Panoramic Mountain Scape - CRS Habitat

[ADA]

I started off this tank, with an attempt at a nice iwagumi style.. discovered why there really are not that many REALLY perfect iwagumi tanks. They take a lot of self discipline, patience and restraint.

I had a massive algae problem with it in the past few months, and have finally been able to get the upper hand on it, with the help of some really great advice from people here!

Anyway, the plants situation in there right now is not very good. Everything is just starting to recover, and I replanted everything a few weeks ago. All of my HC, UG and Belem hairgrass died quickly from being smothered by the algae.

Once it stabilizes I plan to cover the substrate with a full HC carpet, and perhaps some B.Hairgrass so that just the rocks are sticking out, like a scottish hillside.

Ahem.. except, last time I checked there were no magical floating islands floating over scotland. So.. ahh.. I don't care. I like floating magical islands, and it's MY Scotland. Hahahaha

I plan to update this thread with new pics once a week from now on. Hopefully it goes well now.

Specs

Tank: 12 Gallon Rimless (36"x8"x9")

Substrate: ADA AquaSoil

Lighting: Marineland Doublebright 36" (X2)

Ferts: YamatoGreen-N

C02: Pressurized paintball Co2, Flourite Excel

Filtration: Eheim 2213, dim* long spray bar. (*do it myself. :-p )


Flora:

Hemianthus Callitrichoides

Fissiden Fontanus

Süßwassertang

Rotala Indica

Marsilea Quadrifolia

Hydrocotyle Verticillata

Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides

Japanese "Belem" micro grass

Mini Pellia

Cuphea Anagalloidea



Fauna:

CRS and CBS

Ottos

Thanks for looking!


Pics!



**Original post**








Unfortunately, I skipped a few steps (didn't take photos).. so here's what the tank looks like now.. I can't wait for it to fill in!!




This is when I had two ZooMed 501 filters (one at each end)






Here's where I work





Moonlights!!





I found my wife's diamond earrings on the floor. Let's see if she notices.. hehe.





And, here are some of my CRS..

This is "Ebi-Wan-Kanobi".. get it? Get it? :p As I'm sure you know, "Ebi" is Japanese for "Shrimp"..








And this is "Was-Ebi":







I'd like you to meet "Ebi-Nee":




And last but not least, here's "Ebi-Murphy".. Ebi Murphy is a bit shy, but I did manage to get this picture:





That's about all I have for now. Thanks for looking!

Please check back (or subscribe to this thread).. I WILL be updating.







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04-13-2011
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I just scored today, this Eheim 2213 filter. It looks like new, and works flawlessly! (Thanks Justyn!)

So, I was running two ZooMed 501s, which I have now replaced with the Eheim. Much nicer!




It came complete with tap valves, which are not standard. I LOVE IT.







I decided to try adding the second LED Double Bright light I have. The problem was that both of them are don't quite fit on the top of the tank together, because the tank's too narrow. Also, instead of pointing straight down, I would prefer both strips to point at opposite parts of the tank, crossing each other's light rays.

So, I built wooden fixtures, rounded to fit them on top of the tank, and now they don't point directly down.

Perfect!!

Here are a few pics. I'll post some more once I put it on top of the tank... hope it's not too much light!



Started with some old bed slats..





Cutting and sanding:





Apply some of this to protect/darken the wood:





Before they were drilled and cut:





And, it's done! This was a learning experience.. I may end up buying a couple of thick pieces of acrylic and redo it.





I had to cut slots in the wood for the switches/ power cord. If I do it again with Acrylic, I'll make holes for that stuff. I think it will look neater.





I designed it to open:





Both sides!





All the way






12 Gallon Iwagumi CRS tank ••• 2.9 Gallon Mini-S Nano Tree Stump

[Geniusdudekiran]

What are the tap valves for? The tank looks great! I really like the look of these extra long tanks, like the 12g long bowfront from Mr. Aqua. Sorry if I missed it, but who makes this tank? Good job!

[TLE041]

Do you think the Marineland LEDs can sustain these plants long term?

[SkyGrl]

thats a cool looking tank! i love the low length of it!

Amy

[bsmith]

This tank is awesome too. IMO, forget the co2 if the shrimp are your priority. It just adds another thing that is making them unhappy so if it's not necessary leave it be. Nice find on the 2213, you will be very happy with it. I couldn't do an Iwigumi tank, I love lush thick plantings and Iwigumis are to minimalist for my taste.

Kiran-the double taps/quick disconnects are on the Eheim Classics and are what you use when its time to do filter maintenance. You close them them then unscrew them co cut the water off from the intake/outflow and also from the filter. You can also use the valve on the outflow to control the flow by turning it down to your desired level of movement.

[taniner]

Very nice!

[Betta Maniac]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

What are the tap valves for?

They let you close off the hoses so you can carry the filter away for cleaning without taking the intake and outflow off the tank. Very handy.

I got nice CBS off Aquabid (Blueface) and eBay (freeman1020). Both sellers delivered exactly what was promised and the shrimp have really nice, solid, white on their shells.

[swoof]

Pretty sure this is the Mr. Aqua 12 long, I want one of these tanks

Did the wife notice the earrings yet?

[ADA]

Originally Posted by swoof

Pretty sure this is the Mr. Aqua 12 long, I want one of these tanks

Did the wife notice the earrings yet?

Yep, Mr Aqua 12 long.

HAha. Yes, she did. They sparkle so brightly! I should have put them in the back. They're still there though.. :p

[ADA]

Thanks for the comments!

Originally Posted by swoof

Pretty sure this is the Mr. Aqua 12 long, I want one of these tanks

Yep, Mr Aqua 12 long.

Originally Posted by swoof

Did the wife notice the earrings yet?

HAha. Yes, she did. They sparkle so brightly! I should have put them in the back. They're still there though.. :p

[ADA]

Originally Posted by TLE041

Do you think the Marineland LEDs can sustain these plants long term?

Yes, because the tank is so low, the light doesn't have to penetrate far. I actually had to lower the photo period a little because I was starting to have an algae problem. As the tank settles more though, I should be able to run it longer.

I have hiding spots for the shrimp, in case the light is too bright for them.

[ADA]

Originally Posted by bsmith

This tank is awesome too. IMO, forget the co2 if the shrimp are your priority. It just adds another thing that is making them unhappy so if it's not necessary leave it be. Nice find on the 2213, you will be very happy with it. I couldn't do an Iwigumi tank, I love lush thick plantings and Iwigumis are to minimalist for my taste.

I'll probably end up just letting everything grow in there! lol. Hard to resist. I guess that's why a really nice, true Iwagumi is hard to find.. Yes, I think I'll take your advice and ditch the idea of C02 for this one.

[!shadow!]

Nice diy, never thought about doing that with the marineland led's. I did notice they arched but kudos to you for that idea.

[bsmith]

Nice work. It looks as though you have the lighting sickness that everyone catches when doing a planted tank. Im not too familiar with LED lights but I hope its not too much.

[SkyGrl]

Very Nice!!! i love the look!