5.5 gallon grass tank - 12/05/12 update

Monster Fish · 10-20-2011, 05:02 AM

Tank as of 12/05/2012

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
After lurking this site for a while, I've decided to share one of my tanks.

Specs:
Tank size: 5.5 AGA
Substrate: Organic peat moss capped with Fluorite Black Sand
Lighting: 27 watt Sunlight Desk Lamp
Filtration: Tom Aquatics Rapids Mini Canister Filter
Ferts: Seachem line with Metricide whenever I change the water once a month or so. Or whenever I feel like it.
CO2: None
Flora: Eleocharis acicularis, Anubias barteri var. nana, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Limnobium laevigatum (Amazon Frogbit), Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger', Java Moss, Flame Moss
Fauna: 8 Danio margaritatus (CPDs), one Neritina natalensis sp. "Tracked", and multiple MTS

The majority of the plants started as small clippings. The crypts and anubias were pretty much just rhizomes when I dry-started the tank a year ago. The mosses and pearl weed were just one or two sprigs as well.

6/21/11 - Right before filling it up after about a year of a dry start.

10/18/11 - The tank as it is now.

Top view

This anubias used to be nothing but a bare rhizome.

CPDs

These guys used to be about the size of a grain of rice. Now their a little bit under an inch.

MTS

Another full tank shot. I should really trim the grass and the pearl weed back.

Newman · 10-20-2011, 05:06 AM

i think it looks fine. post up a video!

Monster Fish · 10-20-2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newman

i think it looks fine. post up a video!

Thanks! I should really post one I guess, to get the CPD's swimming in action.

doncityz · 10-20-2011, 05:55 AM

Time for a trim?

Monster Fish · 10-20-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doncityz

Time for a trim?

I should give it a trim but I like the wild, overgrown look of the tank. I think Ill trim it this weekend.

PinoyBoy · 10-20-2011, 06:39 AM

Looks amazing. It reminds me of a grass field (DHG) with bananna trees (the crypts). Doesn't need a trim; just mow the lawn a bit.

diwu13 · 10-20-2011, 01:07 PM

I assume you have multiple tanks. If that was your only tank I am amazed you waited a year for the dry start!

Penny · 10-20-2011, 02:13 PM

I think this looks awesome, very lush!

Monster Fish · 10-20-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinoyBoy

Looks amazing. It reminds me of a grass field (DHG) with bananna trees (the crypts). Doesn't need a trim; just mow the lawn a bit.

Thanks. I wasn't sure how big the crypts were going to get when I first started the tank. When they got too tall, I had to ditch the lid to keep leaves from hitting the top.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diwu13

I assume you have multiple tanks. If that was your only tank I am amazed you waited a year for the dry start!

Yea, I only have one other planted tank at the moment and I was focused on that one for the longest time. I even neglected this tank for a while since I was busy with school and work when I first planted it dry. The only maintenance I did was pour water to keep the substrate saturated and remember to turn on the desk lamp. At one point, some of the emergent hairgrass was dying and dried out and covered with fungus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny

I think this looks awesome, very lush!

Thanks!

Monster Fish · 10-28-2011, 06:21 AM

I did a small trim and took a few pics. I also recorded a short vid of the tank.

Trimmed the grass. It was a PITA to remove most of the floating bits. I also thinned out the Hygro and trimmed the pearl weed.

The crypts. The one leaf in the middle is a nice bronze/olive green color while other leaves are bright green.

Added some mystery moss to the tank. Can anyone identify it?

Here's the vid I promised.
http://youtu.be/GU-4zR-Uul4

Newman · 10-28-2011, 01:42 PM

probably java moss.
tank looks great! looks like I'll be doing dry starts in the future for at least 1 year lol...

diwu13 · 10-28-2011, 04:35 PM

Looks like java/taiwan moss. Can't really tell the difference between the two.

Is your filter getting clogged with all that "grass"?

Monster Fish · 10-28-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newman

probably java moss.
tank looks great! looks like I'll be doing dry starts in the future for at least 1 year lol...

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by diwu13

Looks like java/taiwan moss. Can't really tell the difference between the two.

Is your filter getting clogged with all that "grass"?

I was thinking taiwan moss, but the fronds don't look right. However I did buy the moss from a seller in the SnS as a mixed mat which also contained Peacock and Flame moss.

Actually, the filter is fine. The only time the filter gets clogged is when one of the crypt leaves melt and I am too lazy to pull the melted stuff out of the tank.

TheJadeShrimp · 10-28-2011, 06:13 PM

Very nice! I like it!

I am looking for some Dwarf Hairgrass myself. lol

diwu13 · 10-28-2011, 06:42 PM

It doesn't really look like flame moss, but generally when I see flame moss its much thicker than that. I have a bunch of whatever that is so if you find out P: haha. I got mine and it was labeled as java/taiwan so who knows! All does the same thing anyway

10-20-2011, 05:02 AM	#1
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,951	5.5 gallon grass tank - 12/05/12 update Tank as of 12/05/2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- After lurking this site for a while, I've decided to share one of my tanks. Specs: Tank size: 5.5 AGA Substrate: Organic peat moss capped with Fluorite Black Sand Lighting: 27 watt Sunlight Desk Lamp Filtration: Tom Aquatics Rapids Mini Canister Filter Ferts: Seachem line with Metricide whenever I change the water once a month or so. Or whenever I feel like it. CO2: None Flora: Eleocharis acicularis, Anubias barteri var. nana, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Limnobium laevigatum (Amazon Frogbit), Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger', Java Moss, Flame Moss Fauna: 8 Danio margaritatus (CPDs), one Neritina natalensis sp. "Tracked", and multiple MTS The majority of the plants started as small clippings. The crypts and anubias were pretty much just rhizomes when I dry-started the tank a year ago. The mosses and pearl weed were just one or two sprigs as well. 6/21/11 - Right before filling it up after about a year of a dry start. 10/18/11 - The tank as it is now. Top view This anubias used to be nothing but a bare rhizome. CPDs These guys used to be about the size of a grain of rice. Now their a little bit under an inch. MTS Another full tank shot. I should really trim the grass and the pearl weed back. Last edited by Monster Fish; 12-06-2012 at 04:01 AM.. Reason: Updated info

10-20-2011, 05:06 AM	#2
Newman Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North NJ Posts: 2,157	i think it looks fine. post up a video! __________________

10-20-2011, 05:55 AM	#4
doncityz Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Where Trumpet Snails Came From Posts: 755	Time for a trim? __________________ 12.5G Tetra Community Tank \| 3.5G Betta's Paludarium \| Goldfish Nano Pond 5.5g Temp. Closed Solution to ALL ALGAE Problem: Flying Fox!

10-20-2011, 06:39 AM	#6
PinoyBoy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WA, USA Posts: 1,341	Looks amazing. It reminds me of a grass field (DHG) with bananna trees (the crypts). Doesn't need a trim; just mow the lawn a bit. __________________ -Ged Three 2.5gal -- All plants only 2.5 gal JBJ Picotope 20 gal Long

10-20-2011, 02:13 PM	#8
Penny Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 102	I think this looks awesome, very lush! __________________ 6 gallon Planted Betta Tank "Ammo" - lavender/cellophane super delta tail male

10-20-2011, 01:07 PM	#7
diwu13 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Willimantic, CT Posts: 6,168	I assume you have multiple tanks. If that was your only tank I am amazed you waited a year for the dry start!

10-28-2011, 06:21 AM	#10
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,951	I did a small trim and took a few pics. I also recorded a short vid of the tank. Trimmed the grass. It was a PITA to remove most of the floating bits. I also thinned out the Hygro and trimmed the pearl weed. The crypts. The one leaf in the middle is a nice bronze/olive green color while other leaves are bright green. Added some mystery moss to the tank. Can anyone identify it? Here's the vid I promised. http://youtu.be/GU-4zR-Uul4 __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-28-2011, 01:42 PM	#11
Newman Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North NJ Posts: 2,157	probably java moss. tank looks great! looks like I'll be doing dry starts in the future for at least 1 year lol... __________________

10-28-2011, 04:35 PM	#12
diwu13 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Willimantic, CT Posts: 6,168	Looks like java/taiwan moss. Can't really tell the difference between the two. Is your filter getting clogged with all that "grass"?

10-28-2011, 06:13 PM	#14
TheJadeShrimp Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bauxite, AR Posts: 769	Very nice! I like it! I am looking for some Dwarf Hairgrass myself. lol __________________ Zombie Tank, 1 Gallon Bowl, and 25 Gallon Cassandra Just my animals: 0.2 Cornsnakes, 0.2 Bearded Dragons, 1.0 Water Dragon, 0.2.1 Crested Geckos, 1.0 Tiger Salamander, 2.0 Anoles, 0.0.2 Red Eared Slider Turtles, 0.0.1 Map Turtle, 0.0.1 Hermit Crabs, 1.0 Hamster, 1.0 Rabbit, 0.1 Horses, 2.2 Dogs, 0.2 Cats, Chickens, Ducks, Oscar Tank, Planted Bowl, 2x 10 Gallon, 2x 0.5 Gallon, 5 Gallon, and Planted 25 Gallon Tank....Is that it?

10-28-2011, 06:42 PM	#15
diwu13 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Willimantic, CT Posts: 6,168	It doesn't really look like flame moss, but generally when I see flame moss its much thicker than that. I have a bunch of whatever that is so if you find out P: haha. I got mine and it was labeled as java/taiwan so who knows! All does the same thing anyway

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