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I fed mine pods and frozen and all sorts of fussy stuff having read they can be really hard to get feeding. I did it with a pipette too. I can’t remember how long it took but it did eventually start to eat this and that. Now for more than a year it lives entirely off freeze-dried brineshrimp...

Are there inoculations you and your dad could look into? I only ask as I had an injury swimming off the back of the boat 3 yrs ago and I ended up in hospital and they were very quick with a variety of jabs against bacteria from the river (I think Thames based injuries are common round here, but...

Just catching up with all this during some teeth-grindingly annoying insomnia. Can only offer sympathy. I tried keeping discus when I was about 17 in the late 90s and I had an obsessive and heartbreaking time with various mystery ailments. Then the heater stuck on while I was away for the...

Will you use an Oase with a pre-filter? As you know I don’t have a filter in this tank but I think biomaster filters seem a really good option for macroalgae tanks (and actually reefs too, despite the general attitude to canister filters for reefs).

I suppose mine is only just under 10% weekly, especially if you factor in the displacement of a lot of rock.

Hi Courtney! I maybe do 3l a week these days. I dunno it just seems to work. I might even be able to get away with less but as things are stable I just continue. For a long time I was testing parameters at least weekly and the only thing I had go properly out of whack (that I was measuring) was...

Fantastic stuff! 👍🏻

Ah, thanks very much!

I was wrong about hitchhikers earlier btw. There is at least one decent sized bristleworm in there, though I’ve only seen it the once. I returned the larger of my two clownfish. It was becoming clear that she was becoming a dominant female and that in such a small tank the smaller fish would...

A week or so ago I swapped over the botanical/blackwater tank and the originally larger planted one. It was a tricky endeavour! Actually now the smaller one is a mini-m size aquarium gardens tank that was used for the original mangrovium.

After 25 years of freshwater planted and just over 1 of saltwater, I more or less agree! I wouldn’t want to choose between salt and freshwater really, although with the heat and electric issues that life on a boat throws up any more of a complex saltwater setup will definitely have to wait until...

The Xenia in this tank started out unsettled and faded back, but got a lot happier once I had the water a little more stable, particularly after (though it could be coincidence) raising magnesium and keeping it up, and also moving to a better RO source and Bio Actif salt. Now it pulses but grows...

Thanks folks. Pm me your addresses and I’ll send some out to you for postage and a donation to UKAPS…

I’ve transformed the flexi-mini tank into a blackwater/botanicals experiment. Over the next days I plan to transition it over from hard oxford tap water to rainwater and add a few long rooted floating plants. The 2l jug on the right here is stuffed with spare süsswassertang. Anybody need some?

Go for it! I’ve found it very rewarding. Difficulty level is maybe slightly easier than hi-tech planted (less tech, more testing -the way I’ve done it at least). If you leave out the soft corals probably even easier.

Yesterday marked a year of keeping a saltwater tank! (After 25-ish of freshwater) I’ve learned a lot. The only thing I’ve rather failed with so far has been Sexy Shrimp and Hermit crabs. I think perhaps they weren’t getting enough food (and the tank may not have been stable enough when I had...

I got my dates wrong. These two tanks were a year old yesterday!

I looked into it but am concerned that an emerald crab is likely to be just as partial to my other macro algae...

I’m having to constantly remove flatworms and bubble algae. Otherwise fine and happy after a small water-change. The mushroom that I thought was sick seems just to be splitting down the middle instead.

This tank will be a year old in a couple of weeks. I’ve recently been having problems with black beard and staghorn algae, and today had to remove a lot of leaves, although you probably wouldn’t know it. I made some changes with the lighting levels recently, also used a small amount of...

Apart from a period when the saltwater I was getting from the local Maidenhead had extra high nitrates (I mix my own now with Tropic Marin Bio Actif salt), the mangroves and algae have meant that I have to dose nitrate and phosphate daily to stop the nutrients from bottoming out at zero (which...

A few pics from the first 10 months of the mangrovium. And the original mangrove propagules which I grew in freshwater for a year and a half before transitioning them to saltwater over a couple of weeks.

Thanks! It was relatively easy to source macro algae when I set up the tank, but at the moment there seems to be less about. I used eBay and a site called livealgae.co.uk but livealgae seems to have no stock the last several months. The tap water here is pretty bad (hard and dirty and sometimes...

I’ve made a thread for Monstronarium ii (which will include the smaller freshwater tank that lives next to it for now). And a thread for the saltwater planted tank: Mangrovium.

Just to mention that I’ve started a thread for my tank on Ukaps in case anyone wants to know more: Mangrovium

I forgot to mention that this tank and my two other freshwater planted tanks live on a riverboat on a sidestream of the Thames in South Oxford.

As soon as I set up the 45cm tank I had to quickly re-setup my Flexi-mini as it was clear that my Plakat Betta couldn’t get on with my male Rocket Killifish. The Betta lived in the Flexi-mini for 11 months, but sadly jumped to his death just the day before yesterday. Two days before that the...

I needed to downsize because there’s only so many and so large tanks that can work on my boat, so last year I set up a 45cm AG tank to replace the 60cm Monstronarium i. It’s now been planted for 11 months, and has been through a few stages but all of them building on the first planting so far...

I’ve been running a macro algae/soft coral/mangrove tank for almost a year now, but Instagram lured me away from Ukaps so it never had a thread until today. How the tank looks now: Equipment: Dennerle 35l scapers tank. (Upgrade from 17l AG low iron tank). Kessil a80 tuna blue light (new...

I don’t use a skimmer with my soft coral, macro, and mangrove tank. I need those nutrients and have to dose more daily or they bottom out and dinoflagellates appear. Keeping on top of salinity and calcium/magnesium/kh has been a learning curve but I use less equipment (unless you count test...

A long time away from UKAPS. Here are my three tanks now, all still living aboard my riverboat in Oxford. 35l scapers tank with mangroves, macroalgae, and soft corals. 45cm AG planted aquarium. 32cm Flexi-mini tank

My 35l scapers tank with macroalgae, mangroves and soft corals, recently upgraded from a 20l AG tank which ran for just under a year. 50w heater, eheim surface skimmer with top removed (just acting as circulation/slight mechanical filtration, with a random flow nozzle attached), gravity ato...

Maintainance on the mini tank. I removed several big handfuls of Pelia and a little bit of Susswassertang from the foreground and planted some Monte Carlo which I hope might replace it in a less unruly way.

I’ve never had a tank pearl so consistently as the Flexi Mini, even though the drop checker shows low co2 all the time...

Flexi-Mini after a trim (it was very overgrown) and the first water change in weeks.

Added some mini hairgrass and a few sprigs of Hygrophila Siamensis 53b at the back and in the emergent pots. I’ve also set up a 1.5kg compressed co2 canister with a simple single gauge regulator and a splitter to run both tanks (at a planned low level). Currently just filling the bell...

One month old. I added three more Amano Shrimp but now they are so fat and ravenous that I think I might have to take a few out again so that the Otos get some food...

I recently set up a 60cm tank having had success with a very small filterless tank. On the 60cm I had a lot of initial melting that did not happen to the same extent with the smaller tank (there are other major variables like harder tap-water and different substrate and more slow-growers) but I...

The mid/foreground is Pearl Grass, hemianthus micranthemoides. This is the first time I’ve grown it anywhere near successfully (I think it needs the softened water). It grows fairly slowly but unlike other stem plants that have been in this tank it seems to retain its lower leaves.

Thanks! I don’t have a thread for the Flexi Mini. This one was set up to be for that tank but then I had a problem loading photos and didn’t get round to sorting it until I set up the 60cm. I will post updates on it here I think. Over the last (eek) 20 years or more of keeping planted tanks...

Full plant list so far for the 60cm Monstronarium. Many of which have already melted to probably not return. Crypt wendtii kompact. Crypt wendtii tropica. Crypt undulatis red. Crypt Usteriana. Microsorum trident. Microsorum narrow. Buce biblis. Buce green velvet. Lilaeopsis, with some Marsilea...

A few photos from 6 months of my smaller, filterless (Flexi Mini) tank. Aerosol CO2, 25w heater. Dennerle Deponit and fine gravel. It’s been a real success so far, especially as it started out on a small narrowboat and I wasn’t sure it would be possible at all. This tank currently runs on half...

Soil base (a soil type sold for growing citrus). Black Lava rock and driftwood. Dennerle deponit and course gravel underneath the wood and rocks and capping the soil around it. Azalea roots glued in place using superglue and cigarette filters. Initial planting. Pond foam background...

It’s hard to put into words, but I feel like what Amano was often able to do, and is rarer in most styles, was evoke the spirit of nature, and make it look comfortable in the given proportions of an aquarium. This is a delicate thing, and I guess comes under the banner of “art.” It seems like...

A second attempt to get this journal going. Had some problems with the photos previously... This is the start of a 60cm (S)low tech setup. The tank is situated on a boat, so that sets up a few interesting challenges! Tank is a NACD optiwhite 60 x 30 x 36cm. Lighting is a Twinstar 600c...

Everything Must go! I have to move, and seriously downsize, so this tank and Crypts Palace have got to go. All plants, decor, and equipment free to anyone who can pick the lot up from E17 -except £80 for the Kessil A80 and maybe £45 for the ro unit (Co2 canister will need to go back to gas...

No additives apart from ferts. I reckon the London tap half is more than enough. Sadly the male Ram died the other day. No clear cause.

Thanks. I should get some more pics up here. There are some slightly more recent ones over on instagram : Yes, much better result with 1/2 London tap water and 1/2 RO. The Bolbitis is now so thick that I have the light almost at 100% (It could be at 100% I think but something holds me back just...

Crypts Palace new layout doing surprisingly well with just liquid carbon. Glass needs cleaning and a few bolbitis areas struggling (others fine). The brightness of the light is for the photo only, I keep it less than half this bright. Lots of daylight still though. New tank from the previous...

Three weeks after planting (so up and running for four).

2 Weeks. I've had to take out the Jebao pump for now as I lost 3 shrimp to it. I've put a small internal filter in its place but am going to maybe try some mesh around it as I think the mosses and ferns appreciate the flow. Depends on fish choice too I suppose.

Sorry for the size of these pics. I thought I'd resized them in pixelmator but clearly they're all over the place. Back to photoshop I guess...

The smaller pebbles are Dennerle Yukon pebbles (small size -they do slightly larger size too but I couldn't justify a £10 bag for the small amount I'd use.) The bigger ones I picked out at a lfs feeling stupid all the while for not bringing a handful home from a north Wales beach just a couple...

Thanks! But oh no, have I made a path? And me so against diorama style layouts. I was going for a glade, but yeah it's pretty much a path isn't it.

Pretty much fully planted. Dunno how the Blyxa will do since it sat in the freezing cold on my doorstep all afternoon...

Mostly planted (some Blyxa and Crypt Balansae coming). Lots of superglue patches to grow over but otherwise I'm fairly pleased. The Kessil A80 is gorgeous. Thinking of stocking with a shoal of Corydoras Habrosus if possible. We'll see!

Yes, dry wood, damp wood. Wet wood will work too but you'll get more unsightly glue marks.

Any cyanoacrylate is safe. If you use too much, or if it is too wet you will get a white residue but it is harmless. Water makes it set, but also will make it spread so you see more white marks.

Starting a new cube tank using roots (so far manzanita, bogwood, and redmoor that I had lying around) and Lava rock. Tank is a 60l Dennerle cube. Substrate is Nutribasis 6in1, then Dennerle Scaper's soil, topped with Unipac Samoa fine sand and small Dennerle Yukon pebbles. (Probably will add...

And here's the start of a new tank. I went quite far down the path of setting up a nano reef in this (check eBay now if you want a bargain on an AI Prime light!) but I decided that for now I can't afford the time, money, and stress it would require. At the moment I'm planning Riccardia...

As it is now with added Buces and some extra rock and woodwork.

Full re-scape I did on Crypts Palace just before Christmas. I removed all the Cheeseplant roots that were choking the substrate and I also removed the Polystyrene that was bulking out the substrate. Big, muddy job! I added a Par 38 36w 6500k LED in a modified Ikea lamp. The bulb is choked down...

I've made two attempts at siliconing the new panel onto the Signature 600, and each time I've had micro bubbles appearing in the join when the tank is filled. It looked like it would not hold for long (though no actual leaks). The second time I reckon I did the best job that I am capable of so I...

I've now made two attempts at siliconing a new panel onto the Signature 600. Each time I've had micro bubbles appearing in the join when the tank is filled and it looked like it would not hold for long (though no actual leaks). The second time I reckon I did the best job that I am capable of so...

Hi Tom, since you mention it a few pages (and months) back can I ask if you have anything documenting your marine nano? Since you are my planted-tank idol I'd really love to know your approach to that. I have a 60l Dennerle cube at the moment which is in serious danger of becoming a nano reef...

Well, one attempt at siliconing the new back on down and I'm already on to my second. I was worried that there were a few imperfections and small bubbles (coincidently in roughly the same spot as the original crack). When I tested it out in the garden today this area seemed more or less okay...

Update on the cracked tank: I got my refund and was about to take the tank apart when I decided I should give a local glazier a call and ask about a piece of float glass to completely replace the broken back pane. I got a piece cut, and I had the old piece cut down to make a partial cover for...

Update on this: I got my refund and was about to take the tank apart when I decided I should give a local glazier a call and ask about a piece of float glass to completely replace the broken back pane. I got a piece cut, and I had the old piece cut down to make a partial cover for the tank (I...

In fact, if anyone in or near to London would like to pick it up and have a go themselves they'd be welcome to the tank (once I've made sure my refund is in place).

Thanks Ian. The tank has very clean joints so it ought to be possible to get it clear enough for the patches to be well sealed and not connected with old silicone. I have read that the pressure is much much greater on side panels than on the bottom though, and especially at the corners. At the...

Thanks Vanish, I was thinking to patch both inside and outside. I can definitely see that the internal patch is the important one.

Thanks Kadoxu, yes I thought about replacing the whole back panel -and maybe it is the right way to go. I figured doubling it up might be stronger, given I'm not very experienced at putting tanks together. I'm not sure I have the time or inclination to do either though. Probably I'll try the...

Oh yes, and I've just set up an instragam account for my tanks too.

3 years old and still going! This tank has been very neglected at times, and the TDS has been through the roof! I've been bringing that down with RO water since I bought a unit for another project, but it shoots back up very fast - so I wonder if the soil that I used all those years ago might...

I had hoped to be starting a new tank journal, but before I can do that I have to solve a problem! The TMC Signature 60 x 30 x45 that I ordered a couple of weeks ago finally arrived, but straight out of the box I saw a serious chip and crack in the bottom left corner of the back panel...

btw hot glue and silicone don't really work on wood in my experience.

I heard on the Scape Fu podcast the idea of tying wood to gravel(or rock)-filled nylon stockings. That way you can easily use thread, fishing-line, or cable ties or whatever, which is very fiddly, annoying and occasionally impossible with just rocks. Then you can bury, hide, or even possibly...

Oh, the post with the original setup info is halfway down this journal instead: http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/seven-moss-cube.27494/

I did something very similar, shown about halfway down this journal: http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/roots-and-lava.28999/#post-302242 It lasted over 2 years with hardly any maintenance, until I knocked a mug onto it and smashed it in half!

After another monthly trim.

Before and after trimming this month. Considering it is full sunlight that's causing this growth, the algae's not too bad!

A couple of pics from a week or so ago.

Roots & Lava 30 x 30 x 30

Seven Moss Cube 30 x 30 x 30

If I can come up with a way to hang the Aquaray 400 over Crypt's Palace I will, otherwise I might put the tile and controller up for sale on UKAPS.

Thanks Ady, I was really proud of how it was looking, but also knew that I didn't have the time or inclination to look after it any more. Comparing Crypt's Palace to the smallest slice of Big Tom's tank is praise indeed! I definitely think his approach is the most inspiring around. (I've...

Now with all the plants from my 30cm cube Roots & Lava, which I've taken down. I've added co2 on a very low dose. Had recently stopped putting liquid carbon in, and some plants looked less happy, so hopefully this will bring it back to about the same level.

Last pictures of this tank. I've taken it down now, as I needed the desk-space, and wasn't looking after it well (It was looking nice, but note the lack of livestock). Most of the plants have been transferred to Crypt's Palace (and some of the mosses will go in there too when I get the chance...

Thanks Ady, shame it's also without shrimp too. I must have neglected the water changes a step too far.