10g transformed into 29g, 6/6/08

[James From Cali]

More pics. The tank is overstocked but this is a transition tank until their new home is set up.

[lauraleellbp]

#7 does not look like a bulb to me? I'd say it's an Echinodorus sp, IMO- and argentenis is a good guess for now; hard to say when it's still so small though?

Nice score on the free plants, James! Why'd you have to hide them if she gave them to you, though...?

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

#7 does not look like a bulb to me? I'd say it's an Echinodorus sp, IMO- and argentenis is a good guess for now; hard to say when it's still so small though?

Nice score on the free plants, James! Why'd you have to hide them if she gave them to you, though...?

Mainly cause if someone was interested[me] then it would be still considered up for sale. And she didnt feel like bagging them I guess.

[mistergreen]

the issue with a 10G is that it's small.. To make the visuals harmonious, You should get small leaved plants to fit the proportions of a 10G.
It's like you don't use a 30 point type/font to write a book report.

You should look into hair grass, any grass like plants, Val subulata, HC, HM, narrow leaf Java Ferns, Moss, a few stems... You're good to go.
Bury the rocks.. It'll look more natural.

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by mistergreen

the issue with a 10G is that it's small.. To make the visuals harmonious, You should get small leaved plants to fit the proportions of a 10G.
It's like you don't use a 30 point type/font to write a book report.

You should look into hair grass, any grass like plants, Val subulata, HC, HM, narrow leaf Java Ferns, Moss, a few stems... You're good to go.
Bury the rocks.. It'll look more natural.

Im going to be swithching alot of things out but for now this is it. Alot of the plants are already taken out and sent to my neighbors tank and soon the fish will be moved. Im thinking about some Vallisneria or Saggitaria. I found rocks I like a lot more so those will be changing out soon enough. I think the new plant list will be:

Rotala sp. Green
Saggitaria subulata
HC

I think that might be it too. Simplicity is the key.

[rountreesj]

the bulb plant is an onion plant...they grow very well once established and can reach up to 2ft or more in length

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by rountreesj

the bulb plant is an onion plant...they grow very well once established and can reach up to 2ft or more in length

Thanks , Im aware hehehe

[BiscuitSlayer]

James -

I am interested in how this one turns out. I wonder if I have anything that you could experiment with in this tank. My tank is a high light tank with co2 injection, etc. I'll see if I can put a list together of what I have as far as plants, and maybe you can give them a try if you find something that might work? Let me know.

[Gerald the Mouse]

Originally Posted by James From Cali

Opaline Gourami's, Gold Gourami's, and Blue Gouramis all get to 6 inches. They are the same species of fish except different colors. Im sure Im in no danger with two small two inch fish.

Pfft, no danger. I had two dwarf gouramis in my 15g a while back, and even with many hiding places they still tore each other to threads. IMO: Don't get two gouramis. They're like bettas, they fight to the death.

[lauraleellbp]

Male gouramis are often territorial with each other. If you stock them in trios (1m + 2f) like with swordtails, however, you should be OK.

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

James -

I am interested in how this one turns out. I wonder if I have anything that you could experiment with in this tank. My tank is a high light tank with co2 injection, etc. I'll see if I can put a list together of what I have as far as plants, and maybe you can give them a try if you find something that might work? Let me know.

If you shoot me a PM with a list of plants that you would like experimented with I would take a look and I will let you know of what I would want to try out. I also would want to try a method of acclimating plants to the new tank water in order to provide them a easier transition, especially from Highh Light and CO2.

Originally Posted by Gerald the Mouse

Pfft, no danger. I had two dwarf gouramis in my 15g a while back, and even with many hiding places they still tore each other to threads. IMO: Don't get two gouramis. They're like bettas, they fight to the death.

I am going to get a Male and Female. I definitely want just two fish; at the most 3. If not Gourami's what would you suggest? Im actually open to most if not all fish(ugly or not, I have a thing for Ugly Beautiful fish).

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Male gouramis are often territorial with each other. If you stock them in trios (1m + 2f) like with swordtails, however, you should be OK.

Well like stated above I want there to be just 2, maybe 3, fish. The reason is I want the plants to be the focus and the fish to just accent them more.

[James From Cali]

Im going to do a sand substrate so that will be updated soon hopefully.

HC

[James From Cali]

This tank will be used strictly for one thing. Breeding Long Finned Gold Zebra Danio(Brachydanio rerio) for store credit at a Local Fish Store. This would help me for getting other aquariums setup as I will build that credit. Currently I have what I believe is two males and a female Brachydanio rerio. This should help start it. I will purchase three more of this splendid fish as I get more funds. For anyone that wants to know, I will be feeding the fish Omega-One Super Color Flakes and Baby Brine Shrimp.

I also have many more plants. I had posted on my HC, well now I want to add a couple more plants that may or may not grow in my tank. I have, for plants: Elocharis montevidensis, Elocharis acicularis, Bacopa monnieri, Lobelia cardinalis. These are all purchases of WalMart(staying in budget) and I will constantly post new statistics as I find things. So far the Elocharis montevidensis and Elocharis acicularis are in bad shaped, but that will change hopefully.

I had bought a second 10 watt Lights Of America compact fluorescent. I should have 1wpg after figuring the restrike. I am definitely going to see how these plants do under this lighting as this is quite low. Fertilizers are non exsistant in this tank. I will have an overstocked tank eventually and they should help with NO3 in this tank. I will also be setting up my DIY CO2 ASAP. The substrate will remain the basic black gravel over the potting soil as that seems to be working quite well.

The scaping will change as I thought it would look alot better with the plants in there and I was wrong. I am going to remove some of the rock and rearrange what is left. I am taking a big chance in the making of this tank, as far as plants go. It will either make or break me. I will be looking toward your support, constructive criticism, and comments on my tank. Now on toward the pictures.


Full tank shot

Lobelia cardinalis

HC

Right side of tank

Left side of tank

Me enjoying examining the tank(flash is on, tank lights were on aswell)

I just also wanted to thank you great members of TPT for getting me to where I am. I learned a great deal within one year of being on this site. Thanks so much.

-James From Cali

[mistergreen]

give those guys plenty of CO2.

I just though up of some rare fish for you to breed.. try
* badis, dario dario

* wild bettas like b. albimarginata, b. macrostoma.. They're pricey but you can fetch good money for the babies.

* or something simpler, corydas habrorus.. They're small and are sought after.

[clwatkins10]

Originally Posted by eyebeatbadgers

I'd grow the moss wall out with the Peacock, not the Java. I've got a Taiwan moss wall going right now that I'm pretty pleased with.

The Java will look more unkempt and stringy, and will probably get tangled up with the Peacock and make a mess, unless that's what you're going for. If it were me I wouldn't introduce it into the tank at all.

What are you going to use as the "structure" for the wall? I've been contemplating the black insect screen that goes on your window... just an idea.

i have used that window screen before, but it is to flimsy and hard to keep the moss sandwiched in it for my liking