Low-Tech Picture

Aqualung

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Jan 31, 2004
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I just wanted to share a pictue of my tank to show that planted tanks don't have to be complicated or difficult. This tank is a 40 BR with 75 watts of regular flourescents (the bulbs are old and should be changed soon). I have a fairly large bioload and don't fertilize with the exception of a dose of Flourish excel every 3 days (right after the water change).

I am a terrible photographer, but here is a picture of my tank from tonight. At least it gives an idea of what can be accomplished with very little effort.

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TipStylez said:
i always wonderd...How do you gravel vac without messing up the plants?
same here!! :troll:
 
im curious also!
 
Very carefully!! I actually don't do it very often, just keep up on the water changes. I thnik the plants help or use some of the waste.


Nice tank Aqualung!!
 
i'm glad you posted this, i too am trying to keep it low tech but have lots of lush plants- i just added a litte more light so maybe i'll get there

nice tank!

-Kyle
 
my lightly planted tank, i just vaccume the gravel that doesn't have plants growing in it. the fish waste in the other parts provides some amount of fertilizer to the plants i think. i just do 50% water changes once a week.


what kind of plants did you use in your tank? i would love to make my tank look like that, but i never know what types of plants to get that work well in a low-tech tank. i have medium lighting, and use no ferts or CO2, but i do want to get some flourish excell in the near future and start adding that.
 
I agree, very nice! I'm guessing that changing the water every 3 days must help to give the plants the nutrients they need. Like Rockabilly, I'm wondering what plants you have in there. Looks like Hygro., Rotala, Alternanthera, and java moss maybe?

Just a minor note, I found the flash reflection on the glass very distracting. You can try turning all the lights off in the room and just leaving the tank lights on and take a picture with no flash. That's what I usually do.
 
I love low tech planted tanks--yours is great. I'd also like to know which plants you're using...maybe you could id them by position?

Captain Hook's idea about turning off room lights & flash and just using tanks lights is a good one...you can use a long exposure if your camera is on a tripod--fish might blur, but plants should come out sharp.
 
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