OMG rescape!

Above left: Nothing like a good afternoon trying to rescape the 90L aquarium. Frustrating and Fun.
Ill post another pic when it all clears up!
Above right: My shrimp home is complete (carbon cylinders topped with Peacock moss).
However the shrimp seem to be ignoring it grrrr.
What a waste of money!

The following changes have been done to the 90L tank mountainscape.
1. Rocks moved closer together
2. Heater moved out to the side where less visible
3. Filter moved to an area of less visibility
4. Sloped the gravel higher to the right and towards the back
5. Adjusted rock positions.
6. Planted some remaining HMs.


Ive moved my 2x SAE to the larger 90L as they seem to be chasing and stressing out my shrimp. Mr Ugly albino pleco - ure next!

NEW 90Litre tank fitted out

I have spent the day shopping. My new tank is now fitted out with new gear and filled.
The light in the 90L will always be pinkish due to a different spectrum of light.
Anyway here is a list of gear i have purchased.

1. Another EHEIM 2213
2. Another Jagar 125Watt
3. Three rocks. One large and two small.
4. Also purchased carbon cylinders for my CRS tank. Will post pics of this later.

The Brave CR Shrimp

LINK HERE

Click link to see a video of a Crystal Red Defending his wafer from "Bully" my SAE

New TANK! Finally separating the CRS from the Fish

Above: "Rocky" the larger Hillstream Loach is quite happy to sit on his favourite rock all day. Sometimes I get a little worried as he doesn't have any interest in wafers unlike the smaller Hillside loach "Cutie".

I have a new tank!
After careful consideration. I have decided to keep my CRS but in a separate aquarium!
This means I can keep all my fish including my Siamese Algae Eaters. The larger tank will mean increased stocking rates.
The tank I recently acquired is an Aquaone Aquastyle 620 Curved Glass Aquarium.
It is in the process of being filled up with gravel. (will post some pics later on).

Here are the specs:
• 62x39x52cm.
• 90 Litres Capacity.
• Black finish
• Seamless front and side glass creates optimum viewing

My plans are to do the following:
- Move all existing fish to the Larger Aquaone tank
- Leave the CRS in the 15gallon 50L and get them to breed
- Move some of the existing plants to the larger tank

I have also recently purchased the following fish
- 5x pygmy corydoras

I have finally also got my water parameters under control in my 15gallon.
Measured ammonia today is 0mg/mL

Bye Bye CRS

Above: The moss has been identified to be peacock moss. It is settling nicely

I have been having a think about my CRS. They have really been a chore to keep alive.
Luckily none of them have died through the ammonia spike.
Although they are beautiful to look at; I do find them a little boring as all they do is eat.
Maybe ill get some more fish to spice up the entertainment a little
However most fish are not compatible with the shrimp so they may have to go =(

I am considering on getting one or two of the following fish for my tank in future.
1. 2x Pakistani Loaches
2. 2x Coryodras
3. 2x Cichlids

Unfortunately the larger SAE will have to go (maybe bully) to help with stocking rates

Riccia Carpet Mess

Woke up this morning to find the Riccia had fallen off the driftwood and made a complete mess of the tank. Stupid %@#$!
Took out the driftwood again and tied down the Riccia with green netting this time. I had to cut up my net to do this but i think it was worth it. Doesnt stick out as much as the red onion nets

Parameters this morning:
Ammonia - 0.6-0.7mg/L
Nitrite - 0.25mg/L (crap)
Nitrates - 20mg+/L

Hiding Equipment

1. Changed the filter intake cover to green and made it less visible
2. Moved the pipes and made them less visible.
3. Moved the heater towards the bottom behind the driftwood so that it is not as distracting.
4. Removed the stones.
5. Removed the netting from the Riccia exposing the carpet.
6. Black backing paper to hide wires behind the tank

Also took a huge risk today and removed the internal filter. I moved the sponge into the external canister. Immediately afterwards I realised there was a nitrite spike of 0.25ppm so ill have to check it again tomorrow.

Before and After

The Banana Lily has really taken off and since i've trimmed one of the stems reaching the surface, it is now shooting another 2 stems upwards. Ive taken a pic of it so that it may be compared to the other stems.
The Riccia carpet is also taking off but flaking small bits of Riccia in my tank. It does look very nice though. It needs to cover that mesh =p I shouldve chosen a green one

I gotta give a name to that other Borneo Sucker. He really likes that large rock. Hmm i might name him Rocky.

Anyways im off to my LFS to get my water tested and compared to all my kits. My ammonia is still showing about 0.5-1 ml/L and i get the feeling it is the ADA soil that is leeching it into the water. Still applying Seachem Equilibrium daily.

New PLANTS!!

Firstly the good news
Thankyou Victor for the following plants
1. HC (ive planted this towards the front of the tank)
2. Staurogyne (not sure what to do with this one)
3. Tiger Lily (pruned roots and leaves and planted in the middle)
4. Xmas / Peacock Moss? (lovely moss. Ive attached this to the top of the driftwood)
5. Some unknown red stems (planted behind the riccia carpet to provide some contrast)

I know the white pebbles look really ugly. But ill just have to ignore them for now because they are in there for only one purpose. To hold the Christmas / Peacock moss down.

I cannot believe it. I cannot seem to be rid of this ammonia. It must be leeching from the soil.
Today my parameters are:

ammonia 1mg/L
nitrites 0ppm
nitrates 20ppm (aargh! even after a 33% water change)

I have done the following things today
1. planted planted planted more and more again
2. water change 33%

Getting on top of the ammonia

The above is an update of the whole picture of my aquarium.

Currently I am having to do large water changes to get on top of the ammonia spike.
I have managed to reduce it to 0.25ml/L.
Nitrites are still high at 20ppm.

I got some seachem stability today and I will be double dosing until things are stable again.
Now awaiting my Tiger Lotus.