The Story of my Edge

[Wraithie]

For Christmas I was given a Fluval Edge Two to live on the kitchen bench.

I decided to have a shot at a low tech aquascape after being inspired by all the amazing tanks on the net, but also scared of getting in over my head with a high tech tank.

It was very frustrating at the time as all the local shops were closed till early January so all I could do was browse the net and dream impatiently.

Deciding what I wanted to do was a little challenging, and determining how to work within the limitations of the tank(ie the very small access through the top and the depth).

Finally I was able to get to the shop, pick up some substrate, hard scape and organise my plant order.

Of course when putting everything into the tank it was 'fun' getting the rocks to actually do what I wanted of them and not topple over!

Dosing regime was begun with easy-carbo liquid carbon daily and liquid ferts weekly. Substrate is fluval shrimp.

This is initial setup after a week with some sacrificial neons:

Down the track: Stem plants and algae doing well ;) I was surprised with the crypt after reading about melt and whatnot. Lilaeopsis was very sad!

The rams were happy initially and laid eggs but I don't think they were fertilized.

Decided that for what I wanted, extra lighting was needed so i picked up an aqualina to supplement. I gave up on the lilaeopsis and tried some dwarf hair grass and added foxtail in an attempt to out-compete the algae. That stuff is a bloody weed! Grew like crazy and ended up producing a lot of brown waste so it got relegated to my guppy tank. The crypt is starting to take over and there are little tufts of algae growing on the rocks which I quite like.

I didn't like the balance so I moved the crypt back and the (sword?) forward. Hair grass not doing so well, so I extended the photo period and succeeded in growing more algae..

At this stage I pretty much gave up on the hair grass, I was given some advice on another forum to cut back the light and use different ferts. I also got some sample plant cuttings

from kind forum people to try and decided that once the hair grass and what little lilaeopsis was left had died off, I would try mini crypts in the foreground.

Of course that meant the grass started showing some promise...doh! I was still not happy with the gaps in the centre back, this is a difficult spot as it needs to be hard stems

so the hob outlet doesn't push them into the foreground. (Darcy loves helping with the tanks, i think he just likes trying to eat the fishfood).

And this is now, looking back it reminds me how far I've come in 6 months, its starting to fill in and the plants seem happy.

I got some Pygmy cories on the weekend, they're still quite shy, but super cute!

Slow but steady, still a work in progress :)

[durro68]

Nice mate! Plants growing in well.

[Squiggle]

Looking very cool, you have definitely come a long way, well done! :victorious:

[h20rat]

Definitely a great looking tank the edges are so impressive! Great work! I really need to work on my aquascaping - I'm inspired :)

[hsoje]

Firstly great looking tank!!!!

I have to ask... How difficult is cleaning the tank? Expescially the top glass panel

[Wraithie]

I have to say hsoje, i did some stalking into your tank photos, it inspires me to try some sort of 'fantasy' designed tank.

Cleaning-wise, i invested in a good quality mini magnetic cleaner which does wonders, it works for the top, sides and the strips along the back (where there isnt rock or plants in the way). The hardest glass to clean is that strip of black up the back but i get my hands in and use the one half of the magnetic cleaner without too much hassle.

[h20rat]

A nanomag would do that job awesomely! The two little fishies one

[hsoje]

Ahah if you have the time, patience & imagination why not do a fantasy scape, that reminds me I still haven't put the photos I took for the IAPLC up.

i was trying to figure the easiest method of cleaning the tank and I guess magnetic cleaner would be the easiest..

thanks for letting me know..

[Wraithie]

Vertex Duplex is what i have, great quality. I chose it over the two little fishes which i also looked at (was not cheap, though at $30 i dont regret it)

Hsoje I plan on giving it a go! i have some new tanks being built of which 3 are 30cm cubes dedicated purely to my desire to try different aquascapes :)

[hsoje]

Wow 3 cubes this has potential... Maby you should think of doin them as a 3 piece set up were all 3 tanks have similar theme but slightly diffrent layout..

The key I've found is good light, good ferts, plenty of CO2, quality substrate and most importantly a good routine to follow.. That and a bit imagination, time & creativity anyone can aquascape lol

good luck with the scapes

[Wraithie]

What are your ferts of choice, and do you use ADA amazonia or something else?

[h20rat]

Some osmocote, bit of seasol what more do ya need? ;b

[hsoje]

I use DIY macro mix, and then dose flourish trace + iron. I've tried flourish iron and aquavitro iron (both seachem) personally I prefer the aquavitro. I'm goin to try ADA Eca next as I've heared great things about it.

yes I'm using ADA Amazonia new for my substrate with powersand and powders

[ninja]

Very nice mate,but what about the shrimp????

[Wraithie]

I wondered why my ram was behaving oddly during a water change..

I caught the chain loach pilfering, so he has gone for a holiday in another tank. This is their first spawn so I think they will need all the luck they can get to manage to hatch and raise any fry in a community tank.

[northboy]

Well done Girl nice, young Rams on the way fun, could you PM the cost of you Rams (curious) as I stock large pairs.

I have not seen the Edges, I like them and you have done a good job of it

Bob

[Squiggle]

That's awesome news Wraithie, what happy dance did you do? Fingers crossed that they are successful, thanks for sharing! :encouragement:

[Wraithie]

I was a little excited, im trying to not get my hopes up as the last pair i had were terrible egg-parents, but they were still there thismorning so +1!

[ineke]

Good luck Wraithie!

[Wraithie]

I was mildly disappointed when I came home this afternoon as the eggs were no longer there, what I didn't notice, and had no idea they might do...is move them!

Zeke spotted them assuming it was a new spawn, but they're wriggling! :)

[Squiggle]

Very very cool Wraithie, I can't wait to see them hatch & grow, let me know if you want some microworms to feed them, I can make a culture up for you whenever you need them! :victorious:

[Wraithie]

That's a wonderful offer Jay! You will have to explain what to do with them. I suspect they have another 3?ish days before free swimming. Has anyone tried biozyme on fry, or too fine?

[Squiggle]

Too easy, they are very simple to culture & once you have them you'll never need to get them again. I haven't tried Biozyme before but that a good idea, personally I prefer live foods for fry as their natural instinct is to chase something that moves, I've also got brine shrimp eggs for when they get larger as well & don't worry I have plenty! :encouragement:

[Wraithie]

I'm glad I have your wisdom to tap into!

[Squiggle]

Pleasure, just love sharing the love & knowledge! :victorious: