLA is my go-to buy once / cry once off the shelf regulator, for best in class lifetime support / needle valve /expandability, etc.

GLA PRO-DS-1 Dual Stage CO2 Regulator (Modular Manifold)

Dual stage CO2 regulator with modular manifold. Stable pressure, no end-of-tank dump, and expandable for multiple aquariums.

greenleafaquariums.com

 

[ample]

3 months in! Nothing too significant lately, just been slowly growing in.

• Staghorn algae is long gone and the scape is more or less coasting. There’s some fine algae on the glass that’s slowly growing less over time, a little bit of BBA on some of the tiny gravel, a few strands of filamentous algae here and there, and some spots of cladophora. All pretty slow growing and manageable week to week.
• Finally got Ludwigia arcuata for my background plant. It’s growing well, but I have a lot less space behind the driftwood than I envisioned, so I’m not sure how dense the final result will be.
• Java fern has finally established and started to put out lush new growth. It’s starting to fill out the spider wood the way I imagined, although it’ll still be a while before it turns into those lush cascading ADA style bushes.

Livestock deaths ☹
Unfortunately things haven’t been going as well on the fish side.
Neocaridina population has absolutely exploded, but fish population has essentially halved in the span of a few weeks.

• I’m still not entirely sure why the honey gourami died. Was fine until he started to pale and stop eating, but didn't see any external injuries or signs of illness
• The habrosus cories which seemed to be thriving from the beginning started to drop one by one in the past month, again with no outward behavior changes or signs of illness. I’m down to 3 or 4 cories.
• Lost a couple of pseudomugil as well. One male to a random injury where he got his jaw stuck open, and two more to jumping. I think in such a small tank, the small group wasn’t ideal for sorting out a pecking order. There is now one male and four females, and they seem pretty content.

I’m not decided yet on what direction to go with stocking. I’ve been reading and it may be that the habrosus were wild caught and despite being quarantined by the LFS may have had some internal parasite that eventually caught up to them after a couple of months. The gourami, which feeds and picks at the substrate, may have picked it up as well, while the pseudomugil feed exclusively in the upper third and remain unaffected. However, I don’t want to blindly medicate my display tank without definitive evidence of a parasite. I’m going to wait a month or so before I consider restocking, and I may also pivot to a species better suited for this tank size and layout. Looking at chili or strawberry rasboras provided theyre tank raised and easy to feed.

 

[Kwyet]

It’s a shame about the fish, but the tank looks great!