[DaveFason]

I have kept saltwater tanks for around seven years and I am just starting to get my feet wet with the planted world. I love the style and what goes into these small gardens.

I am trying to get everything right the first time so when I move I can upgrade to a larger tank and be ready.

Tank :
Do!Aqua 12" Cube
Equipment :
Cal Aqua Nano Drop Checker
CAL AQUA Inflow/Outflow Lily Pipes
Do!Aqua Bubble Counter
ADA Check Valve ( Ruby )
DIY CO2 DRS w/ Clippard Mouse, Swan SS meter valve, Matheson Reg
Nano Box LED Light
DIY Filter w/ Eheim 1250 Pump
Substrate :
ADA Amazonia

I am still finishing up the regulator for the CO2 and planning on which plants to use. I am looking at HC but still thinking of my options. I am hoping to have it set up in two weeks or so.

Enjoy!

-Dave

 

[madness]

Looking forward to following this one.

 

[DaveFason]

Thanks madness. I'll be highlighting my Nano Box light in this thread as well. Hopefully I'll have some more photo's this evening.

I am really interested in HC but have seen people start it with a "dry start". Can anyone help me explain what exactly people are doing? I am assuming that you lay your substrate, scape and plant your carpet plant down with minimal water and cover? Is there misting involved? Best place to buy HC as well?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

-Dave

 

[TLE041]

Nice tank and equipment there. Looking forward to seeing more about that light. How will you be holding it in place?

I've gone through two dry starts in my tanks (link in signature). It's the best way to grow a carpet IME. There's a lot of good info on here about the process. Just do a search.

Personally, I'm not a fan of carpet planting and iwagumi styles for cubed tanks. Even with appropriate stones, there's very little interest in the middle to top of the water column because all the planting is near the substrate. I'd go for an interesting driftwood interlaced with something like narrow-leaf java fern. You can still have an HC carpet on the bottom if you like.

 

[deleted_user_12]

wow reef to planted usually it the other way around but it is alot cooler im my opinion

 

[DaveFason]

TLE - I'll go on the search. great tanks by the way!

fishman - I know, I know. There is something to me about the planted world that is different from reef tanks. There is an art form with this and I love it. I'm hoping in a few years to have two 90-100g tanks side by side. Reef and planted.

I am going with my pendant or regular Nano Box unit. Still undecided.

-Dave

 

[BMueller777]

Looks like a good start. What kind of light is that? (not the LED one)

 

[DaveFason]

Both are LED

Nano Box Units. I personally make them.

-Dave

 

[rikardob]

Marked. Did you make the led spectrum more suitable for fresh water in your nano-boxes? Ate those total overkill that are just going to be dimmed down to like 20%?

 

[DaveFason]

Changed for FW tanks. Using a mix of cool white and neutral white really gives a great color. I also use a small array of LED's. I'll make sure to post plenty of photo's.

I just received my Clippard Mouse solenoid and should be getting the meter valve soon. I am thinking of going all out and using a Ideal SS Vernier handle.

-Dave

 

[DaveFason]

Pictures later today. I am working a smaller design for CO2 system. Having this beast of a reg with all the parts is not only not attractive but a waist of space. I'm busting out the band saw, CNC and drill press and going at it. I hope to have a 3"x8" "box" with light hanger, drivers, CO2 rig in place.

-Dave

 

[BMueller777]

Both are LED

Nano Box Units. I personally make them.

-Dave

Touche lol


By the looks of it you're about to set something pretty nice up lol

 

[DaveFason]

Working on it . I ran out of time for photo's but here is my current set up. It is a custom three tier stand built from 1" square steel tubing. I need to clean a few things up and I will be replacing the current black wood with a stained wood. I am also finishing up my LED light stand for the reef tank. If things work out I will add a Mini-M tank on the top tier as well.

-Dave

 

[madness]

It is nice to have more people with fabrication capabilities participating in the community.

Looking forward to seeing what custom gear you eventually end up with on this one.

 

[DaveFason]

Thanks madness!

Here are a few updates. This is going to the anodizer now.
The housing will hold the LED driver, dual reg set up, needle/meter valve and solenoid. There will be a top as well. The small holes are for adjusting the LED lighting, turning on/off and the on/off light. Just need to finish it all up!

I used green sleeving for the planted tank

Front view. It is a very small footprint that will house everything but the CO2 tank. It will also hide the bubble counter, check valve and tubing.

I know it does not look like much now but it will have a nice a sleek look once I am finished.

Enjoy!

-Dave

 

[DaveFason]

The Start

First Iwagumi - Dont Laugh!

New Iwagumi - I want to do something with the smaller rock. Maybe?

Side

Close

Top

Let me know your feedback! I am completely new to this stuff!

-Dave

 

[DaveFason]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I rethought the scape and went with a different look. A few rocks and driftwood. Overall I really like the outcome. I was able to pick some HC up from a guy on here and he gave me a TON!

Just to make sure I did this correctly on the dry start...
1. Filled AquaSoil
2. Scape and filled water until I could start to see it almost puddle at the lowest point.
3. Used tweezers and pushed small clumps in the soil and covered
4. Covered tank with plastic wrap and left light on.

I am guessing I will need to mist through out the week?

Close Up

Side

This morning after the night with the light on.

Enjoy and shoot me feedback!

-Dave

 

[iKine]

Pretty slick!

 

[tropicalmackdaddy]

Update?

 

[DishyFishy]

Subscribed. This is going to be awesome!