Isabella

Looks very good I'm gald you're satisfied with AquariumPlants.com - I'll take that as a positive feedback on their services. See, like I said, it's best to try various online plant stores yourself, and have your own opinion in the end. Anyway, regarding the Crypts, don't freak out if you see them "dying" - i.e. the leaves melting out. That's normal. A few leaves may melt out but they'll grow back quickly. Crypts don't take re-planting well but once they settle in, they do great Is that Crypt Wendtii Red that you got? And by the way, what is the total wpg of lighting over your tank? What Kelvin temperature? What's the substrate? (Looks like Fluorite?) Are you planning on using CO2?

bhcaaron

I second all of Isabella's questions, Gozer. I'd like to know too.

Gozer_1

Well this morning the Red Wendtii (yes they are red Wendtiis ) look a lot less melty. I kind of figured I'd see some crypt melt.

I started out with 78W (1.75 W per G). I decided to give the Dwarf Babys Tears a little more so I added a standard 15W light to the front. That brings me to about 2.07 W per G. The 78W is a T5 HO with a 10000K white 39W and a pink 39W "freshwater" tube. I don't know the Kelvin. It's a 36" Current USA Nova Extreme. The 15W is the standard All Glass Aquariums flourescent tube. Again not sure of Kelvin. I think they're around the 6000K mark.

The substrate is Flourite. I'll be adding a sprinkle of gravel from the old 20, more as just a gravel accent than anything. I thought it'd be good to put around some of the plants that don't want to stay planted. Also the Neptune statue is a little unstable. Some more weight around the base might help it.

When it comes to CO2, I think I'm going to pick up a small diffuser and look into a soda bottle DIY thing I saw. Just for an occasional dose. Thats only if it comes up that it might be helpful. I'm going no CO2 for now though.

I'm picking up some stuff at the LFS today. I plan to pick up some Flourish & Flourish Iron. Any other recommendations? I know the Vals can't handle Flourish Excel so I won't be picking that up.

All in all it's looking good. Much clearer this morning. I'll post some new pics when I get home. I wish I had purchased more Vals and Water Sprite but I'm sure nature will help there eventually.

I plan to do a better account of my Aquariumplants.com experience over at Plantgeek. I took photos of the packaging and stuff. I'll post a link to it after I get it put together.

Thanks for all the compliments and help from everyone that helped me put this together. Inluding those that voted for the theme. Lost City won over Forest Floor Fairyland by a landslide.

bhcaaron

OK, so this may be a stupid question, but, its an honest one. So I guess I'm going to ask an honestly stupid question:

CO2... Isn't that the same as what is in dry ice and alcazeltzer? Could that be dropped in the tank to help the plants? What effect would it have on the water and fish?

Gozer_1

I think dry ice could work but it would require a some what special setup. A diffuser for one, to help the CO2 dissolve in to the water. Alkaselzer on the other hand is putting much more into the water than CO2, like asprin.

I'm not sure about this (I'm a noob), but I think if you found a way to trap the CO2 as the ice "melts" you could run it through a counter and diffuser. I don't know about how to trap it though. I know you know, what you can do with dry ice. If you don't, I won't tell you. Just know it can be Dangerous.

bhcaaron

Actually all I know is the foggy effect it has like for scarry holloween movies. You'll have to PM me with the other possibilities lol. And I was just thinking you'd just pitch it in lol.

Gozer_1

I would hate to pass on knowledge that could result in injury or police intervention. Atleast not via this here interweb thing. Just know that CO2 from dry ice can be difficult to contain. Dry ice can create a lot of pressure fairly qiuckly. That alone is

Dropping it in the tank could do a weird temperature drop. Dry ice is COLD. If it comes to it I'm going to try a simple DIY method with yeast stuff and soda bottles.

bhcaaron

Let me guess... You used to put firecrackers in mailboxes, didn't you?

Gozer_1

Absolutely not. I only ever put my self, my stuff and that of my parents at risk when I was a kid. lol Other peoples stuff I always respected. My own GI Joes were a whole other story. Till I figured out that if it was broken I couldn't use it any more. I didn't break many toys. Well except those ones I took apart. I am a nerd after all. Oh the countless old stereos and vcrs and walkmen.

Gozer_1

Heres a link to my PlantGeek thread about my Aquariumplants.com experience.

http://www.plantgeek.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10273

bhcaaron

Hmmm... Reminds me of my mom. She always tried to fix things... Tried that is.

Isabella

LOL , well, women are generally not very disposed towards mechanic/electronic stuff and fixing things (if that's what you had in mind!).

Butterfly

The only thing I really know about dry ice is how cold it is and that we would have to call a HazMat crew to pick up the dry ice when we finished with it at work. So that being said I don't think it would be a good thing to play with
Carol

Kevin

how about adding a water sprite towards the back...it has been a great addition to my tank

Gozer_1

If you look at the picture with the sea horse statue, you'll see part of a group of small Water Sprites, They just need to grow in. Thinkin about removing the Horse. At least for a while.

Kevin

ah...now i see them

Gozer_1

Here's some pics now that the water is clear and the gouramis are home.

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	NepludwigiaFL.jpg (90.6 KB, 14 views)
	SeahorseFL.jpg (80.3 KB, 16 views)
	GoldGouramiFL.jpg (45.1 KB, 13 views)
	45vertFL.jpg (98.9 KB, 31 views)

Butterfly

The Gouramis are beautiful!!! I'm sure they appreciate their new home
The plants will start to grow and fill in the gaps, especially the water sprite
Carol