70 Gal Manzigumi take 2

[plantbrain]

Well, needed to move a tank out of the baby's room and that meant breaking down a reef. The Manzigumi was redone to another location in the house and I used all the same stuff from the 1st attempt. Well, 3 new pieces of wood, but most of the hardscape materials are the same.

I also added about 5 Gal worth of Lava rock in mesh bag, I could see any good reason to have to use more new ADA AS, this saved me a couple of bags for basically 1-2$. The central core is the lava rock. I only used 60% of the ADA As from the old manzigumi display, so it was quite a savings. It was dead space.

The tank will have E belem hairgrass only. Maybe some moss/Mini pellia etc or a few Buce's in the darker shadows

I'm going to get it planted later this week, I got the filters running and water in it tonight. I am going to run it cooler, around 76 or so. I think I'll add a lot of high grade CRS SSS shrimp and go with a South East Asia theme.

This will be a relatively easy tank to maintain and keep. The slope is very steep, but the light is fairly even along the sloping. There are 4 viewing sides, so while this might seem like challenge, I've done a lot of tanks with this placement and I strongly prefer this positioning.
The dining table is this view:


The main view folks look for the FTS is this:


Top and diagonal view folks see walking towards it:


I might add Botia sidthimunki again, I had few issues with them as long as they were fed.
There are many ample dark caves and hiding spots for any cryptic species.

I have a fair amount of Hair grass coming this week, so it 'll be good to really crank the CO2 and good light and water changes for the next few weeks(8 weeks typically, 3x a week water change, 60-80%). This hard scape is much better than the old one, more access and a steeper slope, and of course, more viewing sides/angles etc.

[josolanes]

I REALLY like how the hardscape looks, it definitely has a lot of character. Well done, I can't wait to see how this looks with the hairgrass and as it grows out

[radioman]

For a second I thought that wood was rock. I can't wait to see it planted.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by radioman

For a second I thought that wood was rock. I can't wait to see it planted.

That's part of the idea, I have a ton of nice burl rock like wood.
Folks do not buy it for some reason.

So I show them what they are missing.

[vincenz]

That is an aggressive slope

I have to comment on the silicone job on that tank-- it's beautiful. Seams? What seams? The tank is starphire, right?

[plantbrain]

The slope is well shored up, you cannot see it though, that's the trick.

[somewhatshocked]

It should be illegal for Tom Barr to post a comment on his own tank thread without 20-30 additional pictures.

Especially on a tank this great.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

It should be illegal for Tom Barr to post a comment on his own tank thread without 20-30 additional pictures.

Especially on a tank this great.

Got home tonight and the tank is shaping up, I'll do a water change tomorrow, belem hair grass is on the way.

I think I'll remove some more soil, once the grass fills in, the height will be a bit more and the effect will be nicer.

What is nice about the scape is the different angles and holes you see in and under the wood, the fish and shrimp will really love this tank.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by vincenz

That is an aggressive slope

I have to comment on the silicone job on that tank-- it's beautiful. Seams? What seams? The tank is starphire, right?

Yes, on the starfire glass. All my tanks are.
It's a LeeMar tank, has ABS plastic glued to the bottom alos, acts like a garden mat, not sure why ADA has not already done this on all their tanks, they say to add them etc, seems simple, just add one to the tank itself that last forever.

This will prevent breakage and scratches also.

Simple no brainer design add on.

[nvladik]

Tom this looks awesome!!!

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by nvladik

Tom this looks awesome!!!

Weird thing is, few folks are even interested in the burls

[nvladik]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

Weird thing is, few folks are even interested in the burls

I don't think it's lack of interest, but lack if vision. I'd bet, you finish this scape, plant it, and more people will be interested. Plus at the price of good stone, this is a no brainer IMHO.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by nvladik

I don't think it's lack of interest, but lack if vision. I'd bet, you finish this scape, plant it, and more people will be interested. Plus at the price of good stone, this is a no brainer IMHO.

Perhaps.

I'll do a 100% water change and then take a new pic with water.

[manualfocus]

You're definitely starting to sway me towards burl wood. This scape looks amazing already. Please fill it up soon!

[AzFishKid]

I like burl wood... non-conventional iwagumi + potential to keep happy plecos = win in my books. Or maybe I'm taking it too far? Definitely want to try it out myself sometime.
I'm excited to see how you plant this tank Tom. Should turn out awesome!