Hi all,
A few (ha)
quick notes and will post some new pics soon...
I am trying some new plants and also trimming others, so will post pics when things settle in a bit..
1. I removed most of the Elatine Triandra (ET) but still have a nice section. It just grows way too fast....
2. I replaced the ET in the back with the smaller anubias species I had: minima and petite. I like it a lot but needs to fill in some. Will be very low maintenance overall. I really think this is going to look good. The section will be almost 5' in length and 2-3" in width. I have never seen that much of these species and am looking forward to when it all connects. I had enough plant material in the tank to cover all I wanted. Now just needs time to fill in the small gaps.
3. I have some more downoi that I am trying again for like the 4-5 time now. I got a baker's dozen of really nice plants and I think these will do well. I placed a nice grouping in the far 'back' left corner where some ET was. 6 days so far and they haven't died or shrunk (yet) so we shall see. I think they are fine but don't want to believe it
4. I trimmed approx half of the hygro araguaia I had. I used some of the downoi in this spot to see if location played a part in my issues with this plant. Other plants have done well in these spots, so am hopeful all will be well.
5. I also have some new type of hair grass, the 'belem' variety. This is on the left side for now while it adapts and then I will see where to use it. It is for sure different than the HG I currently have.
6. I am going to have a buddy come over and help me net out the rummy nose tetras. He will then take them. Once they are gone..
a. I will get some Utricularia gramiifolia (UG) and retry that. The rummies tore it all up the last time and $60 down the drain in < 5 mins.
b. I will get some more cherry shrimp.
7. I added some SA apistos. A group of 8 mega red caucatoides. Very nice fish and good mix of males/females.
8. I added 2 chocolate ancistrus. Small and slender and gorgeous!
Overall things are doing well. I have to do some serious trimming and the tank does not look good while large sections regrow.
The fish are really healthy and operationally, all hardware is fine.
I can see the growth at the ends really took off once I added back the other ATI fixture. Using one was nice but the tank is so much brighter and nicer with both. I forgot how dark the ends were in comparison.
Take care!
