ADG Raffle Tank - Finally!

[wesleydnunder]

Lookin good MB. Can't wait to see the tank in person.

Mark

[Mzungu]

BTW, on that second pick it kinda looks like cyano growing on the AS. But it's not, it's just algae. Next time Geoff cleans out a filter in one of his "snail tanks," he's promised to donate the MTS to this tank so someone other than I can turn the substrate over.

[Mzungu]

Okay, took some more shots. Here is that strange growth I was talking about:





Another FTS:



A view from the top:



The first inhabitant!!

[myjohnson]

Very nice scape MB!

I see you have a green thumb!

[Mzungu]

as for the background plants....im sure you know this but higher lighting will cause shorter. thicker more compact growth since they don't need to grow up as much to 'reach' the light

Yes, I do. But it was weird because for a few weeks in there in looked really undecided. I snapped a few shots tonight that I'll post up in a but, but you can really see the "hesitation" period in its growth! It's strange. But now I think it's figured out where it is (I know, I'm anthropomorphizing a friggin' plant, LOL) and it's started growing again. Like, within a day it's started growing and putting out new shoots. Strange. But at least it's growing!

Thanks, Mike! :)

[cichlid1409]

looks good MB. that ground cover looks like its taking off. as for the background plants....im sure you know this but higher lighting will cause shorter. thicker more compact growth since they don't need to grow up as much to 'reach' the light

[Mzungu]

Thanks! :) I think it's pretty freaking amazing, too. I love it!

As for the background, I bought a piece of posterboard in a color I liked, but haven't tried it out yet. To my surprise, Michael's doesn't sell fabric... :? So I'm going to have to look elsewhere for a better selection.

Algae's kinda taking off, and I'm planning on throwing in some nerites and maybe a BN or two that Geoff and I got from the HAS auction. I need to test the water first, though. I'm being lazy. )

Here's a picture I took last night. It's not the best, I was tired. But like I said, I've been sure to take pictures every day, so I wanted to get one in for Day 21. You can definitely see the algae. :)



As I feared, the Bolbitis isn't taking off like I'd hoped. It's grown a few new leaves, but nothing like I've seen it do in lower light tanks. I am probably going to have to choose another plant for the driftwood. :( But the Madagascar Lace is doing great! Here's the latest picture I took of the newest leaf:



And I'm confused about what the plants in the back are doing. They seem torn whether to grow or stay where they are. I've noticed lots of new roots growing from the nodes just above the substrate, which is good. And some really compact growth seems to be coming from the tops, but I'm still not sure if it's because I previously had it in a tank with lower lighting, and it's figuring out what to do, or if I'm giving it too much light.

[jeebus]

WOW. I can't wait to see this all filled in! That wood you have is freaking amazing too!

[Mzungu]

Not sure what that means...

[cichlid1409]

I've been taking pictures every day - just haven't uploaded any lately. I need to - my memory card's probably getting full - I took a video of a lesser male Tricolor petro getting his big chance.

[kwc1974]

Not yet. I should have done it before I set this tank up! It's not like I didn't have enough time...

)

Since I'm not about to empty out the tank in order to paint it, I'm thinking that I'll go to a crafts store or fabric store and try to find a yard of fabric/tablecloth/etc. in a color that looks good. Don't worry, I am still very much considering a dark purple. Thanks for the suggestion, Mike. :) It's either that or a kind of brick red/orange.

Don't worry about it. I stopped painting the back and instead use fabric, paper, acrylic sheets. what ever. It alows you to change the mood as well as play with backlighting.

[Mzungu]

Thanks, Al!

[algarciajr]

Tank is looking really nice Mary Beth

[Mzungu]

P.S. The Madagascar Lace has put out a couple more new leaves. I've been taking pictures every day - just haven't uploaded any lately. I need to - my memory card's probably getting full - I took a video of a lesser male Tricolor petro getting his big chance.

[Mzungu]

Not yet. I should have done it before I set this tank up! It's not like I didn't have enough time...

)

Since I'm not about to empty out the tank in order to paint it, I'm thinking that I'll go to a crafts store or fabric store and try to find a yard of fabric/tablecloth/etc. in a color that looks good. Don't worry, I am still very much considering a dark purple. Thanks for the suggestion, Mike. :) It's either that or a kind of brick red/orange.