The team (my polys)

[magpie]

Great pics! So interesting how different in coloration our mokes are. They're easy to tell apart.

Agree with twentyleagues as usual.

Just get more plants. You will have algae from time to time. That's just life underwater. When you have more plants it's not as big a hit to take some out, trim leaves, etc. I personally like some of it because it adds to the effect of a natural habitat. Plants in lakes and rivers grow algae. I'll show you my 20 long, hold on.

 

[magpie]

So here is my tank right now. I did a 25% water change on Saturday. Some may look at this tank, see the algae and cringe. For me, it just adds more of a realistic component. I don't do dutch style, and don't do CO2. So I'm not winning any AGA contests anytime soon but I LOVE this little mini ecosystem and my fish seem to, also.

I even put leaves and other crap in there and let it rot! LOL Look closely and you'll see a lot of fuzzies, rotting leaves, etc. Yet the water is "clean." I actually have 0 nitrates. So I added a new spiny eel and marbled whiptail catfish the other day. Gotta get my eel-like fish somehow. You can see them in the pics, too.

Many years ago in the 65 I did have a large breakout of BBA and that was a pain in the ass and I hated it as it took over everything. So there IS a tipping point and that is where you need to look at nutrients, imbalance, etc. IMO. But right now I'm OK with what is going on so I just leave it, pick off leaves from time to time, and wipe off leaves from time to time.

I actually am soaking some more loose leaves for litter right now.

What actually bugs me the most is that stupid moss that takes over - it's the bright green all over the branches. It does look cool initially but it goes to TOWN and I have to rip tons of it out. Cool if you have shrimp and the like but I wish I didn't add it to this tank (even though I did have shrimp in it previously).

 

[magpie]

Also, I know you liked my 65. If you go back and look at my poly thread pics you'll see a bunch of fuzzies all over the place there, too.

 

[twentyleagues]

So here is my tank right now. I did a 25% water change on Saturday. Some may look at this tank, see the algae and cringe. For me, it just adds more of a realistic component. I don't do dutch style, and don't do CO2. So I'm not winning any AGA contests anytime soon but I LOVE this little mini ecosystem and my fish seem to, also.

I even put leaves and other crap in there and let it rot! LOL Look closely and you'll see a lot of fuzzies, rotting leaves, etc. Yet the water is "clean." I actually have 0 nitrates. So I added a new spiny eel and marbled whiptail catfish the other day. Gotta get my eel-like fish somehow. You can see them in the pics, too.

Many years ago in the 65 I did have a large breakout of BBA and that was a pain in the ass and I hated it as it took over everything. So there IS a tipping point and that is where you need to look at nutrients, imbalance, etc. IMO. But right now I'm OK with what is going on so I just leave it, pick off leaves from time to time, and wipe off leaves from time to time.

I actually am soaking some more loose leaves for litter right now.

What actually bugs me the most is that stupid moss that takes over - it's the bright green all over the branches. It does look cool initially but it goes to TOWN and I have to rip tons of it out. Cool if you have shrimp and the like but I wish I didn't add it to this tank (even though I did have shrimp in it previously).

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It looks great. I think the ultra clean super planted tanks look sweet, it's a lie though. That isn't how it looks on a regular day. So clm08k don't sweat it. magpie where's meatball?

 

[clm08k]

So here is my tank right now. I did a 25% water change on Saturday. Some may look at this tank, see the algae and cringe. For me, it just adds more of a realistic component. I don't do dutch style, and don't do CO2. So I'm not winning any AGA contests anytime soon but I LOVE this little mini ecosystem and my fish seem to, also.

I even put leaves and other crap in there and let it rot! LOL Look closely and you'll see a lot of fuzzies, rotting leaves, etc. Yet the water is "clean." I actually have 0 nitrates. So I added a new spiny eel and marbled whiptail catfish the other day. Gotta get my eel-like fish somehow. You can see them in the pics, too.

Many years ago in the 65 I did have a large breakout of BBA and that was a pain in the ass and I hated it as it took over everything. So there IS a tipping point and that is where you need to look at nutrients, imbalance, etc. IMO. But right now I'm OK with what is going on so I just leave it, pick off leaves from time to time, and wipe off leaves from time to time.

I actually am soaking some more loose leaves for litter right now.

What actually bugs me the most is that stupid moss that takes over - it's the bright green all over the branches. It does look cool initially but it goes to TOWN and I have to rip tons of it out. Cool if you have shrimp and the like but I wish I didn't add it to this tank (even though I did have shrimp in it previously).

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Ooooo it is so pretty . Love your aquascapes and have always. You are right. The natural look is sooo much better and The fish seem to love it too. That’s amazing that nitrates are 0. That is definitely the right way to do plants. My goal is to get my take like yours and twentyleagues . Personally, I enjoy the moss, but it does seem like a pain if it is on everything.


Guess I’ll use my $50 petco card and buy some plants.....or I’ll order some from wetspot. I have been using Excel and potassium in my tank and the algae seems to be subsiding. However, I don’t want to get too much in the habit of using chemicals if I don’t need to.

Sorry for the late response, i have been swamped at school and work this semester. Preparing for grad school applications/volunteering is taking away from my MFK time.

 

[clm08k]

Firstly, tank looking fire hot. Polys lookin happy from poly-mommas care. Job well done.

As for the black on the tail edge. It's part of the healing process, or growth from others biting and grabbing. No need to worry.... It's not the beginning stages of lepracy. Eel as for the plants. Call 911. Have no clue ;--) The polys are healthy at least. :---)

Thank you, Sam. ! “ Somebody call 9-1-1, algae plants growing on the tank floor woah-oh-oh.” - Sean Kingston. Also fire polys on the dance floor could have worked heh.

Really appreciate the reassurance about the tail being black. Had no idea that that is part of the healing process or others grabbing.

Lmaoo cant beat Vancouvers comments

But yeah they look great. I give you credit gor battling the algae thing. I would have given up and got fake plants already lol

Thanks, Frank! I still have one fake one in there in case I decide to surrender. Hahaha.

You are doing a fantastic job with your Polys they all look great. I hope someone can help you with the hair algae issue soon.

Thanks, tlindsey. The algae has subsided a little bit thank fully. Really appreciate the praise with the polys. You guys have taught me well.

That darkening on the tail is normal, all 3 of mine have the same thing. It's almost like if they were longer it'd be another stripe.

As for algae it's going to happen. It's pretty much a fact of life with plants unless you want to start adding ferts and other chemicals or running Co2. The trick is to find fast growing plants that will suck up the nutrients before the algae gets a chance. I've had luck with H2O2 in the removing of algae but it still comes back. I've used excel in the past and other chemicals when I had my apisto/tetra tank I had alot of plants and fish it and a couple other ferts really kept the algae down along with about 10 otos. Then I started to dose Co2 and it went really well. I've heard that excel and some of those other chemicals polys don't do well with. I have no idea on the validity of that though. I don't use it because of that and I don't want to mess with dosing anymore. More plants! A little scrubbing or spritzing during w/c and I'm good. Since we need more robust plants they tend to be slower growing get more to compete better. I'm slowly going jungle the more I add the less I scrub. It's a balancing act.

Thank you! Yeah I’ve been dosing excel and liquid potassium which has helped with the algae..::but I’m not sure if it is innocuous for the polys. Thinking of buying a 20 pound bag of eco complete. Have any recommendations for robust plants or fast growers? My amazon swords pretty much died. And my anubias did die. The only thing that is doing well are magpie’s Val’s. Lol. The only thing I can think of is that my nitrates are still really high and need to up the plants still.

 

[clm08k]

Currently looking into 90 gals-125 gal setups on Craigslist. And open to any plant suggestions that are pretty much idiot proof. I’ve bought $100 worth of plants so far and the only ones that seem to live are magpie ‘s. Hehe tried anubias variations 2x. So that’s the one that I can’t seem to do. Thinking of doing more amazon swords(have baby ones in my tank that can’t seem to outgrow the algae). Considering anacharus (even though I don’t like the look).

Nitrate check: 15- 20 ppm? I changed the water 75% on Friday.
1st pic is with flash. 2nd pic is no flash.


Bonus pic of the del running into the heater. Idk why my polys do this haha. Mainly Bassy(evil dark moke) and stripe(the del)

 

[kno4te]

As far as tanks. Gotta keep lookin thru Craigslist. I just picked up a oceanic 120g with stand for $150. It was local and thick glass. I just rebuilt the stand and slowly getting the plumbing and sump (low cost -plastic tote and 3 shelf drawer). The other option is can message and join ur local fb aquarium club and message there and can find something not too out of price. I’ll keep an eye out as I peruse most avenues, sites and media,and fish ones too for equipment and stock.

 

[kno4te]

My polys do this all the time. It weird cause my old Senegalus would out swim the other fish and never bump into anything.

 

[magpie]

Good luck on the upgrade! I'm psyched for you! I'm sure you'll find something if you're patient.

Have you ever tried any crypts for plants? They can tolerate lower lighting.

You also might try a tiger lotus - I have a red one that has grown really fast and I love how it adds some red color and pops leaves up to the surface.


Oh, and yeah the nitrates look 15-20ish to me, too.