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Post by Crazygar on Aug 16, 2020 14:31:20 GMT -5
A 2 Hour Session
Totally focused on the AGA Aquascaping contest. As I stated, I do not plan to win or even get top 10, but I am looking forward to simply participating. My end goal is to get the tank show ready and then submit my entry.
I have until October, which is good, I need a bit more growth out of my Staurogyne before I feel it is ready.
This session I did:
- Massive trim and shaping of the Blyxa. A little upset at how much daughter plants I had to throw into the garbage, good news is, I have never had the Blyxa looking this good in a long time, from here on in -- maintain. When things start moving for my next project, I already have a source of Blyxa. I love this plant and it will be a part of my Aquascapes as long as I can grow and maintain it.
- Removal of Green Staghorn algae clumps. I found many in the Hairgrass, which I did an aggressive removal to get rid of the few clumps that remained. I have been beating it back but I want it gone. I could employ an Amano Shrimp, for now no need...
- Usual water change, Flourish Excel dosing
Next week it is all about the Buce and Hygro. I have noticed, that since I have upped my CO2 levels to help combat against the Green Staghorn Algae, that my Hygro is growing even more compact than before. Good, I plan to get more propagated and moved around to finish the look I want to achieve.
AR Mini is responding nicely to the increased Blue Spectra and is noticeably more red than it has been in a while. I will continue to monitor progress and report.
The album this week was Massive Attack's "100th Window". Released in 2003, this album has been in my rotation since then. "Butterfly Caught" and "Everywhen" are my favorites on this album.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Aug 18, 2020 5:28:47 GMT -5
Phase 1 complete, next week is the Hygro and Buce...
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Aug 23, 2020 14:22:37 GMT -5
Phase II complete. 1 Hour, 15 minute session
Further cleaning up of the Aquascape, concentrating on the Buce and Hygro. What was accomplished;
- Clean up of the Buce. I have some nice cuttings that I am sending out to someone whom asked for some in the Toronto area.
- Clean up of the Hygro and reshuffle in some locations
- Trim of the Blyxa (yet again, oh, it's one giant mother plant again...). Some daughter plants also heading out to the Toronto area.
- Trim of the Stauroygne to get some of the loose ends and do a few replants
- Trim of the Hairgrass which seems to be needing this weekly now
Since I upped my CO2 a bit, things have been really growing. The AR 'Mini' is really enjoying the Blue Spectrum increase and additional CO2
Going to let it grow out for 2 weeks and then enter. Looking forward to it. As usual, pictures to be posted tomorrow.
This week's albums (yes albums) were, "The Mirror Conspiracy" by Thievery Corporation, "Release (Single)" by Tea Party ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Release_(The_Tea_Party_song) ) and "Icarus Single" by Synthetic Epiphany.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Aug 25, 2020 5:52:49 GMT -5
Phase II complete. Now to grow out and enter in the AGA in two weeks.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Aug 30, 2020 14:32:06 GMT -5
One Hour and 45 Minute Session
The trend continues, grow, trim, prune get really pretty. Today I did:
- Blyxa trim and reshape
- Hairgrass trim (extensive)
- Clean back glass
- Removal of Java Moss (still finding large clumps)
- Water change
- Clean glass inside/out
I am leaving the Hygro to grow out a touch more and do an trim/replant next week, as after that... it is enrollment time.
Two more daughter plants came off the Blyxa Bush during the week, sadly I turfed these, but in the future I may have to start a holding tank for cuttings so that they can be distributed proper.
Noticed that my Shrimp population is either dwindling or hiding, I am going to hunt down at least 100 Red Cherry Shrimp. I need a giant amount to get things moving. I was considering on getting an Amano Shrimp but they are real jerks. No really, they are.
During this week I plan to do some minor tweaks to the AR Mini to shape it a little bit as well. As always pictures to follow.
Albums (+ 3 songs) this week were "The Sky is Broken, My Weakness" (last two songs on "Play") by Moby, "Derelicts" album by Carbon based Lifeforms and "Evolution 1-1" by Connect.Ohm off the "9980" Album.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 1, 2020 5:38:23 GMT -5
I should have let the water clear a bit. Some spot cleaning was necessary and well...
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 6, 2020 14:20:15 GMT -5
One Hour 10 Minute Session
"This is it", and yes it is. The final trim and pamper before the beauty shots tomorrow. Thankfully it is Labor Day so I have the day off to concentrate on getting some really nice pictures for the AGA Contest. I plan to enroll Tuesday evening after my walk.
This session I did:
- Trim the Blyxa, no more daughter plants shedding
- Trim the Hygro and do more replacing in spots that need filling in
- Trim the Stauroygne, my only disappointment, does not seem as "full" as it used to be
- Trim the Hairgrass
- Trim the AR 'Mini' and one replant
During the week I have been doing little bits here and there. Here is to having a tank from the Windsor Aquarium Society represented in this years AGA Contest.
2020 might be a total dumpster fire of a year, but it has given me more drive to get Office Space II where it needs to be. Glamor shots tomorrow. Along with the planting plan for the contest. Of course, the Windsor Aquarium Society Facebook Group will receive the picture(s) first.
This weeks album was a little more Operatic/Classical: Arnold Rosner (with London Philharmonic Orchestra): Requiem, Op. 59 Parts I - X
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 7, 2020 19:53:34 GMT -5
AGA Submission Photos. I have until end of the month to repost or add more. I plan to provide a plant layout.
Gary
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Post by christopher on Sept 7, 2020 20:11:06 GMT -5
Looks super!
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 8, 2020 5:34:02 GMT -5
Thanks Chris, as I stated, just participating is good enough for me. Next year, I will aim for a prize. This year is all about participation.
Gary
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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Sept 8, 2020 15:56:24 GMT -5
Really looks good Gary .
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 9, 2020 6:08:56 GMT -5
Thanks Les, loads of work and loads of mishaps (who can forget the great Eheim incident) but my determination to make the contest has finally paid off.
I have some ideas about the future of Office Space II, which in time I will need to fine tune over the course of a few months.
Looking forward to the contest starting.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 13, 2020 14:18:55 GMT -5
1 hour and 10 minute session
Accomplished today:
- Trimmed the Blyxa (never ending)
- Tweaked a few pieces of Hygro, not much
- Hairgrass trim
- AR Mini trim again
- Staurogyne touch up. Out of all my plants, I am most disappointed by the Stauro. It is an awesome plant, but does not react well to being shaded
When the tank clears up and it's time for photo time tomorrow, if I can manage a more clear picture than I originally posted for the AGA Contest, then I will use the clearer pictures, deadline: October.
I am my own worst enemy. Being a perfectionist can drive a person insane. Thankfully, there is no one here to deal with my insanity.
Once the contest closes, Office Space II will see a re-tweak. I have learned volumes, had my share of tragedies and mishaps. Ready to go for the gold so that by the time next year, I will be gunning for Top 10 or Top 3.
As usual, pictures tomorrow.
Album this week was Aes Dana's "Inks" album. Ambient but with more upbeat sound. Been a huge fan of Aes Dana since first discovered them in 2002.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 14, 2020 18:39:40 GMT -5
Next week the Beauty Shot, but you can see how clear the water is compared to the AGA Submission pictures. This will also give the AR Mini time to "red up".
Thanks, Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Sept 20, 2020 10:22:07 GMT -5
Just a quick note before my journal entry later on today. Monday evening will be the last iteration and Journal update for Office Space II.
Once I complete the tank maintenance today and picture tomorrow, the tank will be entering Phase 2, which will be an Aquascape/Equipment revamp.
Taking all the lessons, advice, mishaps and accidents learned from Office Space II over the past two years, I plan to do something I have always wanted to try. I have had this idea bumping about my head for close to a year now. It is sketched out and planned out I just need to execute it.
Some plants will remain (Blyxa and Buce for sure) while others are going to be donated or status unknown as this time.
For now my Chili Rasboras will remain (but really have my heart set on P.gerturdae) until they naturally pass on (which means they need to stop laying eggs).
It will be sad to see Office Space II go, but to start the process for next years AGA, I have to start soon.
For all that have followed along all the years, thank you, but bigger and greater things are to come. The new tank name will be "Artificial Island" (also a song by Carbon Based Lifeforms)... updates and new journal as it happens.
Regards, Gary
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