Mini-L Updated 9/5

[cintamas]

Hello everyone! I have been what you'd call a "lurker" for some time now. I finally began a project worth documenting so I thought I'd come out of the shadows and introduce my tank.

From above/Hardscape Planted



FTS day of planting



One more...



Side View + Mirror Image. What looks like snow is actually CO2 bubbles.

ADA Mini L
Archea CFL 36W on 8 hours/day
ADA Power Sand S (Layer 1)
ADA Amazonia AS II (Layer 2)
AZOO Plant Grower Bed Substrate (Layer 3)
ZooMed 501 Canister Filter
Pressurized CO2 (paintball w/ Red Sea Regulator & Needle Valve)

Plant List so far:
Lilaeopsis macloviana
Taxiphyllum alternans Taiwan Moss
Rotala colorata

I've dosed with Green Bacter so far. I think I will begin using pfertz in a week or so. No idea what fish/shrimp I want to add yet, just hoping to see some growth. I appreciate any feedback/comments you may have. I love any excuse to get my hands wet and move things around!

I've been looking at some glassware and am thinking about ordering the Cal Aqua lily pipes. But that's a whole other topic, I'll trying looking for product reviews before making a decision.

[1slowtsx]

Great! Looking good.

[cintamas]

Any ideas for the foreground? I don't want to go with glosso because it's a realy b---- to maintain. I'll try to get new pics posted tonight.

[Ugly Genius]

A moss foreground would look really good with that 'scape. Could end up being just as much of a pain to maintain as a Glosso carpet, but it would look really, really nice.

[cintamas]

Moss carpet it is! I love the look of a full moss carpet, plus it will create a perfect environment for future shrimplets. The Taiwan Moss that's in there is all I have. Anyone know of a good source for this moss?

[cintamas]

It's now the 4th day since planting and no real changes. I've started dosing with Brighty K and ECA. I am being real patient with this tank and trying not to move things around or change too much. Anyway, here are some shots of the tank that I just took:

Rotala colorata-It's beginning to grow horizontally


FTS-The moss is starting to creep outward like I'd hoped. Slow & steady.

I'm thinking of adding more plants to the background. Not sure yet what those will be. Any suggestions?

[Ugly Genius]

A Ludwigia of some sort would look nice. (With the thinner, longer leaves.) It'd match the cool rocks you have and contrast nicely with the red of your Rotala.

Also, if you were inclined, the 'scape could incorporate a small, thin piece of driftwood quite easily.

[agutt]

Originally Posted by Ugly Genius

A Ludwigia of some sort would look nice. (With the thinner, longer leaves.) It'd match the cool rocks you have and contrast nicely with the red of your Rotala.

Also, if you were inclined, the 'scape could incorporate a small, thin piece of driftwood quite easily.

How bout L. Brevipes???

[mizu-chan]

Tank is looking really nice! (:
Can't wait to see this evolve.

[juleeh]

Nice tank!

[cintamas]

Thanks for the encouragement mizu-chan and juleeh! I took UG's advise and added some dw. I had 2 small pieces in another tank that I was trying to get moss to attach to, so those went in last night. I will post some pictures later on. I also gave in and planted a few small runners of glosso in the foreground. I don't like too much of the AQ being visable so I think that issue will be solved when it starts to spread.

The rotala is keeping it's nice red color so far and is starting to grow horizontally. It will make for an interesting look.

[cintamas]

Here are some pics of the tank currently.

Front shot


Rotala


Shot from above


FTS

[cintamas]

I've noticed some algae growth over the last couple of days. Some GSA has appeared on the glass oddly, where the light is minimal. My Taiwan moss has become victim of a brownish, stringy growth as well. I'll do a water change today and cut back on the hours of lighting. Just letting it run it's course is always the hardest part.

Does anyone think 36 watts of light for 8 hours/day is too much for a mini L?

[CAM6467]

Just a quick question... How well does that Zoo Med 501 canister filter work? I have an Eheim on my 10 gallon, and I'm planning on starting a micro-tank for my office. Is that thing pretty quiet?

[cintamas]

It's quiet as long as there aren't a lot of air bubbles trapped in the canister. When setting it up, make sure all the media has been rinsed and that there is no air pocket before start up. It's a great fit for any tight space. My setup is on a t.v. stand (made for 20" television max). Another benefit of this filter is that there's enough space in the canister for extra media of your choice. I like to add a purigen bag to mine.