[pewpewkittah]

Tank shot as of 2/26:

I recently bought a rimless 12g long aquarium that I've absolutely fallen in love with, so I broke down and bought a Mr. Aqua 60P. I know, another tank... will I ever be satisfied? :icon_roll

After being inspired by multiple individuals, I've decided to make this into a nature style aquarium that will be somewhat low tech.

Specs:
Mr. Aqua 60P aquarium
IKEA Besta stand
24-36" Current Satellite LED+
Aqua Top 200 canister filter with UV sterilizer
Black Diamond blasting sand
Weathered Manzanita branches

Fauna:
2 German blue ram
6 neon tetras
10 pygmy cories
7 otonoculious

Flora:
Blyxa japonica
Needle leaf java fern
Anubias nana 'petite' & 'micro'
Mini pellia
Rotala rotundifolia
Dwarf hairgrass
Hydrocotyle japan
Fissidens fontantus



8/24
The scape first being set up...

Adding sand and rocks

Planting done!

 

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

Did you get the manzanita from Tom?

 

[pewpewkittah]

Did you get the manzanita from Tom?

I did, very happy with what I received.

 

[mistuhmarc]

How do you have the pieces of driftwood standing? Did you ziptie them to the eggcrate?

 

[pewpewkittah]

How do you have the pieces of driftwood standing? Did you ziptie them to the eggcrate?

Yep! Got the idea and design from AnotherHobby.

 

[mistuhmarc]

Yep! Got the idea and design from AnotherHobby.

I see! I wanted to do that too but I already have substrate in my tank...what's another way to keep the driftwood supported to prevent it from falling?

 

[junglefowl]

Very nice arrangement of the driftwood! This will be great tank...

 

[pewpewkittah]

I see! I wanted to do that too but I already have substrate in my tank...what's another way to keep the driftwood supported to prevent it from falling?

Hm, depending on what type of wood you have... You could wedge rocks under and around the wood, making it look as natural as possible. If its not too intrusive you could even cut a slab of egg crate, attach the wood and bury it. I'm thinking about actually adding some seriyu stone to this scape since I have lots left over from my other tank .

 

[pewpewkittah]

Very nice arrangement of the driftwood! This will be great tank...

Thank you for the kind words!! I would love to see an update of your gorgeous forest. The depth is incredible.

 

[AnotherHobby]

Yep! Got the idea and design from AnotherHobby.

I could tell.

 

[junglefowl]

Thank you for the kind words!! I would love to see an update of your gorgeous forest. The depth is incredible.

It's not a forest anymore. It's a jungle

 

[sushant]

Thats a beautiful start, will keep an eye on the progress of this tank

 

[mistuhmarc]

Hm, depending on what type of wood you have... You could wedge rocks under and around the wood, making it look as natural as possible. If its not too intrusive you could even cut a slab of egg crate, attach the wood and bury it. I'm thinking about actually adding some seriyu stone to this scape since I have lots left over from my other tank .

I actually have the same type of driftwood as you. Got mine from Tom Barr! So it's been very very floaty haha. I've been soaking the driftwood in a bucket so it can stay down. I might do what you did and once I move back home again at the end of the semester, I'll add eggcrate to make it easier.

 

[clayman65]

I just did a similar tree in my tank with manzanita from Tom barr and eggcrate. I used zip ties and stainless screws to keep it all together. One suggsstion would be to cut out some of the extra eggcrate in the open areas. If you don't have enough soil depth the eggcrate makes it harder to plant. Especially plants with large roots like crypts or when planting with tweezers getting the plant stuck in between the holes.

 

[pewpewkittah]

I could tell.

I hope you don't mind, your designs are such an inspiration to me. I loved your initial hard scape so much I had to try it for myself and the egg create idea was brilliant. My final product will have a much different look .

It's not a forest anymore. It's a jungle

I'm sure it looks excellent nonetheless!

Thats a beautiful start, will keep an eye on the progress of this tank

Thank you so much!!

I actually have the same type of driftwood as you. Got mine from Tom Barr! So it's been very very floaty haha. I've been soaking the driftwood in a bucket so it can stay down. I might do what you did and once I move back home again at the end of the semester, I'll add eggcrate to make it easier.

Likewise . Love the character of this wood. I have to give you props though... I don't have near enough patience to boil the wood or wait for it to sink.

I just did a similar tree in my tank with manzanita from Tom barr and eggcrate. I used zip ties and stainless screws to keep it all together. One suggsstion would be to cut out some of the extra eggcrate in the open areas. If you don't have enough soil depth the eggcrate makes it harder to plant. Especially plants with large roots like crypts or when planting with tweezers getting the plant stuck in between the holes.

Thanks for the tip! I am adding rocks and sand now actually, but I will definitely cut out what I can to prevent any hassle.

 

[mistuhmarc]

Oh, I have no patience at all either...I was getting frustrated trying to make it work but eventually gave up having to keep it down. So right now, my tank's just planted temporarily and inhabited while I get the driftwood to sink. Like, it's no where near my plans for planting anytime soon. haha

 

[pewpewkittah]

Well, after a ridiculous amount of rinsing, the sand is finally clean... so I added some sand this morning and am playing around with some rocks.

I am trying to create a ledge or cliff look with the rocks. So the plants will be tucked in and around the rock/wood area, hopefully creating a lush ledge overlooking a low area. Obviously I will be adding more sand to finish this look. I think I got the large rocks where I want them, but still messing around with the little ones... May break up the few stones I have left to add as well. We'll see.

What do you guys think looks best?

A

B

C

 

[AnotherHobby]

I hope you don't mind, your designs are such an inspiration to me. I loved your initial hard scape so much I had to try it for myself and the egg create idea was brilliant. My final product will have a much different look .

I don't mind. It did make me laugh at how close it was though.

Those rocks look great by the way!

 

[pewpewkittah]

I don't mind. It did make me laugh at how close it was though.

Those rocks look great by the way!

Haha, I feel bad. I unknowingly made it so alike to yours, just from memory.

And thank you!! :3

 

[kman]

Looks like a great start! I look forward to seeing it planted!

(and yes, I chuckled, too, when I saw how close it was to AnotherHobby's tank... he is inspiring all kinds of followers these days!)