I’ve had it going for about 8 months now. Originally it was going to be only CRS, but unfortunately my KH was repeatedly on the rise. After testing my rocks, my water, etc I came to the conclusion that it’s due to the pea gravel I used in filter bags to prop up the rocks.

So though the CRS population has dwindled, there is still life. I got some RCS instead, which seem to be doing well, as well as 3 Amanos and 12 Pygmy Cory catfish.

Just wanted to share my aquascape :) I am happy to answer questions - I did a good amount of research but keep in mind this is my first tank.

Edit: please ignore the ugly fresh trim on the Rotala, and the horrible background!

  • yemyams@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    17 hours ago

    My 8 month old tank is also pygmy cories, CRS, and had some red cherries too, what are the odds?

  • SoulKaribou@lemmy.mlEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    Wow, well done! I have few questions:

    How many years in the hobby/attempts did it take you to reach that point ?

    Any major tip you would give ?

    Did you plant everything in one go or in batches ?

    I guess you water change/ maintenance every week ?

    • smartalec13@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      Thank you :)

      This is my first tank! What you’re seeing is a lot of research and $$$. I spent like 3 months googling, watching videos, browsing aquarium & planted tank subreddits etc. The channel that helped me the most was Green Aqua.

      I would recommend lots of plants, and a good filter. Also there are small adjustments that can be made to really “elevate” a tank, like sloping low in front to high in back.

      I planted it all in 1 batch to start, then slowly I’ve gotten more plants just to try here or there. Sometimes they don’t work out.

      Yep weekly maintenance is a 30% water change, clean both pre filter sponges. Scrape walls occasionally and clean tubes occasionally. Every other week I am trimming something. Fertilizer is Easy Green twice a week.

      Thank you :)

  • nunya@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    What kind of substrate did you go with? Would you change it if doing it over?

    • smartalec13@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      2 days ago

      I used almost two full bags of Eco Complete (lava gravel wet with bacteria filled water) and a small bag of UNS Contrasoil just in the planted areas.

      And yes I would make changes lol. I would have used maybe only 1 bag of eco complete - it was helpful to have the early bacteria but as you can see I filled it too high lol.

      I also would have used more soil. It’s much easier to plant in compared to the eco complete.

  • WahotsEnglish
    1·
    1 day ago

    What is that beautiful red plant you have in there? :)

    Edit: Did you also make a boom for your RRFs? xD

    • smartalec13@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      The pinkish red in the back is Red Amania. The smaller red here and there is Ludwigia Super Red.

      And yeah lol bought it off Etsy. I don’t want them covering the entire thing because most of my plants need more light

    • smartalec13@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      60 liters, so about 16 gallons. And thank you :)

      Though I guess it technically holds less because I filled up the substrate a little too high lol