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At the levels I suggested, carbonated water won't present any risk to livestock, I've dosed as high as 1ml per litre with no problems. It is actualy the components of the carbonated water other than the carbonic acid that limit the dosing, and I therefore only use it in scapes that receive...

That a very nice pico scape :thumbup: , I have frequently scaped at this end of the spectrum, but never as small as 1 litre. I've found 100% daily water changes and dosing carbonated water really helpful in combating algae and encouraging plant growth. I would add 0.5ml of carbonated water at...

Hi Jack The carbonated water is a source of CO2, and a more natural way of providing it than liquid carbon / gluteralderhyde. 6ml per tank looks fine to me, and i would add it just before the lights are switched on. If you are able you could also dose the same again half way through the photo...

Having looked at the pictures again i see you are at maximum gap what with the sofa. I remember now that i had mine set up right in the middle of the lounge floor, my girlfriend was not happy :oops: . As I said its great to see one again, they are extremely rare. Obviously they take more effort...

Hi Jack Its great to see another aquascape triptych :thumbup: My only critism is that i feel the tanks are a bit too close together to get maximum impact. I did one back in 2010 for an art exhibition and used the golden mean 1:1.618 ratio to set the gap between the tanks Please click on the...

Thank you Chris :D Hi John, I prune the Glosso fortnightly and cut the whole lot down to less than half a centimeter tall. The carpet regrows in about 10 days, by day 14 the carpet is about 5cm thick and requires pruning again. Unfortunately this means that the scape only looks its best for a...

Hi Folks Sorry about the lack of updates, i've been really busy and have only had time to maintain the tank. Thanks Ady, I think its mainly that the fish are easier to see, some of the Boraras i've kept in smeller tanks are not visible at more that a couple of feet away. Thanks mate, my...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup (week 6 shots) Thank you Stu :D , No signs of even a red tint yet on the tennelus. I may start adding some ECA soon, that sometimes helps with the reds. It will be interesting to see if the 10 hours flattens your Glosso, I reckon that Mini-M would look spot on with...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Sorry about the slow response chaps, I’ve been crazy busy this week An excellent example there Luis. Often we can determine more from observing the real world than we can by using loads of scientific principles, as it’s very easy to overlook an important variable...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Thanks Andras. Its interesting that you mention Amanos tanks as I was looking through his complete works last night. Something I noticed was that in the scapes with large areas of Glosso carpeting, he uses a long photoperiod (minimum 10 hours), I remember now that I...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Hi Schruz Thanks for the compliments :D That's a super healthy Glosso carpet you've grown there, and you make some interesting points about the growth of this plant. Untill now I've not used the plant for a couple of years but last time was in this 20 litre tank...

Re: Rebirth (550d!) Lovely scape and photography :thumbup: The images look super sharp. Cheers, James

Re: James' ADA 60p setup I think it's alot harder to grow than many people think. I've only ever got it grow completely sideways under ridiculously high lighting i.e. 48watts of T5 2 inches from the water surface of a Mini-M. Although I know George has managed it with far less light, just by...

Re: Double Opti White Nano - Cherry/Sakura Breeding Colony Lovely pair of nanos Paulo, the tanks look great in such close proximty to each other. Cheers, James

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Thanks Paulo, I've haked the Glosso right back and can now see quite a few horizontal runners :D Cheers, James

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Thank you chaps :D Luis - TGM don't mind, but PFK like exculisives, so I will have to rescape or perhaps just replant. Paulo - Yes, it's quite a list, I was like at kid at christmas when I picked it all up. Here's the tank at 3 weeks, there are still a few...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Again not my intention to insult or cause offense, aren't journals meant to show people what you are doing and get some feedback? I just gave my feedback. :) ___________________________ Hi Luis, You have not offended me, although reading over my response I can...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Thank you George, much appreciated. I do have a slightly more complex planting scheme in mind for a replant of this hardscape. However I really wanted to remind myself how to grow Glosso horizontaly in a tank that contained only fast growing varieties of plant. That...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Thanks Fandango Here's the tank at one week, I pruned the tenellus right back shortly after this shot was taken. At 2 weeks old the tenellus has recovered from the pruning and seems to be producing shorter leaves. The Glosso is still growing verticaly so I've...

Re: James' ADA 60p setup Thank for your comments folks, much appreciated :D Cheers Luis I didn't really have a prescribed style in mind when I designed the scape. Its just my interpretation of a landscape that caught my eye whilst on holiday in Derbyshire. Thanks Emyr, worth every penny...

For some time I have been planning to scape something larger than my usual 2 to 20 litre tanks and really fancied doing an ADA 60p. On phoning the green machine to investigate they suggested that I scape a full ADA 60p setup and photograph it for their website. I visited their store in early...

Blimey Girls... don't bust the buttons on your blouses. :roll: Just to shut you up... Got this for the 60cm...and yes George I thought I might super glue riccia all over it, because I have the coordination of a 3 year old and can't tie with fishing line. :lol: Happy New Year :D , James

Thanks for your appreciation folks :D As the shrimps are slow moving I could take these shots at 1/6 second shutter speed. The ripples would then have been completey blurred, so I sacriiced them for a small aperture and slow shutter speed to capture the mosses as sharply as i could. Cheers...

Well its been a while, but the 20 litre Iwagumi has finaly reached its final photo stage. It has taken 22 weeks to grow the mosses to full maturity, but well worth the wait i feel. I have battled a bit of BBA on occasion, which I suppose is a risk with 85% moss planting in a 20 litre tank under...

Re: Tonys 'Triassic Hollow' 420L - Altums in residence Absolutely stunning Tony :thumbup: The scape has evolved beautifully. Cheers, James

Re: Tonys 'Triassic Hollow' 420L - 1yr old ! I second the motion :)

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Andy. I've never known easycarbo to kill anything but BBA and Staghorn, It has had no effect on thread algae even when spot dosed. However others may have had different experiences. Thread algae is best delt with by Amano shrimps. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thank you folks :D , much appreciated. All maintenance is done once a week. I only syphon the moss at the base very lightly as the stones its attached to are sitting on a layer of mulm, and i don't want to drag it up into the moss. Cheers, James

In my experience Xmas moss usualy attaches very well, but i never had weeping moss root properly to the rock work. Cheers, james

Re: Stu's ADA Mini M nano - Step by step on page 5 i'm really sorry to hear that Stu, my condolences to you and your family.

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Update At nearly 11 weeks old the scape is starting to fill in properly. The mosses were pruned 2 weeks ago and are now a lot more dense. The BBA has all but gone, and the traces that remain look well bleached by the gluteralderhyde. The gluteralderhyde...

Re: Tonys Mini-M - 65 days & going strong ! It looks stunning Tony :thumbup: Great macro shots too. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Mark :D Good point. That's one of the reasons i'm getting a 60cm set up, nanos can be a bit limiting when it comes to choice of plants and fish. I might even have a try at using some wood :shock: :lol: Cheers, James

Re: 120 x 55 x 55 Flowering Anubias That's interesting, cos i'd imagine that a final shot with a dozen or more submerged flowers would look incredible and somewhat unique. Cheers, James

Suberb layout Andy :thumbup: . The HC amongst the rocks on the left gives a very natural effect. I look forward to seeing it grow in. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks for the compliments folks :D , they are much appreciated. Me too mate, hoping to get started on it next month. I've used an opaque white tank backing in conjunction with a "powerglo" backlight shining on the white wall behind the tank. I think It is the...

Re: Tom's 60P build - Change of paint - again! It's never worked for me, I think once its bowed it will never return to flat. I've got used to checking the boards I get delivered at work. If they're not flat I send them back, much to the amusement of the delivery driver. Cheers, James

Re: Tom's 60P build - Change of paint - again! Plywood is probably better as it is lighter weight and tougher than MDF. However if it has not been stored properly it is just as likely to bow as MDF. As long as it is flat when you get it, should be ok. You might want to use some grain fill on...

Re: Tom's 60P build - Change of paint - again! NIce build Tom. Did the door bow as a result of painting it ? Cheers, James

Re: 120 x 55 x 55 Flowering Anubias Very cool, how long do the flowers last under water ? I've had sagittaria flower loads but always above the water level. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Update The scape is 8 weeks old now and is finally starting to look more as i envisaged. The weeping moss is begining to creep over the lower stones and i feel the Riccia is looking a little more natural. Still, I think it's going take at least another 8 weeks...

Re: A different approach - photo shoot Lovely scape Tom, and great photography too. You've convinced me to give Crypts a try again. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Luis. A splash of red could look good, however a few isolated stems would just get laid flat by the current as the tank is turned over 20 times per hour. Thank you George, much appreciated :D I'm planning another Gumi myself, i,ve got to get a 60cm...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Tom :D . HM is a good suggestion, it might well creep over the rocks at the back more naturaly than riccia. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi photos taken today. Well, the mosses seem to have recovered and are growing nicely. I still feel the scape looks a little scruffy, but i hope that will improve once the moss matures. The Riccia and Grass are growing fast and have been pruned a couple of...

three equaly spaced planted cubes in a line, always looks cool in my opinion :D I reckon that hydrocotyle could creep in to the other 2 tanks given half the chance. Cheers, james

Re: 120 x 55 x 55 full tank shot @ 5 weeks Super healthly plants as always Mr Evans. The layout is superb, the path way adds crazy depth. Cheers, James

Re: A different approach That's looking really good Tom. I would never have considered using such large plants in a nano, but they look perfectly proportioned. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Paulo, much appreciated. Update Day 7. Started to get some BBA in the moss so decided to spot dose it with easycorbo Day 10. Seriously damaged the moss with the spot dosing. Day 14. Weeping moss on the left had on the left of the tank was all...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Unfortunately my use of Riccia doesn't lend itself to being removed. I don't find pruning it too bad, as long as I remember to turn my filter off first, then it floats to the top and i collect it with a net. I know I can successfuly pluck Riccia from moss with...

Re: A different approach - DIY ADA Light done :D :thumbup: Sweet :thumbup: 10/10 mate, much better than mine. I'm definately going to work out a way to suspend my current canopy from a metal tube, looks way cleaner that way. Cheers, James

Re: A different approach - DIY ADA Light done :D The cable is just + and - , I cut mine to feed it throught some white conduit, and i've had no problems. Probably best to make the cut as far from the metal tube as possible (for obvious reasons) and use a good quality cable connector. I would...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Tom Thanks Flygja, That's a good point, i've mixed HC and Riccia a few times and the riccia can be plucked out with tweezers to stop it swamping the HC. However, this is not so easy with hair grass as I tend to accidently grab the grass and uproot it. I...

Re: A different approach - DIY ADA Light done :D Top notch DIY job Tom :thumbup: , I've been making DIY lighting for a while myself. Is there any way you could run the power cable for the lamp through the supporting tube ? p.s The scape looks stunning too. Cheers, James

The scape looks great after only 2 weeks, love the way the hardscape uses the whole height of the tank. I bet it will be stunning once grown in. Cheers, James

Wow, the emersed growth of the Hydrocotyle is incredible, i've never seen it grow like thet. I wonder how dense it would become if left. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Viktor :D I am becoming a fan of mosses, they do seem to give a natural mature look to a scape. Cheers, James

Re: Stu's ADA Mini M nano - Step by step on page 5 Hi Stu, sorry i missed the start of this Journal. That's a stunning little nano :thumbup: . Got any recent shots? Cheers, James

Re: 120 x 55 x 55 'Ruby' Run out of superglue! That's looking suberb Mark :thumbup: , I shall watch this one grow in with great interest. Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Mark, I'm really glad you like it. :D Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Cheers George :D I'm glad you think it's a classic :D When i say its more conventional I mean it's the first time i have conformed to a style. I've always prefered complete creative freedom but i'm actually finding it very satisfying. Luis, I spent hours...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi The lighting is DIY Luis, but it's not new. Its the same rig you saw at the exhibition last year Thanks mate, I think it will take a while for the moss to mature nicely. Thanks Neil. I love the "School's out" reference, this is twice as funny as you may...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Luis, I always like to use some Riccia, its a great gap filler for nano tanks. Thanks Ianho Thanks Matt, things are going really well at the moment Update Well, after tweaking the angle of the main stone about 50 times the tank is planted now with the...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Just a quick update. The hardscape is installed, now on to the planting. I tied some moss and Riccia to stones this morning so it shouldn't take too long to complete. I'll post some photos this evening Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Westy. I look forward to seeing your seiryu scape, please post some photos of your design once the rocks have arrived :) Cheers, James

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks Tony. I hope it fits too, as you can see i've gone over the boundary marked by the paper on the left hand side, so it's going to be a bit of a squeeze. :) Anyhow the tank is drained now and if all goes according to plan i'll post a photo of the...

Re: A more conventional Iwagumi Thanks George, good to be back. Glad you like the layout. Mark - For the planting I'm thinking Riccia and hair grass at the back and perhaps a carpet of weeping moss at the front, with some christmas moss in the meeting point of the 3 main stones. Cheers, James

Re: 120 x 55 x 55 'Ruby' plant list That's a great hardscape Mark, i love the depth of the wood, in combination with the coarse gravel at the front it should give a huge depth of field in the photos. Can't wait to see it planted, Try not to get RSI from all the tweezer work tomorrow :)...

Hi Folks Feeling a little bored with my current scape, I started to play around with a box seiryu stone i'd had for a while. My last few scapes have had low laying hardscapes, so I fancied doing something much taller. After several trial arrangements the rocks kept returning to the classic 3...

Re: Tonys ADA Mini-M - planted Hi Tony That's an excellent nano scape. Looks like you are developing a rather distinctive style, cos i reckon I'd recognise that as one yours without your name attached. Look forward to seeing it grow in. Cheers, james

Re: Saintly's 120cm' Fraggle rock' That's a very natural and original looking hardscape layout, and river stones are tricky to work with. I find the lack of suface texture on these types of stone makes it difficult to acheive a good sense of scale. I can't wait to see it planted :thumbup...

Re: sams 60cm 'Pinnatifida Peak' (1 week) Another great scape from you Sam, you have an excellent eye for form :thumbup: Cheers, James

Re: Tonsers 420L "Triassic Hollow" @ 2.5 weeks That's excellent Tony. The scape has unique textural qualities and a very original look :thumbup: . Cheers, James

I hear that Vogon poetry is an excellent anti-algae, you should find some in the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy if you want try it. :lol: On a more serious note, how is the tank staying algae free with such a low plant mass? Cheers, James

Happy new year George. The tank looks absolutely stunning now, those Crypts are super healthy. I think the scape is actually too good for a tank with a silver plastic lid :lol: Cheers, James

That's looking great Andy, the Boraras brigittae compliment the scape really well :thumbup: Cheers james

In the pico the Riccia is tied to 2 pieces of lava rock behind the main stones, in Autumn Sunrise it was tied directly to the main stones. I think the trick is not to tie it too tightly, otherwise no new plant can develop under the fishing line, and it will not stay anchored. Also if the plant...

Thank you Neil :D . I'm glad you noticed that. I am fascinated with the way different plants grow at the edge of a cliff. Cheers, James

Thank you Sam :D Good luck to you also :thumbup: Cheers, James

Looking good Neil, love the lighting in the photos :thumbup: . I was suprised how well Riccia did without CO2, it does'nt pearl the same, but it grows fast. Cheers, James

Thank you guys :D Cheers, James

That's stunning Sam, great plant growth. This scape is a real acheivement in any size tank, but in just over 2 litres it's absolute quality :thumbup: Cheers, James

That's incredible growth, a fantastic looking scape :thumbup: Cheers, James

Great final shots Tony, you've done well to get the parrots feather to grow that well :thumbup: . Cheers, James

That looks fantastic Stu, healthy plants, good growth and a very natural looking scape :thumbup: Top notch photography as usual, you'll have to give me some lessons :D Cheers, James

Great shots and amazing plant growth, well done Andy :thumbup: p.s Congrats on your excellent feature in PFK. UKaps dominates the your tanks section now :lol: :thumbup: Cheers, James

Well it's time for the final shots, and i'd like to say what an excellent experience this pico project has been. The tank is about 8 weeks old now and has had several prunings, the plants are growing fast even the Staurogyne. Final Photos Cheers, James

Excellent photos Tony. The plants look really healthy even if they have not grown a huge amount, i'd say that's successful, especially in a pico with no filter or CO2 :D. Cheers, James

Excellent work Tom :thumbup: . good plant growth, superb scape design and brilliant photography. This looks like it has been a very successful project for you. Cheers, James

Thanks for the update Tom. That pearling is awsome, it shows how effective liquid carbon can be. Cheers, James

That's a lovely little nano Chris, the plants look really healthy. Cheers, James

Congrats on the shrimp babies Andy :thumbup: . Mate, your plants are looking super healthy now. Cheers, James

Thanks Andy :D I wish my plants were growing as fast as those in your pico tank Cheers, James

Thanks Matty :D Creating a good sense of scale is always my primary goal. If the tank is still running after the contest I might replace the Staurogyne with some Glosso, to see if i can make the tank look bigger still. Cheers, James

what a shame mate :( , i really liked this one. Tanks this size are so unforgiving. Cheers, James

That's comming on a treat Jason, the plants look really healthy Cheers, James

:lol: I totaly agree, I am spending a ridiculous amount of time on mine, and it's so Damn fiddley too, Ifeel like a clumsy gardening giant :lol: The plants are looking really healthy, have you seen any signs of algae yet? Cheers, James

Thanks guys :D , much appreciated Cheers, James

Hi folks, just a quick update. The tank has been running for 4 weeks, and the plants are growing a bit faster now. The brown slime algae is starting to clear up, although i did have to prune alot of staurogyne leaves that were covered in the stuff. Here's the tank at 27 days I hope the...

wow that really is small, and looks really good. What is the sand you've used ?, it looks very fine, ideal for picos. Cheers, James