Oceanic Biocube 14g Iwaguim Shrimp Tank

[tylergvolk]

I mowed the lawn yesterday. This fished got super excited. They loved it!

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[crazydaz]

Tyler, I like your take on Iwagumi......having a few stems in there really helps to break things up to create a few different focal points. Nice job so far, and the HC looks like it doing really well!

[tylergvolk]

Originally Posted by crazydaz

Tyler, I like your take on Iwagumi......having a few stems in there really helps to break things up to create a few different focal points. Nice job so far, and the HC looks like it doing really well!

Thanks crazydaz! I've enjoyed this plant very much.

Starting Monday I am going to focus more on the Rotala Colorata in this tank. I want it to be able to take on its natural red color that I've seen around the forums.

[james1542]

Way to rock the biocube! Did the EI regime get the hair algae under control?

[tylergvolk]

Originally Posted by james1542

Way to rock the biocube! Did the EI regime get the hair algae under control?

Yeah thanks! It's to early to tell if the EI dosing is helping with the algae in this tank but once I took out the moss tree and mowed the lawn, the hair algae was virtually nonexistant. Now I just need to get ride of the algae on the back wall. I think it is helping though. Stay tuned!

[tylergvolk]

I took this tank down...

I cleaned this tank out...

I re-scaped Iwaguim Style...

And this is what I cam up with...

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After starting an EI dosing regime, this tank got way out of balance and the algae got the better part of me. I am moving in a few weeks and I'd like to get a head start on this DSM.

Now, I haven't decided if I like the rock formations yet. What do you think? I figured that I can always take them out and just have a clean carpet scape. Anyways, it was time for something new.

[tylergvolk]

Hello everyone,

Today I decided to re-scape yet again. The new scape has an obvious focal point, has depth, and used the odd number rule (1, 3, 5).

I could really use some feedback please so if you are viewing please drop a few words. Constructive criticism is very much welcome.

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The plan...

DSM= 2 Months: I'm moving in 1 month so not filling makes the move easier.

Flora= HC, Frogbit, and possibly some DHG in the back.
Fauna= Undecided...

Before I had trouble with GDA and GSA but it was manageable until I started dosing EI. When I started EI dosing I figured I needed more light so I turned the second light on changing my light from 50-60PAR(Medium Light) at the substrate to 100-110PAR (highlight), and that was a mistake.

This time, I am going to try and keep the algae at bay with Frogbit. The plan is to completely cover the surface of the water with this awesome plant and if I need more light I can just turn on the other light giving the tank 100-110PAR (highlight) at the substrate. Note: Of course the Frogbit will greatly reduce the actual PAR at the substrate, but that is the point. Also, I plant to start with one light and see how things respond first.

Please comment on this. Do you think this is a good plan?

I want to keep this tank as beautiful and simple as possible. The HC carpet has proven itself to look great and be low maintenance. I hope to have another beautiful carpet in the next few months. For now, I must focus on other things.

Thanks for looking.

[KFryman]

I like the new scape, some may not cause it is seems centered, but I like it a lot!

[tylergvolk]

Originally Posted by KFryman

I like the new scape, some may not cause it is seems centered, but I like it a lot!

Yeah, that the thing about this scape. It's centered; however, it is back and to the right slightly.

I wonder how I can make it look not so centered. There isn't much room to work around in there...

[tylergvolk]

The other issue with this scape is the seiryu stones are way too small for this setup, but there isn't much I can do about that without buying larger stone; however, I can keep smaller critters in this tank and they will make the seiryu stones look bigger.

Let it be done then! I think I've decided that this is going to become my shrimp tank.

First things first, I will block the upper and lower vents in chamber 1. The best way to block the lower vent is to add substrate until it is covered. I like this method because it can be reversed rather than trying to glue screen from the front or back. Gluing screen from the front just looks bad, and I cannot get my hand all the way down the chamber to glue screen to the back. So, adding substrate until the vent is blocked sound like just the ticket.

As for the upper vent in chamber 1, I will simply glue some black screen from the back. The upper vents are easily accessible and I will still be able to use chamber 1 to hide a heater or whatever else I might need.

Now I need to decided what type of shrimp I will keep and which critters I want to add in there with them. I already have some Red Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, and Rili Shrimp in my other 2 tanks.

Time to do some research...

[tylergvolk]

DSM=Successful so far.

The HC has transitioned from submerged to emersed very well and the leaves are full and lush.

Another 2 weeks of DSM at least!

[Overgrowth]

I like the new layout a lot, just don't add any cardina shrimp--seiryu rocks raise the pH, GH, KH, and TDS which is not good for softwater shrimps.

[GMYukonon24s]

Nice hardscape its simple but looks so good when it gets filled in.

[tylergvolk]

Originally Posted by Overgrowth

I like the new layout a lot, just don't add any cardina shrimp--seiryu rocks raise the pH, GH, KH, and TDS which is not good for softwater shrimps.

Thank for the tip!

Honestly, I'm still debating on whether or not to go with shrimp. My girlfriend want to put this tank in the living room when we move next week. She want to put angel fish in there. If I do go with shrimp, then I will probably go with RCS for starters.

Originally Posted by GMYukonon24s

Nice hardscape its simple but looks so good when it gets filled in.

Thanks man. The emersed HC is looking very nice already. I'm starting to get excited for the fill.

[Overgrowth]

Originally Posted by tylergvolk

Thank for the tip!

Honestly, I'm still debating on whether or not to go with shrimp. My girlfriend want to put this tank in the living room when we move next week. She want to put angel fish in there. If I do go with shrimp, then I will probably go with RCS for starters.



Thanks man. The emersed HC is looking very nice already. I'm starting to get excited for the fill.

Don't put in angelfish either. Just ONE angelfish needs at least a 29 gallon tank. Why not some ember tetras or microrasbora? And maybe some corydoras pygmaeus for the bottom (although they may rip up your HC carpet if it's not well rooted).