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Hardscape Help/Critique in 30G

2K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  Birdo 
#1 ·
redoing a handed down 30G tank.
going for a layered rock type valley with the substrate 9" at rear level with the rock.. and gradually slope down to 2" on the front.
any one have any suggestions on what i have so far?

-Going to be running Co2
-fourite red , black magic sand, fish poop
-carpet of HC (got 8 purchased so far may need more)
-christmas moss between the rocks
-Fluval 206 filter
-flourish
-lighting not sure yet need help with that as well
would 2 - T5HO be sufficient for "high light" in this tank? or could i get away with one?... LED?

contemplating on carpeting the valley or having sand... opinions?
should i have the black magic on top or the Flourite red?


so many questions!
still new to planted tanks any advice helps
 

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#2 ·
Can you give the measurements of the tank?
One T5HO bulb is good @ 18" and perhaps too much if not for the CO2.
But with CO2 complete ferts are needed.
The shadow parts of the tank are too dark to see it.
 
#5 ·
Overall, it looks to me that the tank is too tall, or the rocks are too small. However, if the plant growth is low (no large stems are used and only HC) , it should hold its proportions.

For me, a scarce vegetation on one rockside of the valley, and none on the other would add a little dramatism to the landscape. It would also resemble deep canyons in nature.

I have something similar in the plans so I'm following your progress.

Have fun with the new tank.
 
#7 ·
Now the "scape" becomes more obvious.
That center picture of the first three looked "not right" as if it's an older picture
of that same tank when it was decorated the last time is was running.
I would suggest mini-Pellia to stick between a couple of the rock faces.
And perhaps this...
Rotala Mini Butterfly $2 per stem
From this thread might go well on one side.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/153-sale-trade/963881-lots-plants-offer.html
 
#8 ·
Now the "scape" becomes more obvious.
That center picture of the first three looked "not right" as if it's an older picture
of that same tank when it was decorated the last time is was running.
I would suggest mini-Pellia to stick between a couple of the rock faces.
And perhaps this...
Rotala Mini Butterfly $2 per stem
From this thread might go well on one side.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/153-sale-trade/963881-lots-plants-offer.html
yes the picture with the yellow plastic plants is how i got the tank and let it stay for a few months...

the "Microsoft paint" picture i had the angle of the valley a little off... you can see i changed it a bit before i added substrate... but now im kinda uncertain what looks better!
 
#13 · (Edited)
the 1st picture - some stuff from The PlantGuy- Canadian Aquarium Plants just to mess around with and see how it works... first off great service! (if ur in canada) arrived the next day!!
got some -Eleocharis Mini and a clump of -Marsilea Hirsuta...
the 2nd picture - the tank with just the one T8 bulb...
the 3rd picture - New lighting Sunblaster T5HO the difference .. (the phone pictures do alot of auto enhancing which is why the T8 pic has a better looking background.. you can really tell the difference in the greenery)
the 4th picture - the bulb + ballast i bought from a local hydroponics store "Sunblaster T5HO 24w 6400k + Nanotech Reflector"
 

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