View Full Version : My tank after one year
TomFromStLouis
03-03-2004, 12:10 AM
It was last March when I began barraging this forum with questons about CO2 this and fert that. And while my 75g looks nothing like I planned, I am quite pleased with its mature look.
The first picture below is right after introducing most of the plants that I wanted to use. No angels yet.
Okay, someone PLEASE tell me why the picture does not show up and why I cannot add it in EDIT mode and why I cannot DELETE the entire post. AAARGH.
SEE BELOW
Lukara
03-03-2004, 12:40 PM
What is the size of your picture? The max file size for pics on the site is 65400 bytes. Also, what is the file type? Valid file types are .gif .jpg .bmp and .jpeg
Hope this helps.
125gJoe
03-03-2004, 12:43 PM
Where's the pics????
:(
:D
Leopardess
03-03-2004, 2:47 PM
You can't edit the pics in in "edit" mode because its not an option. Just got to make another post.
What you need to do is make sure that the pics you want to post are in a JPEG or JPG file (just choose "save as" and do it from there), then open it up in something standard and easy like Paint (all comps. have it) Then go to the "Image" menu at the top and select "sketch/skew." Get the picture down to a reasonable size, save it, and then try to repost it:)
Or, if you can upload them to somewhere (like www.freewebs.com) you can just link them:)
TomFromStLouis
03-03-2004, 4:19 PM
Well, I have done all of that and must be having some Explorer issues. Wouldn't be the first time. Will try again when the wind blows the other way.
kaslkaos
03-04-2004, 5:52 AM
And I can't wait to see the pics, because now I'm the one barraging this forum with questions. I really want to see 'One Year Later'.:D
TomFromStLouis
03-07-2004, 11:21 PM
I successfully uploaded the one year picture to Aquaticphotos.com (thanks Oriongirl) and you can see it here: http://www.aquaticphotos.com/details.php?image_id=230
I still do not know why my uploading into this forum is unsuccessful, but I had a couple progress pics to include as well. The moral of the story I hoped to tell in full here is that:
1- the tank constantly changes. Compare month one to month twelve and it is hard to see any similarities even though I did not move any rocks.
2 - Change is good. The evolution keeps me looking for new ideas and keeps the maintenance interesting.
3 - Angels grow quickly! From nickel sized to "are they going to fit" in just 12 months!
TomFromStLouis
03-07-2004, 11:26 PM
another pic:
http://www.aquaticphotos.com/details.php?image_id=231
The color scheme here is not as varied, but I do miss that Ulvaceous.
Captain Hook
03-07-2004, 11:28 PM
Awesome! I love that tank! I am a big fan of vals and tall plants like that, especially in big tanks. The angels finish it nicely.
Are those rocks covered in java moss in the foreground? I like that look.
TomFromStLouis
03-07-2004, 11:37 PM
No vals. No java moss.
The straight verticals about one third in from each side are Isoetes. The tall foreground spindly thing is crinum calamistratum. The low rock front left and now the foreground are covered with riccia. The mossy stuff is known as Christmas moss - it struggled for several months and was very close to being yanked when it took off and now really gives a layering effect I like.
Thanks for the nice comments. I think of it as a "jungle look".
Captain Hook
03-08-2004, 1:11 AM
I had never heard of that plant before, very interesting. Did you find it at a local store? Now that I look closer I see that it really doesn't look a val. Much thinner, kind of in between a hairgrass and a val.
Tempest
03-08-2004, 5:32 AM
Really nice tank.. Betcha the angels love it too. :)
TomFromStLouis
03-08-2004, 2:06 PM
Originally posted by Captain Hook
I had never heard of that plant before, very interesting. Did you find it at a local store? Now that I look closer I see that it really doesn't look a val. Much thinner, kind of in between a hairgrass and a val.
Yes, I found it at a local store. Isoetes is like a grass - it is a hollow tube of green and pointy at the top.
The many hiding places has allowed the angels to get along better - there is somewhere to hide when a pair gets territorial.
125gJoe
03-09-2004, 6:03 AM
Lookin' really good!
fishfrenze
03-11-2004, 5:15 PM
I really love it! My 72 gallon is slowly coming along too (been set up for 7 months). I did a major trim last weekend b/c it turns into a jungle...doesn't look "aquascaped" at all. How do you keep yours looks so "organized"? Do you do weekly trims or less? Are you constantly training your plants? I feel like I can't keep the plants where I want them.
Melanie
P.S. your angels are gorgeous too. I really wanted to add angels to the 72 but the three I bought died quickly in quarentine. I guess I need to find a better supplier?? That experience made me want to give up on angels, but yours are so beautiful, maybe I'll try again!
daveedka
03-11-2004, 6:45 PM
Looks fabulous, I have a 67g that is earmarked for Tetra's, a couple of angels and plants, I have to wait for the contractor to finish my basement before I can set it up :argh I'm really looking forward to it, and seeing your pictures makes me more impatient than ever.
TomFromStLouis
03-12-2004, 2:52 PM
Melanie,
I began with mostly stem plants and soon was reminded of PlantBrain's adage: CO2 injection makes hard plants easy and easy ones weeds (true, even though I failed at many "easy" ones). I have drifted towards crypts and some other slower stuff, but still it looks overgrown in about a week or so. As for angels, I truly believe breeder quality matters and I went ahead and bought mine from angelsplus.com. Best looking angelfish I have ever seen, but not the cheapest route either.
My primary regret is that I did not just go for a 180g (only a couple extra feet! Really, it would fit!), but, well, that is probably a regret we all have. But imagine! 20 angels instead of 8! Or discus AND angels! MMmmmmm....
125gJoe
03-12-2004, 11:50 PM
Originally posted by TomFromStLouis
... ..... ..My primary regret is that I did not just go for a 180g (only a couple extra feet! Really, it would fit!), but, well, that is probably a regret we all have. But imagine! 20 angels instead of 8! Or discus AND angels! MMmmmmm.... I hear that! :) (I'm 'forced' to stop at 125...)
fishfrenze
03-13-2004, 10:03 AM
Tom,
I look forward to getting rid of some of the stem plants and going with slower-growing things. I've just started to take cuttings and actually throw them away rather than replant...it was a hard concept to acquire, but it looks better in the long run :) They are great plants to get a tank started, but now I'm getting sick of the ugly roots hanging all over the place. This is my "practice" tank for when I get my bigger one!! :) <someday...someday>
Melanie