My 54 liter (14g) tank

[Oscar17]

Tank size: 54 ltr (14.2 g) (24"x12"x12")
Set-up date: Oct 2006
Filter: Eheim 2008 internal sponge filter
Heater: 50w glass.
Gravel: River brown gravel, 1-2mm, 2" deep, Latrite bottom layer.
Lights: x2 - 13 watt compact flourecents (DIY canopy)
Fertilizer: none- except for fish food & waste.
Parameters: KH 6-7 dgh, pH 7.6 to 7.9

This tank I inheirited from a friend, back in Oct 2006. After searching the internet for information on how to do a water change and general care of the fish, I was hooked! My friend had put some live plants in there, but none seem to be surviving. I did some reading on the internet on plant care, and found that I would have to replace the 8w light and possibly the gravel. The 8w light was already a DIY job, but a bad one. I had 2 - 13w light fixtures lying around, some wood and black paint. Next, I set out to replace the gravel and background.

** This is how the tank looked when I started:


** Changed the gravel and built a new DIY light canopy, still unpainted. The back ground would make an interesting, DIY baground thread. It's made of paper mache, in 3D and painted. It sits on the outside of the tank:


** This is a much later picture, but it shows the painted canopy best, and some of my landscaping attempts:


** FTS 24 Mar 09, female guppies only. Fry are growing, starting to get too crowded.. trouble ahead:


Plant list: Anubias barteri, Anubias nana, Bacopa aquatica, Cryptocoryne walkeri, Cryptocoryne x willisii, Microsorum pteropus (Java fern), Nomaphila agustifolia, Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss).

Cheers!

[Crystalview]

I like the wood in the first pic and the gravel is better. The last pic things look like they are growing real well.
Are you planning on staying El Natural or adding Excel for growth?

[Oscar17]

Actually, this tank has been El Natural since Mar 07, when I bought my Rio 125 (30g). I use Easy-Carbo, which is the equivalent of Excel here in Europe, but I only use it on the 30g. This tank (14g) gets none of that, not even Fertz. I must say, this tank has amazed me, after being sort of neglected it has turned into a hazel free tank. The 2-13w bulbs are about 2 years old now and it gets a 20% wc every 3 or 4 weeks and still no algae problems. Oh, and it currently houses 30 female guppies. I must mention, this tank (14g) is in a back room at my place of work. Sadly, I may have to give it up, since I'm selling the buisness and I don't have any room for it in my tiny apartment.

[Crystalview]

Maybe you can give it to some one, but that would be a shame! I love reading about a success in El Natural. I really want to try it and convert my 45g. I have to start up the 67g first for I have discus and they need clean water all the time. I am not sure if there are large fluxes in the water so I would not risk them.
Good luck selling the business.
Maybe it can go on your ice box at home :-)
Nice Tanks!

[Oscar17]

Originally Posted by Crystalview

Maybe you can give it to some one, but that would be a shame!

Yeah, but it looks like that's what I'm going to have to do. Gona try to hang on to some of the equipment if I can.

Originally Posted by Crystalview

Good luck selling the business.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Crystalview

Maybe it can go on your ice box at home :-)
Nice Tanks!

Thanks,
LOL.. if I can only get rid of one of my book cases.. hhhmmm? no no, no more outlets available, darn...!