JL's Aquascapes and Fish

[JLAquatics]

Update for today!

I will be putting some Ember Tetras in here in the next week or so, I am so excited to finally have fish in here. I have waited long enough!

Here is a better pic of one of the baby shrimp!

Staghorn Algae is finally almost gone now as well!


The Tiger Lotus planted in the 29 has gotten a massive growth spurt as well! The largest leaf is about 2 inches long now and it has plenty of additional shoots as well. Unfortunately I don't think this is the red variant of Tiger Lotus, but if it is growing well that is what I care about the most.


Lastly, my fish color explosion wanted to say hello to you all. They were very hungry this morning.

 

[attheworld]

Still can't believe how coloured up your rasboras are. Inspiring work, JL.

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

I will be putting some Ember Tetras in here in the next week or so, I am so excited to finally have fish in here. I have waited long enough!

You decided against the Betta and the tetras together because of overcrowding, right? I was a little confused as to what was going on in that thread.

 

[JLAquatics]

Still can't believe how coloured up your rasboras are. Inspiring work, JL.

Thank you! I love my Rasboras! They are a ton of color, activity, and action in a small package! My kind of fish that's for sure!

You decided against the Betta and the tetras together because of overcrowding, right? I was a little confused as to what was going on in that thread.

I will make a new thread with a vote in the next few days pertaining this subject as I am still undecided. Even if I do get the Betta, I have decided I will be doing Ember Tetras in this tank first before any possible Betta. My options at this point are as follows and I still have yet to decide which one I want to do;

1 Betta with a group of 8 Embers
or
12-14 Embers by themselves

 

[JLAquatics]

It is update day... again! The 29 gallon is growing beyond control! Of course, in order for it to become a true jungle aquascape, that is what I want to happen!

I am seeing other textures other than the Water Wisteria! This tank is truly evolving into something jungly indeed!

This image reminds me of a jungle canopy and the fish are like little birds! I love how the side orientation looks!

Limnophila Heterophylla from the 10 gallon! This plant is growing well in the no co2 setup, but I expected that much from this plant.

Pogostemen Octopus from the 10 gallon! This one is also growing well without co2! It contrasts the Water Wisteria texture perfectly!

Found what I believe to be my first Red Rili Cherry Shrimp today! It looks vey cool and very unique in the cull tank!

10 gallon

This tank will also be getting a trim this week, but not to the extent as the 29 gallon aquarium.

The Cherry Shrimp babies are getting their color now, saw this little guy today!

It's a shrimp kind of day today!

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

That 1st one is gorgeous.

 

[JLAquatics]

That 1st one is gorgeous.

She is also my largest Cherry Shrimp. Believe it or not she is a little over 1.5 inches long, much larger than my other egg carrying females! She is also full of eggs right now so I can't wait for her to have some babies!

 

[JLAquatics]

It's a fishy kind of day today once I got the 29g trimmed down.
My profile avatar is inspiration from this tank by the way, my very first aquascape that is still going strong. This tank will always have a special place even once it is decommissioned.


I love schooling fish for their impact on any aquascape


My schoolers swarming the top


My two dominant male Lambchops (Two fish in the middle) in this tank along with the runt towards the left.


A small group of Neons hanging out

 

[Ouse]

I like your avatar. I especially like how you added the bubble. If only I could settle on an avatar!

I really like lambchop rasboras. TBH I’m not the biggest fan of neons or cardinals for some reasons but lambchops, harlequins and coppers are among my favourite fish!

 

[JLAquatics]

I like your avatar. I especially like how you added the bubble. If only I could settle on an avatar!

I really like lambchop rasboras. TBH I’m not the biggest fan of neons or cardinals for some reasons but lambchops, harlequins and coppers are among my favourite fish!

You just have to admit the two fish complement eachother perfectly though with color and shape even if you do not like Neons on their own. The tank is much better with both types of fish IMO and would be a bit more drab with just one or the other.

 

[JLAquatics]

More shrimp pics this morning!






...and to top things off, the tank almost looks like a carbon copy of the photoshop image now, other than not putting a Tiger Lotus in there. I am very proud of how it turned out so far!


(This was before the trim two days back)

 

[JLAquatics]

Update!

Going to the pet store this Sunday to look for some Ember Tetras to go in the 10 gallon and some Amano Shrimp to go in both the 10 and 29 gallon tanks! I have never been this excited in a while! I will update this thread with pictures of my purchases.

 

[Ouse]

Be cautious! I've seen my amanos eat neocarindinas before.

 

[JLAquatics]

Be cautious! I've seen my amanos eat neocarindinas before.

I have seen this too, they only eat the other shrimp if not enough food is available for the Amanos (shouldn't be a problem in my tanks honestly). I won't be getting a ton of them, maybe only 3-5 total to split between the two tanks. They are also difficult to breed unlike Neocardinia shrimp, so their numbers will also stay super low.

 

[JLAquatics]

Updates for today!

10 gallon

Plants are quickly taking hold from the last trim once again! Shrimp are doing fantastic in here and the babies have grown considerably in size and color thus far!

Red Bacopa Carolinina, anyone? I have never seen Red Bacopa before, but this plant is gradually turning red over time! How exciting!


This is the Reddest I have ever seen the Ludwigia Rubin, it is almost as red as my Cherry Shrimp at this point!


Some of my shrimp! Hopefully all the females look as vibrant as the top one once I cull the babies a few times to my 29 gallon aquarium!


Check out the Vals I purchased a while ago from StarGirl. Her Vals have definitely grown considerably in the few months of owning them, I love the tall leaves that taper across the top of the 29 gallon. This will help me achieve a "lost jungle look" to this aquascape!


Speaking of a Lost Jungle look, this Tiger Lotus continues to impress in regards to my visions! There are multiple shoots that look like this, if they will be red leaves or not I don't know. However, I can say that if it continues to grow like this I have definitely got my money's worth out of this bulb!

 

[JLAquatics]

Travelled to multiple fish stores (3) today in hopes of finding some Ember Tetras to no avail... What a shame, I was all excited to share their journey into the 10 gallon with you all as well. I guess that things happen for a reason, but I requested some Embers to be shipped to my local fish store and now I am on the watch list! Maybe I can still score some in the next coming weeks.

 

[JLAquatics]

Here is a 1 month change of the 10 gallon tank I found today!

1 Month Ago on May 13th (When I first added the Shrimp!)


Today on June 13th







Fish can't be added soon enough to this setup! It's really unfortunate I wasn't able to get the Ember Tetras today. I think they would've loved their new home...

 

[LHAquatics]

Here is a 1 month change of the 10 gallon tank I found today!

1 Month Ago on May 13th (When I first added the Shrimp!)

Today on June 13th

Fish can't be added soon enough to this setup! It's really unfortunate I wasn't able to get the Ember Tetras today. I think they would've loved their new home...

What are the plants in the last picture?

 

[JLAquatics]

What are the plants in the last picture?

There are three plants in the last picture with the 2 Cherry Shrimp. The clover looking plant is called Hydrocotyle Tripartita Japan, a vine like aquarium plant. The other plant towards the bottom of the image is Pearlweed and the moss in the pic is Spiky Moss.

 

[JLAquatics]

Update for today! I have finally decided after contemplating for so long that I am going to try to get a passive Betta with the Ember Tetras for this tank. I saw this old photo of my beloved Raynor and I really miss having a Betta in my care.


Anyhoo, here is what the 10 gallon looks like today, and Staghorn Algae is almost all gone now, even with diy CO2!




Vishaquatics! Your plants look absolutely stunning right now! I couldn't have asked for better plant choices for this setup, but you probably have already heard that plenty of times already on Fishlore, friend!



I love my Bacopa! It has a red hue to it that I have never seen in this plant before, it is gorgeous!



Baby Shrimp are growing rapidly now! I can say that within a month I have at least 70 shrimp from just 9 specimens added to the setup!

I never imagined at all that my 10 gallon aquarium would ever look like what it is today! I love it so much already, even without fish in it. That is gonna change real soon though, I am checking more stores this weekend for a group of 8-9 Ember Tetras (Betta will come last) . I will keep you all posted about the fish, I am excited to complete the stocking of this tank finally!

 

[Ouse]

Raynor is beautiful. I would've named him Rusty because of his head and he would be one of the few fish with a name if I had him.

Good luck finding ember tetras. This is one of the first species I've ever kept.

 

[JLAquatics]

Raynor is beautiful. I would've named him Rusty because of his head and he would be one of the few fish with a name if I had him.

Good luck finding ember tetras. This is one of the first species I've ever kept.

I don't name fish usually, but he was a very personable and friendly guy that I was attached to. He was so passive that he would even get bullied by ghost shrimp and rosy red minnow babies believe it or not. I really do miss having him, I think he would have loved it in the new tank.

 

[Vishaquatics]

Update for today! I have finally decided after contemplating for so long that I am going to try to get a passive Betta with the Ember Tetras for this tank. I saw this old photo of my beloved Raynor and I really miss having a Betta in my care.

Anyhoo, here is what the 10 gallon looks like today, and Staghorn Algae is almost all gone now, even with diy CO2!


Vishaquatics! Your plants look absolutely stunning right now! I couldn't have asked for better plant choices for this setup, but you probably have already heard that plenty of times already on Fishlore, friend!

I love my Bacopa! It has a red hue to it that I have never seen in this plant before, it is gorgeous!

Baby Shrimp are growing rapidly now! I can say that within a month I have at least 70 shrimp from just 9 specimens added to the setup!

I never imagined at all that my 10 gallon aquarium would ever look like what it is today! I love it so much already, even without fish in it. That is gonna change real soon though, I am checking more stores this weekend for a group of 8-9 Ember Tetras (Betta will come last) . I will keep you all posted about the fish, I am excited to complete the stocking of this tank finally!

Only reason why your plants look good is because of the awesome care you are providing them with! I am loving the updates of this tank, it has grown in really well. The results with just DIY CO2 are quite astonishing, I bet it will be even better when using a pressurized system

 

[JLAquatics]

Only reason why your plants look good is because of the awesome care you are providing them with! I am loving the updates of this tank, it has grown in really well. The results with just DIY CO2 are quite astonishing, I bet it will be even better when using a pressurized system

Who knows, maybe I will give the 29 gallon a complete upgrade to pressurized co2 and aquasoil with a complete rescape, Vishaquatics.

 

[Basil]

Hmm, your tank really makes me want to try a DIY system on the 20 L I’m getting ready to do.
Did you order the set-up? I’ve perused them on Amazon.

 

[JLAquatics]

Hmm, your tank really makes me want to try a DIY system on the 20 L I’m getting ready to do.
Did you order the set-up? I’ve perused them on Amazon.

I used the Aquario Neo CO2 kit. It has everything you need to start with injecting co2 into tanks from 10-30 gallons. Keep in mind the few following things for a better success rate;

Maintanence is key with diy co2. Since there is fluctuating levels of co2 in your tank, trimming algae infested leaves and weekly water changes are key in these setups.

Using any form of co2 means that plants will have more demanding of nutrients. This means that you need a decent LED light and aquasoil to provide enough light and other nutrients for the demanding plants to thrive. If your system is lacking of one of these aspects, algae will surely take hold more frequently.

 

[Basil]

I used the Aquario Neo CO2 kit. It has everything you need to start with injecting co2 into tanks from 10-30 gallons. Keep in mind the few following things for a better success rate;

Maintanence is key with diy co2. Since there is fluctuating levels of co2 in your tank, trimming algae infested leaves and weekly water changes are key in these setups.

Using any form of co2 means that plants will have more demanding of nutrients. This means that you need a decent LED light and aquasoil to provide enough light and other nutrients for the demanding plants to thrive. If your system is lacking of one of these aspects, algae will surely take hold more frequently.

Thank you. I’m still deciding. My first thought was a a Walstad tank but I’m thinking that with the plants that I just got from Vish, that CO2 would be a better option.
Also purchased the API fertilizer, light will be a Finnex planted 24/7, and I’m planting in Dustins dirt with a PFS cap.
Off to look at that kit.

 

[JLAquatics]

Thank you. I’m still deciding. My first thought was a a Walstad tank but I’m thinking that with the plants that I just got from Vish, that CO2 would be a better option.
Also purchased the API fertilizer, light will be a Finnex planted 24/7, and I’m planting in Dustins dirt with a PFS cap.
Off to look at that kit.

I wouldn't use the Aquario kit I used if your tank is less than 10 gallons. The reason for this is that you do not want to gas your livestock to death. Too much co2 in your tank will kill off all your livestock from suffocation especially for the fact you cannot turn diy kits off at night or control the flow rate at all. I am wondering if Aquario make a smaller kit or not.

 

[Basil]

I wouldn't use the Aquario kit I used if your tank is less than 10 gallons. The reason for this is that you do not want to gas your livestock to death. Too much co2 in your tank will kill off all your livestock from suffocation especially for the fact you cannot turn diy kits off at night or control the flow rate at all. I am wondering if Aquario make a smaller kit or not.

Tank is a 20 g long, not liter . Yes, as you know, I am planning to re-do my 5 g, but probably not with CO2 at this point.

 

[JLAquatics]

Tank is a 20 g long, not liter . Yes, as you know, I am planning to re-do my 5 g, but probably not with CO2 at this point.

The Aquario kit should work great for you in the 20 gallon. Just follow the tips I mentioned above and you should also have great success.

 

[JLAquatics]

Guess what, got some fish finally!
Drip Acclimation has begun for the new residents of the 10 gallon aquascape. I will eat dinner then check on them to see if they are ready to go into the tank! I will keep this thread updated for new developments.

 

[JLAquatics]

Update, Update! The fish have acclimated well and have survived the night. They even follow my hand within the first day and are beginning the long trek of developing their proper color. I think they look perfect in this scape and I think they will look even better once they grow a little more and color up. I am so excited!


Embers are already hanging out in the open! They must like their new home.


Here is another shot of them. They were zippy so it was hard to get a good shot of them with a crappy phone camera. Oh well, I guess.


Amano Shrimp are also doing well since I added them. They are getting clearer bodies and all three have been spotted today foraging amongst the plants alongside the Cherries.

 

[Royan]

Looking great so far!

Update, Update! The fish have acclimated well and have survived the night. They even follow my hand and are beginning the long trek of developing their proper color. I think they look perfect in this scape and I think they will look even better once they grow a little more and color up. I am so excited!

Embers are already hanging out in the open! They must like their new home.

Here is another shot of them. They were zippy so it was hard to get a good shot of them with a crappy phone camera. Oh well, I guess.

Amano Shrimp are also doing well since I added them. They are getting clearer bodies and all three have been spotted today foraging amongst the plants alongside the Cherries.

Looking great so far!

 

[Basil]

Did you end up ordering online? Looking great!

 

[JLAquatics]

Did you end up ordering online? Looking great!

I actually found these guys at a fish store believe it or not. They were the last ones there and they were hidden in a tank with a ton of Cardinal and Neon Tetras. I ended up getting 12 of them in case a few didn't make it. I don't think one of them will, but the other 11 of them are doing great and are outgoing within just one day of being added. They are also gaining color fast too! Out of the three Amano Shrimp one is not doing well but the other two have nice color.


I will have to do a fifth trim today, but the fish definitely are liking their new home some.

Yup. tried to get a pic of the Amano shrimp and had this photobomb! So the Ember Tetras are that kind of fish, huh!?


The Ember Tetras are orange now, but just a bit faded still. I think they will need a bit more time, it is only day two after all in the new tank!

 

[JLAquatics]

More pictures from the bottomless pit of my tanks today. Enjoy!

29 Gallon





10 Gallon

 

[Ouse]

I don't know if it's just your photography skills at play, but the ember tetras in the seventh photo down look huge.

 

[JLAquatics]

I don't know if it's just your photography skills at play, but the ember tetras in the seventh photo down look huge.

All of the photos were taken with my crappy phone. As for the Tetra, he was very close to the glass while the rest of the scene is back a little ways. They may be why he looks very large. In reality, he is only about a half an inch long so far.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Love the rasboras!!! Your lambchops!!! Love the tank shots!!!

So very pretty!!!!

 

[JLAquatics]

Love the rasboras!!! Your lambchops!!! Love the tank shots!!!

So very pretty!!!!

Those Rasboras are actually some of my favorite fish at this point! They are lovely, outgoing, friendly along with the added benefit of following my hand like barbs for food. They are fantastic indeed, all 12 of them.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Those Rasboras are actually some of my favorite fish at this point! They are lovely, outgoing, friendly along with the added benefit of following my hand like barbs for food. They are fantastic indeed, all 12 of them.

I'm a betta fanatic, but you are convincing me to keep rasboras!!!! So very lovely!

 

[JLAquatics]

I'm a betta fanatic, but you are convincing me to keep rasboras!!!! So very lovely!

You absolutely should. How about a single Betta, a group of Rasboras and some added Cories in a 15-20 gallon aquarium? They go together like Batman and Robin or Peanut Butter and Jelly if you are not into superheroes.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

You absolutely should. How about a single Betta, a group of Rasboras and some added Cories in a 15-20 gallon aquarium? They go together like Batman and Robin or Peanut Butter and Jelly if you are not into superheroes.

Sounds great! I will definitely ask for them (my birthday in a few months!)....

 

[JLAquatics]

It was a trim kind of day today in the 10 gallon! While the Tetras and Shrimp didn't love the process, it had to be done to ensure the tank does not become overgrown! Plus, you can see rock in the tank again. Yay!

I am doing the complete opposite in the 29 gallon, wild growth the the point it looks like a jungle! It still needs some more time to achieve this though.

On a more sad note, one of the Ember Tetras I bought five days ago in the 10 gallon did not make it today. He was not doing well from the beginning but he passed this morning. I hope the other ones will pull through just fine but they are all in much better shape than the one.

Here is the updated scape.

 

[JLAquatics]

It has been a few days since posting on this thread. That is about to change. Just a few pictures of my aquariums and inhabitants for you all to see. Enjoy.

29g



Really Captured the Rasboras today!





10g



Caught a Shrimp conference meeting today!


Planted Aquariums are so much fun to take pictures of!

 

[JLAquatics]

Update: The Aquario Neo CO2 has finally ran out for the first time so far. I have to use a refill kit and hope I don't get plenty of algae as I have to wait for a day for the jelly to form. However, the results cannot be refuted. This is the result from just one co2 kit for the 10 gallon aquarium. It lasted a total of 63 days before the Jelly became completely depleted! Well, guess it is time for round two soon enough!

When the co2 was first injected


This Morning

 

[Basil]

So you’ve gone through all the yeast packets that came in the original kit?
Mine came with 4 packets.
I was wondering how one does the refill of the jelly. I was thinking there would just be no CO2 for a day.

 

[JLAquatics]

So you’ve gone through all the yeast packets that came in the original kit?
Mine came with 4 packets.
I was wondering how one does the refill of the jelly. I was thinking there would just be no CO2 for a day.

So I am talking about the Jelly that was collected inside the bottle that forms with the white substance. My kit came with 5 yeast packets and I only used four packets until the jelly became depleted. So I have an extra yeast packet while I create more jelly from a refill kit I ordered. The Co2 may take up to 3 hours when your put a bio packet in there, but once the Jelly is gone you have to refill with the powder somehow. As with the first time you got the kit, you have to fill with the powder/hot water and wait 24 hours for the Jelly to form again. After which you place a yeast packet and create CO2 once again.

 

[Basil]

So I am talking about the Jelly that was collected inside the bottle that forms with the white substance. My kit came with 5 yeast packets and I only used four packets until the jelly became depleted. So I have an extra yeast packet while I create more jelly from a refill kit I ordered. The Co2 may take up to 3 hours when your put a bio packet in there, but once the Jelly is gone you have to refill with the powder somehow. As with the first time you got the kit, you have to fill with the powder/hot water and wait 24 hours for the Jelly to form again. After which you place a yeast packet and create CO2 once again.

Right. I’ve figured that out. I’ve already ordered the refill kit to have in hand.
So when the jelly is depleted, it disappears? As in it gets less and less in the bottle?

 

[JLAquatics]

Right. I’ve figured that out. I’ve already ordered the refill kit to have in hand.
So when the jelly is depleted, it disappears? As in it gets less and less in the bottle?

Yup, exactly! Once that jelly is gone, dump the old water out and fill it up with the white powder and repeat the same process once again.