[fermentedhiker]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/dscn0017z.jpg/

So I caved in on cyberMonday and ordered a 6 gallon Fluval Edge tank for my desk. I'm thinking of trying my first Iwagumi type layout and will be documenting the attempt here.

Thanks for looking.
Adam

 

[fermentedhiker]

For hardscape I'm thinking either Seiryu or petrified wood depending on what I can find that will work.

Has anyone ever ordered stone from here?
http://www.manzanita-driftwood.com/Aquascaperock.html

While I always prefer to locally source my hardscape material, stones with a lot of character are hard to find and with Winter almost here it will get hard to find anything soon.

 

[Crow]

I've tried to contact them four times to get there driftwood, out of the four times emailing them I got one reply simply saying "no longer have".

That's all the email said, emailed them three more times but never got a reply.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Wow, not exactly what I was hoping for in terms of customer service Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Crow]

ok, just emailed them again, I'll let ya know how it goes...

 

[fermentedhiker]

Thanks, I'll be interested in how it turns out.

For substrate I'm leaning towards a base(maybe 1") of MGOPS capped with Fluval stratum.

Any thoughts on this layout. I'm planning on a very simple layout, just the stones and two plant types. Marsilea minuta for the bulk of it and probably some micro sword in the background. I was thinking I wanted to put a crypt in each corner to break up the visual disturbance created by the corners, but I'm not sure if that would look right with this spartan style layout.

 

[Crow]

I am new to this, as I am in the process of setting up my first planted tank.

 

[Crow]

Thanks, I'll be interested in how it turns out.

ok So I got a reply last night at 11pm, I sent in my payment a few mins ago, so we will see how long it takes..

 

[sunyang730]

If I am not mistaken, that is PC1 LOL. He is a busy man. Might got delay replying you.

 

[fermentedhiker]

I added the MGOPS base and laid down a sheet of "plastic canvas" which will keep it from working up through the cap.

So I decided to try and do a layout with the Seiryu stone.



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[fermentedhiker]

The three on the right I'm envisioning as part of single mounded substrate piece but it seem kind of awkward and busy at the moment.

 

[Newman]

just use 3 rocks, get the focal point off center slightly, and definitely cap that soil with sand or something similar. otherwise it will not work.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Thanks for the suggestions. It was always going to have a cap, I just haven't figured out what to use yet. I was going to use sand, but I'm pretty sure it won't mound up like I want. So now I'm leaning towards either Eco-complete or Amazonia.

 

[Newman]

then base the cap off what you want to keep in the tank. amazonia creates a very nice softwater acidic conditions that most plants love to grow in. so use this if you want to keep animals that like soft acidic water.
use eco-complete if you wish to keep alkaline, basic animals like livebearers and rainbows (Pseudomugil furcatus).

 

[fermentedhiker]

I guess that settles it then as I have some Pseudomugil gertrudae that will end up in here after it's setup and cycled.

My plan so far
marsilea minuta for a carpet in front
micro swords for the backround
and maybe a couple blyxa japonica to break up the corners

fauna will be pretty small because of it being a tiny tank.
Mts
blackworms
thai micro crabs
red rilli shrimp
and 6 or so of the P. gertrudae

 

[Newman]

you could try the microsword for background, but i dont think you'll be very happy with it. imo its better to do the blyxa for your background purposes.

fauna sounds good.

 

[Lil' Swimz$]

What's the point of doing mineralized topsoil if you have ADA Aquasoil? The Aquasoil will be plenty for anything you should try to grow.

 

[Newman]

i'm going to assume he will be using the eco complete cap for more basic and alkaline conditions. it does not influence pH. assuming his tap water is alkaline and has a pH of above 7 he's set.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Yes, I have moderately hard well water with a PH of 7.6

i'm going to assume he will be using the eco complete cap for more basic and alkaline conditions. it does not influence pH. assuming his tap water is alkaline and has a pH of above 7 he's set.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Attempted to get a layout that I liked. Need to fix the soil line and smooth things out a bit. The rock that pokes out in front on the right mound was meant to evoke sense or image of a ledge outcropping, but I"m not sure it works



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