[miataisalwaystheanswer]

I planned to start a new tank once we moved from NM to CA...that was two years ago, and man what a crazy two years. I've finally ordered a UNS 90L from buceplants and I'm getting everything ready for it. I originally wanted a Landen 100p from Amazon but I couldn't find a stand for it. My wife is limiting me to one tank at this house and it had to be pretty ( unlike my 12 breeder tanks at the last place, which looked messy in storage racks). My woodworking skills are nonexistent so me making a stand was a no go. Anyways, here's my plan. Keep is simple, low tech with riparian plants to help keep the water clean. I plan on getting 10-15 neon tetras, 5-8 panda cories and a like 10 red cherry shrimp to start off with. I've started building a lava rock hardscape dealy and it looks awful right now. Hopefully some java moss will hide all the imperfections. For aquarium plants I plan to keep it simple with some crypts, and small low tech plants like bylxa japonica that I can stick in the cracks of the lava rock. I also plan on stick drift wood in there.

Tank: UNS 90L with aqua max stand

Substrate: play sand and eco complete

Plants: java / weeping moss and whatever low tech plants I can find on the for sale forums. Also whatever plants that will work as riparian plants I can find at the hardware store.

Critters: neon tetras, panda cories and red cherry shrimp

Lighting: two "COB" lights from Hiro aquatics

Filter: fluval 207 ( might get some glass pipes to make it look cleaner)

Heater: 300 watt hyygr or something?

I've had high tech dutch setups and high end fancy shrimp that needed special substrate, RO water and what nots. In the end my favorite tank was my "garbage" 40b. I tossed all my culled shrimp in there and planted left over trimmings as well. It was super low maintenance but the plants and fauna thrived.

I'll update date with pics once I get everything and stop being so lazy.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

I was planning to build a big lava rock hardscape, but it turned out harder than I expected and I ran out of aquarium silicone anyways. So I ended up with this hot mess. I plan to connect the to with a cholla log wrapped in some moss. And the hardscape itself will be covered as best as I can to cover up all the silicone. The two little sections will be filled with eco complete, while the rest of the tank will be sand. I've ordered another set of driftwood so I'll have a bunch to work with. Still waiting to hear from buceplants about my tank.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Better angle of hot mess mountain

 

[Tank seeker]

I never use any adhesive I just stack them

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Finally got the stand and tank in!

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Took all day but here it is.

I need to level the stand though, it's off by a bit and it's killing me.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Ordered some plants while waiting for the tank to cycle. Got this little dealy in today. Hoping to find some good house plants I can stick in there.

 

[vanish]

I was concerned about the silicone holding the rocks together showing through, but its fairly well hidden.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

I was concerned about the silicone holding the rocks together showing through, but its fairly well hidden.

Don't worry it looks worst in person.

There are two or three spots where it really shows but it should be covered once java moss eventually takes over my tank.

Added a black background, makes a world of difference!

 

[Aaronious]

Don't worry it looks worst in person.

There are two or three spots where it really shows but it should be covered once java moss eventually takes over my tank.

Added a black background, makes a world of difference!
View attachment 1032654

You mean it looks worse to you. Not in person. You see all of it because you did it all with your two hands and know every single spot where too much came out, or a random string of silicone went awry. No one else will see as much as you ever will.

And what's that plant in the middle? The one to the right looks like Wandering Jew? also called Purple Prince.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Yup, I had some in a jar in the window sill and decided to let them rest on the rim of the tank to get some of that sweet sweet nitrate.

 

[Aaronious]

Yup, I had some in a jar in the window sill and decided to let them rest on the rim of the tank to get some of that sweet sweet nitrate.

both plants are Wandering Jew? The plant in the middle of the tank looks green.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

both plants are Wandering Jew? The plant in the middle of the tank looks green.

Yea the both are, one was a green/white variety and the other was the purple one.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Added some plants. Now just waiting for it to cycle to I can get some CRS.

 

[miataisalwaystheanswer]

Whoa, crazy to think it's already been one month!

Might remove that plant to the middle right since it likes to grow sideways instead of up.