Bogopolis - 30g w/ 20g sump (Pic Heavy)
 

Finally had some time to get this project rolling. This will be my second tank - inspired by the amount of fun an 8g nano has given me.

All of the equipment used was sourced from craigslist. Eventually, I will be converting a 20g tall (on the rack below the tank) into a sump with refugium. For now I'm using a 5g bucket. Anyway, onto the pics.

http://i.imgur.com/rixxRl.jpg
Getting started - wishing we had some black sand around here on the cheap.

http://i.imgur.com/yLM5ql.jpg
Using miracle gro o/c - + worm castings and clay. Screwed the wood together to take care of the floating bits.

http://i.imgur.com/laAzsl.jpg
Using a Coralife 2x65W lamp + window light. Right now it has 2x 10k bulbs. I'll probably switch to 1x 10k 1x 6.5k

http://i.imgur.com/UZQKMl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hVn4Kl.jpg
Remember kids, always play safe and bag it up.

http://i.imgur.com/LJ5QUl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/24wcSl.jpg
Will probably be moving the java fern to the left side. I'd like to have lush growth from the left/center rear trailing off to the right. Might plant something like dwaf sag front/left and leave the front right bare.

I've planted some red ludwigia in the back - will have to see if there's enough light for her.

http://i.imgur.com/gMwdSl.jpg
I've plumbed airline up through the tall arm of the driftwood - it lets a steady trickle of water run down to feed the mosses.

http://i.imgur.com/R19EPl.jpg
You can see the nipple sticking up just a bit.

http://i.imgur.com/0x6vRl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pPSDRl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RBjRQl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DxUd1l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ecwIQl.jpg

Still dealing with the fog of war. I've added some floss to help clear things up.

That's it for now ;). Still trying to decide on the fauna - right now it's hosting some ghost shrimp to...test the waters. Input is definitely welcome. I'm having trouble choosing between Discus/Angels (too small for the former? =/) And bumblebee blennies, or dwaft cichlids, or a puffer...or a school of ras/tetras and some cories.

Thanks for looking all - happy planting

Wow, I love the moss idea. This is a great start.

I't not a discus guy, but 30 gallons is definitely too small for the amount of discus you need to keep them happy.

Starting to clear - the small in tank filter will be removed soon - just using it to floss.

I'm not comfortable derimming this old tank completely - but I may dremel out the front section about 2 inches in from either corner.

http://i.imgur.com/Qpgopl.jpg

wow - I love what you've done so far - the drama of such large driftwood in relation to tank size (and driftwood is my weakness - lol) is awesome! Most folks wouldn't have such a big chunk extending out of the tank, but that's what I like best - with the plants growing on it, the whole set up reminds me of Jurassic Park.

beautiful wood arangement! cant wait to see it get more plants! and i love the emersed pants on that wood

I love the idea of the scape however if you don't keep those curtains closed you'll be fighting algae instead of growing plants. Other than that, nice going so far.

Wow, amazing start. Looks terrific.

what kind of mosses are those?

Orchid, I couldn't tell you - the back yard in MA variety.

dantra, Your fear about the window is my fear about the window - but I do want to supplement the lighting as it is probably suspended too high above the tank to get into the upper medium range. I may end up using rice paper or something similarly translucent to moderate the light.

Considering Glass/Ghost catfish for a base fauna.

5x Ghost cats + 3 Angels + snails/shrimp + possibly a few small corydoras

Though I'd really appreciate input on any high personality / peaceful fish you think may work.

Thanks,
Rob

Fascinating driftwood and really nifty mosses! Can't wait to see everything grown-out and filled-in.

great idea with the drift wood and keeping it moist for the moss!

+1 on the plumbed wood! I have my shrimp tank right in front of a window w/o algae issues but thats just sand and root tabs ... Also is that some sort of plant in your HOB?

SlopTank: Good eye - I had put an anubias in there temporarily. Though, it's actually not a HOB, but a Siphoning overflow box - because failure of this siphon would be catastrophic...I probably won't end up planting it ;)

The anubias now sits emersed - mounted in the crotch of the large piece of driftwood.

Ah very nice

Looking forward to see how this develops!