jazzlvr123

Hello I just set this tank up two days ago so the plants still need to grow out. I have a 560 watt lighting system running over a 75 gallon tank, so as you can imagine my photoperiod is really short. I'm giving a shot at dosing EI for this tank, I usually use pps but we will see how things go. the tank has pressurized Co2 about 4 bubbles per second shooting through a inline reactor. The substrate (ADA aquasoil) is sloped pretty well towards the back I'm shooting for a dutch theme. As things start to grow out and settle in its all a matter of trimming correctly after that. I have someHygrophila sp. 'Porto Velho' arriving this week. So I will most likely am swapping out the HC for Hygrophila sp. 'Porto Velho' as the foreground for this tank. I think the compact hygro carpet will look more pleasing in this style of tank I'm shooting for. Comments welcome!

StereoKills

Very nice! I can't wait to see it once it grows in all the way. Great start.

BryceM

Nice assortment of stemmies! I assume you moved most of these from other tanks that you have. It's pretty hard to densely plant a tank this size from venor or even hobbyist sources.

Keep posting some photos. It will be interesting to see how everything grows. It will also be interesting to see if you can maintain the intensity of the reds.

AaronT

That's a great start. Everyone should look at that tank as an example of how many plants to start with from the get-go.

Jessie

It'll be nice to see a Dutch-style tank on the forum! I can't wait to see how this turns out.

What is your lighting system?

jazzlvr123

Ill keep yall updated, people always say low nitrates and high lorn (TE) bring out the reds but im not going to dose low nitrates, I am planning on dosing pretty heavy nitrates- EI says 3/4 a tsp 3x a week. Tom told me dose that much only at the water change and then 1/2 that amount there after. Honestly im not going to worry about it unless the entire tank turns green : )

The lighting is 48 inch Current USA Outer Orbit Hood with two 150W 10K HQI-MH and two 130W Dual compact fluorescents & 6 Lunar Lights- a total for 560 watts altogether


Also I'm thinking of completely ditching the hard scape and removing the rocks in there and maybe adding some more mid ground plants instead, what do you guys think?

hoppycalif

This certainly defines the meaning of "heavily planted" doesn't it? When I watched Kyle plant a tank at our last plant club meeting I was amazed at how many plants he could get into a tank. No wonder I run into algae problems with my "aquascapes".

This should look spectacular when it grows out a little. I like the rocks in it, but I enjoy having eye catching areas in any tank. It is nice to see a "not ADA style" aquascape now and then.

DonaldmBoyer

Marvelous!! I would like to see a plant list when you have a chance, if you have the time, Jazz.....very lovely looking tank!

I would take the hardscape out; not because I don't like the current hardscape, but I am thinking that you probably won't be able to see the rocks too well after everything grows in, EVEN if you trim around them. You might as well throw some more plants in there instead!

phishphan

What fish will you choose for your new setup?

AaronT

I think you ought to ditch it. The rest of the tank looks so nice, it sorta looks as though the rocks were put in there as a token hardscape. Go pure Dutch and don't look back.