[Streetwise]

I finally reset my old saltwater tank that got killed by Irene in 2011. I kept trying to give the tank away, but I just couldn't do it.

 

[H82LOS3]

Well i'm glad you didnt because it looks very nice especially that driftwood as the main center piece. Do you have any plans for livestock?

 

[Streetwise]

Thanks! A bit of feels with this tank.

I've been thinking about trying some live-bearers, but I don't really have any plans. Any ideas?

Cheers

 

[H82LOS3]

Thanks! A bit of feels with this tank.

I've been thinking about trying some live-bearers, but I don't really have any plans. Any ideas?

Cheers

Lol I totally get it, thats why I always keep needing extra storage haha

Hmmm lets see if you're thinking live bearers then my suggestion is guppy! I've kept them before and next thing you know the population sky rocket lol. In the past I've kept them where 5:1 female to male ratio and I gotta say the males were really happy lol

 

[somewhatshocked]

Guppies or Endlers would definitely make for a nice addition to the tank.

Could also consider something like Heterandria formosa, as they reproduce much more slowly than other livebearers. A bunch of White Cloud Minnows or even Ember Tetras would also look great.

 

[Streetwise]

What is the most orange Endler?

 

[DaveKS]

That’s a nice size tank, not to big or to small. I would never have thought about getting rid of it.

Only criticisms I could find is soil/substrate is about 2x to deep IMHO. Love way wood splits right down middle.

 

[Streetwise]

I tried two filters in the corners, and there was a visual effect where nothing looked parallel. I decided everything should be centered in this bow-front tank.

I have done deep soil layers on all of my planted tanks. I do see bubbles from the substrate, but the livestock doesn't notice.

I put soil in based on the root structure I expect, just like a potted plant or a garden.

Cheers

 

[sudhirr]

I finally reset my old saltwater tank that got killed by Irene in 2011. I kept trying to give the tank away, but I just couldn't do it.

Looks really wow....

Bump: What kind of substrate, lights and plants are you having in this tank?

 

[Streetwise]

I am using Miracle Gro Organic Choice. This tank actually still has the saltwater lights I was running in 2011, with one white tube and one blue tube. I intend to replace it with a Fluval Planted 3.0, since that is what I run on all my other tanks. The blue light does make for some cool photos!

 

[Streetwise]

I took out all the plants, removed the sand and gravel cap, and then thinned out the soil to 1.5 inches deep. Then I put back the sand cap and replanted. It took a ton of time. I've been overly aggressive with soil depth in the past, but I am trying to more closely follow the recommendations from Diana Walstad's book going forward.

 

[Streetwise]

Fresh photo:

 

[Asteroid]

That looks good. Just a suggestion, I would move the wood off center (rule of thirds). You certainly can leave it centered, but by moving it off-center you create eye flow away from the wood as you add more plants, etc. With the wood dead center the eye doesn't know which direction to go. Usually things look more natural that way as opposed to a man-made object.

 

[Streetwise]

That looks good. Just a suggestion, I would move the wood off center (rule of thirds). You certainly can leave it centered, but by moving it off-center you create eye flow away from the wood as you add more plants, etc. With the wood dead center the eye doesn't know which direction to go. Usually things look more natural that way as opposed to a man-made object.

I generally agree, and I don't have hardscape centered in any of my rectangular tanks. However, with this bow front tank, any tech looks more square when centered. I have the filter and heater right on the centerline, and I just moved the wood to hide them from a central view. I may try another wood arrangement from your suggestion, but this piece is a bit oversized for this tank, so I don't have as many options.

Cheers

 

[Streetwise]

I moved three of my yellow shrimp in and they are enjoying it.

I propped up my wood to make sure there is flow and space underneath it. I may add another piece of driftwood, but I still like having this piece centered to hide my tech.

Cheers

 

[Streetwise]

The tank got two new Fluval Plant Nanos, with felt risers, on a piece of glass cut to size (19 1/8" x 6"), from my local Aubachon Hardware store. I finally retired the SW fixture.

Currently, the tank has six yellow neo shrimp, and two of them are berried. I plan to add otos.

https://vimeo.com/372138013

 

[Streetwise]

Last week, I moved two glow-fin tetras from my Community Nano, and added five more, plus ten Otocinclus. I just checked, and the Hydra are gone from the Mopani wood. The shrimp are still going strong.

More recently, I doubled the flow with another MF10, with one lined-up with each light, and moved the heater up to the middle.

 

[Streetwise]

Test photo removed.

 

[Streetwise]

New year:

 

[Streetwise]

I removed the Tunze 3161 filters. There is one MF10 hidden behind the Mopani Wood, and a 100W heater. This photo is 2 x 100% light, just for a picture. Normal light is much lower, (closer to the previous photo), and runs with a two-siesta schedule.