McQueen's Mini M

[mcqueenesq]

Tank - ADA Mini M
Substrate - Power Sand Special; Aqua Soil Amazonia "Multi"
Hardscape - Yamaya Stone
Lighting - Finnex Ray II
Fauna - None
Flora - Eleocharis belem; Echinodorus tenellus "micro"





Note: The E. belem is along the back. All plants have been growing emersed since November 2011 (in other tanks). My plan is to let these re-establish their root systems for a while before flooding.

[Miles]

Do you have a fauna plan for this tank?

[iRun]

Well done!

[Dollface]

I gotta say, I hate rock piles with a passion but this is extremely well executed, I really like it.

[roybot73]

It is a nice layout. I fear that the E tennellus micro will grow to be several inches tall and will more than likely end up obscuring and overrunning everything.
Why the choice to put the low growing Belem in the background?

[mcqueenesq]

Originally Posted by Miles

Do you have a fauna plan for this tank?

Not really. I'd like to see how the plants transition first. I'm concerned that balancing the plants' CO2 requirements will be difficult enough in such a small tank. I've seen so many other members with far greater experience than I struggle, so my plan is to just take it one step at a time.

Originally Posted by iRun

Well done!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Dollface

I gotta say, I hate rock piles with a passion but this is extremely well executed, I really like it.

Thanks, Dollface. I'm working toward a concept I stumbled across during my Edge experience. I saw the effects of instant erosion after starting the filter for the first time. The sand blew away, exposing the larger gravel underneath, which in turn looked like it had eroded from the larger central rocks. The result was pretty cool, and I guess I've been more interested in the smaller rocks and shards since. My goal is to attempt layouts with greater and greater percentages of the smaller fragments. We'll see how that turns out. I'm counting on you to let me know when I finally cross the "rock pile" line, as I may have lost all perspective at this point.

Originally Posted by roybot73

It is a nice layout. I fear that the E tennellus micro will grow to be several inches tall and will more than likely end up obscuring and overrunning everything.
Why the choice to put the low growing Belem in the background?

I had planned on using UG (and then HC) instead of the E tennellus micro, but that was just a mess. As I said above, I had been growing the micro emersed for a long time. The new growth has been very slow and truly "micro." My plan is to try to recreate similar growing conditions underwater, but it's definitely going to involve a lot of trial and error.

I don't have much hope that the belem will survive the transition. It's in pretty rough shape as it is and far from enjoying its emersed experience. But it was about two inches tall when I received it. I think I'd be happy with that along the back. Undoubtedly, it will be a difficult task given my plan for the micro, but at least the belem is closer to the light source.

[Geniusdudekiran]

Some scapes make me feel... enlightened. This is definitely one of them. There's only about 6 or 7 of them. Nicely done. Very, very nicely done.

[Dollface]

Originally Posted by mcqueenesq

Thanks, Dollface. I'm working toward a concept I stumbled across during my Edge experience. I saw the effects of instant erosion after starting the filter for the first time. The sand blew away, exposing the larger gravel underneath, which in turn looked like it had eroded from the larger central rocks. The result was pretty cool, and I guess I've been more interested in the smaller rocks and shards since. My goal is to attempt layouts with greater and greater percentages of the smaller fragments. We'll see how that turns out. I'm counting on you to let me know when I finally cross the "rock pile" line, as I may have lost all perspective at this point.

The key is the variation in size and placement, which makes it look like a natural rubble pile vs. a lot of rock piles where all the stones are basically the same size, and arranged neatly the exact same distance apart. The Yamaya stone was also a great choice, since it's kind of boring on it's own, but makes great rubble.

All in all

[Francis Xavier]

Very well executed layout my friend! I would definitely recommend flooding as quick ad you can.

[mcqueenesq]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

Some scapes make me feel... enlightened. This is definitely one of them. There's only about 6 or 7 of them. Nicely done. Very, very nicely done.

Kiran, your Mini S journal has definitely been an inspiration to me. Thank you for the kind words.

Originally Posted by Dollface

All in all

I may add "Dollface Approved" to my signature. I wish I could have done more with your UG, but I had to leave it in my 83-year-old grandmother's care during our last move. You would be proud to know that it did carpet the Mini M while growing emersed, but it eventually turned white and started vomiting black sludge.

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

Very well executed layout my friend! I would definitely recommend flooding as quick ad you can.

Thanks for the feedback and for finding those small rocks for me. I'm definitely down with the FX Method, but your journal has me scared to death to fill this tank.

[Francis Xavier]

Hah! Why scared to death?

[frrok]

How are those LEDs working out so far? I'm looking to upgrade my mini-m as well. But I'm looking for a fixture of some sort. Looking at the aquaray mini400 or the 8w skkye led.

I like your setup so far. I kind of like the rubble effect personally.

[mcqueenesq]

Originally Posted by Francis Xavier

Hah! Why scared to death?

Easy for you to say. You don't even need a drop checker anymore!

Originally Posted by frrok

How are those LEDs working out so far? I'm looking to upgrade my mini-m as well. But I'm looking for a fixture of some sort. Looking at the aquaray mini400 or the 8w skkye led.

I like your setup so far. I kind of like the rubble effect personally.

Thanks! I'm digging your progress too. I'd be happy with either of those lights above my Mini M.

[Francis Xavier]

I've got faith you can do it. Follow along or ask me if you have any difficulty.

[150EH]

Nice, I like these small but clear tanks and so far you are doing a good job at tricking the eye and without any reference you can't tell what size the tank is, so keep up the good work. Didn't you have another nice little tank journal, I didn't see it in your signature.