UDGags-125g Aquarium

UDGags

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I removed the rocks and the branches and they are soaking in a 55 gallon tub. I have the main wood pieces anchored with rocks right now. I got slate to do it right but haven't had time to get to it. I plan to add the hard scape materials back in the tank in a week or so. Also plan to rearrange plants.

The plants are doing well overall. A few didn't make it but most have new growth and I'm liking the color on most of them after 5 days.

A few tank specs....125mL/min of CO2 and 8hr photoperiod at 120 micromoles (dead center at substrate).

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thegasman

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I kind of like the wood in post 11. Maybe with the left side cut off at the notch that sticks up above the water. Then maybe your new wood in the center or not. I just liked the branchier look better, but what do I know...I have absolutely no scapeing skills whatsoever!
 

UDGags

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Well I think the new piece (one on left) needs to be buried more in the soil and have plants around the base to look good. Right now that rock in front is holding it down from floating to the top and I didn't want to plant much by it in case it got loose. Same reason why I didn't put it into the soil. I plan on making it more branchy once they stop floating as well. I'll make it look good in a week or so :)
 

Gerryd

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Hey,

I think the hardscape is very strong and I like it a lot....but the log (rock?) on the left coming at the viewer is a bit off. Can you make it flow to the right a bit?

The right side looks terrific imo...very nice..the blyxa looks nice there...

You need many more plants in there too. 3-4 weeks of growth will look much nicer and not so 'new' :)

You have to get some apistos to take advantage of those roots....

Good job...

What mode r u using on the mp40? How do you like the cpr and sump? How r u measuring 120 ml of c02? How fast is your c02 bubble rate? Yes, this is 20 questions... thanks...
 
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UDGags

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I said in my post the hard scape is going to change the rock is just holding the log down until I get time to attach slate. I don't like the hard scape and plan on improving it. I'm hoping I get time this weekend to get the slate attached. My wife is pregnant and we're getting the house ready so the fish tank takes a back seat to certain things.

1. Just normal mode (2-3 lights lit up) for the MP40.
2. I like the CPR and sump. I wish I would have used a gate valve instead of a ball valve in the Herbie setup but that's an easy fix down the road. It's just ease of living thing. I have the same sump as you and the only other thing that bugs me is on water changes the front wall come up since the water pressure decreases...again ease of living thing.
3. Water displacement
4. I can't count the bubbles they come out too quick...more like a stream :)
 

Tom Barr

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You can saw some off the bottom of that piece I just shipped.

Then add the slate.

This will shorten it.
If you cut a wedge, you can slant the wood any different direction you like.

Chain saw and wedge the piece under a log while you have at it.
Or a rip saw with a long 12" blade and it'll take a bit, but might be easier/safer.

You need like 5-10x more plant biomass, now.
 

UDGags

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I'll see what I can do with the wood this weekend.

Yeah, hoping things grow quick so I can fill in biomass. I added those 20 plants from you today which should help. I figure a good month or two for the plant growth. It's only been 6-7 days.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 

UDGags

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So I found time Sunday to add rocks and scape a bit. I plan on attaching the anubias to the wood but need to pick up some thread or fishing line. I then need to figure out a plant for the middle...tempted to pick up some "white" anubias for the spot. Any ideas?

I like the look of the tank overall so far. I really need to give it a few weeks to grow and fill in but I think I'm off to a decent start.

I also figured out how to block out the excess light to remove the reflection. I hung up some black felt across the top of the tank/walls. It's actually solvent absorbent material I borrowed from work.

If you got questions/comments/suggestions let me hear them!


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thegasman

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That wood on the left just isn't doing it for me. I think it's the large burl like base of the wood. It doesn't match the right side very well. Are they different types of wood? Maybe you could add the wood on the left in post 11 to the wood on the left?
 

UDGags

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Well my vision is to have the large burl mostly covered by blyxa/anubias. I can add some smaller branches to it but there isn't much room to add any of the large pieces from #11. I thought about trying to have a branch come out towards the middle like the one on the left but couldn't get anything I liked last night.

I really think I just need to let the plants grow a few weeks and see how it fills out. I appreciate your opinion and I'll keep it in mind over the next few weeks.
 

UDGags

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Getting some new plants in tomorrow but here is what it looks like today. Not really a fan of the placement of a few of the plants but that will change tomorrow.

IMG_8125_zpse80dee89.jpg
 

Gerryd

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UDGags;94813 said:
Getting some new plants in tomorrow but here is what it looks like today. Not really a fan of the placement of a few of the plants but that will change tomorrow.

IMG_8125_zpse80dee89.jpg

Hey,

Looks good. I agree to wait a few weeks for the plants to grow a bit more. Lighting on this pic seems very different than the previous two shots...wood and rocks seem paler..

May I suggest topping some of the red plants in back, and make a shorter/larger grouping? These will grow in height quickly and usually look better in larger groups.

How is your filtration system and overflow setup working so far?

Take care.
 

UDGags

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Lighting/camera/image editing

  • When I first started taking pictures I would get reflections because the ATI lights put out so much light to the room. So I have a thick black felt (actually used to absorb chemicals spill, I got from work) that I hang up to block the reflection.
  • My wife has a Canon T2i with a couple lenses. I've messed around with various settings trying to get the best image. So depending on the image they might be slightly different. This image had an ISO3200, 1/125 shutter, F10 and no flash.
  • I do crop and mess with the image quality on some of the photos. Most of what I do I can accomplish on the camera as well.

Overall I am still learning how to get the best images for presenting.

I am getting 3x Alternanthera Reineckii 'rosaefolia' , 5x rotala japan red, 3x Amannia Senegalensis and 5x Alternanthera Reineckii 'mini'. I'll get the first three tomorrow and the 'mini' sometime in the next 1-2 weeks (being imported right now).

I plan on trimming tomorrow when I get the new plants. I know the Ludwigia Senegalensis needs it. The Ludwigia Atlantis actually has what I think is 'Hygro' Brown growing in it. I never ordered the Hygro but got an extra stem from either Tom, H4N (tpt) or bartohog (tpt) and its taken off like crazy. I don't really like it so might remove it or put it in a corner. I also need to move the Rotala Mini Butterfly to the front. I also plan on putting the anubias on the wood to the left. I have a idea in my head so we'll see how it works out.

I'm also getting some oto's and amano from Mzjinkzd in the next week or two. The oto's are in QT right now for her.

The wet/dry and overall system is working great. The hardest thing has been to adjust the outputs and the vortech so they don't blow all the stems around. I think I finally got them all in place and I'm happy with it all. I do think I need to add a sponge to the overflow. I need to figure out where to buy some sheets of 30ppi foam.

If you want to see more pictures.
 
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UDGags

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Thanks guys

So I moved the plants around and I think this is where I will keep everything for a couple months while everything grows out. I am still waiting on my Alternanthera Reineckii 'mini' but it should be here this week. I plan on putting it in the center where the empty spot is.

I should also get some amano's and oto's in the tank this week and then the local chapter is having their fish auction on March 23rd and I hope to pick up a some tank mates then depending on whats available. I'm told they usually have 1000+ bags to auction so I'm excited for my first auction. :) I'm hoping to score some appisto's.

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