Ryan's 25G Tank (56k Warning)

[newplantguy]

Hi Everybody,

Some of you may remember my postings a month or so ago about algae/lighting/etc problems I was having. Well, I decided I wasn’t happy with how things were going and so I did a complete tank rebuild. Things have grown in a bit since then and I wanted to share some picts with you.

Let me know what ya think.. I would love some suggestions.











Cheers, Ryan

[KyleT]

Gordeous pictures and even healthier plants, you have a tank to be proud of!

Kyle

[mm12463]

Is that one of the zebra ottos? My LFS has had them from time to time and each time I go they are out. Course they are $30!

Nice looking tank. I'm jealous. Great pics too.

[newplantguy]

Thanks for the nice comments! Yup, that’s a Zebra Otto. They are quite hard to come by in my area but I think I paid about 10 bucks or so when I finally found one.

[rumples riot]

Nice looking tank, are you running Metal Halides for lights?

Paul

[newplantguy]

Nope, no metal halides. The current configuration is one 55w 5300k CF bulb and one of AH Supply's Miro4 reflectors. I might add a 36w bulb to bump up the WPG in the future but I am going to take a wait and see approach. The less water evaporation the better.

[SCMurphy]

Nice looking tank, healthy looking plants, its nice to see a successful start to plant keeping.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

I like the look of this tank. The forground doesn't even feel like it needs to "grow in". The pebbled look is very clean. I do think the pile of slate in the middle is a little too tall and vertical. Somehow I think it might look better if the one rock in the middle, second from the bottom, was removed.

[SCMurphy]

Originally Posted by GulfCoastAquarian

Somehow I think it might look better if the one rock in the middle, second from the bottom, was removed.

The gray one or the other gray one?

[Rolo]

Wow, stunning! How tall is your tank and what is that little red plant in the foreground? I'm surprised that a 55W for this tank is doing very well growing stem plants and a red plant. I have a AHSupply 55W bright kit on its way for my 20high and was concerned if it wasn't going to be enough light due to Sam's woes with the same setup.

I would have to disagree about the slate work being to extensive. It offerese a great contrast to the bright colors of your fish that the plants and gravel can't offer. As the plants grow in though the slate work should become less an emphasis.

[newplantguy]

The tank is 20" high (24"L x 12"W x 20"H). I am not sure what the name of the red plant is. Does anyone have any idea? The Miro4 reflector helps in getting the most out of the one bulb. The stem plants definitely aren’t growing as fast as I would like them to but they see to be doing OK for now. I don’t have the cash right now to invest in a pressurized CO2 setup.

[Pete]

You have a great looking tank nice choice of plants. I would also like to no the name of the deep red plant in the pic.
Good job Newplantguy
Pete...

[Raul-7]

Great tank, but IMO you should remove that pile and replace it with driftwood? That red plant is Nymphaea daubenyana

[Wasserpest]

That Oto image is among the best I have ever seen! Awesome quality.

I like the slates, but I agree you should probably lower them a little bit, to make it look more natural. Maybe plant something small-leaved in between, to soften the contours?

The Tiger Lotus looks good right now, but there is no way you will keep that as a forground plant for long. Once they start growing, man, they do grow :shock:

[hubbahubbahehe]

what substrate are you using??