AJ's New 30 Gallon Oceanic Journal

[AJ_Wave]

I just setup this tank 2 weeks ago. Today I replaced my substrate with 60 lbs. of Eco-Complete, added the last 3 micro swords my LFS had left in stock.

I plan to heavly plant this tank in the coming weeks/months. I've also got to do some work on hiding the wiring/housing that's currently an eye sore! (Any suggestions/ideas for hiding that mess are very welcome!)

I'm welcome to suggestions... please give me you're ideas regarding what I should plant and add to make it look very natural.

[Bronx19]

What are the dimensions of that tank?

By the way, although it looks a bit late, paint the back black. I just did, it turned out looking really good.

[Wasserpest]

A background can work wonders in hiding equipment. You could first experiment with different ones before painting it. For example, a piece of cloth can be easily found, taped to the back and taken off if it doesn't look good.

Once you get your lighting situation resolved, I suggest to order A LOT of plants. The more, the better... You will find that it is easier to start with a lot of fastgrowing plants, and later weed them out and complement/replace them with slower growing ones with higher requirements.

The piece of wood is a little small for the tank, it will disappear once the plants start to grow.

[fishyboy]

i think is around 20 by 18 by 20

[AJ_Wave]

The tank is 20x18x18.

My parents live on one our largest state lakes and have tons of driftwood that washes up. They are stock piling it for me so in the coming weeks I will remove what I have now and replace it would something larger that I can plant on.

I also plan to remove the in tank heater replacing it with the Hydro In Line Thermal solution which will at least remove 1 peice of equipment from my tank. Thanks for the ideas on the background.

[AJ_Wave]

Quick update. Nothing new inside the tank. I got my replacement 40w 10K daylight now so my lighting it normal again. Also added the Hydor In Line Heater and the Custom Sealife Doube Helix UV.

Next up... I'll begin planting in the next week or so. I've found a great peice of driftwood to replace the small peice in there now. Will update again as things begin to happen.

[newplantguy]

Great setup! How do you like your CSL Power Compact with Moon Lite unit? I just ordered a 20" model for a nano reef that I am going to be setting up and I cant wait to get it. Seems like a lot of bang for your buck.

Ryan

[hubbahubbahehe]

nice tank =)

[plantastic28]

That Hydor Heater is a nifty invention, gets the heater out of your tank nicely!

[Piscesgirl]

Cool! I hadn't heard of the hydor in line heater before.

[chinaboy1021]

awesome tank. i really want one of these oceanic cubes, but the price is way up there.

a black background will be super. poster board works well if you cant paint it.

[AJ_Wave]

The CSL PC with Moon is great. I really like the Moon light. And since it has 3 seperate power cords for the 2 bulbs and Moon I can create sunrise, daylight, sunset, moon light effect with 3 timers.

The Hydor In Line Heater is still working great. My tank temprature is stedy and I really like not having the extra peice of equipment in my tank.

I was able to get my tank brand new for $99 + $149 for the stand. Not cheap but not that expesnive for an Oceanic tank.

Thanks all the suggestions and comments so far. I'm working on a pressurized CO2 setup now. There goes another $200.

I still have not come up with a good way to take care of the background yet (at least now without moving the tank). Thanks for the posterboard idea... I'll try that out.

I'm going to focus my money on the pressurized CO2 system and then order a hole bunch of plants. I'll update my CO2 progress as it comes along.

[hubbahubbahehe]

don't forget to buy your fertilizers, ok, you are going to need it