SouthernCichlids' "Limbs of a Reaper" Stockpiling new equipment, spawning rams!!

[SouthernCichlids]

This is my 36" 30 gallon medium tech planted tank. It's definitely a work in progress as it was thrown together on a whim after deciding to combine 2 smaller tanks when I found this tank with all needed equipment for $35. Critiques are more than welcome, I enjoy throwing around ideas with people and I have lurked here long enough to know that you guys do too, and it's always helpful!

Equipment
30 gallon tank
Eheim 2213
Koralia 425 powerhead
Hydor in-line 200w heater
AquaticLife 36" 78w Dual T5HO
Flourite substrate (it was $5/bag)

Flora
Crypt nurii
Crypt nurii 'pahang mutated'
Crypt parva
Crypt wendtii Extra tall sp.
Crypt wendtii hybrid
Crypt petchii
Crypt spiralis
Crypt retrospirialis
Crypt wendtii 'Green Gecko"
Crypt wendtii 'Mi Oya'
Crypt wendtii 'De Witt Red'
Crypt wendtii 'Florida Sunset'
Crypt pontederifolia
Crypt crispatula var. Balansae
Blyxa Japonica
Repens 049
Hygro kompacta
Amazon frogbit
Fissidens on SS

Fauna
15 Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
3 Long-fin GBR
2 Standard-fin GBR
3 Skunk Loaches
2 LF ABN
1 Dwarf Peruvian pleco


Inverts
4 Amano shrimp
MTS

Dosing
Modified EI dosing
Pfertz root tabs
50% water change once a week
Paintball CO2 through an inline diffuser

[SouthernCichlids]

Now, on to some pictures!

[SouthernCichlids]

And a few more. I have just started dosing this tank and I wanted to see the progress it makes in the next few weeks...expect lots of pictures!

[BoxxerBoyDrew]

Really nice setup!!!

Fish seem to be loving it too! The only thing I would change is the Moss in the back right corner. Is that a covered log or what? It just doesn't do anything for me. Other than that it is cool!

Do you have plans on a stand in the future? GREAT find on the tank too! I really like that loach! I can never find them around here.

Looks as if you are doing great, and I really want to see how everything grows in!
Drew

[SouthernCichlids]

Originally Posted by BoxxerBoyDrew

Really nice setup!!!

Fish seem to be loving it too! The only thing I would change is the Moss in the back right corner. Is that a covered log or what? It just doesn't do anything for me. Other than that it is cool!

Do you have plans on a stand in the future? GREAT find on the tank too! I really like that loach! I can never find them around here.

Looks as if you are doing great, and I really want to see how everything grows in!
Drew

Thanks Drew! Right now, the moss is more for functionality as opposed to aesthetics. It's covering the ugly green tubing and giving all of my fry and baby shrimp a safe haven. I couldn't pass up the deal either, about 2 softball size portions for $7!

I'm keeping my eye out for a 36" stand in my area but they're hard to come by unfortunately so I might be going the DIY route pretty soon.

Thanks again! Those loaches are awesome! Awesome patterns/colors and are always zipping around the tank with each other. If you are looking for some young ones, someone on AquaBid is selling a group, it's a $1, no reserve auction and shipping is reasonable as well

[SouthernCichlids]

Caught another berried female hanging around

[LB79]

Very cool tank. Those angels may get a little big, but that's always a good excuse for a bigger tank...

[SouthernCichlids]

Originally Posted by LB79

Very cool tank. Those angels may get a little big, but that's always a good excuse for a bigger tank...

Thanks LB! You are correct about that, been keeping my eye on craigslist for a nice 90 gallon tank I'm selling some baby neolamp brichardi now to help fund that idea

[SouthernCichlids]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=232338

I have some BGA breaking out and started a thread in the algae subforum if anyone wants to chime in, it would be much appreciated!

[synaethetic]

botia kubotai are great fish! I used to be into botias, awesome characters.

[SouthernCichlids]

Just ordered tons of new plants to get this tank looking the way I want it to, check back for some re-scape pictures next week! It will look 20x better than it does now with the "closing-in-on-collectoritis" look it has now

[SouthernCichlids]

Originally Posted by synaethetic

botia kubotai are great fish! I used to be into botias, awesome characters.

Agreed 100%, they are tons of fun to watch and have some very unique patterns

[SouthernCichlids]

Pretty big rescape today, the rocks and random plants just weren't what I had in mind for this tank long-term. Added quite a few large portions of new plants as I want this tank to be heavily planted with minimal hardscape (I kept 2 or 3 rocks to hold the 3 longer branches in place).

1 picture for tonight, it's not a teaser but it shows where this tank started at. Bare and bland with lots of equipment showing.

[Kado]

Are all the same fish going back in the tank? I'm a noob and bought all the normal recommended fish. If I could start over I'd like a collection like that.

Also are you getting a stand soon? I've heard horror stories of people putting tanks and soft stuff like towels and carpets and then cracking the bottom because of all the soft stuff pushing up in the center.

[SouthernCichlids]

Originally Posted by Kado

Are all the same fish going back in the tank? I'm a noob and bought all the normal recommended fish. If I could start over I'd like a collection like that.

Also are you getting a stand soon? I've heard horror stories of people putting tanks and soft stuff like towels and carpets and then cracking the bottom because of all the soft stuff pushing up in the center.

I actually didn't even have to remove any of the fish as I wasn't doing a really drastic change. Seems like a stirred up the shrimp colony as they have been out and about a lot more, it has at least doubled in the past month!

I'm not too worried about it cracking, I don't have much in the tank that would push it beyond it's breaking point. But I am trying to find a stand, if that fails then I'll just build one myself