6" rimless cube "Emerald City" mini high-tech tank **update w/ pics 2/13**

[ophiophagus]

This scape is finally looking more or less exactly how I envisioned. So I thought I'd make a thread in here. My goal for this scape was to create the illusion of a much larger tank in this small space. I think I achieved that. So far, much to my surprise, I haven't had any problems like algae blooms or anything else. Let me know what you think

Tank: Marina "cubis" 6" cube
Filter: Deep Blue mini HOB
Substrate: activflora black
Lights: 13watt pc 5000k <--to be replaced with a DIY led fixture
Co2: Ista 45g disposable cartridge system
Ferts: 4-5 drops of all-in-1 fert and excel 2x weekly

Flora: Rotala najenshan,Rotala wallichii, micro swords,HC,fissidens,Hygro pinnatifida
Fauna: 2x Sparkling licorice gourami, 2x Thai micro crabs, 1x orange neo shrimp

FTS as of 1/31/13




This pic is a little older but shows scale

[Grimnokk]

I like it. The last photo really gives it perspective. I would have said that tank was alot bigger than it is.

Nice work

[xmas_one]

Nice job on making it look big!

[jamntoast]

Originally Posted by xmas_one

Nice job on making it look big!

+1 very nice

[ophiophagus]

Originally Posted by Grimnokk

I like it. The last photo really gives it perspective. I would have said that tank was alot bigger than it is.

Nice work

Originally Posted by xmas_one

Nice job on making it look big!

Originally Posted by jamntoast

+1 very nice

Thanks guys I'm pretty happy with this one.

[crazydaz]

I love this tank, Ophio! So cool.....those microswords really soften the scape, and the delicate touches of color from the rotalas are great. Fantastic job, buddy!!

[ophiophagus]

Originally Posted by crazydaz

I love this tank, Ophio! So cool.....those microswords really soften the scape, and the delicate touches of color from the rotalas are great. Fantastic job, buddy!!

Thank you very much sir. And coming for you that's a real compliment. Since I was a big fan of your old square before you moved. I put a lot of thought into this scape. and it's nice to have someone else recognize it

[tommypham]

Nice tank bro

[ophiophagus]

Thank you Tommy your tanks are looking pretty good too

[ophiophagus]

Here are some pre-trim pictures I took the other day. I'm going to post post trim pictures tomorrow. I thought I had one of the new shrimp in this batch but I was wrong. I'll be sure to get one tomorrow. and how enjoy



I haven't posted one that shows scale in awhile




Here's one with the diffuser still in I usually take it out for pics

And one of the gouramis I've grown rather fond of these little guys

[ophiophagus]

Small post trim update. I trimmed all the Rotala and removed some microswords that were spreading out of their corner. I probably should have removed more since they spread so fast. I didn't want to trim the fissidens again yet until I get a scissor that will work better.

Also I got a new shrimp from my LFS the other day and I'm not sure what it is. It came from the same tank as the orange neo I got where they also had a label for crystal shrimp. But it doesn't look like either one. It looks to me like a snowball shrimp maybe, but I'm not sure. If anyone can ID it for me from the blurry picture below I'd appreciate it.

Post-trim FTS (ignore my filthy glass)


Here's the new shrimp. Please tell what kind it is. sorry for the blurry pic