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Bucephalandra Kedegang growing well, happy Corys and cherry shrimps too

"Try Seachem Iron." Ok cheers, will check it out.

After 4 months: Fish and shrimps are all in good shape. Buces are happy, Balansae going well, Anubias is returning back to good health, but Tenellum is thinning and struggling to get the Rotundifolia to settle, both on the right ...

Fair bit of damage from Anubias melt, but everything seems to be recovering. Added a couple more Buces and got some Seachem Flourish Glue which is great for attaching the plants. The Rotala looks to be settling in already.

A quick trim, and Montevidensis has now been replaced with Cryptocoryne Balansae and have introduced some Rotala Rotundifolia (Green) to fill out the right hand side.

Nitrite is finally down and the fish all seem happy, so far. There's a fair bit of Anubias melt though and I'm not sure about the Montevidensis seems a bit regular to me.

still juggling with the Ammonia levels, so no return for the fish just yet. Biggest innovation for me has been using glue for the first time. JBL Pro Haru for the hardscape, and Seachem Flourish for the plants, both have been a revelation...

A couple of days in...

Foreground (Helanthium tenellum) in place and starting to add back-in some of my original Anubias barteri, Cryptcorine crispatula, and the new Alternanthera reineckii

Plants have arrived and time to get this scape going: Bucephalandra Biblis Bucephalandra Kedegang Becephalandra Red Bucephalandra Green Velvet Helanthium tenellum Sagittaria Subulata Alternanthera reineckii Eleocharis sp. montevidensis

Damp cloth has been applied but the 20 year old pre Optiwhite tank, is showing it's age...

I was originally thinking Vallis, but it doesn't get much love these days, so am trying the Montevidensis and my original Cryptocoryne Crispatula. We'll see how this goes... Plants should arrive soon, am keen to get going...

I under ordered the soil and am now awaiting one more 9L bag and some extra rock too. But the wood is now glued in place and my selection of plants are on order. Various bits of lead and rock are loosely in place as still scared the wood will float. Title: Jurassic Valley

The hardscape arrived the next day, and fish, shrimps and plants are all safe in plastic containers

After my first trip to the inspirational Aquarium Gardens, I ended up with this layout in the shop.

Am going to re-use lots of Anubias Barteri and various Crypts including Crispatula and Wendtii from previous set-up. 270L braced tank - Eheim Professional 3 - 350 filter with Eheim pre-filter 2L JBL CO2 system with Sera diffuser (CO2 from London Gases) AquaRay LED tiles x 2 (2pm fade up - 9pm...

First scape in 3 years and last scape in this old tank

Am keen to hear any opinions/suggestions here, https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/green-algae-taking-hold-help-please.56889/#post-554104

Damn, I'm normally OK at keeping control of algae but its starting to get a grip. Does make for some really nice colours though....

Slightly brighter pic Day 130

Have cut the lighting back a little, have cleaned all the stones that got covered in algae. The inlet is now a spray bar and the crypts are growing well now. Still a lot of snails around but am keeping them under control, manually plucking them out. The Java fern is finally coming back to life...

All sorts going on. Have cut any leaves with black algae and cut back the lighting which seems to be working. But hairgrass has now had a trim as it's settling in very well. Day 50 and there are three collections of eggs on the glass (middle to top right)

The hairgrass is settling in just fine and spreading well. But there are patches of black tufts of algae on the top of the Crispatula and the Java fern doesn't look to be settling in that well. The Anubias are also getting black algae on the leaves you can see it on the older leaves. Have cut...

Cheers Grant. Here's how things are progressing. Eleocharis is settling down and spreading nicely. Java fern is slow to regain momentum, as are the Crypts but they'll get going in the end. I used to feed my fish, previously, once a week, but the new Glowlights seem constantly hungry. So have...

Day 30. Just increasing the ferts dosage very slightly, have increased the intensity of the LEDs a little to 95%, and the CO2 is running for 1hr before lights on. Eleocharis is starting fill out and the shrimps are re-appearing and they are more vibrant in colour since feeding them Spirulina...

Have got the CO2 all set-up and running smoothly with gas from London Gases. And just increasing the EasyLife ferts a little. Some swapped plants from the forum have just arrived and have just dropped them in for now, to see if they will settle. Day 22

Happy plants and happy fish so far...

Day 15. Have just introduced a little Hemianthus callitrichoides hope it settles alongside the Eleocharis acicularis, not sure they both will work together, so will have to wait and see. And just started to dose a little EasyCarbo until I can get a gas refill going. And a little EasyLife...

Thanks, I liked the wood on both sides but it's not to everyone's taste...

Thanks a lot, it's one that will develop over time.

2 weeks in and substrate dust finally starting to settle, nitrate/nitrite levels under control. Gentle filter clean after it was really dirty. 40% water change and have been reintroducing fish over the last couple of days. Added Cryptocoryne parva behind Eleocharis acicularis.

Don't... but hopefully not too many, they're all settling in nicely.

know what you mean, and I haven't checked the filter yet...

I didn't realise it would take so much time transferring the Cherry shrimps, they get everywhere. At one point the tank was bare and soil was almost dry, and somehow there are five tiny shrimps in the new set-up already. Have now added well over 100... Pot bottom...

really nice scape!

and now a timely arrival from...The Green Machine, several pots of Eleocharis acicularis. Time to get planting.

Decided to try an online fish supplier for the first time... went to TropCo and have just received a beautifully wrapped box of fish, delivered early in the morning on the day they said, really impressed. Just need to look after them until the tank is ready...

Smoke's all under control now :)

Day 2 - Aug 13, 2018 Easy Life filter media has just been added

Hi all, after a recent holiday to Costa Rica I came back all inspired and have set about a new aquascape. After almost 15 years my 270L tank feels like it is nearing the end of it’s life, so this may well be my last scape in this tank. It has served me well with a top 300 ranking in the ADA...

Just 2 bits of Anubis remain everything else has melted. But when doing a fairly major water change, I put the LED lights onto storm mode and I now have eggs on the front glass at the water line. Must have happy tank...

A little more focus and things are taking shape..., increasing intensity of LED light a small amount each week. Sera Florena seems to help too... 3rd May 16 - latest update, pic from iPhone

Have clean the tank up a little and introduced Purigen to keep the water clean. Have also added some Bolbitis to fill the space from the dead Anubias. Together with a little shadier lighting it starts to come to life

Day 120 - 15th April. Have lost most of the Anubias, but everything else is settling down well. The Anubias will make way for some Bolbitus planting soon. And seem to have a few very overweight shrimps so hopefully some smaller ones on the way.

Almost two months now and the Anubias are in a bad way, the stems are melting and most of the leaves have fallen off. Will clear them out and look to replace them with new smaller variety to help the proportions of the layout.

Thanks will hang in there and hopefully the Anubias will start to pick up.

... am struggling with the Anubias at the moment though, losing leaves quite frequently. I'm wondering whether it's just shock from the move... or any other thoughts...

Thanks for the comments, the tank is coming on nicely and will update pics soon. Brought 13 Gouramis and haven't ever counted more than 10, but they seem happy. Otocinclus are my favs though and may get a few more soon...

Close up of river Day 18 - 6th January 2016

Thanks for the comments all. Know what you mean about the Anubias so will keep an eye on how it grows. Gouramis have been in about a week and settling down. And yes staying with green plants for the time being.

Previous scape can be seen here and new scape journal below New set up: 270L tank, Ehiem Pro3 350 filter (Mech, Substrat Pro, Torf, Lav) JBL 602 CO2 Unit, Sera glass CO2 Disperser, 2 x 600 Growbeams (on from 2pm to 10.30pm), 1 x 42inch T8 tube (on from 4pm to 8pm), Amazonia soil Plants...

IAPLC entry. 2am shot. Not my best photo but let's see if I can stop my year on year slide from inside the top 300 in 2003 to just in the top 1,200 in 2011. oddn0ise_IAPLC_2013 by oddnoise, on Flickr

Weeks of preparation and on the last night before IAPLC and I got in very late from work had to turn all the tank lights on at 2am and take the final shot. Not sure it was my best performance, will post a picture later.

Here the latest tank update. I'm just over a month with my first JBL CO2 unit running and things are setting down nicely, I added six assassin snails and they seem to be doing their job well. Have added some new Anubias as the original ones had attracted too much black algae, the Tennelus is...

Almost 4 months into the rebuild now and the new CO2 is running smoothly, I think I've got the right amount, and the plants are responding. Just looking into the purchasing of cylinders and then need to find a local supplier. ADC in London say they will refill but not sure I want to lug them...

Cheers Dagzz.and cheers Martin! There's a video if you're interested

Cheers Ian, the Crypts are in good shape, I've planted about 30 in all and some must be nearly 10 years old. You're right they do add a nice feel. How are your tanks coming on?

Cheers Ady, yes most of the shots and videos are shot late in the evening when the lights are ramping down and I can black the room out. I have been cutting the max level of light down as I prefer the tank in lower lights. I have the 2 Aquarays on long ramp ups and downs and the max level is now...

Cheers Mark. I thought the video quality could have been better, I'm really struggling with the Lumix camera and have read a few comments that they struggle in low light. Glad you liked it though.

Thanks Tim, glad you liked the video. Inside the tank things are really healthy and all the plants are growing well, I bought the Carbon block gadget about 8 years ago, it's been easy to use and no fuss to change, but as you say nobody seems to have anything good to say about them. So I decided...

Thanks Mark, yes things are all settling in nicely. I've just put a new video live too on You Tube if you want to have a browse round the tank.

All the plants have settled nicely and I haven't lost anything. Staurogene is now back on track and the Tenellus is rapidly multiplying. I have a good handful of cuttings if anyone is interested? (Just PM). The big change is I've finally upgraded to a Compressed CO2 unit and have said goodbye to...

Watch out the algae will come. It took about 3-4 weeks to appear but now I have it and I'm keeping a close eye on it, as well as using the ADA Phyton Git product which keeps things it in shape. I'd leave your plants as they are and let them settle in, and then see how they develop. things are...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Looks like the Stauro is starting to struggle, some of the leaves are thinning out and not sure what to do to get it back on track. Whereas the Tenellus is going very well, the trimming at the start seems to be paying off as the growth is very strong now...

That was an interesting little find... felt like a trip back in time inside the shop, but plenty of good planted tanks, stacks of moss and knowledgable staff. Thanks for the recommendation Rick.

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild - update On a special trip to Living Waters in Croydon today, have heard a lot about this shop so will give it a good check out. On the tank front, black algae is forming on the thinnest tree roots, and will try the method of painting Pyton Git onto it this...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Thanks a lot Murf! Here's the up to date tank as of this evening, now 2 weeks into aquasacpe. Feels a little two dimensional to me now... will see how it all takes shape oddn0ise_Day_14 by oddnoise, on Flickr

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild I'm a regular Aquatic Design Centre customer as I work fairly near there and Greg is a good brain on planted tanks. Have had Living Waters recommeded highly, but haven't got there just yet and will one day get out to Mile End to try Wholesale Tropicals...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Cheers, yes early days but shoukld come together nicely. I'll keep you posted. I see you're SW London, like me, do you rate any local Aquatic shops?

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Planted tank day 7 OK only a week into things but plants and fish all seem pretty settled. Algae starting to appear on the wood nearer the filter outlet but have boosted the Amano shrimp population and things are under control. Thanks to 'mlgt' for swapping...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Lost 5 shrimps today. levels are all in shape but I'm concerned I put them in a little too early. I have no movement on the top of the water and wonder whether I should revert back to the spray bar I used to use rather than the flashy glass head I bought...?

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Need the Stauro to spread outwards rather than up so plenty to keep an eye. will update later this week to show how all the plants are settling in.

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Cheers Foxfish, I'm pleased with how well the planting has gone, some are still in pots at the back so more work to do but will let things settle for a couple of days. And thanks Ady, The Staurogyne is like a river weaving through the Tenellus hopefully this...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Plants arrived on Friday and I've had 48 hours of heavy planting. First up it was attaching the moss to the tree roots, not a particularly easy process. Then I focused on the Anubias and Bolbetis again being attached to the wood. Then there was a few hours...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Yep working hard on water changes and keeing things nice and clean. The Redfield Ratio came from an EasyLife leaflet talking about the 'golden triangle' and keeping a good balance of Light - Macro nutrients - Micro nutrients. Is this not the way forward?

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild OK tank is stable, maturation process is complete and was advised that I'd see an outbreak of algae at this point but so far so good. I do think the ADA Phyton Git product is a good help here and also the UV light in the Sera Filter. Have just stripped the...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L planted rebuild Agree with you on the Nitrate levels, I have been reading a lot about the balance between Nitrate and Phosphate and there seems to be a ratio between the two that doesn't allow the growth of algae. 16:1 is shown in the Redfield Ratio so I plan to dose...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild Day 25 Day25 by oddnoise, on Flickr Maturation process is complete, nitrite levels are zero and now just have a high Nitrate level to deal with. The layout is only rough and I've chucked in as many plants as I have to help use up the nutrients. Having read many...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild Day 10 OK, so far so good! Have added some of my Neons and they seem happy enough, their colour is returning after having endured 2 weeks in a large plastic tub. Plants are coming round slowly but surely. Everything is rough for now until fully matured and then...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild At the moment I am running down my very old Carbo Plus carbon block. Very few people seem to have heard of this but I can't find them anymore and have decided to make the move to a CO2 cylinder so will be interesting to see if there is a big difference. Cheers.

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild Day_8 by oddnoise, on Flickr Day 8 Have been testing the water everyday and Ammonia levels have now dropped, I moved the Neons from the holding bay to the tank, probably a little early, but the regular 50% water changes are helping. I'm regularly dosing...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild The tank was due a good sort out but was a lot of work to rebuild. The new tank is taking shape and will post some new pictures very soon.

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild OK picture time, some are very boring but show the whole story. First up is just the organisation of all the new purchases and previous stuff Area_preparation by oddnoise, on Flickr Plastic tray home for the fish for 2-3 weeks Fish_Temp_housing by oddnoise, on...

Re: oddn0ise - 270L rebuild Lighting changed from several T8 tubes to one 42” T8 Freshwater tube and two TMC Aqua Grow 1000 Led units powered by the 8 channel programmer. The TMCs allows for smooth light fades and they both run from one plug socket. Apparently there is a ‘storm function’, I...

Here's my previous tank before work commenced: Tropical fish/plant layout June11 by oddnoise, on Flickr# I’ve been keeping tropical fish for about 15 years now and over the last seven years I have focused on creating planted layouts but with a fair share of non plant friendly exotic fish. In...