This is the story of my first planted tank and the wild adventure that ensued.
Tank Shot as of: 8/16/13
40 gallon breeder
Eheim 2217
Hydor 200w in-line
Finnex Fugeray 36"
Black Diamond 20/40 blasting grit with Pfertz root tabs
No C02
Water
100% tap water
pH: 8.0
KH: 6
GH: 9
Flora
Alternanthera reineckii
Rotala roundifolia
Rotala macrandra
Bacopa Caroliniana
Hygrophila sp. 'Brown'
Hygrophila corymbosa (Green Temple)
Dwarf Sagitaria
Limnophila sessiliflora
Limnophila aromatica 'hippuroides'
Limnophila aquatica
Ludwidgia repens x arcuata
Water Sprite
Red Tiger Lotus
Baby Tears (HM)
Mayaca fluviatilis
Hydrocolyte 'japan'
Clinopodium brownei
Java fern: regular, narrow leaf, and needle leaf
Moss: java mixed with christmas
Fauna
Malaysian Trumpet Snails / Pond Snails / Ramshorn Snails
2x Amano shrimp
1x male guppy, Maki
5x kerri tetras
Misc. Notes
The Eheim spray bar and intake pieces were painted black using Plasti-Dip rubber spray paint. It took multiple thin coats and cured for a month as I waited for the last of my supplies before filling the tank with water.
The stand was made by a family friend using my own design and dimensions.
Progression
6/14/13
6/22/13
7/19/13
8/16/13
Tank Shot as of: 8/16/13
40 gallon breeder
Eheim 2217
Hydor 200w in-line
Finnex Fugeray 36"
Black Diamond 20/40 blasting grit with Pfertz root tabs
No C02
Water
100% tap water
pH: 8.0
KH: 6
GH: 9
Flora
Alternanthera reineckii
Rotala roundifolia
Rotala macrandra
Bacopa Caroliniana
Hygrophila sp. 'Brown'
Hygrophila corymbosa (Green Temple)
Dwarf Sagitaria
Limnophila sessiliflora
Limnophila aromatica 'hippuroides'
Limnophila aquatica
Ludwidgia repens x arcuata
Water Sprite
Red Tiger Lotus
Baby Tears (HM)
Mayaca fluviatilis
Hydrocolyte 'japan'
Clinopodium brownei
Java fern: regular, narrow leaf, and needle leaf
Moss: java mixed with christmas
Fauna
Malaysian Trumpet Snails / Pond Snails / Ramshorn Snails
2x Amano shrimp
1x male guppy, Maki
5x kerri tetras
Misc. Notes
The Eheim spray bar and intake pieces were painted black using Plasti-Dip rubber spray paint. It took multiple thin coats and cured for a month as I waited for the last of my supplies before filling the tank with water.
The stand was made by a family friend using my own design and dimensions.
Progression
6/14/13
6/22/13
7/19/13
8/16/13