Mmiller2001 Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 (edited) 1. Lobelia Cardinalis 2. Persecaria Kawagoeanum 3. Ludwigia Ovalis Pink 4. Barclaya Longifolia 5. Purple Repens 6. Pogostemon Erectus 7. Bacopa Colorata 8. Alternanthera Reineckii mini 9. Myriophyllum Roraima 10. Juncus Repens 11. Bacopa Salzmanni purple 12. Pogostemon Helferi 'Downoi' 13. Ludwigia Peruensis/Gladulosa var. Diamond 14. Pogoestomon Kimberly 15. Rotala Bonsai 16. Nymphoides Hydrophylla 'Taiwan' 17. Lindernia India 18. Ludwigia Natans Super Red 19. Bacopa Salzmanni 20. Limnophila Vietnam 21. Syngonanthus Belem 22. Limnophila Aromatica mini @anewbie @Patrick_G Edited November 10, 2021 by Mmiller2001 4 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Awsome! I’ll be hunting down some of these! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 18, 2021 Author Share Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) Not much to report. I reversed the flow in my Cerges reactor. I was blowing through 10lbs in about 32 days. Hopefully, this will stretch it a bit further. Thought this was a cool looking phone shot. Edited November 18, 2021 by Mmiller2001 8 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 You are a master aquatic gardener! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 18, 2021 Author Share Posted November 18, 2021 On 11/18/2021 at 2:47 PM, Streetwise said: You are a master aquatic gardener! Thank you, but I wish I was a master. Trust me, I have problems all the time. And without others help, I would not be here 😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 If you have problems nobody here would ever know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 19, 2021 Author Share Posted November 19, 2021 On 11/18/2021 at 3:41 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: If you have problems nobody here would ever know it. I should probably document them more. I will do this going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Wow! You are on a higher plane. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 21, 2021 Author Share Posted November 21, 2021 This weeks problems: Barclaya still won't grow and algae. GSA and several spots of BBA and very unhappy Pogo Kimberly. Wait and see about the Kimberly? And probably just manually remove the BBA. I just increased PO4 so I will watch the GSA. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 Your problem plants are my normal plants. 😄 But I understand that in this sort of style you’re going for a certain level of perfection. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 11:21 AM, Hobbit said: Your problem plants are my normal plants. 😄 But I understand that in this sort of style you’re going for a certain level of perfection. 😜 I'm overly compulsive as im trying to really understand how to resolve these problems. I've given up on my 40. That's getting a complete redo, the whole 9 yards redo! I've also decided, I'm going to enter any contest and see what happens. So I ordered aquasoil, lights and Dutch style appropriate plants! I'm eager to try the more budget friendly Finnex ALC lights. I will have a review on them shortly. Hopefully my expectations aren't shattered 😭. I fully expect that I will have to buy another Chihiros! But maybe I will be pleasantly surprised! Now I have to learn Dutch style rules, uughh. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 12:08 PM, Mmiller2001 said: I've also decided, I'm going to enter any contest and see what happens. So I ordered aquasoil, lights and Dutch style appropriate plants! Which on are you thinking of entering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 3:33 PM, Patrick_G said: Which on are you thinking of entering? I don't know, I will have to figure all this out. Never thought I would try this, but my wife is pushing me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 (edited) If I were your neigbor I'd come over and take the rejects off your hands any time. Most would likely promptly die in my tanks but I'm sure due to your perfectionism/competitive nature more would come in time. 😉 Edited November 23, 2021 by xXInkedPhoenixX Typos are lame 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjcarew Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 12:08 PM, Mmiller2001 said: I'm overly compulsive as im trying to really understand how to resolve these problems. I've given up on my 40. That's getting a complete redo, the whole 9 yards redo! I've also decided, I'm going to enter any contest and see what happens. So I ordered aquasoil, lights and Dutch style appropriate plants! Now I have to learn Dutch style rules, uughh. Could it be the result of reversing flow on your reactor? I'm excited to talk about Dutch-style aquascaping with you. Not many people really go for it! The hardest part by far is having to pare down species to only 12 in a 75-gallon. Here are the best resources I've found: - Bart Laurens wrote an article on the Dutch style. He is Dutch and most of his pictures are from NBAT tanks. This is my favorite resource to really get that Dutch-style vibe. It should be understated and serene. The spaces you don't fill are as important as the ones you do. It's better to go with fewer, impactful groupings-- to the point where I might describe the Dutch style as minimalist compared to what one would find in a typical "Facebook" tank. - Vin Kutty (one of the AGA judges) wrote an wrote an absolute wall of an article about Dutch aquascaping do's and don'ts. There are over 70 tips, and you may go crazy trying to follow them all. The main takeaway is to focus on contrasting colors and textures. He gives some great examples of plant groupings that do and do not go well together. - In terms of people that consistently do great work, look to Joe Harvey who goes by burr740 on a number of forums. He's a plant health wizard. He also always keeps his tanks thoroughly manicured. This is important because you really need a lot of practice to get groups to look right. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatyourpeas Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 I will live vicariously through your wonderful tanks! 😍 I am keenly aware of my limitations… 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 (edited) On 11/23/2021 at 4:40 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said: If I were your neigbor I'd come over and take the rejects off your hands any time. Most would likely promptly die in my tanks but I'm sure due to your perfectionism/competitive nature more would come in time. 😉 I just rescaped my 75, 3/4 of a 5 gallon bucket in plants mulched! Don't be mad! On 11/23/2021 at 5:17 PM, gjcarew said: Could it be the result of reversing flow on your reactor? I'm excited to talk about Dutch-style aquascaping with you. Not many people really go for it! The hardest part by far is having to pare down species to only 12 in a 75-gallon. Here are the best resources I've found: - Bart Laurens wrote an article on the Dutch style. He is Dutch and most of his pictures are from NBAT tanks. This is my favorite resource to really get that Dutch-style vibe. It should be understated and serene. The spaces you don't fill are as important as the ones you do. It's better to go with fewer, impactful groupings-- to the point where I might describe the Dutch style as minimalist compared to what one would find in a typical "Facebook" tank. - Vin Kutty (one of the AGA judges) wrote an wrote an absolute wall of an article about Dutch aquascaping do's and don'ts. There are over 70 tips, and you may go crazy trying to follow them all. The main takeaway is to focus on contrasting colors and textures. He gives some great examples of plant groupings that do and do not go well together. - In terms of people that consistently do great work, look to Joe Harvey who goes by burr740 on a number of forums. He's a plant health wizard. He also always keeps his tanks thoroughly manicured. This is important because you really need a lot of practice to get groups to look right. I was going to reach out to you once I have things converted and all cycled. Thank you! I will definitely be in touch and I will be reading all that information multiple times. For the sake of my sanity, my wife and I decided to just take the 40 breeder through this challenge. Should hopefully make it a bit easier to work in. I follow burr740 and really try to kinda make my tanks look like a cross of his, Greggz and others. Edited November 24, 2021 by Mmiller2001 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 5:22 PM, eatyourpeas said: I will live vicariously through your wonderful tanks! 😍 I am keenly aware of my limitations… I know one day, you might dabble on the CO2 side! It's worth it!!<wink> On 11/23/2021 at 5:17 PM, gjcarew said: Could it be the result of reversing flow on your reactor? It was popping up before that. The Kimberly getting mad was definitely not having the co2 right after reversing it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) Woops. My scissors went wild! Had to make room for some new plants so I tossed out a few species. Trying Val for the first time too. New additions: Rotala Wallichi Rotala Narrow Leaf SP. Red Rotala Macrandra Mini Vallisneria Spiralis Leopard. News on the 40 We are all in, this is happening. Everything is ordered and deliveries start Friday. I wanted to try the ALC's by Finnex and remembered that they don't have an option to have light duration settings. You can only program them in 3 hour durations. They will be sent back. Unfortunately, there's just no budget option that you wouldn't need 2 lights for 18” width. Buying 2 costs about the same as a Chihiros and Twinstar. So it makes sense to just get a premium light. But which one do I go for? Current USA has a planted light with impressive PAR and 660nm Reds, but has a 90 degree lens. That's a problem the 3.0 has! I will see if anything goes on sale this week. Maybe I can grab one cheaper. Edited November 25, 2021 by Mmiller2001 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 On 11/25/2021 at 9:00 AM, Mmiller2001 said: Unfortunately, there's just no budget option that you wouldn't need 2 lights for 18” width. Buying 2 costs about the same as a Chihiros and Twinstar. So it makes sense to just get a premium light. But which one do I go for? I’d say Chihiros, I haven’t used Twinstar but I’ve seen them on plenty of display tanks at the local high end aquascaping shops. To my eye the Chihiros wins. Ive also seen the UNS Titan and ADA Solar. Both of those are spectacular! The price is high but not to bad compared to other hobbies. Probably less that the camera you’ll use to take pics of the tank. (Out of my range for sure, but as long as we’re spending your money 😀) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 On 11/25/2021 at 11:11 AM, Patrick_G said: I’d say Chihiros, I haven’t used Twinstar but I’ve seen them on plenty of display tanks at the local high end aquascaping shops. To my eye the Chihiros wins. Ive also seen the UNS Titan and ADA Solar. Both of those are spectacular! The price is high but not to bad compared to other hobbies. Probably less that the camera you’ll use to take pics of the tank. (Out of my range for sure, but as long as we’re spending your money 😀) Thank you! I just saw a Twinstar on sale for 250. I also have never seen one and some people have said they cast a bit of yellow because the greens are lacking. I think you confirm that with your preference. Are the Titans adjustable? Or dimmable? Come with a timer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 On 11/25/2021 at 10:36 AM, Mmiller2001 said: Are the Titans adjustable? Or dimmable? Come with a timer? I think they’re like the ADA lights, and don’t have any adjustments. I also noticed that while it highlights red very well it isn’t as good with greens. I haven’t seen a Chihiros Vivid in person but my gut tells me it’s adjustability puts it ahead of both the ADA and the UNS. It sure looks good in @Ryo Watanabe’s videos! I bought my Chihiros WRGB 2 after seeing your comparison pics and I still feel like it’s a giant killer based on price to performance ratio. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 On 11/25/2021 at 11:51 AM, Patrick_G said: I think they’re like the ADA lights, and don’t have any adjustments. I also noticed that while it highlights red very well it isn’t as good with greens. I haven’t seen a Chihiros Vivid in person but my gut tells me it’s adjustability puts it ahead of both the ADA and the UNS. It sure looks good in @Ryo Watanabe’s videos! I bought my Chihiros WRGB 2 after seeing your comparison pics and I still feel like it’s a giant killer based on price to performance ratio. I agree, it's really hard to beat! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 This tank is pretty much on autopilot. Just needs some back glass cleaning and intake cleaning. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted December 14, 2021 Author Share Posted December 14, 2021 And....I broke my glass intake. Tank is looking like a mess also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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