[AnotherHobby]

Current Tank Shot, 11/5/14"

Previous Tank Shot, 10/21/14:

Previous Tank Shots, 7/30/14:

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This tank is the new Mr Aqua 720LI, which is low iron glass and the exact same dimensions as the 60P, except it was only $122 shipped via special order from Marine Depot. I'm really happy with the clarity and quality of this tank. It's put together better than my other normal Mr. Aqua tank.

I've rescaped my old tank 3 times, and the number one thing I've learned is that substrate settles and everything moves. This time around, everything is zip-tied in place and I'm using egg crates to prevent erosion. I hope it goes well. I just completed my hardscape this morning (minus some rock that'll get added). I'm going with a fallen tree branch look, and rather than try and find a perfect single branch, I bought a box of assorted manzanita sticks from Tom Barr for $45. This is roughly 1/2 of it in the picture below. It was a lot of work, a lot of trial and error, and a lot of clipping zip-ties and moving stuff over and over. I'm really happy with how it's turned out.

I can't add in substrate yet because my one bag of Aquasoil is not enough (I already tried). I just placed an order for another bag, so I expect I'll see that in a week or so. As far as plants go, I'm thinking of doing a UG carpet off to the right. Then I have a pretty good assortment of plants in my other tank, a bunch of which will make it in here: s. repens, Alternanthera Reineckii Mini, downoi, anubias nana petite, ludwigia sp. red, blyxa japonica, and some rotola. I also need to get some good moss to go on the branches.

As far as light, this RAY2 will put out a little over 90 par at the substrate at this height, and I have good CO2. I'm not sure if I'm going to run this at high light as is, or if I'll raise it up. I'll probably start off that way and see if it's too much work or if I get algae issues.

 

[wsharp]

holy **** that is sweet haha great job, keep up the great work man

 

[Mike00726]

That driftwood is sick

 

[sarahspins]

I love it so far - great job with all of those zip ties

 

[skystrife]

How have I never thought of this! Holding down the wood with egg crate/rocks would make my life so much easier when adapting new wood to a submerged state---wonderful idea.

 

[0live]

Great job. Can't wait to see substrate and water.

 

[PeterN1986]

Wow VERY nice job with the layout. You have a lot of planting options with all those branches and crevices around the base.

If you need moss, I'm trimming the taiwan moss from my Mini-M every now and then if you are interested.

 

[manzpants92]

amazing layout. innovative with the crate idea for stabilization

 

[AnotherHobby]

Thanks for the compliments! With regards to using the egg crates and zip-ties to holding down the wood... as I maintain my tank, I bump stuff when trimming, I replant stuff, and things settle, and I end up ruining what I started with. It seems like nothing ever stays where I put it. Two nights ago I was sitting on the deck drinking a Jameson just thinking about this, wondering how to help prevent it, and then it hit me. I'm sure other people have done this, but as soon as I got the idea I sat down and sketched out this whole scape on paper. I woke up the next day and got to work.

I drilled strategic holes in most branches so I could really cinch them down tight and accurately. It's very solid. You really can't move any of the branches much at all.

Tonight I dumped in and graded out the 1 bag of aquasoil I do have. I'm not quite as short as I thought I'd be, but I need probably 50% more. I was really happy as I filled it up though, because it looks exactly like what I was going for. Tomorrow I'm going to check out some rocks to see if I want to add some in.

 

[Vermino]

looking good hobby. Love the way you hardscaped it.

 

[AnotherHobby]

Wow VERY nice job with the layout. You have a lot of planting options with all those branches and crevices around the base.

If you need moss, I'm trimming the taiwan moss from my Mini-M every now and then if you are interested.

I'm excited about the planting options for sure. A lot is still up in the air. I have to toss the ideas around in my head for a while. If you look closely at the scape now, you can tell it's several branches, but I'm hoping that planting cleverly around the base will totally obscure that. I want it to look like just one piece when I'm done.

Also, you have some awesome moss in your tank — I've been following your journal. I might take you up on that offer.

 

[Vermino]

my eye doesn't notice that.. The branches show more focal point than the actual base of it. Where did you get your driftwood?

 

[kingjombeejoe]

Nice job. I didn't notice it was more than 1 piece until I read it. I wish I had better hardscaping skills. I'll be waiting for the updates on this one.

 

[synaethetic]

Using multiple pieces and making it look as one works perfectly. Very innovative approach.

Personally I think your soil level is sufficient. Less soil in the front = more depth of field and room for plants.

 

[mjbn]

Beautiful scape. I agree with synaethetic, the amount of Aquasoil you have in there looks great to me.

 

[0live]

From the photo you posted, you can't really tell that that it's not one branch.

It might be more noticeable irl, but from the photo it looks seamless.

 

[jjt]

Good luck! Very nice wood layout. Ur glass also looks very nice im sure this tank will be stunning!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AnotherHobby]

my eye doesn't notice that.. The branches show more focal point than the actual base of it. Where did you get your driftwood?

Thanks for the feedback, and it looks like the others agree with you. It's funny how when you make something yourself you tend to focus on silly things that nobody else notices. I got the driftwood from Tom Barr. It was a box of sticks for $45 shipped, and I used about half of it.

Personally I think your soil level is sufficient. Less soil in the front = more depth of field and room for plants.

It's sloped back right now on the right hand side, and there are a few places not seen on the camera where you can see zip ties and the white egg crate. Also, underneath the egg-crate is not filled in all the way, and the back left corner needs quite a bit more. A bunch of the egg crate is covered with a tiny bit of soil and would get exposed quite easily. I filled it using the soil I had so I could get a picture of what it should look like. I don't think I need 50% more soil, but maybe 25-30% more.

 

[Fuzz]

This tank is gonna look sweet! Great idea with the egg crate I've never thought to do that. I had a couple of larger driftwood pieces that I secured onto acrylic but this is a good way to do multiple pieces like you did. Looking forward to seeing it planted and filled!

 

[AnotherHobby]

I'd like some feedback on a foreground/carpet plant. The Ray 2 is capable of putting about 90 par at the substrate if I don't raise it, so I should be able to grow whatever I want with CO2. I'm thinking it'll fill the right 1/3 or so, and then the front 20% all the way along the front. See the area shaded in green in the pic below for coverage. I also included the pic from the previous page with dirt so you can visualize it and not have to go back.

Right now I'm leaning heavily toward UG, but I'd love some ideas. I'd also like to hear from anybody who's grown UG as to pluses and minuses of this plant. I am already growing HC in my work tank, so I'd rather not do the same plant in both, although I won't rule it out because I really do like it a lot. I'd prefer to not do DHG because I'm afraid it'll take over.

Any suggestions or feedback?