Stephen's 120L tank log

[PaulVerrall]

The colours look amazing, plants, wood and substrate fit perfectly

[Netsu]

Looks great! And thank you for labelling the plants.

[Stephen]

Looks great! And thank you for labelling the plants.

Thanks
Labelling the plants saves questions lol
I will have some updated photos in the next 2 weeks, I will also label the updated plants.

[Martinspuddle]

I will have some updated photos in the next 2 weeks

Noted.

[Stephen]

Phew! It was hot yesterday (Saturday) and hot for the next few days.

I spent yesterday sorting the inlet & outlet pipework and fitting the new Hydor external in-line heater.
I changed the spray bar from the one I was using to an Eheim one. This meant getting the little junior hacksaw out to cut the outlet pipe and to cut one of the spray bars.
The spray bar (2 pieces) is now virtually the full length of the 120L aquarium.
The inlet tubing had to be shortened as I was getting kinks.
The outlet tubing had to be cut several times to allow for the Hydor external in-line heater and to have the whole length the same as the inlet tubing.
I also have 2 inline Eheim taps fitted just above the filter's inlet/outlet so I can independently switch either off (or both), I do this with all my external Eheim filters.
I also had to cut a 7 x 4 inch section from the corner of the shelf to allow additional space for the Hydor external in-line heater. The sawing was done outside in all that heat.
Both aquarium doors had to be removed for full access.
The sweat was pouring from me, I took in fluids (mainly water but some tea), ice lollies etc.. all followed by a cool shower when all was done.

This morning (and it's not quite 10:00 am yet) I am still sweating buckets.
I do have a little tidying up to do after yesterday but that won't take long.
I normally say "no pain, no gain" but this time I'll say "no sweat, no gain". Phew! it's hot.
Here's a sneak preview (see how much the plants have grown)

(click image to enlarge)


Edit:
Here's a comparison to the plants just 3 weeks ago (left image), and today (right image)

[Stephen]

Another comparison images. The plants have grown nicely in a month.
A = 25 June 2021
B = 27 June 2021
C = 18 July 2021
D = 30 July 2021
(click image to enlarge)

[Lee_k]

Some brilliant growth there @Stephen

Enough to convince me that tropica 1-2-grow alternanthera reineckii 'mini' is what the discus tank needs in the foreground!

[Lee_k]

@Stephen - how many pots of the Helanthium tenellum 'Green' and the reineckii mini did you use?

[Stephen]

@Stephen - how many pots of the Helanthium tenellum 'Green' and the reineckii mini did you use?

Hi Lee

I only bought one pot of each.
You get a lot in those Tropica 1-2-Grow! pots.
I removed the plants, rinsed under running water and then cut 1cm pieces and planted using tweezers.

All the best

[Stephen]

Another 3 weeks growth (and minimal trimming).
I transferred the Head & Tail Light Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer) from the 550L aquarium to the 120L aquarium. All the Ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) are now in the 550L.
(click to enlarge)