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My previous scape with this tank (no journal) was somewhat neglected due to life and work and ended up getting a bad case of algae and I wanted to try something new. So I transferred the RCS and betta to another tank and began the task of rebuilding.
Tank: ADA Mini M
Lighting: ADA AquaSky 361
Hardscape: ADA Kei Stone
Substrate: ADA Aqua Soil
Fauna: none at the moment; planned betta & RCS
Plants: Tropica 1-2 Grow: Glossostigma Elatinoides, Rotala Rotundifolia, Rotala H'ra (planned, waiting for order)
Co2: 5 lb tank, GLA Inline Atomizer, CO2Art Dual Stage, Cal Aqua Labs Clip Nano, ADA P-2 Outflow,
Heater: Hydor ETH 200
Filter: Eheim Classic 250
Temperature: 25c
I'm usually a fan of the "jungle" or "nature aquarium" look and like using driftwood, but this time I wanted to try something a little different. I've had some Kei stone just sitting around for quite some time and figured I'd grab a few rocks and give it a try. The goal was to have something nice to look at but clean and easy to maintain as I already have another tank (60p) and one more to setup (90p) - and time is an issue.
Latest Pics:
April 8:
The tank is growing well and quite easy to take care of. I'm quite surprised by the lack of algae but I'm still running CO2 somewhat high, doesn't seem to bother my daughter's betta "Nip". The betta is loving the glosso - he roots around in it looking for the occasional piece of food that he has missed during feeding time.
A few updated pics - tank is in need of a trim. It seems to need a trim every 2-3 weeks! Only dosing potassium at the moment. I've got dry ferts but using Seachem Potassium ~1-2 ml every other day.
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March 14:
This has to be the fastest carpet I've ever grown and everything is looking extremely healthy. I swear this atomizer is working better than my ADA diffuser that I was previously using. Seeing my first signs of minor GSA, which I just cleaned after today's 50% water change (to keep ammonia down).
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Initially, I was going to do the dry start method:
February 27:
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But because I was concerned about having my betta in the other tank, I decided to flood it and get the cycling going. With the CO2 cranked and the lights set for 9 hrs things have really started to move along:
March 9:
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March 11:
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Will be adding some Rotala H'ra, once it arrives, to add a bit of colour.
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Ammonia levels are starting to come down slightly but I think it's going to be a couple more weeks before it cycles. So far no signs of algae.
I know this isn't a traditional iwagumi-style tank and it was never intended to be - but I think the simple layout of the rocks works...at least for me.
Side note: This is the original concept that I started with but decided against the wood this time around. It is more visually interesting (especially once you add moss, etc) but it would have made maintenance of the glosso a nightmare. Went through this last time with Monte Carlo and driftwood in this tank and it was tough to maneuver the scissors to trim the carpet effectively.
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This is the old setup:
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Tank: ADA Mini M
Lighting: ADA AquaSky 361
Hardscape: ADA Kei Stone
Substrate: ADA Aqua Soil
Fauna: none at the moment; planned betta & RCS
Plants: Tropica 1-2 Grow: Glossostigma Elatinoides, Rotala Rotundifolia, Rotala H'ra (planned, waiting for order)
Co2: 5 lb tank, GLA Inline Atomizer, CO2Art Dual Stage, Cal Aqua Labs Clip Nano, ADA P-2 Outflow,
Heater: Hydor ETH 200
Filter: Eheim Classic 250
Temperature: 25c
I'm usually a fan of the "jungle" or "nature aquarium" look and like using driftwood, but this time I wanted to try something a little different. I've had some Kei stone just sitting around for quite some time and figured I'd grab a few rocks and give it a try. The goal was to have something nice to look at but clean and easy to maintain as I already have another tank (60p) and one more to setup (90p) - and time is an issue.
Latest Pics:
April 8:
The tank is growing well and quite easy to take care of. I'm quite surprised by the lack of algae but I'm still running CO2 somewhat high, doesn't seem to bother my daughter's betta "Nip". The betta is loving the glosso - he roots around in it looking for the occasional piece of food that he has missed during feeding time.
A few updated pics - tank is in need of a trim. It seems to need a trim every 2-3 weeks! Only dosing potassium at the moment. I've got dry ferts but using Seachem Potassium ~1-2 ml every other day.
March 14:
This has to be the fastest carpet I've ever grown and everything is looking extremely healthy. I swear this atomizer is working better than my ADA diffuser that I was previously using. Seeing my first signs of minor GSA, which I just cleaned after today's 50% water change (to keep ammonia down).
Initially, I was going to do the dry start method:
February 27:
But because I was concerned about having my betta in the other tank, I decided to flood it and get the cycling going. With the CO2 cranked and the lights set for 9 hrs things have really started to move along:
March 9:
March 11:
Will be adding some Rotala H'ra, once it arrives, to add a bit of colour.
Ammonia levels are starting to come down slightly but I think it's going to be a couple more weeks before it cycles. So far no signs of algae.
I know this isn't a traditional iwagumi-style tank and it was never intended to be - but I think the simple layout of the rocks works...at least for me.
Side note: This is the original concept that I started with but decided against the wood this time around. It is more visually interesting (especially once you add moss, etc) but it would have made maintenance of the glosso a nightmare. Went through this last time with Monte Carlo and driftwood in this tank and it was tough to maneuver the scissors to trim the carpet effectively.
This is the old setup:
