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AR980 planted tank log


Foxjxa

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I was tempted just to keep a photo record for myself, but I know how nosey everyone is so...

My tank is a second-hand Aqua One AR980, 215L, with three standard lights and a standard filter.

It is currently inhabited by:

- 6 Kuhli loaches

- 1 Scarlet badis (Dario dario)

- 2 Apistogramma Agassizi (pair)

- 12 Five banded barbs

- 3 Otocinclus

RIMG0018.jpg

I created a flicker account to store all the random photos I'm taking:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxjxa/sets/72157626873535154/

Most recent full tank shot:

RIMG0198.jpg

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The driftwood you currently have on the left is slightly off the golden rule, maybe by 3-5cm. Also by having the other piece of driftwood sticking out at close to the golden rule place, it creates a distraction to the eye and makes it harder to focus on one thing. Here is a good article about the golden rule.

The idea is that you create a single focus point; either a large plant, a piece of driftwood or stone. Apart from that I think you're doing great! :thup:

If you're still having trouble with the cloudiness, I find Accu-Clear works well. None of my fish have ever had any side-effects.

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@Mel - Yeap, the leafies have moved out, to be replaced by teeny tiny fishies instead. It's weird.

@Artem - That's a very helpful little article, and I see what you mean. I am quite tempted to make that one bit of wood a focal point but... nah. I just want to create some neat environments for the fish and see what sort of plants I can grow and how well. Might try and follow the golden rule later on if my plants take off. :)

Using a little bit of accu-clear, patience and new sponge in the filter, the tank water is now clear as day. Success! I'll post an updated photo tomorrow after I've added more plants.

I also added 3 otocinclus today and they seem to be settling in well. :D

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Updated picture taken this evening:

ar9801.jpg

The newest inhabitant:

agassizi.jpg

And a fuzzy shot of some five banded barbs:

fivebanded1.jpg

I'm having some trouble figuring out how to make the huge open space at the front of the tank less empty looking without adding so many plants I won't be able to see the fish. :-? Might have to try and follow the 'golden rule' after all.

The barbs are still getting used to the big scary giants moving about on the other side of the glass and are usually hanging out behind the plants at the back, but they are colouring up nicely.

As of today the tank houses:

- 6 Kuhli loaches

- 3 Otocinclus

- 6 Five banded barbs

- 1 Scarlet badis

- 1 Apistomgramma agassizi

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Yes, your "King Kuhli" always has an escort - the smaller kuhils seem to really like him - and he's darkened up nicely now as well. I hope he makes little kuhli babies with one of them!! Thanks again. :P

Is the one still in store really small and pale or is it the larger one? I was debating going back and getting another, and I'm a total sucker for lonely fish.

Edit - Just found this interesting tidbit about female Dario dario: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/anabantids/elusive-female-scarlet-badis-dario-20540/

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I have a whole heap more plants from Bilbo if your interested? free.

I won't say no to free plants. :slfg: I'll 'trade' you - you can come hand-feed the mudfish and natives at Te Manawa sometime, haha, it's fun!

Thanks for the comments guys, it's really neat watching everything grow day by day. The indian fern I got from waterlogged is particularly neat to watch and very fast growing.

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Thank phoenix44 and waterlogged for all the plants, my little jungle is growing!

Several small ramshorn snails hitched a ride on some of waterlogged's plants and I only just noticed they're very brown and not as red as the ones I usually see. Pretty cool to watch though. The colours in the photo below seem really washed out to me, as the fern the snail's chilling on is a bright green in real life.

RIMG0057.jpg

And another average shot of Mr. Agassizi, otherwise known as Timothy. :roey:

He gets along with everyone in the tank now, even the little scarlet badis who seemed positive that the newbie was out to get him, the oto's in particular like to try and swim along with him.

RIMG0050.jpg

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Yes. Timothy. :roey:

I've already found an empty little ramshorn shell, so maybe the kuhlis are eating the really small ones? I've never had snail issues with kuhlis in a tank, though I've only ever had ramshorn and malaysian trumpet snails.

Edit -- Timothy is a JERK! Just added another agassizi to the tank, (suspected female), and as soon as he saw her he started harassing her. She might have to chill in the guppy breeder for a while if he doesn't calm down soon.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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