rocksmom's 12 Long Blue Velvet Haven - New FTS in first post!

[rocksmom]

I've been wanting a 12 long for awhile but had basically given up on the idea of getting one because I already had so many tanks. That was until my husband and I went to a LFS and they had two of them in stock. I was shocked they had them and as soon as my husband saw it he grabbed it and took it to the register. We actually went back and forth on whether it would be my shrimp tank or his reef tank, but we ended up deciding that I would take this and he would take over my 25g cube once I move my shrimp. Better for both of us.

Plan updated July 30. Current discussion and pics will start on page 3, post 39.
Equipment
Tank: Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long
Filter: Eheim Ecco 2232 with custom spray bar and intake
Substrate: Carib Sea Moonlight Sand
Light: 30" Finnex FugeRay
CO2: None
Ferts: Probably none. Possibly a very light dosing of macro/micro liquids.

Hardscape
Pa-Hai stones
Small river stones (used for attaching plants)

Flora
Mini Pellia
Anubias nana
Anubias nana petite
Mini xmas moss

Fauna
Blue Velvet neos
Microdevario kubotai
Otos

[sayurasem]

Nice! Can't wait till its scaped. Don't forget to join the club!
Btw what's darker than amazonia?

[rocksmom]

I was thinking something like Brightwell Aquatic's "Escuro" substrate. It's supposed to be black, but would cost a small fortune. I could do something inert since at this point I only plan on keeping the neos, but I'll probably just end up using the aquasoil since I have it.

Already added the club link to my signature

[mythin]

it bought 1 15 lb bag ($48inc tax) to fill mine with brightwell's and I had maybe 5 pounds left over, i have both the black and brown versions in different tanks (fine grain), its worth the price i think. The substrate doesnt turn to mush, so i actually have good flow through my substrate since there are a lot of air pockets.

[speedie408]

Nice tank!

Subscribing to see what you have in store .

[rocksmom]

Originally Posted by mythin

it bought 1 15 lb bag ($48inc tax) to fill mine with brightwell's and I had maybe 5 pounds left over, i have both the black and brown versions in different tanks (fine grain), its worth the price i think. The substrate doesnt turn to mush, so i actually have good flow through my substrate since there are a lot of air pockets.

Is that really all it took? May I ask where you bought it at? I haven't seen it anywhere locally. All the stores around here are so saltwater focused that I'm lucky if I find a couple bags of flourite or eco complete.

Originally Posted by speedie408

Nice tank!

Subscribing to see what you have in store .

Thanks!

[rocksmom]

Spent the morning calling around to a few places and couldn't find anything but flourite, eco complete, and fluval stratum. I almost bought a couple bags of Azoo black from Marine Depot, but with the cost of shipping decided to just stick with the aquasoil. The Azoo doesn't look all that black from what I can tell in pictures anyway. I could be wrong though.

Ended up doing some shopping after that. Got a few houseplants to go around the tank:



I already have some succulents that I'll use as well. I still want to find a couple more including a goldfish plant. Of course. Also bought the light and bulbs:



I remember reading awhile back that someone on here bought one and posted that the diamond plate made a pretty good reflector. It cost more than I thought it was going to, but it seems like everything does in California. I plan on making a hood/cover/whatever you want to call it that will cover the top and sides of the fixture. Just painted MDF. It will match the hoods I made for my 7.5g tanks.

This isn't really related, but I had this waiting for me when I got home:



I had no idea that a 6 gallon tank would come in such a huge box. That's my 22 pound boston terrier sitting on top. I'll have to start the journal for this one once I get a chance to set it up. Have to get the area ready for the 12 long first.

[meowschwitz]

Kudos for beating out your hubby for the 12G, although, I wouldn't mind seeing a nano reef in a tank like this. A great size for everything.

[GMYukonon24s]

I really like this size tank so I can't wait to see this setup.

[rocksmom]

Originally Posted by meowschwitz

Kudos for beating out your hubby for the 12G, although, I wouldn't mind seeing a nano reef in a tank like this...

You and him both!

Originally Posted by GMYukonon24s

I really like this size tank so I can't wait to see this setup.

Thanks!

[rocksmom]

Went to Ikea over the weekend and got a stand for the tank. I was worried about the weight even though the tank isn't very large, so my husband sat on the display model and bounced around. I think it will be just fine.



Got the stand built and cut a piece of yoga mat to go under the tank for padding. Today I got the substrate in place. I think I'm happy with it:



I've never been one for a lot of substrate against the front glass, but I think in this case it will work. That's the side I plan on planting bacopa which should get some nice emergent growth. That's also the side the driftwood is going to go on. I think it will stick our of the water some too, which should look nice. I'm going to attach anubias petite to it which, unless I'm wrong, should also be able to grow above the water line. It's hard to see in the pic, but there's a small valley in the front center for the MM. The right side is what I'm still not 100% on. I know I'm going to put the moss covered rocks there, but they are low so I'd like something taller behind them. Haven't decided what yet.

For the hill on the left I actually used some egg crate and made umm... something. I basically just cut some pieces in varying sizes and zip tied them together into the general shape of the slope. Hopefully it will help it hold. I got the idea from someone on here, I think gordonrichards. He mentioned using screen too, but I didn't bother. Here it is in the tank before I covered it with the aquasoil.



Current issues/plans:

• Got some MM in the mail today. Not having any experience with the plant it ended up being less than I expected. I posted a WTB for some more.
• Stand ended up being taller then I planned for, meaning lights are going to be closer. Hopefully not an issue, but I suppose I can add something to diffuse the light if needed.
• Planning on getting spraybar made and filter put on the tank tomorrow. Currently trying to decide if I want the plumbing over the back or over the side. I'm thinking the side for ease of access. Houseplants should hide it anyway.

[sayurasem]

Nice stand! How much was it if you don't mind?
Btw what is MM plant?

[rocksmom]

Originally Posted by sayurasem

Nice stand! How much was it if you don't mind?
Btw what is MM plant?

It was $90. They had some colors for $70, but I wanted the gloss finish. I figured it would stand up to water better. Here's the link: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10196431/

MM is marsilea minuta. It's supposed to be a good carpet plant for low light tanks. I read that it grows really slowly though, so I want to start with a good amount. I'm impatient.

[sayurasem]

Sweet. It looks clean

[Chrisinator]

That's gonna be awesome to have plants around it as well!