bitFUUL's // GLA 61-C // High Tech // Custom LED // (2ft. x 2ft. x 1ft.)

[bitFUUL]

Originally Posted by madness

I seriously considered picking up this tank last year.

The tank and stand actually look better than I expected.

Great set-up man.

Thanks man! Yeah, once I stained it, the cabinet started to look much cleaner than expected.

Plants are off to a slow/steady start, hoping to start upping the light intensity a bit once I get my CO2/ferts right.

[bitFUUL]

Pushed the light intensity up to 50% now. Some light algae, but lots of new growth. Still trying to get the ferts balanced.

[bitFUUL]

So I snapped a few more photos. I'm about 98% done with this build, just need to finish plexiglassing the light and running the cables in a white conduit. Onefang has made me a clear intake, it should arrive any minute. Battling a bit of algae at the moment, still trying to figure out the best light timing/intensity. But I'm loving the footprint, it's VERY easy to maintain. Currently there are 4 neon tetras, 1 Oto, and 1 crazy lil dwarf puffer.

Here are some quick shots.

[Green_Flash]

I like it, looks like a lagoon you would dive in.

[bitFUUL]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

I like it, looks like a lagoon you would dive in.

Thanks. This project has taken me much longer than anticipated, so I only get a few minutes here and there. I'm hoping to finish planting the HC in the front and the light still needs some work.
Seeing how this was my first LED attempt, I don't know what will grow. So I put about 10+ different plants into the tank and hope that something will grow. Once things begin to show me signs of growth, I will worry about shuffling things around to make a more visually pleasing plant scaping. For now, just getting the ecosystem going. Function first, then worry about the looks, right?

But for what it's worth, this footprint is kickass, very easy to work with!

[bitFUUL]

Due to a period in which I won't be able to maintain this tank, I've decided to do the dry start method with HC. Having someone watch your planted tank is much easier handing off a DSM tank, vs. trying to school someone on a high tech setup's care list.
So hopefully when I return from my short trip, I'll have a nice carpet going. Then I can just scape over/around it with rocks or something. Here it is for now: