All-Purpose 75 Gallon Journal

[Patrick_G]

This spring I decided to get a 75 gallon so I’d have room to try lots of different fish and plants. I started April 6th.

Aqueon tank from the half off sale

DIY stand

Nicrew light x 2

Aquaclear 70 HOB with sponge prefilter

Powerhead with dual sponge prefilters

Fluval Stratum, gravel and pool filter sand

Scavenged driftwood and beach cobbles

current stocking: 

Green Neon Tetras

Cherry Barbs

Panda Corydoras 

Otocinclus 

Swordtails

Honey Gourami

Amano shrimp

Neocaridina Shrimp

[CalmedByFish]

Sounds fun and looks good! Is the idea that it be like a sandbox - a place to play, rather than "set up" per se? 

[Patrick_G]

On 8/19/2021 at 7:04 PM, CalmedByFish said:

Sounds fun and looks good! Is the idea that it be like a sandbox - a place to play, rather than "set up" per se? 

Yeah, exactly! A place to play while I learn the planted tank hobby. When I eventually decide to try a fancy aquascape or a serious breeding project I’ll have some experience from this tank. 

[Mmiller2001]

Looks great. Following.

[Guppysnail]

You make perfectly beautiful tanks look easy…I’m so envious of your skill!

[Hobbit]

On 8/19/2021 at 10:26 PM, Patrick_G said:

When I eventually decide to try a fancy aquascape

Pfffft what do you have already?!?🤣

What’s your pH and KH? I’m curious if the stratum is pulling it down like it does for me.

What’s your ferts schedule and which ones do you use?

[Patrick_G]

On 8/20/2021 at 10:31 PM, Hobbit said:

Pfffft what do you have already?!?🤣

What’s your pH and KH? I’m curious if the stratum is pulling it down like it does for me.

What’s your ferts schedule and which ones do you use?

Thanks, I am proud of the way this tank is growing in, but when I say fancy I mean really fancy, like this gem from Aquascape Germany. 

We have very soft water so my KH and GH are low. Right now the PH of my tap and the tank are close according to the test strips. According to the API liquid my tap is lower than my tank. In the pics the tank water is the bottom strip and the left vial. I have a relatively thin layer of Stratum mixed with gravel so that might account for the ph not dropping as much as it would with all stratum. 

I dose Easy Green, usually at the level for medium light, but a bit more when Nitrates are low. I also add API leaf zone for some extra potassium. I think it helps my Java Ferns. 

 

[Hobbit]

Thanks!! It looks like you and I have pretty similar water actually. That means I should be able to grow a tank like that. Hmmm 😅

Yeah, I know there’s a super intense level of aquascaping out there, but I still think your tank looks awesome.

[Patrick_G]

On 8/21/2021 at 7:25 AM, Hobbit said:

Thanks!! It looks like you and I have pretty similar water actually. That means I should be able to grow a tank like that. Hmmm 😅

Yeah, I know there’s a super intense level of aquascaping out there, but I still think your tank looks awesome.

I’m not sure I really want the level of care involved in one of those high tech scapes but I might be fun in a a much smaller tank. 
 

 

[eatyourpeas]

I love this! You have such a great eye and skill with planted aquariums! 😃

[Patrick_G]

On 8/21/2021 at 7:51 AM, eatyourpeas said:

I love this! You have such a great eye and skill with planted aquariums! 😃

I’m ORD but thanks! 

[GameCzar]

That tank looks great Patrick!   I wish I wasn't so intimidated by sand, but cleaning it sounds like a nightmare.   Some day I'll put sand in a tank.

 

[Patrick_G]

On 8/21/2021 at 8:12 AM, GameCzar said:

That tank looks great Patrick!   I wish I wasn't so intimidated by sand, but cleaning it sounds like a nightmare.   Some day I'll put sand in a tank.

 

I added the big ugly power head for extra flow and now the sand stays clean.   In my wife’s betta tank she has black sand and her Mystery snails keep it clean. (I’m herby naming them Hoover and Dyson) 

[Patrick_G]

Yesterday was problem solving day. This week a layer of fine particulate settled in the Java Fern and elsewhere. I think I’ve been over doing it on the baby brine or something. The plants in the left corner are overgrown and blocking the HOB so that might also be contributing to the mess. I trimmed the plants, cleaned the sponges in both filters and added some floss to the powerhead sponge. I think that should solve the problem.

After the trim

 

[Mmiller2001]

The trim looks good!

[Patrick_G]

On 8/28/2021 at 2:02 PM, Mmiller2001 said:

The trim looks good!

Thanks, I’m pleased with it. I’ll probably trim the Mayaca a bit more or even replace it with something else. Maybe some Cabomba, Rotal Wallaichii or more Crypt Balansae.  I’ll see what they have at the LFS tomorrow. 

[Patrick_G]

Plants: Added some Crypt Spiralis and a nice looking red green Tiger Lotus. 
Fish: Two female Honey Gourami and some beautiful Japan Blue Gold Guppies. 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

I am really coming to appreciate crypt spiralis. It grows new babies fairly quickly get some nice height and love the mix of green and burgundy I’m getting from mine. I recently planted some dwarf aquarium Lilly’s but alas they didn’t take. That red green is stunning! 

[Patrick_G]

@Beardedbillygoat1975, the one by the red/green lotus is a Balansae the one one the left by the heater is Spiralis. (Sorry if you already knew this😀) I’m loving both but the Balansae is my fav so far. 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

I’ve had both crypts and had better results with the spiralis. Your balansae looks great!

[Atitagain]

The tank is beautiful really like the style. Did you have the plants grow out in different tanks or bought at that size? I don’t see if you say one way or the other but are you using CO2?

[Patrick_G]

On 9/27/2021 at 9:01 PM, Atitagain said:

The tank is beautiful really like the style. Did you have the plants grow out in different tanks or bought at that size? I don’t see if you say one way or the other but are you using 

I used mostly potted plants with a few bunches of loose stems and a handful of loose Ludwigia from my wife’s tank. 
The growth has been pretty good. Most have at least doubled in size. 
here’s an old pic and a current one. 

[Mmiller2001]

On 9/27/2021 at 10:27 PM, Patrick_G said:

I used mostly potted plants with a few bunches of loose stems and a handful of loose Ludwigia from my wife’s tank. 
The growth has been pretty good. Most have at least doubled in size. 
here’s an old pic and a current one. 

Looking great! How tall is the Spiralis and what's its potential height?

[Patrick_G]

@Mmiller2001 I think the Spiralis is around 21” and it’s supposed to reach 24”. I’m going to plant some more in the back left. 

The Balansae is at least 24-25” and shows no sign of slowing down. 

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Patrick_G

[Odd Duck]

On 9/27/2021 at 11:27 PM, Patrick_G said:

I used mostly potted plants with a few bunches of loose stems and a handful of loose Ludwigia from my wife’s tank. 
The growth has been pretty good. Most have at least doubled in size. 
here’s an old pic and a current one. 

Beautiful!  Great progress!  I favor balansea as well.  More substantial appearance and great height.  My spiralis has been in the tank longer but the balansae has very much out grown it.

I could see trying spiralis in a smaller/shorter tank where it would take over the balansae type spot at the back and be more proportional while giving the same Ed Dept on a smaller scale.  I have it in the front of my 100 and balansae near the back.  Has your spiralis gotten that tall?  Mine is only about 10-12”.  I’m due for adding root tabs.  Maybe I’ll get a growth spurt.  Balansae is easy 22” tall and that’s after a recent trim.  Was more like 24” before the trim.