problem..... Solved!!

About two weeks ago i started seeing that i have a problem.. My plant were dying (Mostly the roots seemed to be rotting) After looking into it , i figured the the substrate i had in it , might be my problem as it was very fine..
After checking prices i decided to cheap out and get pool filter sand =P (R70 for 40kgs)
This is what the tank looks like (I know most will have a problem with the wood , but its not to thin , and i did get most of the bark and sharp parts of)

 

dude, looking good.. I like it. But seems like u need more light? Or is it because of the pic? Whats the specs on this tank?

 

Does seem as if the light is concentrated in the centre. Does the tubes run the full length?
Is that trimmed vallis in front?

 

Hey Bud,

The wood actually looks pretty good, but my concern would be what type of wood is it? Certain woods contain poisonous resins which can result in dead fish if (or when) it leaches into the water column.

Otherwise, its quite a nice setup.

Regards
G!

 

I fully agree with the comments about the lighting.. I am looking to get t5's shortly..
@shihr Its a 4ft tank , with the aquaclear300.. I have two 30Watt t8 tubes and one 40Watt tube in the tank at the moment..
@boebie , yes its trimmend valis , im hoping for it to grow a bit thicker , but i know it will take time..
@Big G , not exactely sure what type of wood it is , but it came from a tree that has been dead for nearly two years now , and i soaked it for quite a while also.. Fish seem to be doing fine with it , and its not leeching too much anymore , but tanx for the advise , il keep an eye out for any signs that it might be harmful for the fish..

 

You might want to shift the Vallis to the back as it will grow very tall and block out most of your scape. I'd rather do it now before it starts spreading. Otherwise nice setup dude.

 

i know they grow tall , might move them , otherwise il just trim them regularly =) I think moving them to the right side between the wood might work?

 

I agree plant it at the back, Vallis makes a good background look.

Otherwise very nice.

 

Tanx @hein24 .. Do you guys think i should leave the substrate open , or would glosso be the better option? I really like glosso , but im wondering if its a good route to go ofr this tank?

 

Thumbs up from me. I like what you've done with the wood, and I have to mention that that sand seems to compliment the setup nicely.

 

Tanx @SalmonAfrica , i apreciate the kind comment =)

 

Looks really good Skaapietjie. Every time I see planted tanks like these I want to go and buy my 3rd tank and start a fully planted tank

 

Tanx @jwalker , thats a massive compliment for me as I still c myself as a newb , and a know i have many more things to learn! Whats stopping you from getting a 3rd tank? I say go for it , planted tanks are more work , but its definitely worth it =D

 

HMMM lets ask the glosso experts @shihr and @wearsbunnyslippers??

 

hey man, not possible to trim the individual blades of vallis but simply cutting it when it grows too high...it will kill the whole leaf blade.

you will have to pull out the whole leaf from the base (or pull out the whole vallis runner) which might leave patches in your scape.

just a heads up

 

Move the vallis to the back of the tank... left hand side or right hand side. It's a nice plant to act as a visual border.

Fill the front with some crypts. They slow growing, don't need huge amounts of light, however they will reward you nicely if you give them some root tabs in the soil near their roots. Alternately put some anubias on some stones/driftwood and let that lie on the front in.

And remember--- open gravel is not a bad thing! (Meaning just because it's not completely covered in plants doesn't mean it;s a bad scape- there are many stunning scapes out there where bare gravel is visible.)

 

@zaqwsx15 tanx for the headsup , now i know why some of the leaf die =) Will move it to the back
@Zoom , tanx for the encouragement , ive seen some awsum scapes with bare gravel , thats y im stuck between two minds.. Glosso , or no glosso??
Maybe i should be a bit more patient and see what it looks like in a months time , and then decide? =)

 

Moved the valis to right side of the tank , and put a little bit between the wood , il post a pic when it grows out a bit more..
The other plants are all doing fine.. The pfp is leaching a bit , but nothing a few water changes cant do..
I also upgraded the lighting a bit by getting 3 6400k 40W t8's instead of the scrappy thing my lps sold to me..
One quick question though , the plant on the left , between the amizons and the other plant (the one that used to be red) ,
its not doing to well , its not dying , but i want to grow a bit quicker..
At the current growth rate its getting covered in algea , so my question is , what can i do , to get it back into shape?

 

Here is an update of what the tank looks like now.
I moved the valis , and upped the lighting.. The plant have grown a bit , but not as much as id like ,
but lets hope for an improvement with the lighting..
Also , i have built a new canopy , so it looks better.. =D

 

I decided to introduce you all at TASA to my tanks inmates.. I am currently stocking 4 angels , a few neons , 4 SAE's , 2 Bumblebee catfish , and a few other tetras , which by the life of me I cant remember their names..