10 Gallon Manzanita Scape

[fishboy87]

This tank was originally going to just be an upgrade from my mess of a six gallon bow front but I ended up getting a 10 gallon, taking the rim off, painting the black background, etc.

Specs:
-10 gallon glass aquarium (removed top trim)
-Red Sea Nano filter
-Regular topsoil
-Aquariumplants.com own substrate
-Manzanita wood
-DIY lighting canopy- 36watts
Flora:
-Hemainthus Callitrichoides (HC)
-Anubias nana 'petite'
-Blyxa japonica
-Rotala wallichi
-Downoi (still haven't decided on this one yet)
Fauna:
x1 -Red & Blue Crowntail Betta
x3 -Otos
Dosing:
-Seachem Excel (daily)
-Seachem Phosphorus (x2 weekly)
-Seachem Potassium (x2 weekly)
-Seachem Nitrogen (x2 weekly)
-Seachem Iron (daily)

Pics:













As you can see, I'm in the emersed stage right now and will post updates as the HC spreads. My goal is for the HC to spread next to and in front of the manzanita so it looks like the manzanita is nicely hanging over the carpet. I also know that the red sea nano is pretty small for this tank but because I'd only have 4 fish maximum. I'm hoping the plants will do most of the filtration (the filter is mainly for flow).

Thanks for looking and comments and critiques are always welcome!!!!!

[fishman9809]

can we see some bigger pics? kinda hard to see, i wanna see the rimming job you did, looks great!!!

[CobraGuppy]

i agree with fishman, the tank looks great, but bigger pics would make it look even better :P

Awesome light fixture you have too, very clean.

[Church]

I left my magnifying glass at home... :p

[fishboy87]

Here ya go!!!! ;P

[fishman9809]

are you plnning on coating the wood with moss?

[fishboy87]

I was thinking about that but I thought the pieces might be too close together and the moss would kind of tie them together. I would like your opinions about if I should or not if you think that the moss would clump the manzanita.

[fishman9809]

it will, but if u do not, those cut ends will look pretty silly.

[Church]

I like it! Looks very nice!

[fishboy87]

Fishman- Yeah. They don't bother me too much but the ones that are closer to the ground or further to the back will be covered by plants. For that empty spot behind the manzanita in the back right corner, I'd let the rotala wallichi cover some parts and then trail slightly at the top. Anubias will be planced near the base of most of the wood (some farther up the braches). Finally, blyxa japonica will be planted near the far right and in front of and below the anubias.

Church- Thanks!!!!

Also, is just daily excel dosing enough to keep plants like the blyxa and HC alive????

[tremendotron]

Hooray for otos!

I'm interested in how the Flourish Excel works out.

[CL]

leave the wood bald. I like it

[Fishy_Fun]

I like the wood just the way it is.Your scape looks awesome so far.Love how you set up the light

[fishboy87]

Thanks!!! I'm beginning to question my stocking plan as I'm thinking the manzanita might be too sharp for the betta. Here are my ideas so far-------

option 1--- 1 GBR, 6 cardinal tetras, 1 oto
option 2--- (original plan) ct betta, 3 otos
option 3--- 2 GBR (pair),2-3 otos
option 4--- 8 cardinal tetras, 2 otos
option 5--- 1 GBR, 3 otos
option 6--- other~ suggestions

Well, that's it. 1,2,3,4,5 or 6. If it's 6, please state what fish you prefer and how many.

[ZooTycoonMaster]

Originally Posted by fishboy87

Thanks!!! I'm beginning to question my stocking plan as I'm thinking the manzanita might be too sharp for the betta. Here are my ideas so far-------

option 1--- 1 GBR, 6 cardinal tetras, 1 oto
option 2--- (original plan) ct betta, 3 otos
option 3--- 2 GBR (pair),2-3 otos
option 4--- 8 cardinal tetras, 2 otos
option 5--- 1 GBR, 3 otos
option 6--- other~ suggestions

Well, that's it. 1,2,3,4,5 or 6. If it's 6, please state what fish you prefer and how many.

I like GBR's, so I'd go with 1 or 5 (not 3 because if you get a pair, you'll most likely end up with babies), except add 5-7 Neon Tetras instead of Cardinal Tetras.

Originally Posted by fishboy87

Also, is just daily excel dosing enough to keep plants like the blyxa and HC alive????

Yes, I've heard of people doing that successfully.