Dave's ADA 60-P journal

[Dave Allen]

Even though I've been hanging out in the forums for over a year now, I want to thank everyone that is part of the TPT community. I can't imagine getting into this hobby without this amazing resource!

That said, I am exited to begin this new planted tank project and I hope you follow along. I have had other tanks in the past, but I'd like to think that those were practice. My goal is that this project will both help me develop my aquascaping/aquarist skills and a way to give something back to this community.

Here we go!

TANK: ADA 60P 60x30x36cm, ADA glass lid

SUBSTRATE: ADA substrate system (powersand special S, 5 elements, new Amazonia)

FILTRATION: Eheim ECCO 2236, AQUA!MUSIC 13mm lily pipes (from member mordalphus by way of somewhatshocked)

CARBON DIOXIDE: pending, open to suggestions. I previously used a DIY paintball setup based on Jaggedfury's plans. Since I have several paintball tanks, I may buy an aquatek adaptor so that I can use standard regulators and upgrade to a standard tank in the future.

LIGHTING: Aquaticlife 24" dual T5HO w/ Coralife 6,700w bulbs and Aquaticlife hanging kit.

HEATING: Hydor 200w inline heater

STAND: DIY ADA-style stand with DIY hanging bar

HARDSCAPE: Seriyu-type stone (from members PC1 and flowerfishes)

DOSING: pfertz high tech solution

FLORA: I haven't completely decided. Again, open to suggestions. Maybe a carpet of glosso or HC since I've grown them both before. Something like Blyxa to break up the area between the substrate and stones. Definitely some fissidens on the stones. I also like the idea of some cascading hydrocotyle sp. Japan. Probably not the most creative, but I don't want to get too elaborate.

FAUNA: Also pending, but likely Otocinclus, Amano shrimp and a single-species school. I'm leaning towards wild-caught cardinal tetras since I have colleagues involved in Project Piaba. Like the plants, pretty standard species list.

The starting point. So many possibilities!



The hanging bar was made with electrical conduit. Very easy to make, especially since I bent it right at Home Depot. Not the most aesthetic design, but it serves for now.

Here's a closeup of the Aquaticlife hanging kit:



It does the job, but leaves a lot to be desired. The plastic coating on the wire strips very easily, which causes some trouble when adjusting. But on the positive, you get a whole lot of the wire!

I've actually begun aquascaping, and I'm writing this to clear my mind before I have another go at it. So stay tuned for prototype 'scapes!

Thanks for following,

Dave
aegis32

[Dave Allen]

The first hardscape, three stone style.



The scape isn't jumping out at me, but I do like the way the two largest stones work together.

Here's a look from the top:



There's a lot of open space here. Good for a big green carpet, my instincts tell me to break it up with a couple of stones.

[Geniusdudekiran]

What's the blue masking tape for? Classy library, by the way

Also if you have a third stone, I would recommend placing it behind the rightmost stone, slanted almost parallel with the tall leaning stone. That might look a bit more dramatic.

[Dave Allen]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

What's the blue masking tape for? Classy library, by the way .

Thanks Genius! I was using the masking tape to mark off the substrate line in the front (and also mucking around with the golden ratio). And I'm trying to be better about not using the bookshelves to hold aquarium supplies. I think they creep around at night. . .

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

Also if you have a third stone, I would recommend placing it behind the rightmost stone, slanted almost parallel with the tall leaning stone. That might look a bit more dramatic.

I agree that side looks a bit barren. I'll see what I have to balance that side out. I really appreciate the feedback.

[Dave Allen]

Okay. Another scape. I added two more stones and (somewhat) followed Geniusdudekiran advice about the right side.



And again, the top:



I like it better, but I may take the left and right stones and switch sides. Also, I don't know what the heck the foreground stone is doing, but I can't seem part with it.

[Michiba54]

The stones seem too far apart.

I would try moving them closer together or if you have some smaller stones you can use them to tie it all in.

Just my 2 cents

[Dave Allen]

Last attempt for the night. Back to three stones.

Dug into my 3L backup bag of aquasoil for some elevation. Not sure if I really needed it after all.



After an afternoon of this, I definitely need a break. . .and dinner. Maybe a night's sleep will summon the Hardscaping Muses.

[Dave Allen]

I got some rest and am feeling ready to do some more scaping!

For this layout, I took out the big horizontal rock and replaced it with one that looks more like a partially buried cliff face.



That small rock feels dominated by the vertical one, don't you think? Maybe if I moved it more down the slope, then the scape would feel more balanced.

Anyone have some suggestions?

[fplata]

bunch them up and move them a bit to the left. how many total stones do you have?

[Dave Allen]

Originally Posted by fplata

bunch them up and move them a bit to the left. how many total stones do you have?

I have 9 or 10 stones total. Were you thinking I should break up the right slope?

[fplata]

move the slope and all a bit to the left, bunch them up to create your main stone, and work from there, all you need to move is about 4 inches left slope and all, its ok if the stones touch, i am new at this my self and just recently lay out a 120h. I did lots of studying and its all about feel, I did loosely use the golden rule

[fplata]

[QUOTE=Dave Allen;1953207]Okay. Another scape. I added two more stones and (somewhat) followed Geniusdudekiran advice about the right side.



this one looks good, just bunch them up, Make the most left stone touch your main stone to create a single larger stone, and work from there

[wastedtime]

+1 to bunching the stones on the left. That will serve as your main focal point.

[Dave Allen]

Okay. Some serious bunching on the left now, but I'm digging it.



Still a monster of a field on the right. Should I break it up or leave it open?

[fplata]

Drop some stones on the right as well, make sure they flow together