New Tank/Plant Question

[Mzungu]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

That's great! I'm excited to see what it looks like!

[Tiapan]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

hey how are those plants you got from my store doing?

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Fantastic although planting in a deep tank full of water proved to be a challenge.  I may do a 50% water change and rearrange the plants once my nitrites are at 0ppm.  But they are beautiful.  Thanks for helping me.  I think I've caught the planted aquarium bug!

[Tiapan]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

you should see how Amano plants tanks, he plans the entire tank out, plants everything in just a bit of water with tweezers and even gives each plant room to grow inbetween. then he fill and just lets it grow and in about 3 months they are gorgeous. of course he has all day to plant the tank and do what he wants. thats why he wins awards  anyway i know how it cn be planting in a big tank so you might want to invest in a long pair of soft tipped tweezers for you own planting since your tank is soo deep.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

long tweezers are a must especially when trying to plant small stem plants!

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Where might I find tweezers like that?

[gt3guru]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

I got a pair of stainless forceps at a medical supply store for under 3 bucks. though they are only about 6 inches..

[szidlon]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Try here, I don't know of any places locally but I'm sure someone will be along with a local source.

10 Inch Stainless Steel

or here

Sets Etc

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

drsfostersmith.com has the azoo one for $5 plus shipping, i got a set last time i ordered from them and its really nice for the price.

i got some nice ones from a friend who's wife works at a hospital along with some sharp bent siccors.

[Tiapan]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Nurses always have a few pairs of forceps and clamps lying around, they are great for that (nurses that is)

[sproett]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Thanks for the tips.  My husband works at a hospital so I'm going to see if he can bring me some home or buy some for me.  If not, those websites look great.  I'm so glad I joined this forum.  Everyone is so helpful.

[jwyde]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question . . . Back to your lighting

The hood was built totally on the cheap.  The plywood was scrap I had in the garage, shop lights, even a strand of blue christmas lights on a clearance rack for a moonlight.
Teeleton

Open question: I'm about to build my own top... are shop lights fine or should I go with kits made for aquariums like aquarium hobbyist?

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

i have a shop light on each of my 55's.

[jwyde]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Brownsnoutuk, I forgot to mention that I'm looking to have a heavily planted tank.  Are you growing live plants?

Also I keep seeing your signature showing you have Fiddler Crabs.  I had one and I loved it.  It was so much fun.  But after I got it I started reading about it, and learned that they need a place to get out of the water.  Mine did climb the air hose almost immediately.  

The end of the story (i speculate) is that my blue lobster got a hold of the little guy. All I found was his big claw.  I'd like to get another one for my other tank (lobster & predator free), but I don't have a place for it to get out the water.  I liked him so much, I'd even set up a separate tank for new ones if I have to.  Do yours spend 24/7 underwater?  Is that good for them?

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: New Tank/Plant Question

Half of one of my tanks was very thick with vals and every couple of weeks i cut around 6" off them to stop them blocking the light. The plants are growing really quickly with the shoplight and CO2.

As for the crabs, they are cool. They love to climb(i lost one only to find her a week later in the living room)
I placed one in a tank with no way to climb and hes still alive after 2months+
I think they only have to be on land to lay their eggs.

Another crab i seen recently are the redclawed ones in Petsmart. They grow to 6" thats why i didnt pick any up.