pix: 50g

[nvision]

for those interested, just posted some photos over the weekend of my recent 50g, housing a school of rummy noses and rainbowfish (all hiding from the camera as usual). i need the plants to grow out NOW... i'm so impatient.

i could somewhat speculate how the tank will evolve, but would be interesting to see how much nature would agree with me. heh.

have a peek.

 

[Flohrie]

Looking good!

I love Java Ferns on Driftwood

 

[djlen]

It's gonna be awesome. I know the one red plant is a tiger lotus, but the stuff behind the wood(reddish in color). What is that. It looks similar the the background plants in your other tanks. The retired 55 and also the 75. If they're not the same, what are they?
Len

 

[Hebdizzle]

thats a long bubble wand you have! the tank is looking great!

 

[Molino]

Great looking tank as usual. I have the same question as djlen, what is that reddish plant behind the driftwood? I have the same plant in my 20L, but can't remember what it is.

I also REALLY like that red Tiger Lotus. Do you know how large they grow?

 

[125gJoe]

nvision, very nice!! Room to grow too... Where did you get the shrimp??

 

[nvision]

thanks.

djlen and molino, the plant at the background of the 50g is Alternathera sp., more info here. those i got a the shop looked exactly like the photo, a very vibrant magenta. it has since toned down a bit in the tank, most likely affected by lower lighting--130w. it's still showing a very interesting and distinct maroon color, however, and i'm really liking the "bushy" appearance of the leaves.

that lotus plant was from the same shop. i bought a bulb for $8 and it has already sprouted 2 plants, with the one in the photo being the first of them. i've seen them in the shop at a good size, a clump maybe 6-8" in diameter. very lush and vibrant under good conditions. leaves were about 4" long, and will grow larger.

Hebdizzle, har har! the photos were taken a while after a water change. the bubbles were just settling on the glass.

thanks again.

 

[djlen]

You are running about 1 1/2 - 2 watts/gal. in that tank correct? It's funny, but I've always liked both of those plants but held off because I didn't think I had enough wattage to make them perform up to thier capabilities. I really need some reds in my tanks. Are you satisfied with the colors in them even though their not as vibrant as in the other picture?
Len
Edit: Hey that must be one heck of a pair of Angels that spawned on that glass for you. Eggs all over the place. Never saw so many eggs at one time in my life.

 

[nvision]

130w in a 50g tank is almost 3w/g, but much of the light is centralized in the middle since my fixture is 24" vs 36" of the tank. so in essence, some plants are not getting maximum exposure. but i do like the way the alternathera is holding up, been growing a lot of new leaves (after loosing just as many while it adjusts to my water conditions). it's grown about 4" taller in a week; that's probably another response from the plant to receive more light from the surface. i'll follow up closely with its growth progress, as i also got a newer batch at the left side that i'm also observing.

oh, and about the plant "curtain" in the old 75g and 55g, that is actually ludwigia repens. a very easy to grow and hardy plant. i particularly like its effect in the 55g as it interacts with the log and resembles a very old tree. i should give the tank a cheesy name like "forest of the elders". (think harry potter)

and 80gJoe, the shrimps are from my lfs, nicknamed something like 'asian tiger shrimp' by the owner. i guess the banding pattern at on the tail gives it that description. they feed on algae just like the amanos.