180 gallon rimless Starfire wood scape thus far

marufovega

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tom,

is that a little gda on the wood? if so, what is the cause and what is the fix.

marufovega
 

cicjay

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Apr 3, 2008
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pencils630.gif

What pencilfish are these?
They're beauts. Do you know how big they get?

Really liking the scape of this tank and been following it for a while.
Glad you have decided not to cover the wood in moss, would do it a great injustice:)

Think this is my first post...

Love the work Tom.
 

Tom Barr

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No, it's not GDA.
It's a type of epidendric algae, somewhat close to Colechaete *(GSA).
In a sense, it's a welcomed addition.

I have some plecos I'll be adding in a few weeks that will likely remove every bit of it, but not gnaw the wood too much.

I only have a slight touch out of the reach of the rubber nose plecos in another tank.
This species of alga is really never an issue nor a problem, some do not like it, but it looks nice to me. High light, current and wood are the causes. It does not fair well at low flow rates or where diatoms might cover it, low light etc. I do not think it will last long now I've started adding plecos, the Gold Nuggets will maw on it some as well.

If you ever had issues with wood algae, a Panaque will gnaw everything off for you. Rubber noses are good and will do not harm to other fish, not gnaw nearly as intensely and still remove the algae.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

Gerryd

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cicjay,

They are Espei pencils. They are different in that the black bars you see are their normal coloration.

Other pencils have these bars to varying degress only at night...


Tom.

Beautiful work! Absolutely lovely!

I looked in the thread for EI dosing numbers, but didn't see any. I know you are going EI here though.

1. Are you running normal EI dosing for a 180 based on the sticky for EI? Or a modified version for your tank?

2. How do you stay so algae free and clean all over? Is that what happens when you have all the right elements in place (current, light, c02, nutes, etc) and your name is also Tom Barr?

I am using this tank as a benchmark for mine. I figure the closer I get to the cleanliness and growth of your tank, the better I am doing.

More pics please!
 

marufovega

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tom,

hey, i love the tank. it's spectacular. i'm a complete newb and heavily involved with algae issues. i seem to be winning my war with hair algae thanks to the advice i've gleaned off this site.

maybe someday i'll have a tank like your 180. looking forward to more pics.

peace,

jd
 

Tom Barr

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Gerryd;26606 said:
c
I looked in the thread for EI dosing numbers, but didn't see any. I know you are going EI here though.

1. Are you running normal EI dosing for a 180 based on the sticky for EI? Or a modified version for your tank?

2. How do you stay so algae free and clean all over? Is that what happens when you have all the right elements in place (current, light, c02, nutes, etc) and your name is also Tom Barr?

I am using this tank as a benchmark for mine. I figure the closer I get to the cleanliness and growth of your tank, the better I am doing.

More pics please!

I add about 1 tsp of KNO3, 1/4 KH2PO4, 60 mls of modified trace mix 3-4x a week.
The Traces I might add 5-6 x a week.

60% weekly water change, slowly going to 50%.
Sometimes 2x a week if it's really hot.

CO2 seems to be the largest issue for folks and algae.
And lots of plants from the start.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

YzemaN

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Seing a tank like this makes me sad. In the words of Andy (of Little Britain fame): "I want that one".
I've been following this thread from the start, and can't help but finding myself giddy as a schoolboy whenever there's a new "episode" out :p . It certainly sets a goal for when I win that lottery (I have to start playing one of these days...) and buy a massive mansion.
Tom, you make it look so easy. But I guess a lot of planning and experience went into this.
 

crystalview

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I bet you had just as much fun finding that wood as you are putting it together. You all talk way over my head but I love to read what you are up too. I am learning Thanks

I love the look of this wood better then your last tank, but that was nice too.
 

griffin_pak

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Jul 27, 2008
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damn it, why is it so clean, no hoses, no pipes, and that HC carpet!!

Is it insured? Oh Btw where do you live? (HC carpet steal plan in planning mode) lol lol
 

VaughnH

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It is so clean because Tom works hard and consistently to keep it clean, and has some big filters on it. It has no hoses, no pipes, because he runs the filter inlet and outlet lines up through the bottom of the tank. That HC carpet is great because......well, he knows how to do that. And, he lives in Sacramento - a nearby neighbor to me!

I know those subtle technical details I provided may be hard to assimilate.
 

Tom Barr

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Just got back from speaking in Portugal.
Very happening aquatic plant scene.
The tank needs a trim, I'm redoing it and making it simpler etc, but more scaped.
Lots of fish in here.
I'll post photos after I decide precisely what I am going to do.

but as Vaughn sez: work.
Not magic etc, but very basic care, ADA, and most anyone worth their salt will say no different.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

Gerryd

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Hi Tom,

How are the parallel OCs working out so far?

I know that you have your venturi AFTER the bio-OC.

Is your venturi performance steady as the mech-OC clogs?

Would you change anything?

I ask as I just bypassed my wet/dry to go closed loop, and wanted to add a second canister as you did to replace the twin towers full of bio-balls that I now lose:(

I wanted to ensure that my mazzei gets sufficient pressure AFTER going through the bio-canister.

I assume it is less affected than if it was in series after the mech canister?

Please post more pics!

Thanks,
 

Tom Barr

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The OC are doing well.
No issues, I have a pressure gauge so it's easy to know when to clean.
I use a sponge prefilter to catch most of the big stuff also.

I am letting the Gloss fill in but it's a bit slow with all the cats/flat cats etc mauling the sediment.

I might consider removing them for a bit and returning later.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

monkeyruler90

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Jun 2, 2008
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wow, just read the whole thread, it was amazing seeing how the tank matured. specially how you grew that HC carpet. it looks amazing. i tried googling + searching your response about the"front trim method" but i couldn't find anything, would you mind explaining more on how you trimmed your HC?

also, the cardinals look great in there, i love how they form that amazing school in the last pic you posted.
 

rirving

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Oct 2, 2007
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Tom Barr;23562 said:
I have custom cuts made with the glass lids to accommodate the wood on the end.

Regards,
Tom Barr
Tom, would it be possible to see a photo of these glass lids? I'm very interested how you've done it to maintain aesthetics, ease of access and accommodate the protruding wood.
Thank you and kind regards,
 

Tom Barr

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rirving;33318 said:
Tom, would it be possible to see a photo of these glass lids? I'm very interested how you've done it to maintain aesthetics, ease of access and accommodate the protruding wood.
Thank you and kind regards,

There is just one 2'x2' panel and I went with polycarbonate(lexan) instead, less breakage. It's not hard for either type for a lid, you just go down and then get a hole cut or cut it yourself depending on your skill.


Regards,
Tom Barr
 

Tom Barr

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Yes, I'll take some pics, the tank is fully ready by any means, the Tonia is now back, less L pantanal, I adds some A reineckii var telenthera wide leaf, removes the Crypts, added Red luwigia there instead. Added some C helfeni.

Gloss have had a few mowings and respondes well.
I finally decided to clean the glass after 3 months.

I really do not do that much work on the tank and it's rather easy.

My 120 is still another story but it's entirely a CO2 issue.
I seem to have addressed that.

The 38 is a Dry start HC wi a 8" slope over 20" depth front to back.
HC is rapidly growing, better than the last few times I did it.
I chose a full HQI and 12 hour light cycle.

Give me a week or so.

Regards,
Tom Barr