[BulletToothBoris]

First pic of this journal. Running a 48 hour test of the used tank, new heater and new sunsun canister filter. Also soaking the manzanita. Going to cap MGOPM/ clay with pool filter sand. It's going to be a low tech, no Co2 with very little ferts. Going to have rasboras, neons and maybe otos.

 

[rezende]

Sub'd for the "low tech" part

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Painted the back with 5 coats of black latex satin. Also got the electrical done.

 

[natebuchholz]

Great start!

 

[Freemananana]

What piping is that? The stuff that came with the sunsun? My piping is curved and a pain to hang over the edge at the 'perfect' angle. Is that the heater or a skimmer?

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Rubber tubing connected to hard plastic hook ups that came with the Sunsun. That's the primer pump/ intake.

 

[Freemananana]

Interesting. I didn't think the sunsun pumps were all that different haha. I guess my 302 is much different.

 

[BulletToothBoris]

No priming need with this one. I just plugged in in empty. I don't like that big white sticker on it though.

 

[Freemananana]

That is pretty cool. I'll have to check out the 505a next time.

Well, good luck with the tank. I'm glad to see you've started!

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Time to get wet and dirty!

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Filling up.

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Plants in.

 

[Freemananana]

Yup. I don't miss dirt. Sand and root tabs filled up almost clear for me. A quick lesson at my expense, don't drop your vac into this substrate. If you get through the cap, all hell breaks loose.

 

[BulletToothBoris]

It's my 4th dirt tank. I don't mind dirt on the surface. It gives it a natuarl habitat look.

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Clearing up. All plants, fish in. Established sponge filter running.

 

[BulletToothBoris]

All cleared up. Need MOAR plants!

 

[BulletToothBoris]

Added some java fern and 10 more rasboras. Not worried about putting fish in a new tank for these reasons:

1. All the substrate from the old 10g went into this one.
2. The Sunsun has established Fluval Biomax in it.
3. There is also an established sponge filter running.
4. The lone (over a year old) ghost shrimp hasn't died yet and seems fine.
5. Doing a 5-10 gallon water change everyday and dosing Prime.

It does need more heavy root feeders so more will be added soon. Petsmart's plant stock was hilarious.

 

[BulletToothBoris]

All good so far.

 

[Blackheart]

Pretty cool tank. What are the dimensions of it anyways?

 

[BulletToothBoris]

48x19x12