learning from a setback

My aqua-one 980 has seen a few changes its been low tech and eventually CO2 high tech ,although its gravel only substrate I believe all in all generally growing"easy plants" over the years its been successful I feel for plant growth, with the external filter and CO2 being brought in I changed the hood t8 lighting and aqua one overhead filter for the external and raised t5 luminaire.Home to several tetra species recently a couple of fish died so I moved all remaining fish to my quarantine and a other small tank. All are ok. So going off numbers it appears another fish must have died in the tank unbeknown to me and affected water quality so my lesson learned a head count every day from now on. Another thing now the tanks stripped down, I had used at variuos times root tablets but read conflicting reports of effectiveness as regards the plants,but I had then used clay balls from a shrimp supplier,I discovered the clay balls spread into the gravel therefore it was a gunky mess underneath,so with that and fish poo I had a good substrate all along

 

My son informs me the gravel went in in 2005 I thought it was more 2008

 

I think thats part of the thing about the hobby Keith we are always learning no matter were we are at . Many a newcomer will leave ,particulary the fish keeping aspect, at first time of issues without proper research. The internet has advantages, but shame not more dedicated shops too.Already looking forward to redoing the this aquariumI was surprised the amount of greenery I now have in washing up bowls,buckets and put into the other tanks

 

Will be doing that Keith, might do a sketch first as some of the exsisting wood with Java Fern and moss will go back

 

Thank you will take a look Evelyn

 

Thought just give a slight were I am. All remaining fish split in 3 tanks have done well . The Glowlights many showed signs of finrot on the dorsal fin , definitly due to the watrer quality issue in the Aqua One, all fully recovered and looking well only used Melafix daily rather than more severe meds, lost some plants but the javas split in 2 tanks started to look well now low tech of course.Decided to give my Gold Barbs away to a nearby aquarist as the situation in my tanks too small for them, they are several years old so mixed feelings but its best for them in circumstances. Will set up the Aqua -one but slowly as I want to really plan the aquascape Thanks for all your suggestions and help everyone

 

This what my usual tanks end up a bit jungly would like to go for a mix of quite large rock with branched wood and mosses with a open area for fish and thinking of more more smaller leave stems with java fern in font to give a sense of scale. The Aqua-One with its bow front is not the best for aquascaping thoughBy the way my electrics are neater and safer than in the picture think I was doing work on it then

 

Well the setback gave me an opportunity ,rising out of the ashes to rescape. So that is how it was pic when took hood off for T5 open top, but I want to challenge myself a little with a more of a organised scape, I was giving plants away weekly at one stage having to trim regularly although the LFS took some a neighbour had quite a few quite funny I gave him a idea of what he needed to do but kept asking for plants what would grow as the ones Igave perished so I gave up on him Keith your cropped photo shows me I would prefer something like the Evolution Aqua or even the Cleasil from on the landing but house politics( you know who ) may prevent it as it was originally my sons tank. Thank you Keith for advice and tips, and thank you Tim for your nice comment on the aquascape