Journal SkaleyAquatics Re-attempted Dutch

[Kwyet]

I tried topping it and letting the stems split, but I didn’t like the look. Now I just do basically the same, pull it all out and replant about 4 inches of the tops, being sure to “shuck” the bottom inch first.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Now we are in business!!

M. Roriama finally adjusted to this tanks conditions.

Though the bylxa japonica is still a bit of a question mark. Itll probably have to be swapped with something else.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Well we are a bit overdue for an update for this tank. It is kinda crazy to think that this journey started 2 years ago...
Considering it has been 2 months since the last update, I am very happy with the growth.

Layout feels close but the myriophyllum in the front is going to have to be replaced by something, possibly moving a single nymphoides taiwan over here and then putting something else on the other side. I am also going to add moss walls to this tank. I will start getting that together this week.

Bylxa japonica and limnophila wilsonii, never took off in this tank and so I decided to remove it. I think i am going to add to the foreground, a red plant and mini hairgrass. The acmella repens needs to be a tighter group in the back left. Plus i think moving the taiwan lily will help its case.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Well well well, its been a minute.... Also come to find out i was signed out of the app on my phone so I wasnt receiving notifications . So that was also part of my absence.

So I ended up not submitting the tank for the AGA not because it was not ready or because a major set back happened but when I set up the tank at work I wanted to test plants in a high pH environment and see what happens and well I got my answer, that its possible, just with less species.

For those curious here was the last picture I snapped before I did a change of direction on it.


So whats next? Well that one i do not have an answer for yet. Currently i do no see myself having a Dutch, not because I dislike it now or have become bored as I feel I still have much to learn in the space. But really it comes down to time and energy required to maintain such a tank along with 30+ other tanks. Life's ups and downs have not been great this year for me and honestly I need a bit of a break from the demands of a true dutch tank. Though I have a plan im not sure it will get executed next year or not. But ill be around. I still have a farm tank that desperately needs to be separated into another. I do have other builds coming up so be on the lookout for them.

 

[Unexpected]

What kind of TDS and KH are you looking at?

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

What kind of TDS and KH are you looking at?

In that tank tds was probably 500+ if not higher out if the tap and kH was close to 20. I havent checked the wate in a very long time. As almost all the tanks at home now go through a ro system.

 

[Unexpected]

In that tank tds was probably 500+ if not higher out if the tap and kH was close to 20. I havent checked the wate in a very long time. As almost all the tanks at home now go through a ro system.

And at that TDS is the picture you posted? I'm so tempted to go Tap water, but I'm looking at 8dGH and 7dKH. I'm kind of tired of doing 150 gallons of tap every week and I'm not married to having rare or difficult species. I just want a gorgeous tank even if it plain old easy tanks.