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Dennis Wong
I Donated 2026 Expert in Residence MOTM Winner
Last reply · posted in Planted Aquarium Discussion
2hrAquaristDSCF7486E myself.webp

Good, the click bait title worked. Hallo all. I find myself sometimes at a disadvantage as my face is commonly found on social media and yet I can't match name or face to many of the aquariums I see here. So many folks use funny acronyms, as if growing plants was some undercover ops. This has lead to some awkward moments in real life when I meet people I should have known or have talked to for a long time with no idea who/what they are. Pls upload a picture of your aquarium with you so that we can make this forum thingie a more personalized experience and it will be easier to remember who is who. Life is short, don't let people just forget you. In a world where internet troglodytes hide behind anonymity so that they can make irresponsible remarks, be a man and post your face.
65 Replies · 4455 views
Chimera
Last reply · posted in Fertilizing and Aquarium Chemistry
Hi all,

Starting a new 240L tank and looking for a source of dry ferts. This can be difficult in more remote Australia.
So far I think my options would be cop the expensive postage on well known micros from overseas as this would be a smaller package. Then source KNO3 by ringing some hydroponic places as this is more difficult to have shipped.
MgSO4 is easily obtained at garden centres or Bunnings.
Keen to hear opinions for global micros and perhaps any aussies may chime in with more local macro options?

Cheers
Chimera
7 Replies · 68 views
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JayP
Supporting I Donated 2026 Rockstar
· posted in Lounge
I see a lot of incredible scapes on Instagram but this one had me wondering if it was video color or AI enhanced. Apparently legit. Just amazing as are some of their other scapes.
0 Replies · 23 views
Art
Art
Staff member I Donated 2026 Founding Member
Last reply · posted in Forum News/Feedback
This is the future home for the announcements when someone obtains an achievement badge. Let the games begin!
1990 Replies · 49735 views
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Scaper26
Last reply · posted in Shrimp and Other Invertebrates
Has anyone here attempted to keep neocaradinia/Cardinia shrimp or ramshorn snails at CO₂ concentrations exceeding 50+ ppm? My experience has been that the semi-adult ramshorns tend to get really sluggish and eventually die; the younger ones are more active and live until they reach a critical mass. I've had better luck with bladder snails as a cleanup crew; they seem to have a much higher tolerance for CO₂.. I would like to add shrimp to this tank that hits upwards of 50 ppm every day and was wondering if it's a good idea.
3 Replies · 45 views
Wildwhimsy
Last reply · posted in Freshwater Fish Discussions
I typically setup my tanks based on plants I like and fish are an afterthought. I’d like to setup a tank for pea puffers though! I have an ADA 60p that’s just hanging around waiting for me to do something with it. Have any of you guys setup for pea puffers? Any advice on setting up a tank to make them happy?
20 Replies · 133 views
nijat11
Last reply · posted in Algae Discussions
Hello everyone!
I need a help to eliminate green fuzz algae.
My tank s 1250l + 250l sump. (250cm x 70cm x 70cm)
My filration is 10000l/h pump and 2x maxspect XF330. Inside sump KOI filter mats.
My weekly fers 15ppm NO3, 2ppm PO4, 8ppm K, 0.3ppm FE, 0.1ppm Mn I dose daily.
Last 2 months, weekly water change 50%, before that once in 2 weeks.
CO2 start 3 hours before lights go on.
My lights 4x chihiros universal wrgb 1200, 24x Daytime Matirx Sun Pro modules. Light runs around 65%. Par at substrate at average 90-100 umol
My problem is I had blooming of fuzz algae on all leaves, probably baceuse I had lean dosing, since I increased ferts, trimmed and replaced infected plants, it became better.
But still i see fuzz algae on a lot of leaves, I`1m feeling that I will need to restart tank from 0.
Will appreciate all your advises!
Thank you in advance.
17 Replies · 611 views
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Art
Art
Staff member I Donated 2026 Founding Member
Last reply · posted in Shrimp and Other Invertebrates
Hi everyone!

I thought we would have more activity in this forum. I know back in the day, everyone was using shrimp to control algae especially the Yamatos.

Is that not a thing anymore?

Any shrimp-heads still out there? If so, what you got?
43 Replies · 5211 views
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ample
Last reply · posted in Journals
Uh oh! Made the leap and purchased a UNS 60L aquarium today to replace my UNS 5N. It's going to go on the edge of my kitchen island, so keeping equipment minimal and attractive is going to be a priority here.

The aesthetic goal is something resembling an Iwagumi that can be viewed from 270 degrees. Biggest inspiration currently is this scape by @qball_aquatics in Sydney. I'm not a huge Iwagumi person and I normally like substantial hardscape, but something about the plant selection here scales so perfectly in this long shallow tank, so I'm simply going to copy it.



UNS 60L Dimensions: 24" x 8" x 8"

Tentative Equipment List
Filter: Oase Filtosmart 60
Inflow/outflow: ASG 10mm Stainless Steel Inflow/Outflow pipes
Light: Chihiros CII RGB or ONF Flat Nano - intentionally going for a short light for more of a spotlight effect with shadowing on the outer edges
CO2: Paintball setup, potentially mounted horizontally with brackets under the counter

Plants:
Glosso or HC carpet
Eleocharis parvula for height around the stones
Echinodorus 'Aflame" centerpiece plant

Livestock:
Blue dream neocaridina
Maybe chili rasboras

How does this setup sound? Very open to suggestions.
16 Replies · 557 views
R
Last reply · posted in Journals
Hi guys!

I'm new here, but not entirely new to planted tanks though I've been out of the hobby for the better part of the last decade between kids and moving a couple of times - but finally in a spot where I can do something again. I'm mostly going to be making things up as I go along, but plan on a lot of automation (I want to integrate everything into home assistant) and a lot of DIY as I love the challenge of building things out myself.

The starting point:

I picked up a 90P rimless, low-iron tank on a great deal.

Media (1).webp

I have a rough idea in my head for a stand to be built from plywood - just have a couple other house projects to finish off before starting that built.

Wife says I can only have one aquarium, so for this tank, I want to go all out with a sump to allow for auto top off, and auto water changes, auto fertilizer dosing etc. etc. I have half a plan in my mind.

I've also started on the light fixture which I've modeled up in CAD, and plan on making out of an 8020 extrusion, and some 3D printed bits.
Screenshot 2026-06-01 092809.webp
I'm using bridgelux gen 3 thrive CW (3000k) and WW (5000k) LED strips which have super high CRI at 98+ along with some specific XPE2 wavelengths that I'll solder onto some starboards. Far Red (730nm), Red (654nm), Cyan (495nm), Blue (455nm), Visible UV (415nm). Each segment of the white channels will be on its own driver so I can adjust left to right brightness in thirds, and each colour channel on its own driver so I can vary each channel on a time-based approach.

These will be run from a custom PCB board with Meanwell N-LDD drivers, and will run ESPHome on an ESP32 so it can link up with my Home Assistant installation.
1780321317096.webp

That's it for now, this will probably be a very slow build so be warned if you follow along!
39 Replies · 2114 views
Art
Art
Staff member I Donated 2026 Founding Member
Last reply · posted in Meet & Greet Forum
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Denys_UA!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
2 Replies · 184 views
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