55 g. low tech

[brion0]

Finished the hardscape, heres a pic, the water is cloudy. Thought about taking another pic but the sun is making to much glare. Sorry about the background, Ill change it before this is done.



The new driftwood is a different color, it may darken in time or with a coat of algae.

[Trallen44]

Looking good! A little different color just makes it more interesting.

[Trallen44]

Have you got your new ballast in yet?

[brion0]

Originally Posted by Trallen44

Have you got your new ballast in yet?

No, should get here this week, I hope. Ill add some plants in the next day or two. Ordered Jungle Val, Dwarf Sagittaria, an Coffee Anubias.

[Trallen44]

I just now saw the little skull and crossbones. That is pretty cool looking in there. Not too big, to be over powering but it is in there. I like it.

[brion0]

Originally Posted by Trallen44

I just now saw the little skull and crossbones. That is pretty cool looking in there. Not too big, to be over powering but it is in there. I like it.

Its a hobby, so you have to keep things fun. The skull is fun, treasure island!
______________
Couldnt stand not having plants in it any longer. I dont know if the firemouths are gonna take. Hope they dont take the other fish with them.

I did end up taking things out to get the glue to work well. Stuff was wet, but things set up on the wood in about 30 seconds, rocks in about 15. Added a black background, it sets things off well.

Heres a pic of how it looks, still waiting on the Vals, Dwarf Sagittaria, an couple more anubias. Id like to get some moss for a couple places also.
Right,

Left,

FTS,

[BENOLUX]

looks good mate i like the two seperate pieces of wood and the gap between makes the scape look really nice.

[Trallen44]

It looks great! What kind of moss are you looking for? All I have is Java Moss. But I will send you some if you need it.

[brion0]

Thanks BENOLUX.

Trallen44, I talked to a member here in Idaho about some moss, if it dosnt pan out Ill let you know. Called the place I orderd my ballast, they said it was sent on the 2nd, an that it should have been here by now.So its lost in the mail.

[Trallen44]

THat sucks about the ballast. Hopefully it shows up soon, or they resend it one.

[brion0]

The ballast an ends showed up this weekend. Its a Workhorse 5, it can run 1 or 2 54w HO T5s $24.99. The ends are plain T5 ends $5.00+ shipping $15.00. The light is a LifeGlow 6700k bulb $28.00 from Petsmart.It took about an hour to install into the stock hood on the 55. The hood had an aluminum reflector. Looked at how to wire the ballast on the web, a quick search brought it up, an was very simple.

Im happy with how it turned out, for under $100, I have enough light to grow about any plant I want. If I want more light, another lamp can be added. Though I think 1 lamp will be plenty of light for what im doing. Also like it cause I didnt have to change the stock hood to get another fixture over the tank.

Thought about taking more pics, but it was realy easy. Only had to drill a few holes, every thing went together well.

Here it is completed,

[Trallen44]

Looks good Brion. Glad you finally got it in. Now just need to get pics of it on the tank and working. LOL Welcome back. Hopefully you will get your plants in on Wed.

[brion0]

Thanks Trallen, Glad your out of the hospital, hope your felling better. Got a pile of moss over the weekend. My wife already burst my bubble, by telling me UPS pry didnt ship anything monday. So Wed. I guess.

[Trallen44]

Originally Posted by brion0

Thanks Trallen, Glad your out of the hospital, hope your felling better. Got a pile of moss over the weekend. My wife already burst my bubble, by telling me UPS pry didnt ship anything monday. So Wed. I guess.

Thanks, I am feeling a little bit better, but still laid up for awhile. At least she remembered. I made two slow limping trips to the mailbox today before I remembered there would be no mail today. I am just blaming it on the drugs. LOL

[brion0]

Did get plants today. Added Corkscrew Val, Dwarf Sag, Chain Sword, Java Moss, Coffee Leaf Anubias, an Anubias Minima. Heres how it looks. Hope you like it. Judging by the pic Id say the new light makes it briter than before.