John's 75 planted new plant photo 4-20-13

Absolutely amazing. I love the Aponogeton crispus bloom.

 

Thank you, the tank is still evolving. I have a foreground plant coming to replace the Hygrophila behind the Apon. The Apon will go next to the upright piece of wood and I will be removing the Hygro from the tank. I want to get some Ludwigia ovalis and then I might be through with buying plants. The ovalis is a pinkish orange color when happy.

 

It just looks better and better every time. Nice work, John!

 

Now that I have discus in my tank, my population of red cherries is severely endangered. lol. My population went from over a hundred to being able to count maybe a dozen at any given time. I recently replaced my lights so I'm going through some algae issues right now. Turns out I had way too much light according to Hoppy on The planted tank.

I know you said it before but I'm too lazy to find it. What type of ferts are you using and what do you test for? Im using pps pro with alot growth but unfortunetely the algae loves it too. lol

 

Thanks JJL

Definitely cut back on the lights and lift them high above the tank. I am using the dry ferts from GLA. I am using a mix of the PPS Pro and EI method. I am going to dose the ferts, especially NO3 and PO4 like we do Ca and alk. Test PO4 and NO3. Aim for 1ppm to 2ppm PO4 and 10ppm to 20ppm NO3. If you have red plants keep the NO3 below 15ppm and the PO4 closer to 2ppm. Dose iron, potassium and micros heavily. Use pressurized CO2 with a drop checker and have the solution change to light green at least by the end of the day. Potassium is hard to test for and the kits are ridiculous expensive and not necessarily all that good from my research. Luckily it is not detrimental to anything in high levels. Tom Barr told me to use at least 4X more of PO4 than PPS Pro suggests. That may help on the algae issue if you get your lighting down.

 

John the plant tank is amazing. I'm telling you man, that tank rivals some the best reef tanks I've seen. The color of your plants is jaw dropping. I'm really digging the flower that bloomed I'm assuming above your waterline? I have some hornworts if your interested.... LOL. Thats about what I'm good at growing. Actually the java fern even though is a slow grower has lots of new growth. The Tropical Sunset is insanely growing fast, I had to chop it in half and replant it a couple days ago. Swords are all doing well, Ludwiga Cuba is doing great too. I will have to get you a shot of the updated plant tank my friend.

 

Thanks Travis, I would love to see your tank.

 

WOW, that is really beautiful John. I am sure that is no easy feat.

 

Thanks Cheryl, not that bad really, sort of similar to a SPS tank with out mixing salt and half the light.

 

9-17-11 pics






The new plant is Staurogyne repens and is around the rocks on the right and left side. There is a second spathe from the A. crispus. It has broken the surface but has not started to open yet.