First planted tank. Thanks for all the info on here. Walstad method in full effect. Hoping to get a low maintenance jungle with some CRS eventually.
Aquarium: Twelve inch bowl from Michael's.
Substrate: Inch and a quarter of sifted Miracle Grow Organic Choice Porting Mix, topped with a quarter to half inch of CaribSea Super Naturals Premium Aquarium Substrate. I used a pasta strainer to remove all the large possible floaters from the soil.
Lighting: 5,000k, 14 watt CFL for now. Hoping to find a 6,500k at some point. I do 10 hours on a split cycle.
Decoration: Lake Erie drift wood that I boiled for about an hour to remove the tanins or possible chemicals and such. I had some river stones holding down the wood and contemplated using some for around the tank, but I think it sits well without anything but the wood and plants.
Flora: Microsorium pteropus, Spathiphyllum wallisii, Hygrophilia difformis, and Ophiopogan japonica. Added some Salvinia on 10OCT2011.
Fauna: Hopefully a few CRS after I use Cherry Reds to cycle it and check the water parameters. (I added three cherry shrimp on 11OCT2011.)
Info: I set this up on 09OCT2011. I did a fifty percent water change today on the the 10th, and plan on doing one every week for a month at which point I will test the water and see if it is cool for some shrimps. I'm using straight up tap water for now. No chemicals at all.
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Current FTS:
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Ok so these are all terrible phone pics. Sorry for the quality. I hope you enjoy them anyways.
The view from my bed like 12 inches from my smiling face.
Opposite side away from my bed.
View from the front.
A closer look inside.
Feel free to say things if you wish.
Rick from Buffalo.
Aquarium: Twelve inch bowl from Michael's.
Substrate: Inch and a quarter of sifted Miracle Grow Organic Choice Porting Mix, topped with a quarter to half inch of CaribSea Super Naturals Premium Aquarium Substrate. I used a pasta strainer to remove all the large possible floaters from the soil.
Lighting: 5,000k, 14 watt CFL for now. Hoping to find a 6,500k at some point. I do 10 hours on a split cycle.
Decoration: Lake Erie drift wood that I boiled for about an hour to remove the tanins or possible chemicals and such. I had some river stones holding down the wood and contemplated using some for around the tank, but I think it sits well without anything but the wood and plants.
Flora: Microsorium pteropus, Spathiphyllum wallisii, Hygrophilia difformis, and Ophiopogan japonica. Added some Salvinia on 10OCT2011.
Fauna: Hopefully a few CRS after I use Cherry Reds to cycle it and check the water parameters. (I added three cherry shrimp on 11OCT2011.)
Info: I set this up on 09OCT2011. I did a fifty percent water change today on the the 10th, and plan on doing one every week for a month at which point I will test the water and see if it is cool for some shrimps. I'm using straight up tap water for now. No chemicals at all.
***
Current FTS:

***
Ok so these are all terrible phone pics. Sorry for the quality. I hope you enjoy them anyways.

The view from my bed like 12 inches from my smiling face.

Opposite side away from my bed.

View from the front.

A closer look inside.

Feel free to say things if you wish.
Rick from Buffalo.