Mark's Chi doubletank

[jointbeaker]

I've got two Fluval Chi 5 gallon tanks. One started 1.5 years ago, and a new one tonight. I'm going to share photos of both, in various stages. On to the pictures.

Chi #1

started here.


grew up a bit, and got a sword plant from PetSmart, as well as a few other changes.


changed to a hanging cfl in a work light, and things started looking pretty good.


Here's how that tank sits currently. The moss ball, and the argentine swords are doing well, but i've got a good amount of algae going. I've changed photo periods, and have been more aggressive with water changes, and it's starting to clear up a bit.





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...and then, I found a deal for a second Chi at PetSmart for 49 dollars, and picked it up. I got bored one weekend, and built a light tower for it out of balsawood from Michaels.



here you can see what I intended on doing with it....even tho I never really used it.


I made a DIY here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=168630

So I've since gotten rid of that lid, and here I am, trying a DSM with dwarf hairgrass.






That's all I've got so far. Cheers.

[andrewss]

good work

plan anymore work with the hardscape on the new one?

[jointbeaker]

Originally Posted by andrewss

good work

plan anymore work with the hardscape on the new one?

Yeah. I'd like to add some rooted plants for a small variety of textures and color, but I'm not sure where that'll end up yet.

For now, just planning on continuing with the dry start.

Thanks.

[Green_Flash]

this will be looking great in no time.

[JMex]

Love the way that first tank looks, very good habitat for your betta! The second one will be fun. Just as an aesthetic thing I would recommend spacing those rocks out just a little and getting something with some height to add depth to your layout.

[jointbeaker]

Originally Posted by JMex

Love the way that first tank looks, very good habitat for your betta! The second one will be fun. Just as an aesthetic thing I would recommend spacing those rocks out just a little and getting something with some height to add depth to your layout.

Thanks JMex.

Once the dry start gets to a decent place, I'm planning on making the negative space between the two rocks the focal point, and that's where the most height is going to be.

That's the thought at the moment, anyhow.

[jointbeaker]

Putzing right along with the dry start over here. Cheers.

[jointbeaker]

Almost two weeks in, slowly creeping along.

[jointbeaker]

did the cool thing, and added a thread signature.

[jointbeaker]

So a few days ago, things were still going ok, the microsword looked good, but the dug started turning yellow. Not sure what was going on there, so I ended up filling the tank tonight.

Here's what it looked like yesterday


and here's with the water filled, and very colored water at that. I've filled it up, and changed probably 30% of the water once already. I'm planning on continuing with smaller every day changes for a while, until the color somewhat goes away. Not sure what's causing that...

[jointbeaker]

Another water change tonight:

before:


after: