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Post by Crazygar on May 31, 2021 5:07:39 GMT -5
Doing everything around the new Condo today. Had another week of completing Reno projects. It is a rather large place, but I am planning to shift the H.polysperma to the center and place the Blyxa around it. I may though, after some soul searching, replace the Blyxa entirely with Pogostemon Helferi (also known as Downoi) as I have always wanted to give this a whirl.
I need to stop by my LFS and pick up some Flourish Excel as I ran out and shortly I will be ordering another bottle of Thrive+ as mine is starting to run out.
While I am on the subject, the final project will proudly have a good spot in my living room. Flooring should be done shortly which leaves room for my next phase of the reno which is all new furniture + 1 large aquarium. I really like the Waterbox ones..
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Jul 12, 2021 14:11:52 GMT -5
The Plan - July 12, 2021
I recently moved to a new Condo and have been putting in a lot of work into the place. Painting, new sheetrock, electrical and turning the place into a smart home. All this requires time, and a lot of it
Yes, I have been upkeeping, maintaining Artificial Island but not doing anything spectacular with it or frequent Journal entries. The opening for the AGA approached faster than I expected, so I am bowing out of the contest this year due to simply lack of planning, foresight and all honesty, time.
Yesterday I noticed that algae is starting to creep back in and the flow of the Eheim is well, poor (actually it was minimal). I spent a good 2 hours working on the tank yesterday, which included a total breakdown of the Eheim (the 2211) and during which I had an epiphany; I have a spare Fluval Tank. Why not clean it up, prep it for replacing the current one I am using for Artificial Island? What a great idea.
This will allow me to work on the hardscape and tweak things without feeling rushed or pressured to complete too fast (we all know that fast in this hobby is certain doom) and finally design the hardscape I originally envisioned for the current running tank.
Why not the current one? While it is totally possible to work on an existing tank, for my own reasons I would prefer to take my time and do many tweaks and positioning before finalizing my layout. This would be a disruptive process for not only the fish but for myself. This way, once I am happy and satisfied with the final layout, I can start the transfer of water, plants and fish.
Not only that I can perform maintenance on the light (a small dusting and cleaning), and get the bigger Eheim assembled and the 2211 + Lily Pipes to an Aquarium Society member that has been patiently waiting for (COVID threw things into disarray) quite some time now.
Step 1
I need to clean up and prep the spare tank for operation. Once that is done...
Step 2
Substrate Layer. The usual Peat, Laterite and Fluval Black Sand (going to borrow some active substrate from the current tank to help with the seeding at startup)
Step 3
Hardscape. Figure out the rockwork. I plan to employ a few tricks.
Step 4
The Branchy wood. Something that will fit the tank and not hinder maintenance.
Step 5
Tweak until complete. Adjust, readjust until "just right".
Step 6
Decide what plants. I am wanting some Downii this time. I have been itching to try this for a long time. Still need some fast growing plants but I wish to branch out to newer ones.
Step 7
Which Dwarf Cory? This is the exciting part. I miss having Corydoras. Still sticking with the Chili Rasboras, no deaths and possible one new addition. I am down to 1 Amano Shrimp hence the new Chili Rasbora.
Step 8
Move and restart. This will be the challenging and difficult part.
I will attempt to keep more time sensitive journal entries just with so much going on in my life.
Gary
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