First planted 12g Long (56K warning)

[_FC]

Dear Journal,

I've been reading and reading and reading so much that I finally feel the confidence to stop reading and start doing. I'm using a special concotion of top soil i made from my parents back yard. The whole community was built on top of what used to be a cabbage patch farm. All of the neighbors and my parents included grow lots of organic fruits and veggies so I have high hopes for this soil. I dug a 7 foot hole to get the deepest cleanest soil as possible. There are some patches where the flourite black is thin so the soil rises up from through the rocks. I will probably regret it later but planning on covering it more.

Of course i want a very beautiful hardscape and beautiful plants but my goal with this aquarium being my first is to GROW! I know i can do much better but i really want to start and make my first. Once i have the experience I will look at re scaping or maybe another

12 Gal Mr. Aqua
DIY LED strip
Flourite Black
Homebrewed top soil + organic soil mix (need to get list of items)
Odyssea 36" (Temporary light in the mail)
Eheim Ecco 2232 (in the mail)

Drwaf Hairgrass
Hemianthus callitrichoides

Petrified Wood
Some annonymous rock

When i opened the box to my surprise!

IMG_2538 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

ha!

While i get the rest of my supplies and leak test the tank, i put "Eli" in the tank. I need to get a bigger tank for him, he swam like there was no tomorrow!

IMG_2547 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


Basic look idea

IMG_2544 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2545 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

My mud concoction

IMG_2551 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2554 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2560 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2561 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2566 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2570 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2581 by CFrancisco, on Flickr



5/13/2012

It's been 3 days and believe it or not i'm already seeing the HC grow! Not much but the mini branches are actually reaching up and it's starting to look alive! I also got rid of the 2nd rock to make room for a row of hairgrass. Ultimately i want the Hairgrass to surround the edges of the aquarium left and right. It will be mainly wrapped around the Petrified wood.

HC Planted, and Hairgrass

IMG_3109 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

Mini harscape tweak

IMG_3114 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

First Photo of hairgrass

IMG_3104 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_3124 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

HC Already growing! Yay!

IMG_3123 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

[2in10]

Very good start

[vincenz]

How much was shipping for that human?



I like the betta in there with that simple hardscape. Very Zen.

[Geniusdudekiran]

Is that a real tree on the left?

[GMYukonon24s]

Originally Posted by vincenz

How much was shipping for that human?



I like the betta in there with that simple hardscape. Very Zen.

I was thinking for my next trip. That's how I'm going to travel.

[_FC]

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by GMYukonon24s

I was thinking for my next trip. That's how I'm going to travel.

Great idea! Only problem i'm 6'1 that box would only fit my torso! :P

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

Is that a real tree on the left?

No it's a fake My mom bought it as a house warming gift i thought it was real at first :P

Originally Posted by vincenz

How much was shipping for that human?

I like the betta in there with that simple hardscape. Very Zen.

Thanks! it was just temporary while i gathered supplies. Might do a similar style with a smaller tank and some bamboo plant i have...

Marine Depot Free shipping

[sayurasem]

I would like to know how this tank turns out

[menoseloso]

nice tank wish i had one...so i made a 12x12x10 to soothe the nerves..lol

[_FC]

New update 11/11/12

I had some rosie barbs that dug up all the hc :/ So i got rid of them and planted a piece of Bacopa Madagascariensis Glosso and a few other species. The grasshair died but all good. Tank is running healthy and i'm happy with it so far! I would love to re scape it now that i have the feel for it but i will wait till next year...


IMG_3611 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


sidetank by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_3609 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_1476 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

[Big O]

So jealous.
Where did you get the LEDS?

Thanks,
big o

[_FC]

Originally Posted by Big O

So jealous.
Where did you get the LEDS?

Thanks,
big o

Bought it from a friend.

[_FC]

Long overdue update:
2/4/2013
I wanted to "work with what i had" so this is what i came up with. Glosso has been growing since my last update. It plateaued with my minimal osmocotte and semi weekly water changes but i threw in some Co2 and now dosing EI and blaow! it's taken off since.

I have some anubias, Staurogyne repens, glosso, javamoss, and amazon frog bit..



IMG_2381 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


img_2374 by CFrancisco, on Flickr


IMG_2382 by CFrancisco, on Flickr

[Green_Flash]

Once everything grows out it should look great, 12g long is a sweet tank to work with and looks like loads of fun to scape.

[tryank]

Impressive tank! I love the re-scape. Great pics - it's always refreshing to see an artist behind the lens, capturing and sharing their planted project.

I've never seen Staurogyne repens before; definitely going to try and find some now! Rad plant!

[_FC]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

Once everything grows out it should look great, 12g long is a sweet tank to work with and looks like loads of fun to scape.

Thanks! Struggled a bit at first because i rushed into it but in the end it was an experience!

Originally Posted by tryank

Impressive tank! I love the re-scape. Great pics - it's always refreshing to see an artist behind the lens, capturing and sharing their planted project.

I've never seen Staurogyne repens before; definitely going to try and find some now! Rad plant!

Thank you!

3/9/2013

Clearly the floaters won this battle...