Planted Tank #2 (you can't just have one!)

[theDeanorama]

So ... apparenly Lay's and Aquariums fall under the same purview - You can't just have one. With this in mind I am starting this journal now before the real action happens (unlike my 1st one). You can now actually follow along my scattered thought process as I muddle my way through this in these early stages.

I'm piecing together something a little more user friendly than my Nano Cube for a planted aquarium. Not only is it hard to control heat in the cube, but it's not designed for the heavier filtration needed for planted tanks. With that in mind I introduce you to attempt #2 currently consisting of:

• 15 gallon rimless tank from Hagen
• 2x 24 watt HO Glo fixure ... also from Hagen (coincidence, not design)
  • Giesemann Midday
  • Giesemann AquaFlora
• Rena XP2 Filter
• Fluval co2 88
• DIY Light stand from EMT
• DIY Acrylic Lily pipes (in progress)
• Driftwood

The stock list is up in the air:

• 7x Cardinal Tetras (will be xfered from original tank)
• RCS because I love the little guys
• I'm thinking 2 or 3 Amano Shrimp as well this time around
• Nerite snails would also add some interest, more than my little pond snails are at least in the 12g
• After the above, I'm not sure ... another breed of tetra perhaps, or some male guppies. this part is undecided.

Plants:

• either a dwarf hairgrass or HC carpet in the foreground
• weeping moss on the driftwood (having trouble finding this)
• mid to background someplace some Blyxa Japonica (also hard to find)
• something not green in the very back on the left hand side to middle, have yet to decide what
• something tall and interesting to the right hand side back to center as well, perhaps along the lines of Echinodorus Vesuvius
• possibly some Anubias nanas if my light isnt going to be too much for them, I'm a little concerned about this aspect when it comes to the nanas, I was thinking under the driftwood thus under the weeping moss for shade.
• if not Nanas then something else small and foreground-ish to add some interest up front under the driftwood.

The substrate I've still not decided on, I'm waffling between flourite and flourite sand (what ever I pick, I want it to be black). I will have to make my decision soon though if I want to get started on this as its kind of an important aspect to the tank

Here is my DIY light stand made from bent EMT. I had to really curl the pipe over to get the bar into the middle of the tank, this gives it a shepherd's hook look to it but it had to be done, otherwise the support bar would have been at the very front of the tank. All thats left to do is clean off the stickers and my felt marks, cut the support bar to length and figure out the best way to support the suspension wires (sorry about the awful iphone pics):



I think I want to add another branch to this, arching higher up into the tank, but here is my driftwood currently. I hammer drilled the base and bolted through silicon for a good seal around the bolt, then sealed the head of the bolt as well:



The 'lily pipe' was my 1st forray into playing with acrylic. I made it pretty big so the walls are fairly thin. I will have to give it a good wrapping in painter's tape before attempting to cut it with a razor saw. I ordered this tube stock up from the States but if you live in the Greater Vancouver area and know where to source this stuff locally, I would love to hear from you:

[SearunSimpson]

Lookin good! I thought I recognized the photos from about two seconds ago, then realized where you were from, and that you're on BCA too. Since I'm not really active on there, but defs active on here, I'll post a comment here.

As for getting glass/acrylic, have you tried Delta Glass Co.? I think they are in the Tilburry area.

[theDeanorama]

Originally Posted by SearunSimpson

Lookin good! I thought I recognized the photos from about two seconds ago, then realized where you were from, and that you're on BCA too. Since I'm not really active on there, but defs active on here, I'll post a comment here.

As for getting glass/acrylic, have you tried Delta Glass Co.? I think they are in the Tilburry area.

Thanks! Yeah, I am on a number of forums Thanks for the tip, I'll give them a call today and see what they have. I figure there must be a number of sources out here, but the googles have failed me for the gvrd.

[theDeanorama]

I like the misted glass look of R type ADA tanks but I do like looking through the sides of my tank though so yesterday I decided that I would try and attain the same look on the background, leaving the sides clear.

A trip to home depot to purchase some frosted glass applique followed by a bit of squeegeeing then timming and the desired affect is attained:

[04100824]

OHH! I like the frosted back! I may have to steal this idea...

[Cottagewitch]

Looking good!