My 2nd try at an iwagumi (v.10g)

[Church]

Originally Posted by ZooTycoonMaster

That's um a pretty big light you've got there

Hehe, yeah, it's one of the ones from the 20 long that is still not in use. I'm going to put a 70w MH over this tank. That will be coming in the next 2 weeks. I figure this 36w it's getting now will suffice.

And mizu-chan, yes it was a very healthy batch! Here's what it looked like right out of the box:






It was just a big piece of sod! lol

Thanks for your comments everyone, I'm going to sleep now...

[Church]

Okay so I was going to DIY myself a metal halide HQI to hang above this tank. But I finally changed my mind when I realized that whatever I do with this tank has to be aesthetically pleasing, if I don't want to sleep on the couch. So fine, I've decided to go with a 20" Current Satellite. I'll be using the single bulb fixture this time, because on my last 10g I only used the second light for a noon-burst anyway. I just placed an order from Big Al's, because they brought back the free-shipping deal. I also ordered a dual-daylight bulb, because I just really love the spectrum of mixing 6500k and 10000k. Oh, and I also ordered one of those Stingray stands, too! I think it will look much better than using this cheapy aluminum (or whatever it is!) one.

When it all gets here, in a week or so, I will finally hook up the CO2. Right now I am just using a spare 30" coralife t5 fixture, and it only comes on for viewing purposes when I get the hankerin'. The rest of the time it gets diffused natural lighting. I just want the UG to establish itself first.

Also, does anyone in Tampa want a school of black neons, for free? You just have to come pick them up from me. PM me if interested.

[Church]

BUMP for asking if anyone in Tampa wants a free school of 6 black neons? Oh how I wish the SnS were still open right now...

[Wingsdlc]

Things are looking quite nice. I have thought about trying UG for a while but haven't quite made a set up for it yet.

I think once the UG fills in you might lose some of your stones in the mist of the lawn.

If you stick with the over sized light you could grow house plants under them.

[Church]

It's funny you mention that, because originally my intention was to actually suspend a 70w MH from the ceiling, and I was going to put it about 3 feet above the tank, and surround the stand with potted herbs to use up the spilled light. Great minds think alike, huh?

But I decided against it, and I just ordered a 20" current satellite fixture. I can't keep using this 30" fixture, because it belongs to my 20 long. Once I get this 10g setup, I move on to my 45 tall. Then after that, the 20.

And as far as losing some of the stones, I actually planned for that. I tried arranging things in such a way to allow for the carpet to take over and swallow up a few of the smaller stones, but still giving the appearance of a well-structured iwagumi type layout. Only time will tell, of course, but I can visualize it already, and I think it's going to look pretty good.

Anyway, as usual, thanks for looking, everyone!

[Church]

Okay, so it's time to decide what stems I'm putting in here. My choices are Blyxa japonica, Didiplis diandra, Rotala vietnam, or any other plant that tends to get a golden hue. Any last minute suggestions out of anyone reading this?

And for fish, I've decided on a school of about 15-20 Microrasbora kubotai. Here's a great picture of them I pulled off of Google images:



They are supposed to stay under 20mm (or about 3/4 of an inch), so I should be able to get up to about 20 in there I think.

Anyway, help me choose my stem plants!

[chase127]

rotala sp green? rotala sp nanjenshan? HM?

[Church]

But I'm looking for a golden hue. (thanks for the suggestions, still! )

[chase127]

HM gets somewhat golden. the new growth is light green/yellow. you could make some nice HM bushes im sure

[@marko@]

diandra is kinda gold, depending on the light.
r. vientnam is goldish with pink tips.
maybe r. colorata depending on the light?

[Church]

ARRRRRGH!!! I ordered a new stand for my ten gallon last week, and it finally got here today... WITH NO SCREWS!!!!


I can't even put it together, and I have to wait another 5-7 days for them to send me the hardware. This sucks.

[mizu-chan]

Sorry about the stand. Have any pics of the tank?
Is the UG growing?

[Church]

Actually, it is! But I haven't taken any pictures because I'm almost embarrassed at the amount of UG that melted away. Right after I changed out most of the water to RO water, and when I began injecting CO2, the UG stopped melting. But I already lost more than 50% of what I put in there!

At any rate, I am already seeing new runners, and new blades of "grass" coming up through the substrate. I added a few bunches of HM to the back right corner, to soak up nutrients, and I began EI dosing. Right now, the tank looks sort of ho-hum, but there is no algae or anything, so it looks pretty good right now, minus any real aquascape.

I'll try to take pics later today, but no promises, because I'm having a house-warming party.

[resowner92]

any updates?

[Church]

To be honest, I've just been sort of embarrassed about my tank, which is why I haven't taken any new pictures...

I promise I will take some though, tonight. I will swallow my pride and do this-- if only for the photodocumentation of this tank. Basically, what ended up happening is pretty much about 95% of the UG has melted away. But, that being said, I noticed a few weeks ago that it is already growing back, and I see new runners every day. I'm not sure if it melted due to the water being too hard, or if it was because I wasn't gentle enough when I broke it apart to plant it... but it pretty much all melted away, and now the tank looks empty again.

But, like I said, it's already growing, and I can confidently say it's growing in fast now! I'm using 100% RO water, and using a full EI dosing regimen. A funny side note... apparently there was riccia mixed in with that piece of UG sod when it got sent to me, because after all the UG melted, I noticed riccia growing up out of the substrate in a few random areas. At first I saw a floating piece, so I thought it hitchhiked in on the baby tears... but then I saw it growing up out of the substrate!! So yeah, it came in from the UG sod. I'm waiting for it to float up and out of the substrate so I can remove it.

I've got some Blyxa japonica coming in tomorrow or the day after, so I'll also have some updates when that comes in as well. Until then, I will still go ahead and post some pics as the tank is right now.

It's a good thing I have patience, because I was pretty close to giving up on the UG and just planting some microsword instead. Now that I see the UG is growing back with a vengeance, I can breathe!!!

Stay tuned for pics tonight.