Dan's 2.5 Gallon Planted Tank: Rocky Ruins *New Scape on Page 7*

[dj2005]

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

Awesome little tank

Are you still just using the 10watt CFL? That is what I have planned to use on a 2.5G of my own and was wondering if you have found it to be enough light.

Yup, just the 10w bulb. Works well for me, but if you have actual CO2 injecting into the tank then you may want to go a little higher with the wattage.

[dj2005]

Sorry MCH, but I forgot that I switched out my old 10w bulb (it died last year) for a 13w bulb. But again, if you have CO2 you can probably bump up the wattage and still keep algae at bay. Depends on what lamp you will be using (reflector quality) and the height, too.

As for the tank:
Nearly all my HC died so I redid the scape. Lava rocks out, driftwood stump in! Will post pictures tomorrow or Monday. I still have to glue some MP onto the stump, which I likely will not get to until Monday.

I am very pleased with how the scape turned out so my HC dying wasn't a total loss. Plus, I found out that my RCS were hiding and not eaten by my Betta.

[dj2005]

8-16-10:
I just finished gluing the MP to the stump. Yes, there is some leftover glue from the previous owner that I was too lazy to remove.

The stump is an interesting piece as it is hollow, allowing me to create a volcanic effect by having the plants flow out of the top of the hollow end.

Blyxa were not looking well a couple weeks ago, but now that they are rooted they are doing much better.

Anubias petite is glued to the back of the stump.

Algae is all gone thanks to my Nerites.

Flora:
Willow moss - growing emersed
Mini Pellia (MP)
Fissidens fontanus
Blyxa japonica
Subwassertang
Anubias petite
Tiny amount of HC

Pictures:

[ddtran46]

I like it

[MCHRKiller]

Wow, tank looks great! That stump looks awesome in there.

Thanks for that, I opted to go ahead with a 2*9watt Coralife fixture and not worry about lighting.

[dj2005]

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

Wow, tank looks great! That stump looks awesome in there.

Thanks for that, I opted to go ahead with a 2*9watt Coralife fixture and not worry about lighting.

I use that same fixture over my Mini M. Works great but it does get hot. I run mine without the plastic bulb guard to lessen the heat buildup.

If you are going to use the full 18w then I hope you have CO2 being injected or have the fixture raised up high.

[dj2005]

Keebler Shrimps:


And I decided to go with Mini Micro Sword for the foreground.

[dj2005]

8-21-10:
I found a great deal on two 12" 18w fixtures a few days back and received them today. I am using one over my 10g and one over my Mini M, which means that my Mini-Aqualight is available for use over this tank. Not only does this free up some desk space that was previously used by the desk lamp (lighting device for this tank before the Aqualight), but it also means that my Mini-Aqualight is not going to sit around collecting dust.

ATM, I have a single 9w 10000K bulb in it. I do have a 6700K bulb, too, but I much prefer the color of 10000K.

Ignore the Subwassertang ball, I will be selling that in a couple days. If anyone wants to purchase it please PM me.

I will be purchasing more mini micro sword soon.

[dj2005]

8-27-10:
Got all of my mini micro sword planted yesterday. The emersed Willow moss has some new growth.

[dj2005]

8-31-10:
Still no comments.



Lots of good growth with the MP and Fissidens (ignore the giant white spot as it is dust within my lens):

[matthew.shelly]

looks great. has the betta been leaving the shrimp alone?

I can't wait to see what it looks like with more growth on the stump.

[dj2005]

Originally Posted by matthew.shelly

looks great. has the betta been leaving the shrimp alone?

I can't wait to see what it looks like with more growth on the stump.

Thanks. He still sometimes chases the shrimp but not often.

[sewingalot]

I am really digging the driftwood. It looks more natural to me than the rocks did. Go figure, since they are both found in nature. I love the microsword. Where did you find it?

[demonbreedr16]

I like the driftwood a lot more then the rocks too, Sara...this tank looks awesome Dan! Pretty betta too. Does he have a name?

[lnstevens]

What filter are you using on this tank? I have an identical size one. Any problems with shrimp jumping out at all?