[brad908]

Hey Everyone - welcome to my tank journal for my repurposed Mr. Aqua18" low iron cube. Previously this tank served as mixed reef and a mangrove tank. After combining the mangrove tank with another reef tank, I decided to turn this cube into a planted tank.

Dry Start : 1/9/16
Flooded : 3/1/16 (ish. not sure exact date)

Equipment

• 18" Mr. Aqua Low Iron Cube
• Fish Need It 70w Halide
• Eheim 22314 Filter
• Hydor ETH 201 In-Line Heater

Pictures

Video
https://vimeo.com/163118803

Thanks for looking!

 

[brad908]

Growth has been crazy, I have been trimming the tree and grass once, sometimes twice a week. I went a little overboard on the tree last night, but it will be overgrown by next week I am sure.

This was this morning with the natural sun light hitting the tank.

Tank maintenance is weekly trimming and 10 gallon water change. Daily flake food feeding for the fish. No co2, no fertz, and I am not even sure if the heater has been working for the last couple months.

Am I missing something as to why people over complicate things, or do I just have easy plants?

 

[houseofcards]

Very nice. What kind of substrate, moss and ground cover? It's hard to see in the pic.

 

[brad908]

Very nice. What kind of substrate, moss and ground cover? It's hard to see in the pic.

Thanks. Java moss for the tree and micro sword for the ground cover. ADA Amazonia for the substrate.

 

[houseofcards]

Thanks. Java moss for the tree and micro sword for the ground cover. ADA Amazonia for the substrate.

With ADA AS you can get away for quite some time without any ferts. Good plant choices, the micro sword might be more challenging over time to keep nice and green and the tank algae free without co2.

Artistically I think you did a really good job!

 

[jw.cS]

Is it too weird to request for a whole room shot? I am loving the speaker and the rustic metal modern trellis with the wooden table. I'm feeling the vibe. In fact, I'm feeling your entire aesthetic. Please take us for a tour of your house/studio. I am very curious.

 

[brad908]

With ADA AS you can get away for quite some time without any ferts. Good plant choices, the micro sword might be more challenging over time to keep nice and green and the tank algae free without co2.

Artistically I think you did a really good job!

Thanks! Good to know on the ferts and co2 for longterm health.

Is it too weird to request for a whole room shot? I am loving the speaker and the rustic metal modern trellis with the wooden table. I'm feeling the vibe. In fact, I'm feeling your entire aesthetic. Please take us for a tour of your house/studio. I am very curious.

Thanks! I will take a new picture tonight, but here is a further out view when this tank used to be my mangrove and macro algae tank. This was July 2015.
Mangrove Macro Tank by Brad Baldwin Photography, on Flickr

 

[brad908]

I've started to dose 2 caps of Excel during my weekly water change, and the tank is looking really good again. Had a bit of an algae battle, but pretty much gone now.

Will take fts pics soon.

 

[klibs]

awesome tank

 

[sevendust111]

I've started to dose 2 caps of Excel during my weekly water change, and the tank is looking really good again. Had a bit of an algae battle, but pretty much gone now.

Will take fts pics soon.

This is the Mr. Aqua 25 gallon cube right? I have so many questions for you as I am about the buy the exact same tank (if you don’t mind)…

1. What filter do you have? What is the 22314? I was going to get a Classic 2215 for the tank.
2. Where do get that stand? I can’t seem to find many stands for this tank.
3. What is the build quality/clarity of the Mr. Aqua like?

Also….I would dose Excel everyday. Really helps with algae. If your concerned about the cost, just buy a big bottle of Metricide. I am pretty sure microswords die if your chop the tops off.

 

[brad908]

awesome tank

Thanks

This is the Mr. Aqua 25 gallon cube right? I have so many questions for you as I am about the buy the exact same tank (if you don’t mind)…

1. What filter do you have? What is the 22314? I was going to get a Classic 2215 for the tank.
2. Where do get that stand? I can’t seem to find many stands for this tank.
3. What is the build quality/clarity of the Mr. Aqua like?

Also….I would dose Excel everyday. Really helps with algae. If your concerned about the cost, just buy a big bottle of Metricide. I am pretty sure microswords die if your chop the tops off.

Yes, Mr Aqua 25 gallon.

1. Not sure where I got 22314 from, lol. I will check tonight which one I have
2. I built the stand
3. Build quality is good, similar to all the ADA tanks I've owned.

On Excel, it is more if I remember to dose than cost haha. I am good about remembering to do it at water changes, but I forget to do it daily.

 

[brad908]

Eheim 2213. I don't have any media in it. I also realized the heater stopped working a few months ago, but everything has been fine.



I'm also starting a new FW mangrove grow outside and also a tank inside.

 

[tlriot]

I. Am. Obsessed.

All of a sudden I need to get another tank and start on it right away.

 

[brad908]

No tank lights on

Also thought some might be interested in my SW tank. Basically a planted SW tank

Video of SW tank:
https://vimeo.com/189680099

 

[Mattb126]

Beautiful tanks, subscribed.

 

[ArchimedesTheDog]

Lovely tanks, great photography as well.

 

[brad908]

 

[zuc]

love those red tetras. they aren't serpaes are they? beautiful tanks.
is there a name for that type of SW tank? i'm assuming it's not reef

 

[Mattb126]

love those red tetras. they aren't serpaes are they? beautiful tanks.
is there a name for that type of SW tank? i'm assuming it's not reef

Probably just planted SW. As for the fish, don't quote me on this but I think if might be an ember tetra.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Planted SW tanks now? Oh...my wallet is in trouble!