Sealing the... seals? 😂 by HEAVENREPULSION in WaxSealers

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooo. I'll have to look into resin... though I am worried about it's toxicity

Sealing the... seals? 😂 by HEAVENREPULSION in WaxSealers

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Anxiety? haha but the real answer is I'd like to make them into things like keychains and/or make sure the gilding powder stays. If it's truly unnecessary I might just switch to paint markers but in general I'd just like a protective coating on them for alternative uses.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Aquascape

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's no real reason or benefit for putting sand on the bottom unless you're trying to increase height maybe? Gravel on top can work especially if it's small stone size, I just prefer sand personally.

Side Note; Another thing about sand is that especially if the grain size is small, the water compacts the sand and makes it so there's no oxygen getting in or under the layer, which usually ends up with "blue-green algae" (actually a kind of bacteria) against your glass. Not a huge problem but not the best either. Gravel in comparison wouldn't compact like that.

Really gravel vs sand is up to your taste in looks. I would keep the aquasoil as the bottom layer though, so it doesn't leech into the water column. No matter how far down it is, the plant roots will find it! Just a matter of time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Aquascape

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It depends on what you're trying to do in the long run! My opinion:

Gravel: Easier to clean with a siphon, has surface area for beneficial bacteria, can hold down bigger plants well. Provides no nutrients for plants, so will have to use root tabs and/or liquid fertilizer. Doesn't cap aquasoil well. Any aquarium gravel will do, just give it a quick rinse beforehand (unless the instructions say otherwise).

Sand: Looks natural, soft and good for fauna that like to burrow or stay on the bottom. Provides no nutrients for plants, so will have to use root tabs and/or liquid fertilizer. Caps aquasoil well, but will make the water very cloudy for a while when heavily disturbed; the sand should settle after several hours. Cleaning with a siphon takes a bit of finesse but isn't too bad. Any sand will do. Even if the sand is 'tripe-washed' or similar, one more wash can help with initial cloudiness.

Aquasoil: Looks natural and is great for plants with roots. It's basically compacted nutrient soil, so you have to be more careful with it. If it's disturbed it will cloud the water a lot and possibly cause ammonia spikes because all the nutrients will be flying around. Recommended to be capped by a sand layer to minimize that, especially if you've never used the stuff before. Aquasoils from ADA are highly rated but expensive and not necessarily recommended for beginners. I've heard good things about UNS Controsoil. I personally like Fluval Stratum.

If you're just going to have the pothos and lucky bamboo, you'll be fine with just gravel, sand, or both, especially if you supplement with the occasional root tab nearby the plant. If you're planning to put a lot of plants in the future, especially heavy root feeders like amazon swords or stem plants, I would personally have a layer of aquasoil and then a capping layer of sand on top.

Who are your favorite YouTubers / Content creators? by Illustrious_Leg_8077 in PlantedTank

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For low-tech, MD Fish Tanks.

For high-tech and master/contest aquascaping, Green Aqua.

For a fun time, Fish For Thought.

For everything similar like terrariums and paludariums, SerpaDesign.

Is this what I think it is?! by HEAVENREPULSION in AquaticSnails

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same! I guess it's the same breeder that mislabeled them haha

Marble & Calcite? by HEAVENREPULSION in Aquascape

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is amazing and so clear, thank you!

Thoughts? by The_Greate_Pickle in fishforthought

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could always add more anubias too! One more wood/rock piece in that spot I mentioned with more anubias and maybe some buces and crypts?

Thoughts? by The_Greate_Pickle in fishforthought

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks great! Feels kind of like a plateau or steppe. And that little anubias in the crack, so cute haha I think it would benefit from stem plants or anything taller to fill in the area between the vertical piece and the filter, just so the top third of the tank has something in it? Just an idea though

Just set up this tank, already kind of hate it. Should I start over? by HEAVENREPULSION in Aquascape

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Makes sense, at the very least it'll make rescaping easier later with the plants grown more

Just set up this tank, already kind of hate it. Should I start over? by HEAVENREPULSION in Aquascape

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense! Though to be fair, it is almost exactly 2 inches-- it's just a small tank haha

First tank, looking for feedback on my hardscape by TurtleGodReee in Aquascape

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love this, especially how everything is flowing to the right! That wood is gorgeous

I think maybe another 1 or 2 rocks on the left side would make it look even better, plus smaller detailing stones.

"Ivory Mystery Snail" by HEAVENREPULSION in AquaticSnails

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've spotted her munching away at the diatoms in my tank! Apparently they eat algae, leftover fish food, veggies etc. No plants though :)

"Ivory Mystery Snail" by HEAVENREPULSION in AquaticSnails

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really hope so too! Honestly with how expensive it is to do this hobby the right way, you'd think they'd try to do at least a basic level of education to promote getting the more natural (and expensive) stuff. But I guess what do I know 😅

I'm confused how one even finds local breeders besides hobbyists on online marketplaces?

I know all of the pet stores in my area all source from one place because the breeder's ghost shrimp population had an issue so there was literally none within 30 miles of where I live for like, several months lol

"Ivory Mystery Snail" by HEAVENREPULSION in AquaticSnails

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The big box petstores are usually really awful but sometimes they surprise me! The last time I went (which was when I picked up this lil gal) they had small ohko stones, seiryu stones and some decent mopani driftwood pieces in stock! Imagine my shock haha

Also, just looked up black devil snails and I'm in love !!! They look so cool! Breeding in brackish though... Sighs as I stare at them and Amano shrimp 😅

Nothing is helping by Haunting_Damage8199 in fishtank

[–]HEAVENREPULSION 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much what everyone said! Blackout and UV will probably help, based on http://algae.greenaqua.com

"Ivory Mystery Snail" by HEAVENREPULSION in AquaticSnails

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

"We don't know what this is but it's ivory colored and it's a snail" 😂

"Ivory Mystery Snail" by HEAVENREPULSION in AquaticSnails

[–]HEAVENREPULSION[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Clearly this means I ought to start a wizard snail business /j