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Post by Crazygar on Nov 19, 2018 7:36:59 GMT -5
Lol thanks Gabe, I've always wanted to try this plant. I've seen all sorts of Aquascapes using this plant and I feel I am more than up for the challenge. Nothing like jumping in with two feet right away.
It's starting to fill in, plenty of gaps still, but over time, I am sure that will be taken care of. My big concern now is getting the rest of my equipment before the holiday season. Which shipping times, are now getting tight.
At the end of the build, I'll have total cost. I've been tracking how much I've spent. I am guessing a little over $1100 (including taxes) before it's all done.
Sure wish Blyxa japonica was able to grow emersed (it's a true Aquatic Plant) as it would have been perfect, but alas, you can't win them all. I'll take all the time I need to ensure that the carpet is fully grown in before flooding.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Nov 20, 2018 14:10:48 GMT -5
Bumper Day for Deliveries. My Measuring Spoons and CO2art Regulator arrived. Once the delivery volume drops, which will be AFTER Christmas, I'll continue with whatever is left. My December is going to be busy. Won't be home much until a week before Christmas.
Flights start next week.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Nov 22, 2018 7:49:08 GMT -5
Think I am going with Kegworks for their CO2 Canisters; global.kegworks.com/5-lb-aluminum-co2-air-tankHome Depot has most of the tubing I need. Doing this weekend since I'll be out anyways doing last minute things before flying out Sunday evening. I am going to do another trim of the Staurogyne repens and found a few errant Buce growing on the side of a rock. Going to remove them to the tree of Buce. Going to trim back some of the HC as well and replant the clippings. Some of it is reaching for the sky... I am getting some algae on the big rock, but it's not on the plants. So for now, it can continue, before I leave I will blast with some Excel in it's pure form to kill it. For the final deliveries, I have redirected to my Neighbours house (Goldfish neighbours) so when I am not in the Country they don't return the items I have been waiting for. Still waiting for; Curved Waved Scissors and Pinesettes, Ista 12/16 to 9/12 adapter and a few movies (can't help myself). After the holidays, it's the big push. I am sure by then, I'll have a good carpet (hopefully) and CO2 Canister, Blyxa japonica and then flood. Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Nov 24, 2018 15:13:21 GMT -5
Saturday Update, 1.1 A.P. (1 Month, 1 Week After Planting)I feel I've dialed in what needs to be done to continue with Office Space II. Closed tank, air holes, let humidity rule.
Though the glass is driving me ballistic. I'll be glad when flooding and can actually clean it. I plan to video the flooding.
I opened up the tank again this afternoon, did some trimming, replanting as much of the trimmings I could resealed and now the final result (mind you, I plugged in small pieces of HC throughout the tank, so it won't show until it starts growing in.
Staurogyne clippings however, are starting to define the transition boundary;Full tank shot. Notice the tiny piece of HC directly underneath the rock at the front? This is the biggest piece of HC trimming I replanted. Tree'o'Buce. You'll notice a tiny piece at the top where branch curves. This was one of three pieces that were refugees from the original planting Center of the tank where the HC is continuing to spread. This picture pleases me, shows progress! I am waiting on my last few purchases until after the season. With Canada Purge Labor dispute and jet setting, it's just wise to wait until January. Besides, that guarantees I will have a lovely carpet of HC.
Strictly weekend updates from here on in (unless I have some thoughts in the Hotel Room).
Gary
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Post by gabor129 on Nov 25, 2018 18:42:06 GMT -5
Very nicely done! Great growth all over the tank! Looking forward to the flooding video!
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Post by Crazygar on Dec 1, 2018 14:33:54 GMT -5
Saturday Update, 1.2 A.P. (1 Month, 2 Weeks After Planting)What happened Canada? Who turned down the thermostat? BRRRRR
Sad, the whole time I was away, what was I thinking about? Yes the Aquarium. I am really enjoying this DSM procedure, and it has me thinking about a Vivarium as a next project, as I can have the best of both worlds. I am enjoying growing out without the water.
I was back at 2pm yesterday afternoon, and spent a good hour just checking the tank over. I decided it's time I start cleaning up the "Tree'O'Buce" as I've so aptly named it.
As usual, the Staurogyne needed trimming and realized that with my current straight scissors, it's a pain. I am looking forward to getting my curved Wave Scissors so I can reach those "hard to reach spaces". I am trimming the front row and keeping the back high, as eventually, I want smooth transition from HC -> Staurogyne -> Blyxa.
Along with a video showing the flooding, I think a slideshow of showing the growth over the weeks would also be a good idea. I take 1 picture on my phone and slide the pictures through. This has been fun!Starting to remove the dead Buce and glue from the wood... Staurogyne growing low to high... Macro HC shot. This stuff grows insanely quick!
Staurogyne far top right. Transitioning...
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Post by Crazygar on Dec 6, 2018 7:05:15 GMT -5
Thank the lord, my Curved Wave Scissors, Pinsettes and my Ista 9/12 to 12/16 Hose Adapter all arrived this week. For deliveries and equipment, I'm nixing it until the New Year, which is not all that far away.
CO2 Canister are Dry Ferts are next.
As for equipment setup, I am going to do dry setups. I can not find something that matches the height of my current setup for the mock tank.
While it will be nice to flood the tank eventually a part of me is enjoying this setup right now. But alas, future plans will include Shrimp and maybe, just maybe Otocinclus cocoma.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Dec 9, 2018 6:36:50 GMT -5
Saturday (well early Sunday morning) Update, 1.3 A.P. (1 Month, 3 Weeks After Planting)I took the pictures yesterday afternoon after another cleanup of the Tree'O'Buce and a minor trimming of a few pieces of Staurogyne repens. HC is one crazy plant when it comes to growth rates. Somehow I managed to get distracted (darn you PS4 Pro and errands) from posting the progress. Since I'm an early bird, here it is...The HC is actually retaining water and moisture without too much effort in this type of environment. I really want to see HC in a larger setup... Dart Frogs... hmm Full tank shot. Filling in nicely. By next year (ha ha, which is mere weeks away) I'm switching gears to concentrate on the flooded stage. Close up of the Tree'O'Buce. Things have sprung back. Did lose about half of the Buce, but I am planning one more order before flooding the tank. Over the rocks, around the rocks, HC knows no boundaries... Gary
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Post by gabor129 on Dec 9, 2018 20:13:16 GMT -5
You need to flood that tank so we can see it in it’s full glory!
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Post by Crazygar on Dec 11, 2018 8:22:17 GMT -5
Patience, Young Grasshopper....
Until I have a full lawn, no water. Going to work on final equipment setups and checks before progressing further. I don't want to have any unexpected disasters happen the start day of usage.
I think you are more anxious than I Gabe when it comes to flooding the tank, LOL
Gary
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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Dec 11, 2018 8:28:24 GMT -5
Patience, Young Grasshopper.... Until I have a full lawn, no water. Going to work on final equipment setups and checks before progressing further. I don't want to have any unexpected disasters happen the start day of usage. I think you are more anxious than I Gabe when it comes to flooding the tank, LOL Gary I can hear Gabe now “ Flood the tank , Flood the tank , Flood the tank “. Lol
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Post by Crazygar on Dec 11, 2018 10:15:51 GMT -5
It's not peer pressure, its simply your turn.
Picked up some tubing this morning (day off today) at Home Depot.
Gary
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Post by guppyguy on Dec 12, 2018 21:40:23 GMT -5
I agree with these guys. It be awesome to see this tank filled and looking forward to it.
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Post by Crazygar on Dec 22, 2018 14:52:33 GMT -5
Life Gets In The Way, Two Saturdays and a Holiday 2 A.P. and 2.1 A.P. UpdateAnd the award to the longest title of a journal entry goes to... wow, I can't believe how quickly time escapes me.
Last Saturday, I took my pictures (did nothing to the tank, other than air it out for a bit, spray it down) as usual, and was going to do the entry after I returned from my Early-Christmas Dinner at my Parents. While I was there, I received a call from my Client stating I need to be in North Carolina for Monday Morning start of day (which for me is usually around 6am).
Came home, threw clothes into a Suitcase (booked a flight) and off I was. Pictures still sitting on my SD Card. I took my tablet in my haste. On the way to the Airport I was actually proud of myself (and also disappointed at how much I am used to this) how quickly I packed.
Also, a huge apology to Xander , I promised a battery of pictures for the banner and poof! I pull my best Houdini. I'll be home tomorrow so I will get things sorted on my Google Drive. Or will some of these do?
So without further fanfare, Saturday Update 2 A.P. (2 Months After Planting)
HC along the front of the tank. Messing with Macro Mode
More shots from the front.
Holy HC Batman! Growing in real nice and billowy. I'm surprised at how well this retains water. Full tank view. As you can see I didn't bother doing a trim. No point Saturday Update, 2.1 A.P. (2 Months, 1 Week After Planting)And now this, week, I did a bit of a trim on the Staurogyne again, along with removing more dead pieces of Buce, along with Glue Bombs, as the following pictures demonstrate, the Tree'O'Buce is starting to look more neat in appearance.
Full tank shot. Notice the Tree'O'Buce is getting much cleaner in appearance.
As Trent Reznor would say, "Closer"... Yes, I am starting to get itchy when it comes to having this tank filled as well.
CO2 Canister, Dry Ferts (Plantex CSM+B, NPK), small Siphon, small Bucket and my external Bubble Counter from GLA are what's left. Other than that, I have the tubing (I have black 4/6mm on the way, but only for "in tank" (reason: I want the clear line to see if water is travelling where it shouldn't, the black airline will "hopefully disappear" into the background).
For the first little while, it will be plants only (Blyxa, gets ordered when I am about to flood, flood day is when it arrives) until I dial everything in.
As for stocking, I keep coming back to either H. amandae (Ember Tetras, I've kept these before) or B. brigittae (Chili Rasboras, kept these as well, but lost them due to a faulty heater).
With B. brigittae, I can put at least 21 (I believe in the Odd number rule) comfortably in the tank, Ember Tetras, most likely 11, but they are easier to see and less skittish. As usual, my Excel Spreadsheet (I love Excel) weighing the pros and cons and similarities of both will help me determine which one.
Gary
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Post by guppyguy on Dec 22, 2018 16:09:34 GMT -5
This tank is looking awesome. There are some nice young healthy ember tetras at Ruffins right now. There one of my favorite tetra's. But the chilli rasboras are truly little beauties too. A good choice either way for this tank.
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