My First NPT - Thanks To All That Helped!

[mebiggs]

Hi El, the tank looks great!  If you have the dreaded problem of plant overgrowth again, You might be able to convince to take some plants off your hands....... but only if you really can't stand having prolific plant growth! LOL...... Mark.

[** UncleEl **]

Hello everyone-

This last few weeks has been a challenge!

They say that "bad luck" comes in threes.  I have to agree!
#1.  The main light bulb on the 30 Hex burned out about 10 days ago  .  It was the 40 watt compact fluorescent dual daylight bulb - 6700K and 10,000K in my Current USA model 1012 light fixture.  Of course, I couldn't locate a replacement bulb locally.  I was forced to order a bulb on-line and wait 7 days for delivery.

#2.  While at my parent's home doing my twice yearly heavy yard maintenance (hedge clipping, brush clearing, drainage ditch clearing, etc.), a family member backed their truck into the side of my trusty sedan  !  Nice one!

#3.  While helping my niece with her summer break Math "homework", I fell asleep while standing on my feet  .  I did catch myself before hitting the floor,... but I didn't need coffee for a few days!!  (It's pretty alarming to do this.  I don't recommend you try it!)  Needless to say, tutorial was over!

The loss of the daylight bulb (from #1) forced me to rely totally on the dual Actinic bulb for light - the sunlight I get isn't enough until late fall.  Looks like I'll have anecdotal evidence on whether Actinic light can keep aquatic plants alive!

I'll post some pics later of the 30 Hex, illuminated only with Actinic light.  I'll let you all know if the plants continue to thrive.

El.

P.S.  Now to find $600 - $800 to repair the back door on the car.  Ouch!

I can guarantee one thing - I go to bed earlier, now  !

[EMc/]

OMG- EL!!! Hopefully things will be MUCH better this week. I have dented 2 of our cars by not checking carefully in the rear view mirror before pulling out. At the time, these cars were parked where they normally wouldn't have been, but that's no excuse.

[Jeromy]

  OMG UncleEl, it sounds like you've had one heck of a week. The closest I've had falling asleep like that was probably in class, I fell out of my desk once, that really made the teacher mad! LOL  That was embarrassing! I actually have this sign posted on my desk, linked below under "Anti Stress Therapy" lol  As for the antic light your plants in theory probably wouldn't shown any signs of fatigue for at least a couple weeks. The high end of antic 10,000k/11,000k is actually utilized by most plants, just no where near as much as the lower end of the spectrum, roughly 4400k-8800k. If you need a really good place to get bulbs try Catalina these people are awesome! http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php

Anti Stress Therapy 
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/KLN/SM174.jpg

[** UncleEl **]

Hey Jeromy-

Neat "Anti-stress" sticker  !!  A little too much temptation for me though!

El.

[** UncleEl **]

Hello everyone-

While I've been very happy with the overall health of the 30 Hex, it wasn't really aquascaped too well.  I had originally planned to have bushes of Egeria, rooted in the substrate and billowing upward towards the surface.  I had to learn, the hard way, that Egeria is really a floater.  If you plant it in the substrate, it'll rot off 95% of the time.  You've been warned: Egeria is a floater!

It's time for a "do over" (a minor one).  Before I show you the changes, here are pics of the "before".  Enjoy!

El.

[** UncleEl **]

Hello-

After some "constructive criticism" from The Mrs., I decided to make a proper aquascape.  After all, the 30 Hex is healthy and settled.  It's almost exactly one year old and problems are almost nonexistent now (knock wood!).

Alright already!  It's time I "Follow the Rules"!

Loosely, the "Rules" are: Tall plants go in the background, medium sized plants and showcase plants go in the midground, and short/small plants go in the foreground.  Refer to Rhonda's articles here:

http://naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0809.html
http://naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0803.html

First things first.  I pulled ALL of the Egeria out and put it in a holding tank that was vacant.  Next I removed all the Hygrophila difformis from the left, rear of the tank.  I'll use that real estate for something nice.

The first pic shows the tank after the above steps.  The second pic shows the open space I created (seen from the left side).

El.

[** UncleEl **]

Hello-

Next, the "Secret Weapon".  I added Rotala rotundifolia in the new space.  It's a legitimate low-light stem plant.  It's fast growth should absorb excess nutrients from the water keeping my algae at bay.  Also, it is colorful and attractive and should make a great addition to the 30 Hex.  See profiles on R.rotundifolia here:

http://naturalaquariums.com/plants/rotala.html
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-186.htm

The first pic below shows the Rotala just before planting.  I was fortunate to get stem plants with grown in roots.  The second pic shows Pinky (my male Betta) inspecting the addition.  The third pic shows a completed proper aquascape.

El.

[** UncleEl **]

Hello-

No! - I'm not finished.  There's still more to do.

Since my birthday just passed, I treated myself to some Cryptocorne to add to the 30 Hex.  I bought 1 Crypt lutea and 2 Crypt parva to add to the aquascape.  Here are profiles on them:

http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?what=plant&cur_lang=2&id=46
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=171&category=genus&spec=Cryptocoryne

On the left front, I added the Crypts next to the largest Red Rubin sword.  Pic 1 shows where the Crypts will be planted.  Pic 2 shows the C. lutea unpotted, ready to plant.  The next pic shows the C. parva ready also.  Pic 4 shows the Crypts planted and the substrate darkened with black and brown gravel.

Those are all the layout changes made for now.  I can already tell that this "proper" aquascape is attractive, logical, and orderly.  I hope you've learned something new or gotten an idea of how to rearrange your aquascape.

El.

[** UncleEl **]

Hello again-

As promised, I'll include update pics of my new "proper" aquascaping.  As you'll remember, I removed a huge column of floating Egeria densa.  I also planted Rotala rotundifolia, Crypt walkeri 'lutea', and Crypt parva.

The first pic is a full tank shot.  The second pic is a closeup of the stand of Rotala.  Pic #3 is a closeup of the Crypt lutea and parva.  The fourth pic shows the Hygro sunset with some Crypt spiralis mixed in, for good measure.

I must admit, I like the proper 'scaping    !  Without more delay, here's the 30 Hex.

El.

[jasmine tea]

Well done!
I have to ask, I noticed that you have a male betta fish with some tankmates, who are his tankmates?
 

[** UncleEl **]

Hello JT-

Thanks for the compliments. 

The main companions for my Betta splendens are 10-13 Neon tetras, 2 feeder guppies (1M, 1F), and a full complement of snails (Red ramshorn, common pond snails, and Malaysian livebearers).  I want to add some small corys, but have yet to find what I want (maybe C. panda or C. pygmaeus).

El. 

[Patty]

Very nice El! Its nice to see everyone again. I really like what you have done to the tank. And Pinky looks fabulous!  I have been fighting a green hair algae outbreak for some reason. It has literally carpeted the floor in a corner and hanging out on the back wall with my vals. I don't want to do anything extreme because we are winding down our tenure here in OH. I have a few months to play but thats it. So, having said all of that should I just remove all infected plants and do a huge water change? LOVE the changes!
Patty

[** UncleEl **]

Hello Patty  !!

Thanks for the compliments.  You shoulda heard some of my wife's slang for what the 30 Hex looked like before the rescape  !  Yeah - I like it better this way also.

For me Hair Algae has been from reduced water movement (usually in a certain region of the tank).  I'd just siphon out as much as you can without being destructive.  Normally, I'd recommend a regular dose of Seachem's Excel (the carbon additive).  In your case, don't use it.  I recall that Vals and Egeria are negatively effected by it.  Maybe a slight thinning of plants in the effected area may help.

Patty, post some current pics of your tank - I need new desktop  pics  (No, I'm not kiddin')!

El.

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