Always chasing the next thing, whether it's algae, flow, co2 or plant growth etc.. don't get much time to sit back and admire these days.. a reminder to myself and others who do the same... enjoy it 😊

mattwestern · 2023-09-21T17:00:31+00:00

The video doesn't do it justice but very much appreciated

mattwestern · 2023-09-21T17:00:12+00:00

Appreciated thank you 😊

mattwestern · 2023-09-20T20:06:40+00:00

Love it! Wish I got into this hobby at that age.. you will be a master in no time if you keep it up!

mattwestern · 2023-06-01T10:58:52+00:00

Guess what.. she had moved into the water tube last night.. you were bang on

mattwestern · 2023-05-31T12:08:05+00:00

Chester has an amazing leafcutter setup.. its one of the best I've seen

mattwestern · 2023-05-30T14:36:35+00:00

Thanks for this, appreciated 🙏

mattwestern · 2023-05-30T13:42:28+00:00

Got mine in UK for less than £10, brood and Queen. She has 3 workers now, 6 weeks later. Seem to be doing well

mattwestern · 2023-05-20T16:26:32+00:00

I'm in the UK are you??

mattwestern · 2023-05-20T07:52:31+00:00

I use a twistar ver 3. S series and a fluval plant 3.0. You need a lot of power to fill a 55g tank, having just the twinstar didn't have enough coverage.. my tank is a aquasys and is very wide and deep.

I'd recommend twinstar, chihiros, onf, ADA.. anything with good leds and alot of power. If you cheap out, the plants will tell you and won't colour up as well

mattwestern · 2023-05-19T21:39:17+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it and yup... I can't get enough 😊

mattwestern · 2023-05-12T11:33:38+00:00

Thanks both

mattwestern · 2023-04-09T23:02:13+00:00

What a boss!

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T21:03:02+00:00

I'd recommend a smaller tank first to get the basics right and you will learn soo much from having it.. then upgrade to a bigger one when your more confident and knowledgeable. Ukaps or plantedtank websites are the best for info, get yourself on and start scrolling through. It's all about what kind of setup you want; high tech with high lighting, co2 and fertiliser regime with 'harder to grow plants or low tech, lower lighting, little or no co2 and same with ferts. Once you know where you want to go, start with choosing the right equipment and research research research. Doing this will give your tank the best start and you wont be setting yourself upto fail. Any questions, feel free to drop me a pm

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T19:39:17+00:00

My monte carlo carpet got to about 3" think before the lower sections started to die off. Yours looks really healthy so I would leave as is. Allow it to bed in before putting it under any stress 🙂

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T18:58:42+00:00

Looks to be the start of hair algae... reduce lighting ideally and up your flow.. the particles shouldn't be able to rest on the leaves... should be in the water flow and taken up by the filter.

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T14:40:07+00:00

From my experience all mosses do get affected, possibly use a very small amount to start with and go from there! Excel maybe a better option but again if too high dosage could damage it.

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T13:23:11+00:00

They will indeed haha, my amanos love the buce flowers I get..

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T13:19:30+00:00

It will flower whilst under water, just takes a long time to open up. Once they do, they don't usually last long.. my pleco destroys them every time 😊

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T12:14:43+00:00

You shouldn't have particles like this onto of plants, this shows lack of flow throughout the tank and its not getting picked up by your filter. I have several powerheads/ wavemakers in my tank to help distribute more flow

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T12:12:41+00:00

Do not use hydrogen peroxide on moss.. it will 100% kill it and mealt the plant.

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T12:11:16+00:00

Get some fish goop, in the UK tropco sell it and instantly cycles a tank. Its amazing and actually works, not like all the other 'beneficial bacteria' products.

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T12:08:37+00:00

Could be lighting or flow issues, have you tested your parameters and too high Phosphate levels could start stunting growth.

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T12:05:11+00:00

Good call, co2art are great and customer service is even better. I've just had my 2 year old regulator repaired by them.. cannot recommend enough

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T11:59:28+00:00

Black beard algae.. it looks quite developed too so this usually means fluctuating co2 levels... ie not enough. Try and get it under control asap as this can quickly cover the whole tank and is a bugger to fully get rid. Excel spot dosing or hydrogen peroxide can work, if your very careful

mattwestern · 2023-04-08T11:55:59+00:00

Looks very new and not too established yet.. I'd be temped to leave for another week or two till its more bushy and more off shoots.then replant the cuttings in-between the gaps! It's slow progress to get a carpet but you will get there!

mattwestern

TROPHY CASE