[FernKing]

Yes Aaron's article seems to have completely overlooked partial water-changes as one way of diminishing the the amount of "excess nutrients". It begs the question as to how widely available home testing kits were back in 2008?

I think it’s a more matter of less work and/or larger tanks. Even a ”partial” water change in a very large tank is a pain in the a__. This just gets the process going. It’s all optional.

 

[FernKing]

I wanted to share my inspiration pictures for this bowl. I found these pictures on the reviews section where I bought the bowl. I love the choice of fish and plants. It’s heavily planted and I don’t see a trace of “high tech” anywhere.
Let me know what plants and animals you identify. What do you see?

 

[maico996]

The fish look like Cardinal Tetras?

 

[FernKing]

The fish look like Cardinal Tetras?
View attachment 75789

I think they are ember and neon tetras which I will totally do.

 

[mistergreen]

yes on the fishes and cherry shrimps.
Plants are Cryptocoryne parva, C. lutea, java fern (trident?), H. difformis, Anubias bateri, and another Anubias with a spear-shaped leaf.

 

[mistergreen]

Oh, the snails are fancy color ramshorn.

 

[FernKing]

yes on the fishes and cherry shrimps.
Plants are Cryptocoryne parva, C. lutea, java fern (trident?), H. difformis, Anubias bateri, and another Anubias with a spear-shaped leaf.

I agree on all counts. These are definitely “low tech” plants. I just noticed what looks like a clear plastic tube on the upper left hand side, but I still think this is in fact a low tech set up.

 

[PlentyCoup]

I agree on all counts. These are definitely “low tech” plants. I just noticed what looks like a clear plastic tube on the upper left hand side, but I still think this is in fact a low tech set up.

I am not sure if it is entirely "low tech" or at least not our version of low tech. I think that clear tube is for co2? I mean i dont see any obvious cords/intake/outtake etc but they could be really well hidden. What appears to be a straight sand substrate makes me think this is being supplemented with co2 and high tech fert dosing.

I love this bowl and have debated several times buying it on amazon lol.
Also another vote for ember tetras. The five i have with my betta are fun to watch they are such busy bodies.

Are planning in recreating it exactly or picking and choosing plants? If you like how looks i would stick in some the asian knot weed i have in 36 its quickly rising to my top 5 fave list lol.

 

[FernKing]

I am not sure if it is entirely "low tech" or at least not our version of low tech. I think that clear tube is for co2? I mean i dont see any obvious cords/intake/outtake etc but they could be really well hidden. What appears to be a straight sand substrate makes me think this is being supplemented with co2 and high tech fert dosing.

I love this bowl and have debated several times buying it on amazon lol.
Also another vote for ember tetras. The five i have with my betta are fun to watch they are such busy bodies.

Are planning in recreating it exactly or picking and choosing plants? If you like how looks i would stick in some the asian knot weed i have in 36 its quickly rising to my top 5 fave list lol.

I want to use some of these plants. I like how the tiny crypts fill the bottom space well. I want to use more swords and maybe a small tiger lotus at first. I want to add a Madagascar lace bulb to add some drama and texture. Balance is key here as many of these plants eventually get quite large. I also have no idea what the function of that tube is. Wouldn’t CO2 use some sort of defuser? I thought it was for some sort of intake for a pump.

 

[johnwesley0]

You guys see a tube?

 

[PlentyCoup]

You guys see a tube?

Yes (well at least i think its a tube and not a reflection) its in the upper left corner and seems to be coming straight down into the tank at a slight angle. This and combined with the fact that the top of the tank is off in the photo makes me think it might be more "high tech" then it looks.

 

[mistergreen]

You might be right since this is a regular sand substrate. Added nutrients for sure. I wonder if regular atmospheric co2 is enough like a regular air pump.

 

[PlentyCoup]

Yes the regular sand substrate was a immediate red flag that at minimum nutrients are being added.
Also the parva crypt is a great plant i have it in my betta tank, just very very slow growing.

 

[mistergreen]

I had a nice carpet of C. parva in my 10G but it died off when my light died. I managed to save a tuft and I'm growing it emersed in a plastic container.

 

[FernKing]

UPDATE: Coming soon!!! 💖

 

[johnwesley0]

OMG, you have such a nice house! When can we come over?

 

[FernKing]

OMG, you have such a nice house! When can we come over?

Sure! We’ll have an aquatic plant party. I’m happy with the plinth. I wanted to put the bowl in the dresser but my husband said he didn’t like the empty space next to it. I wanted it to be the same height! So I was on the hunt for a 36” tall “fishbowl stand” and I found this lacquered aquatic plant themed lotus stand 💖
My custom light didn’t work at first so my light guy is modifying it. It was kind “limp” it kept sinking. It should be ready by Monday. Here’s a sneak preview with a temp light for now.

 

[johnwesley0]

My custom light didn’t work at first so my light guy is modifying it. It was kind “limp”

 

[FernKing]

No kidding. It kept slowly sinking with gravity. I didn’t need the fixture sinking into the water causing who knows what ⚡⚡⚡

 

[FernKing]

So my light fixture was delayed until next week due to installation issues. I was keeping my plants in my patio pond acting as a holding tank. I could see that they were stressed so I decided to plant my bowl now and use a temporary light.
I spent the past several months mineralizing my soil with excess pond water during water changes. This time I’m going to mix my soil with less than 50% STS and use STS as my gravel. I packed a layer of wet STS around the sides of my bowl to hide the soil layer. I’m being strict, 1” soil & 1“ STS gravel!

As far as planting goes I‘m using what I know works! When I planted my shrimp jars it helped me get to know certain species. Largely, I’m planting different varieties of swords. They just work for me!
I bought or added:
Echinodorus “Marble Queen”
Echinodorus “Fancy Twist” (it’s small and colorful, the leaves are dark purple in my shrimp tanks!)
Barclaya Longifolia “Red” bulb
Echinodorus “Ozelot Green Mini”
Echinodorus vesuvius (I love the leaves! the roots were very short so I hope it survives!)
Cryptocoryne wendtii “Mi Oya”
Cryptocorne wendtii “Bronze”
Cryptocoryne Parva (it’s melting badly 😑)
Cabomba for the water column
& North American Frogbit To suck up excess nitrogen.

I’m trying to blanket the bottom with lots of fast growing low tech plants with lots of texture and color!