Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g

[aclockworkorange]

Scroll up tiger lol..

You expect me to actually READ your posts?

 

[aclockworkorange]

The deal with the leaves (Justin and I have discussed and researched this topic at length) is that they release many beneficial compounds in to the water. Since Justins fish are SA cichlids, the tannins release by the leaves will add to their comfort in the murky water (if his water wasn't so damn hard it would acidify it too, maybe they can aid with that when he's using his RO system). There is also research about the benefits of humid acid released by leaves... I'll leave google to educate you on that one.
The leaves have to be "dead," because if they aren't, the breakdown of organic matter could (potentially, haven't seen this DIRECTLY) release ammonia and throw off your cycle.

 

[David K. Bradley]

Justin:
Just to "LEAF" you a quick msg. E-mail sent to you with attachment just a couple of minutes ago. Hope it helps.

edit: I had to pick on ACWO there for a minute! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. It was just to irresistable not to.

 

[JK47]

What if you got some aquatic moss growing on that stump and threw in some small leaved anubias nana "petite?" Would look pretty cool.

Growing? Not in this tank bubba, 100% faux-ganic... No live plants I've got something to prove. The 120g and 10g are live only though. Different goals with different tanks.

BTW just got back from Damien's, his 250 lives.. 150 lbs of sand or so, 11 bulkhead fittings, 4 holes drilled in 1" acrylic, sump plumbed and running and two canisters. Was like your swat team 90g setup only my back hurts..

Justin:
Just to "LEAF" you a quick msg. E-mail sent to you with attachment just a couple of minutes ago. Hope it helps.

edit: I had to pick on ACWO there for a minute! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. It was just to irresistable not to.

I got it, loved it and now have to find it. Thanks for the effort David. I am hitting "Michaels" arts and crafts store tomorrow so I can try and track down the smaller plants we were talking about. They have a pretty big selection of silks. Stay tuned..

 

[devder1]

love the leaves, i got some indian almonds, i love em, but they just decintegrate into piles of GUNK which gets all in my filters and stuff, but they work great in the frog tank

 

[JK47]

I could't get the fish moved to the 300g today. I spent the day on the 120 gallon instead. Before I load up the latest 120g pics, I thought I would add pics of another thing about this tank I incorporated when picking the BG. Pothos plants (philodendron) in the aquaria. If you have never looked into them I would strongly urge you to look them up.

I had the roots just hanging in the water column of this tank when I moved it from the 125 gallon. I got everything seated where is will rest long term today. This tank is open top so I want a lush plant layer on top of the tank and background and have been growing these plants for a long time.





The species on the right side grew from about 3" to over 60" in 10 months or so. The root structure is submerged behind the false root wall in the BG. One of the reason I picked the selvas model.









This is the right side of the tank next to the right return.



The left left side is yet to be covered. I am trying a new species with this side and will see how well it fills out. It's much brighter green than the other species. Eventually I will mix both together to thicken out the back.





Side note, can anyone please give me the scientific name of this floating species??? I have been growing it for a while now and would like to research it a little further. I am suck a noob with plants (and no that wasn't an invite to make fun of me clockwork lol.. )

 

[JK47]

It's was snowing today so the landscaping place was closed. Nice thing about having kids as you can put em to work! "don't come back till you fill a bucket each!!!" lol... j/k we had fun messin in the snow and finding smooth stones together. I got two and a half buckets full. Used the half on this tank. The other two are for the 300g.



This is how the 120g was looking (cichlid guy trying to plant)



I picked out the rocks I wanted to add (along with the few already in the tank) and stole some Malaysian DW from the stew tank.





This thing is a mess! Clockwork keeps telling me to prune or trim my plants.. I finally broke down and did it. This thing was 27" tall once I got it out of the tank.







To think this awesome piece of wood was under that fatty abubias all these years..! I like it! I also trimmed it and cut it in half??? Not sure how to trim plants so just cut in half slounded about right haha. Looks like this year I am going to learn about plants.







FTS in a sec..

 

[JK47]

This is how it looks now. I still need to add the swords, compact swords, onion plants, move around a few stones, add more sand, test the oak leaves, add more sand etc.. but it's pretty much done inside the tank.





I tried using my wifes camera as well and it turns out hers is better It takes pics without flash, mine won't do that... My flash disort colors and washes some out.

View attachment 556057

Snapped a pic of the 10 gallon and 300 gallon as well while I was at it. I am moving the onion plant in the 10 gallon to the 120 gallon BTW. No substrate plants in this tank from now on. (except the val that magically appeared)

View attachment 556058

Back to the 300 gallon sorry for the derail with the other tanks..

View attachment 556059

 

[aclockworkorange]

The 120 looks so much better with some proper aquascaping! Nice work with the plants (and not for a cichlid guy, for anyone).

 

[aclockworkorange]

Growing? Not in this tank bubba, 100% faux-ganic... No live plants I've got something to prove. The 120g and 10g are live only though. Different goals with different tanks.

Well I bet you $5 you're gonna get algae in that tank... algae, moss... what's the difference?