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Post by Crazygar on Feb 7, 2021 14:30:21 GMT -5
33 Minute session today, as per my usual, spot checking for algae (or large amounts that would I consider not good), flushing of the Buce Clusters, water change and refill. Nothing really new to report. I have been hearing reports from local hobbyists about mass fish die offs recently, turns out the City has adjusted the make up of the water that arrives out of our taps.
Using only RO/DI water, I have spared myself the angst. I feel bad for them, but I am glad I use non-tap for Artificial Island. When my next big project starts to progress, I plan to make my own water as well. Honestly, the rewards and expense outweigh the risks, which is replacing all your stock.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 14, 2021 14:26:46 GMT -5
15 minute endeavor. As usual, with no plants to trim, just a simple matter of spot cleaning and water change things go past rather rapid. I will say, I am really looking forward to April. I cannot wait to start this Aquascape idea and get it show ready for September.
My interest has started to increase over the past week with a few more ideas on how to achieve the look I am aiming for, one new plant slated for the scape, Downoi. One plant I have been wanting to try for a long time.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 21, 2021 14:51:51 GMT -5
40 Minute Session today
I started trimming back some of the Blyxa and Buce that are now competing for space in the tank. Seems I have a lot more than I originally thought. First time I have trimmed them since I first planted the Blyxa in the "holding pattern" as I refer to it.
Most of my Aquascaping materials are now packed away and labeled, awaiting the move to the new location.
Since the introduction of the Amano Shrimp (still only two left) into the tank. no more surprise Chili Rasbora in the tank. No surprise there. Population control and I have noticed them working their way through anything they can find to eat. They truly are greedy inverts.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Feb 28, 2021 14:53:53 GMT -5
45 minute session! It has been a long time since I spent that much time with the tank. It felt good. I did a massive cleaning up of the Blyxa and Buce. I have formulated a game plan on how to move the tank without upsetting the balance. Going to require a bit of manpower, but I have that readily available.
I have noticed that the algae has spiked again, which also coincides with the more light since we are approaching Spring again. In the new location, I may find a corner that is "perma-dark" or at least at place where the light cannot affect the tank too much as it is currently.
I am also going to get some fast growing plants for the time being to help soak up those extra nutrients, and after today's trim it is going to need it. I know that my local Petsmart has Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosenvirg' (aka Sunset Hygro) so might get a few stems just to help with nutrient uptake.
On my list after the move is a whole bunch of things, I spent the time cleaning up the detritus from the water column and planning my moves. It was rather therapeutic actually.
I will post a picture tomorrow and the album this week was my "Release Radar" on Spotify.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Mar 14, 2021 13:40:48 GMT -5
30 minute session today.
Added some Hygrophila corymbosa 'Kompackt' (Compact) to the far back left corner (Saturday afternoon) to help with Nutrient uptake. It also seems a few floating pieces of Lemma minor (Duckweed) arrived with the plants as well. I may leave them in for the time being to help with nutrient absorption.
My usual maintenance which always seem to include removal of daughter plants from the endless supply of Blyxa.
Albums this week were "20 Minutes" CD Single (with 20 Minutes (which is 20 minutes now) and Leaves Extended Mix) by Carbon Based Lifeforms and three songs off All India Radio's, "Vega" album. Vega has three songs there I am currently hooked on, Monsters, Holding and Anja's Eternal Light.
Gary
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Post by zenins on Mar 15, 2021 8:08:25 GMT -5
Long journey
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Post by Crazygar on Mar 21, 2021 11:03:48 GMT -5
A very quick 10 minute change today. I simply cleaned the glass, changed the water, picked at a few bits of algae, refilled and started everything back up again. I have an appointment this afternoon so I more detailed approach will be conducted during the week.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Mar 28, 2021 14:26:11 GMT -5
Another quick water change. Getting a few things prepped and ready for the big move. I have a lot of work to bring this tank back into life but I have no doubt in my mind that I will.
First is to move the tank to its new location. I have a spot where it will not receive and direct (some indirect) sunlight and may offer a bit of respite in my war against removing the last few pieces of stubborn algae.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 4, 2021 14:48:10 GMT -5
A 40 minute session. I did a major removal and prune of the Blyxa, which seems to grow like a weed in the tank. Once again, a good amount of nice plants in the trash, but with the recent algae issues, I would rather throw it out than possibly infect someone else's tank. Better being safe than sorry.
The fish are puzzled, they lost their jungle of planted, semi-floating and floating Blyxa to weave in and out of and lay eggs (which they never seem to stop doing, which in turn feeds the Amano Shrimp) in.
The Hygrophila "Kompackt" is doing well and serves as a good background plant. It is dramatically larger than the original purchase size and may have a future use for it in either this tank or my bigger tank project.... ohh... I know...
Next week is a good trimming and weeding of the Buce. It's time to cut down the bunch to a smaller, more manageable size.
I also have started dosing Flourish Excel again, this seems to help with those little bits of stubborn algae. I usually target dose areas where I deem needs more attention than others and as it dies, the Amanos happily eat it.
Yes, I will eventually put more pictures up, but the tank is in a bit of a sad state, so for now, just text.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 11, 2021 14:39:45 GMT -5
32 Minute session today. Did some cleaning of the Buce (no pruning just a good rinse down), replanting of yet more floating, semi-floating Blyxa and continue to pick away at the stubborn little bits of algae that I can find.
Excel is surely helping with the issues and the Amanos are busy munching away at all the dying pieces. During the week, I start dose areas where I can see and Saturday receives no Excel what so ever. Soon I will be able to dose Tue/Thu/Sat like I used to.
I believe I should have never stopped, but I also have reduced the plant mass along with fast growers, something I plan to correct.
Hygro is doing well and next week, I start cutting and replanting. Definitely a nice plant for the tank, but really itching to start working on the Aquascape for this years AGA Aquascaping Contest. Album this session was "This is Kyle Preston" on Spotify.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 18, 2021 14:44:08 GMT -5
40 minute session today. I concentrated most of my efforts on the Buce. Within the interior of the mass, was a giant ball of algae. So I spent at least 20 minutes with a bucket of tank water, scissors, tweezers and some serious rinsing to clean it up all up. Looks really nice again and I was surprised at how large that ball of algae was. Compressed, in my hand, it was a size of quarter. I found the source.
I will target dose Excel to the mass all this week to ensure any remaining pieces (which there will be) gets zapped and move onto the slow rebuild of the tank. I have the rocks to scrub from sitting a long time in a plastic bag. The Aquascape will start in earnest in about 3 weeks time.
This weeks album was "Code Eternity" by Asura.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 25, 2021 14:53:41 GMT -5
38 minute session today. Just a simple clean, water change and refill along with getting things prepped for the big Aquascape redo in the following weeks. Looking forward to it.
I had a replant most of my Blyxa during the week, which would have added at least one hour onto today's schedule. I thought the Blyxa was firmly rooted but a few have already started to pop daughter plants off which causes the mother plant to uproot. What a busy plant Blyxa is.
Looking forward to adding and tweaking the rockwork for a more dramatic look. Should be more show quality this time around, and yes, Downi along with something that is fast growing (Hygro 'Kompact" is great) to balance out the Hygro (which I plan to reuse if possible).
Album this week was "Automatic for the People" by R.E.M. I have been humming "Monty Got a Raw Deal" all week, time to shake the earworm.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on May 3, 2021 5:03:14 GMT -5
Tank is in its new location, 90% of the Blyxa (not surprised at all) decided to float up. During the week I will start with minor tweaks. For now, I have lots to do in the new place.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on May 9, 2021 15:03:41 GMT -5
30 minute session today. Cleaning, water change, replanting of Blyxa (not as much but still a few popping up) and restart. I am getting my other Eheim ready for operation. The media, junky water are all going into the new one and the old one is being donated to a member of the local society.
This means, I will have more flow than I know what to do with and the HOB will be retired as the output on the Stainless Stain output is a "jet" nozzle. I have a small "layout" in the basement of how I want to arrange the rocks for the new look.
I will be tackling this soon as the AGA is fast approaching.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on May 16, 2021 14:33:48 GMT -5
Just a quick cleaning today. 24 minutes total. Since the move and new location, algae has further taken a hit from being out of direct sunlight.
I am going to starting changing things during the week. First change is the Filtration. I have the new Eheim unpackaged (and cardboard removed) and the new stainless steel output/input ready to go. Need to do some measuring before I cut the tube but my goal is to change this at least during the week.
Using all the media from the old one and when I donate it, will provide the unopened packages of media to its new owner. I need that bio!
Once the filtration is up and going, I can remove the HOB and start concentrating on changing things around. I had to do my rock layout as I feared I was creating dead spots. Either way, the inhabitants of the Artificial Island are heading for a few weeks of disruptions while I retool a running tank.
The end result will be worth it. I am ensuring fast growers.
I also starting to research my final bigger tank project. I am going to maintain two display tanks only (the bigger one slated for the living room). Now that I have a basement, in time, I may design a small fishroom to breed Otocinclus cocama to provide not only myself with these fish but the local area. Honestly, looking forward to this project, but still well down the road. Still nice to muse about.
Gary
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