My 29 Gal. Live Plant *JOURNAL*

[xcooperx]

Hi Everyone! this is my 29 gal. Tank Journal (30x12x18) Im tight on Budget so almost everything is DIY For some question or feel free to ask or just PM me

NOTE: To see the Upgrade Photos of The Tank Pls. Click Here TANK UPDATED

Future Tank Specification
Filter: Aquaclear 200/50
Heater: 150 watts Acura Heater
Lightning: Coralife 1x65 watts 6700k CF and 1x20 watts NO GE9325k (2.9wpg)
Substrate: 100% Seachem Flourite


June 9, 2006 ---- I bought some woods and accesories for my DIY Stand at Home Depot



June 10 - 11, 2006 --- I started to build the DIY stand





i only spend $30 for DIY stank

June 13, 2006 ---- DIY HOOD CANCEL / I bought a coralife 65watts CF intead of Shoplight $73 plus mounting legs


June 14, 2006 ---- I bought the tank equipments at 3 different online store, more cheaper when you buy everything online

Petsmart.com/ i got it for free shipping
1x 150 watts Acura Heater $10
1x 200 watts Acura Heater $10.45 --- for future use
1x Silicon Air tubing $1.99 --- for DIY co2
Bigals.com $8 S/H
2x Ammonia test kit $2
1x Ph test Kit $2.45
1x Aquaclear 50 HOB $18.99
1x Melafix and Pimafix Bonus pack $6
1x Check Valve $ 1.45
1x Gh/Kh test Kit $4.49
1x Nitrite Test kit $3.99
1x Seachem Flourish $7
1x Coralife 65watts 6700k CF $59.99
1x Coralife Mounting legs $6.99
drfostersmith.com/ 9.99 S/H
2x Seachem Flourite (original) $37
1x Hagen bubble counter/diffuser $9.99 --- for DIY co2

The DIY stand is done:



June 24, 2004 --- I recieved all the stuff that i ordered online



June 25, 2005 --- I washed the flourite using REXGRIGG METHOD, it was fun and easy, ill post some photos on how i put the flourite on my tank, step by step. SOON!

[A Hill]

good luck! the stand looks good!

- fish newb

[Y0uH0]

things are coming along very well,keep this area updated yeah?

[Lil boy blue]

Looks like you have a good start....keep us updated

[Nightshop]

I really like where your going on your DIY stand. It's giving me some ideas how I'm going to construct my 125 gallon stand.

[wetbizquit]

its lookin great bud, keep up the work, i have never done a DIY stand, maybe i should try it some time, i have seen those coral grow lights for around 80$$ would it be easier to just get something from home depot?

[JenThePlantGeek]

Cooper - I'm looking forward to seeing pictures when you get the plants that I sent planted and growing

[xcooperx]

July 8, 2006 --- I recieved all the plants that i ordered and donate to me by our fellow hobbyist, Thanks jen! OKAY now is the moment SETTING TIME


First I have to put thin layer of Peat Moss and some mulm from my old tank.


Then Put the 100% Flourite on the tank, i have 2 bags of flourite and i know that will not be enough so i ordered use flourite from our fellow members, mike of SCAPE he give me a lot than what i expected, thanks man. Okay time to put the plants. Yeah I know its CLoudy, Flourite baby!



July 9, 2006 --- Water is still Cloudy, Time to make DIY co2 with 1x 2liter soda bottle and ladder diffuser.


July 10, 2006 --- My DIY Co2 is working, base on the chart i have 27ppm of co2, Ph 7, Kh 9, still experimenting for the longest mixture, so if you have mixture that last long, PLS. PM me


July 11, 2006 --- Okay the water is clearing but not crystal clear, The Plants arrangement is not the official placement, so wait for my aquascape


What's this thing? is that what you called PEARLING?hmmmm is that pearling, no i dont think so :p, yeah i think its pearling, NOooo, you decide?


My Lightning Setup 65watts CF + 20 watts NO bought are GE 9325k


Opps i Forgot my DIY Test Tube Holder for my test kit tube, Yeah its another DIY project


Still thinking about my official aquascape, John already give an Idea but i want more, i want you to be part of my first aquascape please PM me or post your suggested aquascape to my tank. this are my plants:
bacopa caroliniana
moneywort(bacopa monnieri)
hygrophila polysperma
hygrophila polysperma "sunset"
reineckii
anubias nana/barteri/petite
Ludwigia repens
rotala rotundufilia
I have a driftwood at the left corner of the tank.

My journal is to be continued.......

[hughitt1]

lol DIY Test Tube Holder is badass I think i'm going to have to add that to my list of things to do. Tank is looking quite well and you seem to be doing pretty darn well on budget too. Another piece of driftwood or some rock might fit in too if you like that look. Are you using peat to try and lower the ph or darken water, or? Plan to add any fish?

The tall plant in the middle (can't make out quite what it is) sticks out like it is now. maybe try moving it back (if there is room), and add stuff on its sides that are closer in height?

Please keep posting pics! I wanna see what ya end up with.

Keith

[Lucy]

Looks like its going to be good Can I ask what tank it is? As i'm looking for one the same size and dont know where to start!

[Y0uH0]

Yeah,that pic does seem like pearling to me alright. Tank looking good,hope to see your scape soon=) Ur DIY test tube holder reminds me of chemistry classes back at school.haha

[xcooperx]

The tank is 29 Gallon, about the test tube holder it also remind me about chemistry, dang, i hate chemistry, especially the periodic table but in fairness it helps a lot especially on our hobby. thanks for the input guys, im still deciding right now on the aquascape.

Oh about the peat moss, they said that putting it and some mulm will help mature the substrate, dont know, im just following the guide of our fellow hobbyist

[Lucy]

Sorry, I meant what make the tank is (like hagen/juwel/fluval)?

[xcooperx]

what about the tank specification? if yes this is my spec:
50 Aqua Clear HOB filter by Hagen
150 watts Acura Heater
65watts + 20 watts GE 9325k
100% Flourite
DIY co2 with Hagen Ladder/Diffuser 2x 2liter bottle

The tank is made by "Tropical Aquarium" 30x12x18 in inches
I use the HOB filter cause im tight on budget, but still the best HOB filter though.

[Dream Chaser]

Nice progress so far. I will be following your journal. I too have a 29 gal. It has been up and running a couple years, but only in its present home this year. The same week you started your project, I began my upgrade and overhaul on the tank. New substrate, new AquaClear 50, etc. I am considering purchasing the same Coralife 1x65w light that you have and using it with my existing strip that came with the tank. I'm trying to look at your picture to see how you have done it. Do you have a glass top on the tank? If so, which one? I see you have the 65w on the mountable legs. Do you need to lift the 20w off the tank inorder to feed your fish, or can you slide it back far enough to get to them?
Sorry to have so many questions! I am simply thrilled to have someone else with a very very similar set up to mine (filter, tank size, substrate) that I can follow.
BTW, I have yet to do a DIY CO2, but I have started using Flourish Excel. I think that will be my next project after the lighting upgrade.
I look forward to reading and seeing more progress on your tank!