Paul V's Big Tank Log

[PaulVerrall]

The Vieja might give the oscars some grief when it grows up...

Yeah, I'm hoping as I got them all very young and they grow together that they'll tolerate each other in adulthood. I'm prepared for the worst though as the 2 Oscars are inseparable at the moment but that could also change.

[PaulVerrall]

So this morning made up my mind, I am going to have an unplanted aquarium!
The Parrots uprooted half my plants again last night, Oscars seem like they're playing tag with plants that are floating about.
All the plants I have are basic ones as I don't have soil or Co2 or anything as never fully invested due to the danger of this happening.
They have done nothing to reduce my nitrates which sit around 20ppm all the time.
They make a mess with bits floating around in the water off the plants all the time.
The only positive is I like the colour contrast but that's going to have to be from my driftwood against light coloured sand, black background and once the fish have grown should be very colourful.


Here's the blooming hooligans...

[codheadjohn]

What plants have you got, Paul? My tank is due next Wednesday, and I'll be wanting some plants soon after if you need a taker...

[PaulVerrall]

They are swords and hornworts really. But not in very good shape

[fr499y]

strap some anubias to the wood! that way you get the greenary without the uprooting. Don't give up altogether with plants. I had a full on planted malawi tank ( Granted, anubias and java fern )

[PaulVerrall]

strap some anubias to the wood! that way you get the greenary without the uprooting. Don't give up altogether with plants. I had a full on planted malawi tank ( Granted, anubias and java fern )

I've binned about £60 worth of jumbo Anubias, they were attached to wood, the little devil's rip the leaves and shred them, they started to rot.



That was my last that got damaged beyond repair a month ago. They also chew the roots of the wood aswell!!!

I was going to get some fake ones but they usual end up brown with algae.

The only think that actually lasts and is thriving is moss, Christmas moss and looks ok, so think I'm going to try and develop more of that

[fr499y]

try some ferns, nice and cheap

[PaulVerrall]

Just a quick update, I am now totally plant free and have gone over to artificial as I'm sure the little bastards were ripping up the real ones for fun and looking at me whilst doing it then passing them about like a trophy!

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Xmas!

Sorry not about much at the minute, life is manic but in a good way!

[Gingerlove05]

Just a quick update, I am now totally plant free and have gone over to artificial as I'm sure the little bastards were ripping up the real ones for fun and looking at me whilst doing it then passing them about like a trophy!

thanks for that Paul, I’m actually sat here laughing at the thought, sorry i know I shouldn’t but in my head it’s hilarious

[PaulVerrall]

Just a quick update, I am now totally plant free and have gone over to artificial as I'm sure the little bastards were ripping up the real ones for fun and looking at me whilst doing it then passing them about like a trophy!

thanks for that Paul, I’m actually sat here laughing at the thought, sorry i know I shouldn’t but in my head it’s hilarious

Haha the wife sits here in stitches, she thinks they do it on purpose, she is sure I have OCD around the tank and as soon as I level my sand nicely they look and dig and look and dig to wind me up!