I got a steal awhile back for a Ehiem 2213 which is currently on my Fluval EBI Shrimp Aquarium. When my 20Long is ready, I will transfer my Eheim 2213 over to the 20Long and get an AquaClear 20 for my Fluval EBI.
Instead of building my own stand from scratch, I am going to modify this rebuilt stand I picked up today. This stand is perfect because it will fit my canister, co2 system, and already has an inset for the bottom rim of my 20L.
Man I have a feeling this tank is gonna end up killer looking. +1 on giesemann bulbs they're great. You also can't go wrong with the GE starcoat 6500k bulbs. For the price they're unbeatable. They put out more par than almost any bulb in that category and they're dirt cheap.
They're not the WORST bulbs you can get and they certainly won't cause any harm. The GE bulbs just put out more par and cost alot less and the giesemann bulbs, while are fairly expensive are great looking as well. It's one of those things that you don't really notice until bulb change time. I'm a big fan of the "colormax" or the otherwise pink bulb. I think it does alot for the look of things. Not sure of its value to actual growing
I am a fan of the colormax as well because it really makes reds pop, but after some research I found the spectrum of the colormax bulb doesn't do much for plants at all which makes it difficult to calculate the par on a tank.
While I am making MTS and modifying my stand stand. I am also trying to decide on a scape. There are so many to choose from which makes it hard to decide. I know for sure that I want to do the follow things:
1. Create a Dramatic Effect
2. Moss of DW
3. DSM HC or DHG or Both
I've been looking at other tanks here in journal sections and found some really good ideas. Getting excited :biggrin:
I've learned that the soil will mineralize during the dsm so technically I don't need to MTS. For now, I will continue the process until I'm ready to DSM.
To Do List:
1. Modify Stand
2. Decide on Scape
3. Get Driftwood, Rocks, and Plants
I'm excited because this bit of information just saved me 1 months time. I'm going to focus on my scape now.
Today, I saw an advertisement on CL for a Eheim 2213 canister with a bad propeller and no filter media for only $10.
I'm like SOLD! I drove 30min. to pick it up. I got it home and sure enough it had a bad propeller. With the advice of a member here on TPT, I swapped propellers from my working Eheim and it worked great.
Soon, I will order a new propeller, outtake pipe, filter media, and I'm all set.
Today, I stopped at Gertens and took a look around their rock yard. I found this awesome rock called Mesabi Red Rock. This rock is from the iron range of northern Minnesota by Lake Superior.
I'm betting that it isn't aquarium safe, but I purchased 108lbs. of it anyways because it was so cool. I figured that if it won't go in my aquarium, then I will put it around my house.
I've complete the modifications to my stand and here is what I did.
1. Added Trim
2. Removed Shelving
3. Filled Cracks/Holes
4. Painted Black
5. Added Hardware
Before:
After:
The Result:
Basically, this piece of furniture is still an old dinged up ratty aquarium stand, but I made it look more expensive by doing a very few cheap modification and not spending a hole lot of time on it. If you look closely you will see the trim on the top and the bottom. I would have preferred to use a paint with less of a sheen, but the hardware store only had satin so I went with that.
Anyways, this is my result. The basic structure is the same. The only real change I made was the removal of the shelving so I can fit my goodies inside the cabinet.
I haven't decided on a scape yet, but I am determined to challenge myself in order to create my best work to date.
I am having a very hard time finding my own DW.
I will do a vinegar test on Mesabi Red Rock I got. I hesitate to use them because of all the iron in them. I wonder if there is a way to see how much iron they leach. I having found much online about this. Most people say just don't use them. :angryfire
I found some DW today and collected a bunch of it. Soon, I'll start figuring my scape. Maybe I will post a couple scenarios and grab some feedback from you guys.
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