Fresh and Clean (the Dirt Tank) 55g

latnem · 08-01-2011, 06:40 PM

Sup Guys,

So I decided to tear down my 55g main tank and start over.

I tried to do something inspired by beautiful hardscapes I have seen here in the past and fueled by my obsession with HC.

I chose to go with a mineralized top soil capped with quickrete sand. I am going to be attempting a Dry Start for the carpet.

Floura: HC! perhaps one other type of plant - I want to keep things minimal.

Fauna:
Cardinal Tetras
Rummy Nose Tetras
Otos
(Undecided on Shrimp besides Amano of course, may skip the shrimp and get some GBRs)

Equip:
Glo T5 HO Double Linear Fluorescent Fixture 48" (2x54w)
x2 Life-GLO T5 HO 6700k 54w

latnem · 08-01-2011, 06:42 PM

Substrate build

latnem · 08-01-2011, 06:45 PM

Capping and Scaping

latnem · 08-01-2011, 06:52 PM

Went fairly painless - if doing something similar I would suggest perhaps capping after putting the rocks in since it pushes some of the MTS around as you can see.

As I said I will be doing the DSM with HC so not too worried about the aesthetics of the substrate perhaps I will cap it off a little more before i plant.

I have 6 pots of HC arriving tomorrow and will be planting and setting up the dry start then.

I am slightly concerned that the roots of the HC will not be able to reach the MTS from on top of those hills. Hopefully they will still do well during the dry start and hopefully EI dosing will keep them fertilized once its filled. I think I can always supplement the hills with root tabs if needed.

latnem · 08-03-2011, 06:49 PM

Pots of HC arrived today and I got them in the tank. Filled and covered the tank for the dry start. Gotta keep my fingers crossed, hopefully the HC grows well.

Pictures!

**wkndracer** · 08-03-2011, 07:06 PM

cool cool! watching for updates!

bpb · 08-03-2011, 07:08 PM

This makes me want to completely re-scape my 75 gallon. Never really thought about making mountains of sand that tall. I guess if you have roots it's not a problem.

Bahugo · 08-03-2011, 07:52 PM

Nice! Will be interested in seeing this grow out!

08-01-2011, 06:40 PM	#1
latnem Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 173	Fresh and Clean (the Dirt Tank) 55g Sup Guys, So I decided to tear down my 55g main tank and start over. I tried to do something inspired by beautiful hardscapes I have seen here in the past and fueled by my obsession with HC. I chose to go with a mineralized top soil capped with quickrete sand. I am going to be attempting a Dry Start for the carpet. Floura: HC! perhaps one other type of plant - I want to keep things minimal. Fauna: Cardinal Tetras Rummy Nose Tetras Otos (Undecided on Shrimp besides Amano of course, may skip the shrimp and get some GBRs) Equip: Glo T5 HO Double Linear Fluorescent Fixture 48" (2x54w) x2 Life-GLO T5 HO 6700k 54w __________________ Main Tank Shrimp Bowl Last edited by latnem; 08-03-2011 at 06:46 PM..

08-01-2011, 06:42 PM	#2
latnem Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 173	Substrate build __________________ Main Tank Shrimp Bowl

08-01-2011, 06:45 PM	#3
latnem Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 173	Capping and Scaping __________________ Main Tank Shrimp Bowl

08-01-2011, 06:52 PM	#4
latnem Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 173	Went fairly painless - if doing something similar I would suggest perhaps capping after putting the rocks in since it pushes some of the MTS around as you can see. As I said I will be doing the DSM with HC so not too worried about the aesthetics of the substrate perhaps I will cap it off a little more before i plant. I have 6 pots of HC arriving tomorrow and will be planting and setting up the dry start then. I am slightly concerned that the roots of the HC will not be able to reach the MTS from on top of those hills. Hopefully they will still do well during the dry start and hopefully EI dosing will keep them fertilized once its filled. I think I can always supplement the hills with root tabs if needed. __________________ Main Tank Shrimp Bowl

08-03-2011, 06:49 PM	#5
latnem Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 173	Pots of HC arrived today and I got them in the tank. Filled and covered the tank for the dry start. Gotta keep my fingers crossed, hopefully the HC grows well. Pictures! __________________ Main Tank Shrimp Bowl

08-03-2011, 07:06 PM	#6
wkndracer Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (68/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Citrus County,Florida Posts: 6,046	cool cool! watching for updates! __________________ *The Fraternity of Dirt* If at first you don't succeed,,, keep kicking it RubberSideDownOnTheLanding, 2-75g planted, 5-55g planted, 5-20g planted, 110g w/30g sump, 8-10g, Refugium, doghouse/newbie 2012 update adding table top pleco pans & a 90g (Nutz)

08-03-2011, 07:08 PM	#7
bpb Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 594	This makes me want to completely re-scape my 75 gallon. Never really thought about making mountains of sand that tall. I guess if you have roots it's not a problem.

08-03-2011, 07:52 PM	#8
Bahugo Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (25/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago-area Posts: 3,358	Nice! Will be interested in seeing this grow out! __________________ My dirty journal Fraternity of dirt #8

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