journal 2' planted jungle tank

[JacksonL]

This tank has much more of a focus on the planted side of things, but it contains some Chameleon a Shrimp and hopefully soon it will have a group of DAS and maybe Darwin Red Nose Shrimp, just waiting for the weather to be a bit warmer for them to be posted.

Here's the latest full tank shot:

and a photo of it on startup, the substrate has since been changed and the rock work altered some.

The plant list is currently: 

• Ammania Senegalensis (just been trimmed and not visible as it is in the back right corner)
• Anubias Nana 'petite'
• Hemianthus Callitrichoides 'Cuba' (HC)
• Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'
• Hygrophila 'Araguaia'
• Java Fern 'Windelov'
• Java Moss
• Ludwigia Inclinata 'Cuba'
• Ludwigia Repens x Arcuata 'narrow leaf'
• Ludwigia Repens 'Rubin'
• Alternanthera Reineckii Mini
• Mini Pellia
• Persicaria Sp 'Sao Paulo'
• Pogostemon Helferi
• Pogostemon Stellatus (new addition and hasn't grown into visibility, back left corner)
• Rotala Colorata (just been trimmed and only barely visible back/middle)
• US Fissiden

so quite an extensive plant list for a small tank like this, but I love the overgrown jungle look and like the challenge of growing so many different plants that all have different needs, trimming requirements and growth rates.

at the moment there is about 10 Chameleon Shrimp in there, although I've started spotting Shrimplets in amongst the moss so hopefully there is a few more now.

as for fish, there is a school of 6 Rummynose Tetras with a rescued Cardinal that tags along, a Neon Blue German Ram, 2 Siamese Algae Eaters and a couple of Bristlenoses.

some livestock shots:

 

Edited August 30, 2015 by JacksonL

[Astro]

Awesome! tank, that's exactly how I'd like to get my big tank to look. How long have you had this setup running for and what did you change the substrate to? 

That ram looks great to ;)

[Disciple]

Beautiful tank man. 

Really amazing how it started to where it is now.

[raukem86]

The AGA 2015 International Aquascaping Contest is now open for entries.

Time to enrol Jackson!

[JacksonL]

Haha nuh it's not to competition standard. I plan on getting another nano to enter a few comps next year, the collection of plants I have in this tank will be good to supply it with.

Awesome! tank, that's exactly how I'd like to get my big tank to look. How long have you had this setup running for and what did you change the substrate to? 

That ram looks great to ;)

this setup is about 4 months old, so still growing it in and shaping it but really happy with the way it's coming along.

substrate is a mix between 1mm natural dark brown gravel and ada amazonia powder. I don't like the look of amazonia as the round balls look too unnatural, but don't think I'd go to the effort of mixing them next time as it is mostly covered by HC now anyway.

if you want to try any of the plants in your tank then let me know, I'm happy to give you whatever you want the next time I do a trim

[Astro]

JacksonL, you legend! 

That offer is perfectly timed. My 60L nano should be arriving this week some time. I plan to fill it and just use it to propagate the plants/cycle the substrate and filter etc and get my water levels rite before I empty it and start the scaping.

I'm keen to have as many cuttings as your willing to offer ?

[JacksonL]

Alright, it will be due for a trim in a few weeks so I will let you know and give you the cuttings.

[raukem86]

Hey Jackson, I just got my 2nd tank and the CO2 system.

I'm gonna setting it up this weekend. I was planning to look for some nano plants eg. Pogostemon Helferi (as mentioned before), Micranthemum Monte Carlo, Tripartita, etc. Do you have any of these plants?

Cheers.

[Disciple]

Tripartita. 

 i got plenty if you want some.

[raukem86]

Yes please :D

Also you have any mini pelia for sale as well @Disciple?

[Disciple]

Sorry @raukem86 no Mini Pelia for sale. I only just bought some Mini Pelia myself. 

Send me a sms and we can sort out the Tripartita.

[raukem86]

No worries @Disciple.

Thanks for the offer :)

[neo-2FX]

A word of warning on the Red Nose. They will chew on certain plants leaves. Even healthy plants.

[JacksonL]

A word of warning on the Red Nose. They will chew on certain plants leaves. Even healthy plants.

from what I've read they will only go for unhealthy plant leaves?

hopefully either way their is enough plants in there and the growth is quick enough that they won't be able to keep up.

the main reason I am wanting a few in there is I get some long stringy hair algae and I've read DAS won't touch it but DRNS will.

[neo-2FX]

From my experience with them, they went after any leaf that looked like lunch hehe.

I think you'll be fine if you only get a few and growth should be enough to compete with them like you said.

[JacksonL]

Bit of a minor re-scape this afternoon. Hygrophyllia sp. 'Araguaia' moved to the front, Alternanthera Mini moved to the midground, Ludwigia 'Cuba' to the front right and Ludwigia 'Rubin' to the back.

it opens up the tank a bit more and I'm pretty happy with how it's turned our.

Tank is in need of a trim soon!

 

I have ordered some DAS, DRNS and some spotted blue eyes from Aqua Green that should arrive this week.

[JacksonL]

My order from AquaGreen arrived today, 5x Spotted Blue Eyes 'Cadell River' rainbowfish, 30x Darwin Algae Shrimp, 5x Darwin Red Nose Shrimp and 10 more Chameleon Shrimp.

Hopefully they help take care of the thread algae and black brush algae that is in parts of the tank.

I also decided to get my proper camera out instead of the iPhone I've been using, so here are some pics:

also had a shrimplet that I assume is from @Disciple's Red Rillis that he gave me come out to pose at the front of the tank, this guy was tiny, those are HC leaves next to him for reference so I'm hoping it's a shrimp born in this tank and a good sign they are happy.

[neo-2FX]

WOW! Looking wicked dude!

What light are you using on this?

I really love DAS, they do a great job at cleaning up too!

[JacksonL]

2x T5's with a pink bulb in one and a 10,000 Kelvin bulb in the other.

The DAS have been nice and active so far, there's a heap of algae for them to work on at the moment so they should have full bellys by tomorrow!

[neo-2FX]

Very nice combination. I think it's the pink bulb that makes the DAS look awesome! Oh don't worry, the tank will be spotless by tomorrow.

[JacksonL]

[Astro]

Love your new shrimp!

Thanks again for this plant cuttings ;) really appreciate them.

[JacksonL]

A new full tank shot, plants were starting to pearl so the bubbles make it difficult to photograph.

and some fishy shots, they are a lot harder to photograph than shrimp!

[neo-2FX]

Spectacular!

[Disciple]

Awesome man. Great stuff