Chuck's Desktop Spec

[chazde3]

Hi all. This is my first attempt at a planted pico tank. This tank was originally a pico reef tank, but I got a little bored with it. Lighting is the stock spec unit but I have plans to update it to either 3 or 4 3watt CREE LEDs on a dimmable driver. Probably 3 cool whites and a royal blue. I know blue is useless in FW tanks but I like the crisper white that a blue mixed in gives you.

Stock List:
7 CRS
2 Clown Killifish

Java Fern
Flame Moss
Unknown Crypt

[xjasminex]

Your wood is awesome =]

[chazde3]

Originally Posted by xjasminex

Your wood is awesome =]

Thank you. I cherry picked through my LFS's driftwood bins and found this beauty. I had to cut down one side at the base to help it sit so it looks like an old stump. I'm excited to see the plants grow in around it.

[GMYukonon24s]

Nice start! Do you plan on putting any plants in front of the wood?

[chazde3]

Originally Posted by GMYukonon24s

Nice start! Do you plan on putting any plants in front of the wood?

Yup, I have some dwarf valis at my fiance's house waiting for me to remember to grab it. Once I put that in I will let this grow in and see if anything needs to be added down the road. She has a nice 20g tall planted tank that has been going for around 6-9 months.

[STS_1OO]

Originally Posted by chazde3

Yup, I have some dwarf valis at my fiance's house waiting for me to remember to grab it. Once I put that in I will let this grow in and see if anything needs to be added down the road. She has a nice 20g tall planted tank that has been going for around 6-9 months.

Great piece of wood there - I think this will look awesome!

Could you elaborate on "dwarf valis"....I'm not sure which plant that is but sounds interesting

[chazde3]

Originally Posted by STS_1OO

Great piece of wood there - I think this will look awesome!

Could you elaborate on "dwarf valis"....I'm not sure which plant that is but sounds interesting

Haha I'm actually not quite sure what it is. I bought a bunch of regular Valis for her tank a long time ago and not of it grows over 2-3 inches tall now. Spreads like wildfire though haha.

[chazde3]

Worked on a little project this weekend . I got my LED light for this tank built. Went with 3 3watt Cree cool whites and 1 3watt Cree royal blue. All on a dimmable driver. I painted the heatsink black for a cleaner look. All I still need to do is figure out how to hang it over the tank when I get back to work on Monday. I may go with bending a piece of conduit or have the machine shop come up with something. I also dont have a fan on the heatsink the moment. I will test out the heat that these put out and if they get too hot I will pick up a small fan and probably machine it into the heatsink.

Paint drying

LED layout

Testing out the LEDs

[andrewss]

nice diy work - tank looks great that DW is awesome

[chazde3]

Originally Posted by andrewss

nice diy work - tank looks great that DW is awesome

Thanks.

So I was gonna resist as much as possible from putting a Betta in the spec but I found a beauty I couldn't pass up. I was at my local Meijer which usually only has generic red or blue Bettas, I spotted a great looking red with light blue/white crowntails. I will get some pictures of him soon, got a busy day ahead of me unfortunately.

[chazde3]

[andrewss]

yeah, thats a good lookin crowntail!

[dacrax07]

The java fern will look great once it grows in. Bettas do love java fern