×
Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

New 70L Moss Tank

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
08 Jan 2012 14:10 - 08 Jan 2012 14:16 #1 by Alex (Alex)
New 70L Moss Tank was created by Alex (Alex)
Hi all and Happy New year!!

Its been a while since i posted here, Iv finally set up a new tank after a long break n thought id pop up some pictures and do some updates.

I made a moss Wall (Java Moss) for the tank a few days ago, Other plants include Vallis which i hope will eventually cover the filter and Marimo balls. Iv also ordered frogbit and anubias Nana.

I made a DIY C02 Reactor the other day and im going to be dosing the tank with liquid ferts..


Gonna get some cherry shrimp in a week or two and once they start breeding im gonna get a fish to control the population... Maybe CP Danios, Killifish or dwarf gourami.

Anyways hope ya like it!!! :P

I cycled the tank with prawns... Smells Like @@@@@ but it does the job! Its been set up for a little under 3 weeks now.



I got the Moss Wall fairly cheap of ebay... Easy enough to make too!!


Last edit: 08 Jan 2012 14:16 by Alex (Alex).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
08 Jan 2012 14:27 #2 by AquaticGardenDan (Daniel Madziag)
Very nice start,
What mosses You've use for it?

Good luck with it.


Dan.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
08 Jan 2012 16:26 #3 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Thanks!

Its Java moss.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
08 Jan 2012 18:07 #4 by ghart (Greg Hart)
Alex,
Looking good. I seem to recall someone on the forum may have mentioned that the Marimo balls are good for reducing Nitrates in the tank. If this is true I would consider buying some for my setup.
Any comments from the forum members on this.

Just curious .. The picture you use for your logo. Is this a picture of a tank you have or had?



Greg

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
08 Jan 2012 19:09 #5 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
All plants will reduce nitrates alright... I cant say Marimo balls would be the best as they grow very very slowly... But they certainly do help.

Yeah thats my old 800L tank. Sadly i had to take it down last summer.
Here is a little vid if ya wanna see it

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
08 Jan 2012 20:01 #6 by ghart (Greg Hart)
Wow Alex great video.
I love the tank layout. The big Pleco hand feeding was great. This must have been a favourite of yours.
Just on the plants what were the 2 smaller plants in the foreground. I assume the background are Giant Vallis and the one on the left was java fern.

Thanks for sharing.

Greg

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
09 Jan 2012 21:11 #7 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Thanks!!

Two smaller plants are Amazon swords.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
09 Jan 2012 21:58 - 09 Jan 2012 22:02 #8 by Mike53 (Michael)
Great pictures and video Alex, can you tell me what mesh did you use for your moss wall and where can you get it. On your video you seem to have a java fern on mesh wall ( on my iPhone so not too clear) is that correct ? Any problems with fish getting stuck in it?
Mike
Ps I take it you have two sheets of mesh and have wedged your moss between the two. :)
Last edit: 09 Jan 2012 22:02 by Mike53 (Michael).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
09 Jan 2012 23:07 #9 by dave k (david)
keep going, good job...

.·´¯`·.. >`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸>
>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·...¸>

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
09 Jan 2012 23:43 #10 by ger310 (Ger .)
Alright man,you weren't lying about mesh cheap on ebay so nice one....and thats one super video of the 800L...sorry you had to break it up :((

Ger

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha :)

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
12 Jan 2012 16:31 - 12 Jan 2012 16:33 #11 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
@Mike Im sure there are other ways to make it but this is what i did. I got the wire mesh, suction cups and cable ties as a kit on ebay for less than a tenner and yup its Java moss!

What you need:

-Two pieces of plastic or wire mesh.
-Cable ties
-Suction cups
-Moss
-Stanly knife, cutting board and a ruler

Method:

Step 1. Measure the area you want to place the moss wall and cut the two pieces of mesh to size using a stanly knife.

Step 2. Overlap the two pieces of mesh and cut little square holes around the corners and centre big enough to fit the suction cups in place

Step 3. Cover one peice of mesh in Java moss and place the other piece of mesh over it.

Step 4. Carefully push the suction cups through the holes you previously made.

Step 5. finally you need to secure the two peices of mesh together. I find the esiest method is to use cable ties. Secure the corners first and then tie a couple throughout the centre. You can also use fishing line or wire to do this.
Last edit: 12 Jan 2012 16:33 by Alex (Alex).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
12 Jan 2012 22:23 #12 by Mike53 (Michael)
Thanks Alex, think I might give it a go. Will have a look in woodies on sat for some mesh. Would love to see some progress shots as the moss progresses.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
22 Jan 2012 21:55 #13 by Mike53 (Michael)
Hi Alex, how's the moss wall going? Any new pics or tips.
I took your advice and ordered some mesh off eBay and hopefully should get it this week.
Gonna give it a go with some Xmas moss and some weeping moss, they had a good selection in FFF the other day so got a couple of boxes.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
22 Jan 2012 23:32 - 22 Jan 2012 23:34 #14 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
I got an extra light for the back of the tank and got some liquid ferts this weekend so im hoping to see some good growth in the next few weeks... the Moss hasnt grown much with no ferts and low light. high light, ferts and c02 should do the trick.

Yeah weeping moss is gonna look great!! throw up some pics when ye got it setup.

I stuck a little anubias nana on the bogwood.

Last edit: 22 Jan 2012 23:34 by Alex (Alex).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
22 Jan 2012 23:49 #15 by smitas5 (Marius Smitas)

All plants will reduce nitrates alright... I cant say Marimo balls would be the best as they grow very very slowly... But they certainly do help.

Yeah thats my old 800L tank. Sadly i had to take it down last summer.
Here is a little vid if ya wanna see it

I'd say it was hard to let go of the tank like that? was it high maintenance?

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
23 Jan 2012 13:58 #16 by Mike53 (Michael)
Thanks Alex, will try and get a few pics up too as I go.... Still waiting for it to arrive.
Hopefully should recieve this week.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
03 Feb 2012 00:39 #17 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Little Update

Got some shrimp from aquatic Village last week (Sale :) )! Also got some frogbit.

Im finally getting some growth from the moss wall, its taking its time!!!

Im leavin the lights on a bit longer to promote algae growth for the shrimp...


Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
11 Feb 2012 23:29 #18 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Plants are really taking off now! Iv orderd some willow moss, a sword plant and another anubias for the tank. Should be ariving next week.

The moss wall has been setup for a little over a month now.. im starting to see some nice growth... id say it should fill out in another 1-2 months.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
13 Feb 2012 17:31 #19 by Melander (Andreas Melander)
Coming on really nicely, still considering fish in there or will you keep it shrimp only?

There is some irony in that you cycled the tank using prawns(which I think smell lovely:)) and now their relatives are living in there.

Melander

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
13 Feb 2012 17:43 #20 by ghart (Greg Hart)
Alex,
Looks great.
What is the name of the floating plants with their roots reaching down.

Greg

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
14 Feb 2012 19:14 #21 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Yeah im deffo gonna put some fish in there... I was thinking maybe chili rasboras... or some dwarf gourami, im still deciding. Im going wait till the shrimp start to breed before adding anything.

The floating plants are called frogbit!

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
14 Feb 2012 22:24 #22 by woodstock500 (Robert Glascott)
Your welcome to a few of my honey gourami fry for free if you like. If you send me a pm at the time, I'll see what I have, or can rustle some up as mine are always breeding.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
16 Feb 2012 16:31 #23 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Nice one. I was thinking about honey gourami's. I will prob send a PM in a few weeks so.

Cheers!

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
17 Feb 2012 16:03 #24 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Finally finished the tank B) !!!

I wish i used the willow moss for the wall at the back! it looks great!

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
17 Feb 2012 16:18 #25 by Melander (Andreas Melander)
That lovely and I'm sure It's going to look better and better for every week too.

I know you have hidden the blue tube for the air stone but I would see If I could find a black one.

Continue to keep us posted!

Melander

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
19 Feb 2012 21:20 #26 by JSleator (Jason Sleator)
Hand feeding a pleco. :woohoo: :cool:
They are with doubt my fav fish. Have to try that.
The vid has only further fueled my inspiration further as i restart the hobby after a 6 year break.

I saw those torpedo barbs for sale the other day. 20 yo yo each for juves, and the colour was nothing like in the vid.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
24 Feb 2012 17:24 #27 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
@JSleator Yeah I had those Torpedo barbs for years! They were very small when i got em. I remeber getting them for a good price at aquatic village :)! 20 beans for Juvies is mad considering there is a high chance they will die after moving them to a new tank!

I decided to get a male paradise fish today. He is only a young male so he still has lots of colouring up and growing to do.

The moss wall is coming along great. Took a while to start growing but now im getting loads of growth every week.



Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Alex (Alex)
  • Alex (Alex)'s Avatar Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
06 Apr 2012 15:49 #28 by Alex (Alex)
Replied by Alex (Alex) on topic Re: New 70L Moss Tank
Its been i while since i updated this...

Moss wall is doin nicely.. Needs more light in some parts but its slowly gettin there.


Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Apr 2012 23:16 #29 by jeff (Jeff Scully)

All plants will reduce nitrates alright... I cant say Marimo balls would be the best as they grow very very slowly... But they certainly do help.

Yeah thats my old 800L tank. Sadly i had to take it down last summer.
Here is a little vid if ya wanna see it


WOW thats cool

Where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth.

A life making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.093 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum