135g SA "Renewal" Project

[DarylMac]

Two of my three XP3's and my 250 watt inline heater have been moved to the 75.

I've removed the spare heater and AC 300 from the 75. They did their job of circulating the water and bringing the tank up to temp over night.

I've started draining water from the 135. I'll take it down about 8" or so and then move over some of my wood, rocks, and swords. I'm going to pot the swords in the 75 so that they continue to grow in case I want to either sell it re-use them later.

 

[robham777]

Nice progress. I really like the lighting system you have for the tank.

 

[RyanM]

Following along, very nice fish you have (had)!

 

[DarylMac]

My sword plant was larger than expected.



Then I pruned it (including roots). The scrap;



Then I put some root tabs in the plastic pot, added some old sand & pebbles, and re-planted the large sword.

Guys, I've decided it's probably cruel to stick even a single Amazon Sword in a tank less than 24" tall. I though the sword looked cramped in my 135, here it is in the 75. Yikes!



Sorry about the glare. I'll post a pic of the 75 tonight once it's dark outside.

I also pulled these swords out of the 135 and potted them in the other pot;



I'll probably sell these off and get some smaller sword plants and valisnaria.

 

[DarylMac]

Also, in the first pic of my last post you can see a bunch of swordlets hanging off the top of the mother plant. I left them on. Figure whoever buys this plant can have some bonus plants!

 

[cichlidfish]

My sword plant was larger than expected.

View attachment 1225108

Then I pruned it (including roots). The scrap;

View attachment 1225109

Then I put some root tabs in the plastic pot, added some old sand & pebbles, and re-planted the large sword.

Guys, I've decided it's probably cruel to stick even a single Amazon Sword in a tank less than 24" tall. I though the sword looked cramped in my 135, here it is in the 75. Yikes!

View attachment 1225110

Sorry about the glare. I'll post a pic of the 75 tonight once it's dark outside.

I also pulled these swords out of the 135 and potted them in the other pot;

View attachment 1225113

I'll probably sell these off and get some smaller sword plants and valisnaria.

I've had some big ones, but nowhere near that size. Very impressive.
Valisnaria sounds like a good choice.

 

[isde02]

Wow, I wish I could grow aquatic plants like that, you have a knack for it. I can grow terrestrial plants just fine but kind of suck with the aquatic ones.

 

[DarylMac]

Thanks! I use root tab fertilizer things, I replenish them every 4 to 6 months during a big water change - just use my finger to stuff it down in the root mass. And I do add Flourish every water change.

It's like I tell my friends that don't know about the aquarium hobby - we keep good water and it gives you nice fish. I've always felt that live plants add to the look of the aquarium, but more importantly they help keep the water great for the fish.

Here's a picture of the 75 crammed full of swords;

 

[DarylMac]

Quick update: sold my sword plants. I've found a smaller growing species, echinodorous parviflorous, that I will use for mid ground plants and I'll go with either jungle Val or twisted (corkscrew) Val in the background.

I've got the laundry service installed. Still in process of mudding and sanding the drywall patch, then I'll have to put a couple of coats of paint on the wall. At the same time I have started painting the back of my tank black. I put the first coat on about an hour ago and I'll do one more before bed.

I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll get into the office bright & early, put in a few good hours of work and then take an extended lunch that I will use to source new rock work for the tank...

The plan is to get the stand in place and levelled by Saturday morning so that I can spend sometime washing pool filter sand in the afternoon.

I'll take some more pics this weekend once there has been forward progress.

 

[cichlidfish]

Can't wait for the pics. Sounds awesome.