Silent Running's 100 Gallon - Updated 2/24/07 - (56K Caution)

[Silent Running]

I'm going to use this thread to chronicle the setup of my latest venture. It's a 100 gallon planted tank that was up and running as a reef tank until the beginning of October 2004. I switched to a planted tank for a variety of reasons, the main one being the beauty. The reef was nice, but it was just too harsh of an environment for my liking. The tank's in my living room and is the first thing you see when you come in the front door. I've already taken a lot of cat naps on the couch that's nearby as the utter silence of the tank (a brand new experience for me) coupled with the relaxing environment inside is more than any insomniac could bare .

The tank itself is a SeaClear 60x18x20. It's lit by 4 GE Daylight Ultra NO bulbs (6500K) driven off of IceCap VHO ballasts. I'm estimating roughly 2.5 wpg under this configuration and I may add another bulb or 2 as time goes on depending on how things go. The tank is filtered by an Eheim 2028. I'm running pressurized CO2 via a DIY bubble counter and in-line reactor. The substrate is 100% Eco-Complete

So far, it's a mixed bag of plants as I want to have several varieties of fast growers in there initially and also to see what does well in my tank. My theme for the fish is heading towards "one large tank, many small fish". I've got a school of silver tips in there now, a few panda corys, 7 otocinclus and a few kuhli loaches. I'm thinking the largest fish that will go in there will be no larger than a dwarf gourami.

Wow, sorry for being longwinded, enjoy, and please provide me with any constructive criticism as this is my first serious attempt at a planted tank. I'll shutup now and post a picture or 2, or 5 .

The tank is ready to be filled:


Here's a full tank shot as of 11/10/2004:


Left side:


Right side:


The CO2 system:

[Ibn]

Good looking start so far. Man, talk about some nice looking wood you have there. I can't find anything that looks like that around here...

Keep us updated. All these tank logs that have been popping up are awesome.

[Silent Running]

Hey thanks Eric. I'm hoping it fills in nicely and that I'm able to get the hang of aquascaping. Thanks to everyone for the help thus far and in particular to those who have kindly sent me plants. I really appreciate it!

Paul

ps. got the driftwood on ebay...

[BlueRam]

Nice tank! I especially like the silvertip entering 'warp speed' on the right.

You might want to throw a chain or other restraint around the CO2 bottle. I hear they ruin regulators when they tip. You might also feed a few algae wafers for the ottos until there is some work for them to do.

[casadeskunk_m]

I second the comments on the driftwood If you don't mnd me asking how much did it cost you?

[Silent Running]

Thanks for the nice words. Thanks again BlueRam for your personal contributions to the tank! So far, they look like they're doing well and growing. And yes, those silvertips can really move! I've tried to get some clear shots of them, but my photography skills (or lack thereof) are no match for their speed

The driftwood (there are 3 pieces in there) from left to right were $26, $4 and $8.50.

[MentaldisordeR]

wow thats a very nice tank you got there....both the tank and the stand....wow thos 2 pieces of drift wood are awesome cant wait to see it when everything grows in

[pufferfreak]

I love the look, when the plants start growing your going to have a jungle on your hands! Great tank!

[Georgiadawgger]

Lookin' good Paul! With pressurized, give it a bit of time and you'll be giving cuttings away too! You might want to strap down that CO2 tank somehow...my only suggestion. The stand and tank look great. One of these days I may be able to afford one like that!!

[sn8k]

Great start - it's certainly going to look awesome as the tank matures . The driftwood you selected is quite unique and are really exceptional pieces. Best of luck - looking forward to the updates

[Silent Running]

Thanks again for the encouragement folks! I'm definitely enjoying watching it take shape and am holding my breath waiting for the first bump in the road. So far, though, everything seems to be going well (knock on driftwood ). I've added a few more plants and fish since the original post, so here's an updated shot as of this evening...

ps. I've got the CO2 strapped in place now

[Ibn]

It's starting to fill in if you compare the before and after pics. Nice, considering that it's only been a week.

[Silent Running]

Here's an updated shot as of tonight. The rotala, bacopa (both behind the large driftwood) and limnophila on the left are really starting to take off as is the hornwort in the middle. There's some sunset hygro in the back left as well that's starting to go. I can't figure out why the hygro in the right foreground hasn't done anything yet.?. Anyway, thanks for looking and again, any input is appreciated...

[Silent Running]

Here's an update as of 11/28 (3 weeks in). Things are coming along nicely thus far. I'm looking for input as to what to do with the right side of the tank.

Full tank:


Left Side:


Right Side (HELP! ):

[BlueRam]

Silent Running

Would you like to try some crypts? I have some to trade.