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Surprise, surprise, the same thing happened again. Mostly growing well until all of a sudden, almost complete die-off of the stems. I've tried experimenting with various different fertilisers etc., and so I'm wondering if it's the water supply. This week I found a site in the hills near here...

I haven't seen these here in Japan yet - but when I do, I'll try one - I've tried ADA Wabi Kusa here, and they have just gone crispy. Might be because it's so stupid cold here with no insulation that my heater is drying them out.

Thanks CooKieS. I was wondering the same, especially after the advice I was given the previous time around. I've just switched to a spray bar and added the little eheim pump again to try to rule out circulation issues before increasing the CO2. I'm still seeing no CO2 related algae, but who...

Here's another.

Have a look at this picture - the stems on the right are doing quite well, but the stems on the left are looking the same as before. Why would this be? Both seem to be getting adequate flow and CO2. New leaves on the left are small and twisted. The hairgrass is also not doing well. On the...

Thanks Doubu, that's a suggestion I hadn't thought of. I've started to see some diatoms appearing this week for the first time, and so I went to expand my cleanup crew. I already had 5 Amanos (Yamato numa ebi) but I picked up 3 more. Also went for 3 Otocinclus and 2 ishimakigai (snails - I'm...

Hello, My Rotala is coming up for its first trim. It was grown from its emersed form and therefore the lower sections are not as healthy-looking as the tops. For a first trim, is it best to chuck the lower halves and just replant the tops? Thanks, Tom

For the Suffolk area, they're not bad at all - but to be honest we don't have many LFS!

Alternatively, Cambridge has several.

You're not so far from Bury st Edmunds, so I'd look up the Ornamental Fish Farm in Fornham All Saints (I think).

How far are you willing to travel?

Quick 10-day update then. Things are beginning to grow. I've also added the Amano Shrimp that I took out of the last layout. The Crypt at the back was added too, from the last layout. The rest of those old plants are sitting emersed in a Do!Aqua plant glass (cheaper than a supermarket glass...

I nearly fell off one of these in the NA Gallery. Lethal thing, one leg was about an inch shorter! Haha.

Thanks. If wattage is anything to go on, my light is 1/4 of the strength of the 45cm ADA Aquasky Moon. Based on seeing both used on shop displays here side-by-side, my one is visibly dimmer. Tom

Yeah, the main rock is strong, but I like it. It's different. The left-hand side might benefit from several smaller stones, though. I might even play with moving the current smaller stone to the back to see how it looks.

Here's the new design. This time I'm using a heater, and have re-plumbed my CO2. I think I was losing quite a bit of gas from having loops of silicone tubing, but now I'm using minimal. The rest is ADA high-pressure tube. I used a whole canister of gas in a week, whereas before it lasted 6...

Current state. Locally collected rocks, ADA Aquasoil and ADA Colorado sand. Gonna give it one more go. EI, ADA CO2, ADA Aquasoil.

Still running, but still with the same problems. I can't shake the brownness in plants. CO2 consistent, EI dosing, regular maintenance. Considering having one last try with a new layout.

I've changed the micros twice now. I'm dosing EI with chelated trace, KNO3 and KPO4 powders from CO2 Supermarket. I'm in Japan and it is hard to find what I want here. Pretty much everyone here seems to use ADA, as have I in the past, with great results. With the exception of the ADA ferts I...

Yes, somewhere between 6.5-7. Tap is about 6.8.

Still persisting with this, and have now been dosing EI for just over a month. Some stems are growing marginally faster and the new growth does look a little better, but still becomes engulfed in brown rather quickly. The Glosso has also started to die off, after initially carpeting very quickly...

Hey all, I recently trimmed the front edge of my glosso lawn right down to the runners, as it was looking a little untidy up against the glass. Two days later, I have many more small leaves forming. My question is, how far can I go with heavy trimming like this? Can I cut right back to the...

[more recent posts on previous page] Here's a quick video of the tank, showing the CO2 injection and overall poor plant health. Sorry it's not so clear. I'm seriously considering starting again with a new scape and EI from the beginning, to see what happens - but that does mean putting more...

I seem to now also be struggling with CO2-related algae after firstly I broke my diffuser, and then my CO2 bottle ran out. Then, the CO2 hose kept popping off the new diffuser for up to 3 days until I could change the hose over. The brownness is also continuing to get worse and I've lost most...

So I just visited a local shop and asked them to test my water. The pH was 6.8, and a little on the soft side - no extremes, but fairly soft. He said it was very much like the store water they use in their tanks, and shouldn't cause any issues. While the Rotala isn't looking as severe as it...

Hopefully these pictures show what's wrong. There has been an improvement in the Rotala since I upped the dose of everything - they are no longer going black - but there is still the issue of leaves going brown.

Brighty K (Potassium), Step 1 (Micros) and Brighty Special Lights (Macros). Yeah, when I trim, nothing at all happens for at least a week. Then when it does, it turns brown right under the newest leaves. It doesn't seem to be algae but more like leaf colouration, as it doesn't rub off. I...

Well I've been triple dosing ADA since my last post (about 2 weeks), nothing has changed. Plants are still browning off right under the newest leaves, and nothing looks healthy. Although the Glosso is growing nice and fast, the leaves are quickly browning off. The brown doesn't rub off. I had...

Thank you for your replies. Thank you - after a couple of weeks, there has been a fair amount of muck in the filter from plants that haven't been doing so well, and so I've been cleaning it quite regularly so as to avoid diatoms as far as possible. Hopefully when these issues get sorted, I'll...

I'd really appreciate some advice! :) A month ago I wrote to say that things were starting to melt, and yes I did lose maybe 90% of my plants. The problems are continuing, however, and I don't understand why. Growth is very slow. New growth is bright but it soon goes dark, brown and...

Thanks for your replies, and the interesting link kadoxu. I lost the fight with the HC, and tore it out. I did, however, replace it with Glosso 3 days ago. I already have a promising number of runners (when the shrimp don't relocate the new plants!). No melting or die-off at all. Looking good...

My HC has struggled from the off - basically everything I planted melted away quite badly within the first week, but most things are recovering now. The main exceptions to this are the HC and the Micranthemum micranthemoides. I totally lost my Bolbitis and Hydrocotyle. Both HC and MM are very...

Well I can say that 90% of the plants I added have now melted away. Completely. Including MM, HC, various other stems etc. The Wabi Kusa just rotted from bottom up. What a waste of a lot of money. No idea why. Here continues my not being able to grow anything at all in any tank since 2008. Added...

OK, thanks - as long as it won't hurt to trim straight away after submersion.

Hey all, I'm using an ADA Wabi Kusa stem mix in my 45P, but it had been in the shop for a little while and is 'overgrown' to say the least. At what point is it ok to give it a trim? Would I be doing unneccessary damage if I trim it right away, or would that help stimulate growth? Thanks, Tom

Thanks for the inspiration photos :) I visited three aquatics shops today and got myself both rocks and plants. I don't think I'll have enough time tonight to really take my time and do things properly, so for now I've just had a play with some rocks. There are four main rocks (faux pas, yes...

Thanks for your comments. Alexander, you're right about the height. Before, my 'scapes have always been hardscape-heavy and with a sand foreground. With this one, I wanted to use plants more to create the shape. Hopefully, the wood will not be so prominent when it's all filled in, but I've just...

I think I've just found a layout I prefer - although I actually used it in a Mini M a few years ago. Maybe I'll get away with it if it's planted differently :P

I decided today to pour in the Aquasoil to see how it looks for depth. As I have it here, it's currently 3cm at the front and 8cm at the back. I'm tempted to brush the 'powder' to the front to increase the depth to 5cm, and then get some more 'regular' type (about £10 here) to top up the rear...

Yeah, well I suppose because of their weight they are a pain to ship over from Japan.

Some of my favorite fish, those. Considering something along those lines for my tank, too :) the HC is looking great!

As already said, hardscape looks awesome for a low tank like this :) good stuff!

Yesterday while at work I had a phone call from the aquarium shop - my 45P arrived :) So, I drove into the city after work to collect it. I also picked up 6 additional cylinders for the CO2 kit. I thought it was a pack of 3, but it turned out to be 6 for around £2 each :) Also, I appear to have...

My apartment is actually made of maybe 8" of solid concrete, which is much more 'permanent' than the majority around here. The standard new build has a concrete foundation, wooden frame, and pre-formed plastic-type wall panels (often moulded to look convincingly like bricks). Much easier to...

Hey Stu - I'm really not sure yet. I've let the thermometer sit just on the tank stand for a couple of days, and during the day my room seems to be averaging 28-34, depending on whether I'm using the air-con or not. Nighttime is probably around 26-28. Water temperature I assume would be a couple...

Here's a couple more, alto. If it were up to me I'd change the furniture, but it belongs to my employer who provides my accommodation - so it stays for now!

AndyMcD - It's a fascinating country and you really need to visit ;) As for the Japanese LFS, try to imagine the majority as being very cramped, messy, zero health and safety and with very little organisation as to what goes on what shelf...! The exception being this morning where I found one...

To give an answer in pounds is rather difficult given the current situation, but here's roughly what I paid for a few bits. This is all plus 8% sales tax, as they don't add it into the price until the end. ADA 45P ¥7500 Baby Eheim Classic with the full media set ¥8000 Amazonia normal ¥1500...

Hi Dean, I'm planning a relatively classic-style nature aquarium. Think Amano's original book series. As for native species, I honestly don't know yet what is local to here. I saw some Japanese Rice Fish on sale for about 40p each one of the local shops, and they are a definite possibility...

Hi everyone, I thought it was about time, having not had a tank running for over 5 years, that I started a new journal. I'm now starting to settle into my sleepy town in far southern (and ridiculously hot) Japan, and managed to source a few bits and pieces. I have an ADA 45P on order from a...

Thanks for asking, I'm settling in well :) This is only my third day in my little town, but it seems like a very nice place. It's so far removed from the craziness of Tokyo. I did manage to visit AquaForest Aquarium again in Tokyo, though. Once I have a car on the road, I'll go hunting for shops...

The big thing for me is the viewfinder. A mirrorless camera's viewfinder is digital (I'm assuming this is still the case?), and I just can't cope with it - I'm not keen on live view either, unless I'm shooting at an odd angle. For me, I need a real viewfinder and it's quite important.

I didn't get a reply I'm afraid

Thanks George :D

Hey guys, long time no see. I'm hopefully moving to Japan in July, and wondering if anyone has any experience of buying equipment and plants (probably online) over there? I'm likely to be somewhere pretty rural. I've been to a couple of good shops in larger cities such as Tokyo, but I reckon...

That's not a bad idea!

Good to know! I'm looking at getting my own place this year as an investment (parents own, I rent from them), rather than sharing the rent between 4 guys and putting money down the drain every month. Makes it a lot easier to fit hobbies in and I'm craving another tank after so long!

Is anyone here good at calculating the cost of electricity? I'm looking into starting a small tank at uni with gear I already have, but on such a small budget, I need to know how much it's gonna cost to run. Basically the system would have a light (24w for 8 hours), a solenoid-run CO2 unit...

As promised... Aquaforest: Sumida:

Forgot to say that the display tanks at Aquaforest were some of the best and cleanest I've seen :)

Thanks for the suggestions - I did Sumida Aquarium and Aquaforest in Shinjuku, very close to my hotel! Amano's aquariums in Sumida were the first thing you see when you go through the ticket gate. I wish I could upload photos now but I'm still in Thailand without a computer for another week...

Thanks guys, I think Sumida aquarium will be a good shout. Ill head there for the morning before my flight back to Bangkok :). Couple of nice ones there by the looks of it.

Ahh that's really crap :/ I'll miss it by 2 weeks! Does anyone know if there are any other Amano tanks on public display anywhere?

Hey guys - I'm currently in Thailand on a voluntary teaching trip, and have just managed to book some cheap tickets to Tokyo for a week. Have been planning my days there, and just noticed that the ADA Gallery was closed from May 19th for refurbishment. It doesn't say how long it'll be closed for...

Thanks Luis :)

Quick update - not a great deal to report, it's a slow grower! Tom

Just took a couple pictures of the rock while cleaning the tank - the roots are starting to grow :) Tom

For the last 3 years I've been maintaining a low tech, heavily planted Rio 180 for a local school, and the time has come for a redesign. Over this period I've been convinced they should never have switched to T5 from T8 lighting! The two bulbs just seem to much in a low tech system, and...

I didn't know either! Just did it! I've heard of people gluing moss to wood etc. but never tried it myself. Thought I'd give it a go and see how we get on. Thanks for the tip, I keep being told how amazing the food is! 44 days - not that I'm counting ;)

Thanks guys, Faizal - Yes it is :) There's Anubias nana, Staurogyne and an unknown Echinodorus in the middle. There's no Excel in this, just CO2. I don't know the injection rate as 1: I was too lazy to dig out the bubble counter, and 2: I tend to get caught up when technical details are...

Feeling a bit left out at uni having nothing alive in my room but me and bedbugs, so now I'm home for a couple of months I couldn't resist making something. Got a small bit of lava rock and a few plants from work, and came up with this. Glued all the plants on a couple of weeks ago and all is...

This is the first I've seen of this layout - wow again ;)

Now I'm at uni, I miss having tanks to fiddle with - couldn't even bring my trees with me! Just got my Ranchu in a 60P and Puffer in the Roma 125 back home now, and neither are plant friendly :roll: May have to have a go at jazzing up the 60P when I get home... :wink: Sorry, random post -...

Plumbase :)

Thanks for the advice. I picked up 2 4 Gallon header tanks with lids that will do :) Would have liked a 25G but the price rockets! Will run it through the current little filter with UV, then into these two plumbed together as separate chambers. Cheers, Tom

Thanks hoggie - are they weather/ice proof? I'd imagine boxes like those would become pretty brittle over winter wouldn't they?

Can anyone give me any directions to somewhere that can supply an affordable pond filter box (or just a weatherproof plastic box) without any media or UV or anything? All the ready-made kits seem extortionate, and all I really need for this DIY project is the basic box/tub. I'm hoping to have a...

Spain & Germany final. Spain to win ;) We might make the semis, but won't beat Germany.

Spraybars (or multiples) with large holes. Recently did this for my 4' Goldfish tank as they couldn't cope with the flow/velocity. Drilled out the holes on the Eheim spraybar kit slightly and it's much better. You'll probably get a slightly better turnover as well as there's less restriction.

Speaking of Gypsies, we last went to Alton Towers for a work doo on Easter Day, and the place was full of those with nice cars and houses on wheels. Apparently it's like a yearly social.

Sub Terra is awful! So disappointed! Did you get poked in the ribs?

Ranchu has completely healed now, and has really started growing again :D Incredible really to think he didn't have any fins a few weeks ago! Good combination of Melafix, Hikari, warm temperatures and lots of water changes I think :D

I wish I'd taken a camera to school yesterday when I did my half-termly maintenance on a tank I installed for them a couple of years ago. It's looking pretty good - mainly Crypts, but with some Swords at the back. I've recently thinned it out and added different grades of pebbles to create some...

Re: canon 350d ????????? Any EF Lens will fit a full frame or crop sensor, but an EF-S will only fit a crop. I started out with a 350D in 2006 and it's a great camera :) I'm sure there are bargains around these days

Feeding them will be the biggest challenge. We bred Fighters at college, and the fry are barely visible to begin with. Just an egg sack basically. Then once they've had a gulp of air and survive the first couple of weeks it gets easier!

Curviceps

I have found that after near enough one month, the parents will eat all the fry. I found this several times. The 27l will be OK for holding fry for a short while after their first month, but then they will need something bigger. The parents are very good to them until that point. I have raised...

Last month I was sent a copy from 2007 instead of the up-to-date issue. The one with the aquascaping competition in... Confused.

Just a quick update - since being in the 60P, the Ranchu has made an almost complete recovery. I expect he will be totally healed within the month :) It's incredble how fish can bounce back after such a severe beating :D Been treating with Melafix from the start, and feeding Hikari Lionhead and...

Re: Goldfish tank It has glass lily pipes

Re: Goldfish tank I've gone bare-glass bottom for mine, and plants on wood. Easy to clean as you just lift the wood out and wipe/hoover the bottom

I would use both mechanical and biological in each canister preferably. You need to remove solids first so as not to clog the bio media.

Re: ADA Mini M-ish Journal I've also got an Ecco 300 and love it :)

Here's what's left - Just some rock, moss and H. pinnatifida. Quite pleased with the rockwork though, so will keep it running for now and the moss will need taming. Will have to see about taking the Do!aqua cube to uni with me though if I go this year.

What did you change Mark? Atomizer and drop EI? Considering the ADA approach again, with lean substrate.

Thanks for your help, I am aware of where the diatoms came from - it's the previous problems I had trouble with. These turned out to be low CO2, despite me injecting what I thought should be plenty. Because I didn't have any CO2-related algae, I discounted that as a cause. Then, as the plants...

Here's the new inhabitant - a Black Ranchu that's been separated from the rest since he was mauled. Our 240l split and so they all had to go in a small tank for a few weeks. My suspicions are with a bigger Ryukin! Well the Ranchu has been healing very well indeed, and will now be living in the...

Yeah, the HC was growing. Everything else died and you couldn't see the tank for hairy diatoms. Despite loads of maintenance daily it was beyond repair. Rewind to 2007/8 please when things actually worked!

Re: Tom's 60P - HC recovering Goodbye consecutive £600+ planted tank number 4, hello Goldfish :)

Nannacara are much more interesting ;)