Weeds

[pcsb23]

beautiful. Definitely needs some altums. BTW, what is a drop checker?
Jay

Thanks Jay And yes Altums are a possibility if I can get some (they are my favourite).

The drop checker are the clear glass devices you see on the front glass. They contain a 4DKH water solution with bromo blue in it - this is what is used in pH test kits for so called low value pH, i.e. under 7. Water with a hardness of 4DKH will go lime green at a pH of 6.6 which indicates that there is 30ppm CO2 present! The solution is separated from the tank water by an air gap. (I guess I could just of said it measure the CO2 present )

[rickztahone]

Very nice looking tank Paul. With regards to the shrimp, that is a red Cherry shrimp, or what some may call a fire red cherry shrimp, but it isn't a crystal red shrimp.

When I took a break from discus, I started quite a few planted tanks. I ended up with some really high grade shrimp. Higher end CRS was what I was breeding mainly but I did do some German-imported OEBT's and I remember those being a pretty penny. To the toon of $250 or so for 4 if I remember correctly. The shrimp hobby can become as expensive as the discus hobby I soon found out, lol. The planted tank hobby was just as expensive and as time-consuming as well.

Good luck with your tank, and please keep us updated.

[pcsb23]

Hello Ricardo, thanks for correcting me on the shrimps - as you can probably guess they are not my strong point I was judging at the Belgian show last year and they had a heck of a display of shrimps, must have been 50+ tanks of them. Some were very expensive!

[rickztahone]

Hello Ricardo, thanks for correcting me on the shrimps - as you can probably guess they are not my strong point I was judging at the Belgian show last year and they had a heck of a display of shrimps, must have been 50+ tanks of them. Some were very expensive!

Yes, they can get pricey. Shrimp breeding is very easy for the beginner, but when you get in to top grade stuff, you must know the lines, just as with discus. There are so many varieties out there now that it boggles the mind.

Anyways, do you plan on having a lot of shirmp in here? Will you leave them in permanently if you add the discus or anglefish? They tend to make a quick snack of them from my experience.

[pcsb23]

No intention of removing them. As and when I add fish, if they eat them so be it (won't be the first time). No idea of these will breed or not, if they do then free food for the fish, if not, well no matter The plants will be much more grown in before any fish get added, that may give the shrimp extra hiding places

I view these as purely utility, albeit interesting.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Awesome looking setup Paul.

On your substrate, it did not look very deep. I was always under the impression you need at least 3" to 4" to give the roots a good foothold. Either way it is taking off nicely for sure. Can't wait to see it in 3 months or so.

[pcsb23]

Awesome looking setup Paul.

On your substrate, it did not look very deep. I was always under the impression you need at least 3" to 4" to give the roots a good foothold. Either way it is taking off nicely for sure. Can't wait to see it in 3 months or so.

Thanks Jeff, the substrate is around 3" at the deepest part (back left as you look) but it needn't be quite that deep when using something like Tropica underneath, you can get away with 1 1/2".

[Len]

I like the tank Paul. As usual you frustrate me with your photos, but only because mine never turn out as nice.

[pcsb23]

I like the tank Paul. As usual you frustrate me with your photos, but only because mine never turn out as nice.

Thanks Len, sorry about the photos I have had a bit pf practise over the years though

[seanyuki]

Very nice planted tank.......what happened to the big project fish room that you built a few years back?.

[pcsb23]

Very nice planted tank.......what happened to the big project fish room that you built a few years back?.

Thanks Francis. The rooms still there, the project has changed a little

[Mxx]

I haven't previously heard about the Tropica Plant Growth Substrate, but will look into that more.

Where in the UK did you manage to buy this pool filter sand by the way? All the ones I've seen look ridiculously bad, and I obtained sand samples from half a dozen sand suppliers trying to find something that looked decently light and neutral, without any luck!...

[pcsb23]

I haven't previously heard about the Tropica Plant Growth Substrate, but will look into that more.

Where in the UK did you manage to buy this pool filter sand by the way? All the ones I've seen look ridiculously bad, and I obtained sand samples from half a dozen sand suppliers trying to find something that looked decently light and neutral, without any luck!...

ukpoolstore.co.uk

[musicmarn1]

Looking great shrimps are fun! I found blue lobster babies too but I managed to kill all sbrimp and lobster too

[Disgirl]

Just wondering how this tank is coming along now Paul? Any updated pics of it? Fish in it yet?
Barb