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2,056 Posts
**There will be lots of pics through this entire thread!**
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So I figured I would do a little Journal for this tank, as I just started setting it up.
Currently I have 2 planed 29 gallon tanks, and a 20 gallon that is holding some plants for me. I really wanted to set up an epic planted tank, with enough room to have a nice scape and some larger fish. I snagged this odd sized tank from local hobbyist It is 53 gallons (48"x15"x17"). Included was a nice inline heater as well as a Nice 3 tube T8 fixture.
A Friend helped me construct an awesome Stand/Rack to hold all of my tanks, including this one.
Next my wife painted that back and sides of the tank for me.
Next came the Eco complete. I was on the fence about what type of gravel to use for a while. You can go really cheap, or really expensive, but the margin of difference in the products wasn't enough to sway me either way. I settled on Eco complete. It contains fully inert particles, as well as porous particles that will hold nutrient to utilized by the plants. I also like its inconsistency in size which gives it a more natural look, as well as helps keep the plants secure until they establish better roots. I purchased 3 new bags online, and 5 gallons of used Eco complete from another local hobbyist. I baked the used stuff just to be on the safe side, though I doubt I would have gotten anything from his tank.
Next I needed some nice wood. Manazita has always been a favorite of mine, but locating it is difficult and having it shipped in can get expensive. Luckily, a local Dart Frog hobbyist had a good source and offered to snag me some pieces on his next visit. He brought back some pieces that far exceeded my expectations!
Finally, I needed some rock work that would be interesting, but also help me maintain water chemistry. I chose lace rock for a few reasons. one, its is simply incredible stuff. Its very interesting, and easy to stack however you want without looking unnatural. Second, it is generally inert and will have little no no effect on the water chemistry. I picked these up at a local shop (The Fish Hub) who has always been good to me.
Here is the general scape:
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Plants, fish and updates will be coming in a few weeks!
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So I figured I would do a little Journal for this tank, as I just started setting it up.
Currently I have 2 planed 29 gallon tanks, and a 20 gallon that is holding some plants for me. I really wanted to set up an epic planted tank, with enough room to have a nice scape and some larger fish. I snagged this odd sized tank from local hobbyist It is 53 gallons (48"x15"x17"). Included was a nice inline heater as well as a Nice 3 tube T8 fixture.
A Friend helped me construct an awesome Stand/Rack to hold all of my tanks, including this one.
Next my wife painted that back and sides of the tank for me.
Next came the Eco complete. I was on the fence about what type of gravel to use for a while. You can go really cheap, or really expensive, but the margin of difference in the products wasn't enough to sway me either way. I settled on Eco complete. It contains fully inert particles, as well as porous particles that will hold nutrient to utilized by the plants. I also like its inconsistency in size which gives it a more natural look, as well as helps keep the plants secure until they establish better roots. I purchased 3 new bags online, and 5 gallons of used Eco complete from another local hobbyist. I baked the used stuff just to be on the safe side, though I doubt I would have gotten anything from his tank.
Next I needed some nice wood. Manazita has always been a favorite of mine, but locating it is difficult and having it shipped in can get expensive. Luckily, a local Dart Frog hobbyist had a good source and offered to snag me some pieces on his next visit. He brought back some pieces that far exceeded my expectations!
Finally, I needed some rock work that would be interesting, but also help me maintain water chemistry. I chose lace rock for a few reasons. one, its is simply incredible stuff. Its very interesting, and easy to stack however you want without looking unnatural. Second, it is generally inert and will have little no no effect on the water chemistry. I picked these up at a local shop (The Fish Hub) who has always been good to me.
Here is the general scape:
Plants, fish and updates will be coming in a few weeks!
