120 gallon Dutch Planted something or another

**jerrybforl** · 05-27-2012, 07:08 AM

Looking good Tom! Can't wait to see everything grown in.

**Tom Barr** · 05-27-2012, 08:31 AM

It'll be a month or two for the UG at least.

**Tom Barr** · 06-01-2012, 06:43 AM

I need to rearrange the color scheme in the back and on the right side. After the Tonina, I'll have the A cardinalis or perhaps the Cuphea, not sure, I like the Cuphea though. I'll be working with the A cardinalis and the Cuphea more, for sure.

I'll add some more S. belem in the rear and remove the rest of the Erio setaceum. I'll add the R wallichii back or maybe go with the Myriophyllum tuberculatum, that was a nicer red copper color, not so pink but not the freaky mauve color either. Easier to trim and manage than wallichii.

Rotala mexicana might be a good replacement in the back corn on the Left side. I have a few stems there now.

Other changes: the Ech vesuvius might be changed for the L pantanal var "twisty" or I might keep the Ech and work the Twisty in somewhere in the rear.

Close up of the Rotala sunset from Aaron and Antbug.

You can see the diminutive Cuphea with some small reddish tops in the far right a few inches back next to the L peruinesis.

**Tom Barr** · 06-01-2012, 07:22 AM

Some week to week progressions:

In some rows, I trimmed(L pantanal, L red, removed the UG, Hacke dthe E triandra back) but you can see strong growth from the Downoi, the Hydrothrix, the Tonina, Pennywort, R sunset, Hygro araguaia etc.

**makutaku** · 06-01-2012, 08:42 AM

I am eager to return to this awesome hobby and order a custom tank, but I am still deciding on where/whether to drill, silicone color, and dozens of other details.

I see that this tank doesn't have a built-in overflow, but you use a CPR.
Why not drill the tank and go Herbie style for silence and safety ?

**Tom Barr** · 06-02-2012, 12:04 AM

Because I might want to move the over flow or take it out and switch sides later.
An overflow would go outside the tank and not inside if I chose that route.

**makutaku** · 06-02-2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Barr

An overflow would go outside the tank and not inside if I chose that route.

Sorry for being off topic: just to clarify: do you mean that if you were to use a built-in overflow, it would be one constructed on the outside of the tank?

If that is the case, then I guess the tank doesn't actually need to have any hole, but instead just cut for the weir.

On topic: your new colorful layout, although not "natural", looks gorgeous!

**Tom Barr** · 06-03-2012, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by makutaku

Sorry for being off topic: just to clarify: do you mean that if you were to use a built-in overflow, it would be one constructed on the outside of the tank?

Well, the overflow box is outside the tank, not on the inside.

If that is the case, then I guess the tank doesn't actually need to have any hole, but instead just cut for the weir.

On topic: your new colorful layout, although not "natural", looks gorgeous!

Yes, a simple cut for an overflow weir is all that is needed, but typically for glass thanks, this is a a hole or 2 near the top and then the water goes out.
With Acrylic tanks, this is far easier.

**Tom Barr** · 06-13-2012, 06:38 AM

Post algae treatment and redoing some larger parts in the rear sections.

UG is starting to bounce back. It'll be awhile still, maybe 1-2 months.
The Erio Type 3 is doing much better in the back as a background plant with less flow and less light, so is Nesaea pedicillata.
I'm letting some of the Sygonanthus species grow out, manuas, Lago grande, belem, and uraupes.

I'll likely have a row of them somewhere. Not sure what I'll be doing with them just yet.

I have a fair amount of Buce's I think that will replace the H araguaia in the front there.
I have a red plant foreground plant, I forget the name ATM, in the right corner.

I plan to add let grow out, more of the Twisted L verticillata and place behind the Tonina lotus blossom.

The E hydropiper took a hit from the H202 treatment after a few days of repeated usage.
It is noticably thinner and some pieces floated off in the rear near the wood where I dosed, the front edge is fine however.
This and the Hydrothrix appear to be the most sensitive to H2O2 dosing.

Need to trim the Rotala "Sunset".

The goal now is to get the UG back, work the S lago grande in somewhere as it grows out, allow the A cardinalis grow out, Fill the groups in nice and thick, make a nice row of Buce's.

I'm not happy with the tank ATM, but it'll be fixed up soon enough.

**makutaku** · 06-14-2012, 07:40 AM

What's your water level? It looks just right, or a tiny little high.

I will soon order a custom rimless glass tank with a notch on the back panel to overflow into an external box. I am trying to figure out the height of the notch. I am thinking either 1-1/8" or 1-1/4".

Tank dimensions will be 60"x24"x20" with weir/notch length at 15".