[Tom Barr]

I have a new tank I created, 2000 gallons.
The client is a very advanced hobbyists and loves fish as well.

The tank should surpass the ADA's giant tank when it's grown in fully.
22 hours of planting non stop ...........I'm a dead dog
That did not include the hardscape.

250lb log, 180lb petrified wood(there are many other items, this was just some of the harder ones to place).

EI dosing, 4 x 1000 watt MH (and PC's), Pure O2 injection, dual system CO2(beetle 50's and 24"x 4: CO2 reactors) It has about most every bell and whistle.
1000gpd RO......700 gal Reservior.

Stock list and one very good reason why it will exceed ADA's tank:

36 dinner plate Discus champs(all) biggest fish I've seen.
46 Altums(I've never seen this many at once)
60......yes 60 Rose line barbs...........

I may do several more such Barr's Behemoth's soon.

Very fun, but a lot of work when the tank is 4ft deep
Lots of good folks did the tank and engineering.

Tenji from Monterey Bay did most of the tank equipment.
I did the Wood, rock, scaping, plants/planting, substrate, CO2, ferts.

Plants where pearling nicely 3 hours after set up.

Yes, there will be photo's and set up history etc etc.

I need some sleep now

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Paul]

never mind the sleep, where are the pics?

[dcheese44]

Hey everybody Hi Tom,
I have actually never posted anything in this forum (I think I'll start). I have seen and read this topic before and I think the answer will probably be the same as before. People that feel that they do not need to pay for information will continue to not pay for information, and people who want to pay some amount for information will pay the amount. Honestly what college or university did you go to? You made the decision then, right? So, if the real question is do I feel like my money is well spent, then the answer is assuredly, YES. I have learned a great deal about building, maintaining and enjoying a hobby from the barrreport as well as many other resources. I think the barr report presents ideas very well and has a great many contributors and is definitely worth my time and money.
Well, That's my two cents.
Cheese

[Tom Barr]

Originally Posted by Paul

never mind the sleep, where are the pics?

See behemoth tank....... :gw

[travis]

Tom,

All I have to say is that you were the only person who found my tank "unremarkable." I've been keeping African cichlids in a planted tank for years now and you were the only person who said that it wasn't amazing - LOL.

I completely agree with you. It is NOT as hard as one may first imagine. Plants deal well with hard water, the fish are the tricky part :P

If there is any way I can help out just call on me

[Tom Barr]

Oh Travis, the idea is not amazing, the tank and your excution and passion to it is amazing.

Few would doubt that, I went after a more tangy approach to the biotope within reason, you just went all out for the plant tank and having the fish you love and they are great choices for the group.

Thing is, you took a risk and kept your passion and the the tank looks super.
That is remarkable.

I think the point I was making is not so much the tank was unremarkable, far far from it, much more that yes, you can keep Rift lake fish and plants together, not all species, but most of them depending on what you want to do as far as a scape.

I'd really like to see much more folks keeping different, non traditional fish in planted tanks.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[admin]

Originally Posted by Tom Barr

I'd really like to see much more folks keeping different, non traditional fish in planted tanks.

Ditto ... I think there are lots of things that are wonderful and viable tanks ... this was an outstanding example ...

Greg

[gupp]

I think people like to find fault with others because then they can compare themselves and think, well I'm better than that. It's in everything not only just if you have a subscription site. It's a person dresses, does their hair, what they think, in this day and age, what they do behind closed doors. A large portion of people believe they are qualified for determining the moral standing of others. It's disappointing, personally I don't think there is anyone that couldn't stand to make a few self improvements in one way or another but it's easier to pass judgment on others than look in the mirror.


Sadly anytime you do anything that might put something back in your pocket in the aquarium world there seems to be someone that thinks it's wrong, whether selling fish, plants or knowledge. On the other hand I wonder if some of these folks have any idea the cash involved in paying for domain names, hosting sites, site software and whatever other little incidentals come along. And the time, time to set up sites, time to update, time to answer the same questions you've answered 20 times before that a quick site search would reveal (OK sometimes I know I've done this to people too.) All those short little answers add up to a lot of time. Then there's the cost of the aquariums, plants, fish, equipment and then the time of actually taking care of those animals, and trying to keep up with everything in the field. If you can't get at least some of it back, or goodness forbid, actually make a small profit, then the average Joe couldn't possibly do it. You'd have to be independently wealthy and lot's of free time.

Anyway I've rambled on a bit but just wanted to say you have my support. I'm going to have to be signing up too. I really want to read that report on aquatic fungus.

[tefsom85]

I just saw this thread for the first time when it popped up under the "new" section. But I wanted to throw my 2 cents in, even if its worth less . I personally feel this is an awesome forum and I think it is inevitable that anyone with more than a passing interest in aquatic plants is going to end up here.

The subscription fee is minimal and I am more than willing to pay it. I have been a planted tank "hack" for many years. Definitely know some stuff but there's awhole lot more that I don't know. I spend a lot of time lurking here and the other forums to try to glean useful info. Always learning something which is the real gauge of the site's worth.

[Tom Barr]

Well, pop up ads, banners, coddling to various business sponsers and trying to get $ that way has not worked well for many sites over the years.

I wanted more control over the content and the fee gets rid of the trolls fast. I have not had to moderate anything here to date, we locked a few threads in the off topic chat, but that might be due to me as much as the topics
Still, hardly any moderation has ever been required here after a few years now.
I expect and give a large leeway, as long as folks stick to the topic and focus on that, there's not going to be any. I do not rule with an iron stick.

This forum is for the people and of the people and by the people.
It is not for the advertisers. It's for you.

Folks can sell a few bags of weeds on the net, like 1 or 2, and that covers the cost. Not hard to do.

It pays to have a green thumb, teach the aquarists to grow plants and they will be rich in plant dollars. Then the $ from that can pay for a few little extras here and there.

I think some had the knee jerk response when I started this as they just wanted me to keep doing things for free(Hah! They are not the boss of me!). Those magazines also cost money as well. How much content on aquatic plants is there? And no trees where killed in the writing of this monthly newsletter as well as no postage stamps licked to mail it and waste fuel and produce CO2 for delivery.

I also tried to add many references and really go in depth and bring something new to the discussion that has not been talked about in this hobby prior for each article. Not mere edited post.

Many magazine articles rehash the same old newbie topics over and over, that's good as that is what many readers are after in many cases. But what about those that already know they wanted plants and want to learn the horticulture behind it?


Regards,
Tom Barr