Pruning and grouping results so far

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

I have had a lot of help with my tank over time from Tom (especially) and the many members of this fine forum and many thanks to all.

I have been concentrating on pruning and bunch placement a little to better understand these principles with different plant species and to improve my skill set and knowledge base.

So, for those who may be interested these are the results so far and how the tank looks at the moment after some weeks of work, adjusting, moving, trimming, replanting, etc.

I am quite happy with my progress so far. Good growth and no algae for many months now....

This is now several months since my experiment to drop c02 for several weeks and induce algae/inhibit plant growth purposefully.

The HC and R. macrandra narrow were almost gone when I had them and the Rotala is doing well now, and the HC is just starting to creep a tiny bit.

The java ferns special species are also slowly coming back........

Some more time and a couple of trimmings and we'll see.

PAR readings range from 10-50 at the substrate and up to 175 or so at the surface.

Plant species left to right and hope I didn't miss any lol

Heteranthera zosterofoila (stargrass), Cryptocoryne wendtii v. 'Bronze', Bacopa caroliniana (lemon bacopa), Limnophila aromatica, Hygrophila difformis, Bacopa australis, Hygrophila corymbosa v. ‘Angustifolia’, L. aromatica (again), Glossostigma elatinoides, Hemianthus callitrichoides v. ”Cuba” , Java fern v. 'Windelov', Java fern v. 'narrow leaf', Hemianthus micranthemoides, Rotala rotundifolia, Cyrptocoryne lutea, Didiplis diandra, Rotala macrandra v. 'narrow leaf', Java fern, Aponogeton bouvianus, Java moss(?).

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Comment, suggestions, and criticisms are all welcome.

Thanks,

 

[Philosophos]

I'd love to observe and comment, but your gallery doesn't seem to want to load. Is it just me?

-Philosophos

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Not sure but I just clicked on the link and it opened up fine.........

 

[Philosophos]

It's coming up fine for me today. Looks like what ever was wrong has fixed its self.

It looks like you've got healthy plant growth down quite nicely. Everything looks clean, which is definitely some work if you've come from algae covered.

In my opinion, the next step would be composition. Pick up a book on the subject, read a couple websites, take a short photography course if you like. After that, have at it; the art of composing a detailed planted tank creates all kinds of challenges.

-Philosophos

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Yes, I was focusing first on good growth and no algae with many different species to ensure all was well with my maintenance, c02, and dosing methods first.

the art of composing a detailed planted tank creates all kinds of challenges.

You mean there are MORE challenges ahead

It was a challenge just getting to THIS POINT LOL

I agree with your direction re: composition. I am now doing research there as well. Looking at other tank pics, Oliver Knott, Tom, ADA winners, etc.

I also need a better camera as mine is WAY too old at 2.1 megapixels

It is hard for me to see things 'in my head' as some folk can....I have to physically move stuff around...

I think as the HC comes in it will help a bit, and I do plan on reducing the number of species....

BTW, there is also some P. stellata in the back as well that was up to the surface...I kept just two small branches and they are hidden behind the Bacopa australis.

I need to get some nice wood as well and incorporate it....

I want to open the center some more too.

I notice that my large school of cardinals likes the new layout and is out in the open more..

Thanks,

 

[Philosophos]

I'm heading in to the layout phase of designing a tank my self right now. I've found ADA and AGA competition stuff helpful as well. My favorite tool has been MS paint or a sketch pad so far though; visualization aids are a big help. Right now the big frustration is matching spectrum for looks to lighting systems to layout colors (as you've probably seen on my other thread).

HC is always nice in a tank. I've found few that it or some other ground cover wouldn't improve. I find it easiest to grow the stuff by fragging pieces and re-planting them spread out in little 1cm clumps.

You know, I'm not sure why people say P. stellata is an advanced plant. I spend entirely too much time trimming it, as I'm sure you do.

 

[shoggoth43]

I used to have issues getting cabomba and myrio to grow as well. CO2 fixed that issue. If I'm not vigilant I can have a bucket full of it by the end of the month. And that's just the 29 gallon tank!

-
S

...

HC is always nice in a tank. I've found few that it or some other ground cover wouldn't improve. I find it easiest to grow the stuff by fragging pieces and re-planting them spread out in little 1cm clumps.

You know, I'm not sure why people say P. stellata is an advanced plant. I spend entirely too much time trimming it, as I'm sure you do.

 

[Gerryd]

You know, I'm not sure why people say P. stellata is an advanced plant. I spend entirely too much time trimming it, as I'm sure you do.

Yes, as Tom likes to say, they are mostly just weeds once you give them what they need.....of course that is the difficult part it seems.....ESP that c02.

I have not found P. stellata to be difficult in any way to grow, but keeping it trimmed is another matter entirely

Part of my current experiment is to use 'high light' plants and grow them with < 75 micro moles (like the magenta) and other 'hard to grow' like the stellata and see how the actual experience in my tank differs from 'common wisdom' or 'web wisdon' ha ha.

maybe we could have our own 'myth busters' forum???

 

[Tom Barr]

10-12 years ago is was quite the supposedly hard plant to grow, yet so many grow it easily today.

Makes me wonder why, CO2 was the only issue I ever had.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Gerryd]

Hey Tom,

Welcome back from the wilds of FL! Hope the trip was good......

Any comments or suggestions on my pics/layout?

Thanks,