[Mitashade]

Tank up to date photo:

Tank videos:
Hardscape (Nov. 19/15) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwklig2_kQE
Day 1 (after planting) (Dec. 18/15) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWeDqFuKJ7k&feature=youtu.be

ORIGINAL POST

So I've decided to scrap my 3 nano tanks. In exchange, I drove down to Guelph/Toronto and picked up an ADA 90-P. Here's the equipment/materials I have so far:

- 90-P tank
- GLA CO2 regulator with 5lb tank
- 40D Beetle Diffuser
- 2x 9l Amazonia Normal type
- 1x 3l Amazonia Powder type
- 2x 3l M Power Sand Special
- Complete ADA Substrate system (minus ones already in Power Sand Special)
- 3l La Plata sand
- 5x pieces of manten stone (2 large ones)
- 1x large spider wood piece
- small bag of volcanic rubble stone
- ECA (for post trimming fert)
- ADA filter tubing set
- misc. tools

Stuff I'm still missing:

- light
- filter
- fertilizer system
- plants
- substrate supports
- ADA clear tubing set for CO2
- Python water changer

The tank stand is going to be custom made by a relative.

I'm looking to do a nature-style tank with lots of java ferns and bolbitis, stem plants behind and carpet of HC/moss around sand in front.

I'm still not 100% on which light and filter to choose. My first choice for light right now is an ADA Solar 1, because the look beats anything I've seen. For the filter, I'm eyeing an Eheim Pro 3 2071. Will that filter be enough flow, or too much?

Also, I'd have to say my weakness in this hobby is fertilization. I'm terrible at remembering to fertilize daily, since I work alternating shifts. I wanted to try the ADA fert system, but they don't carry it anywhere in Canada. So I picked up the ECA for post-trimming dosing, and now I'm looking at other systems. I'm not going to have a ton of fast-growing stems, so a system that lets me fertilize as little as possible would be ideal. Suggestions?

Will post pictures once I get a chance.

 

[Mitashade]

Tank with substrate and some equipment in it for now:

So I probably have a month before I can set the tank up, since I'm waiting for the stand to be made. So I'm starting to experiment with my hardscape now. I'll set up a scape until I like it, then leave for a day or two. Make adjustments/restart, rinse and repeat until I find the one.

Here's a preliminary scape to show what I have for hardscape. About $400 of manten stone, a large spiderwood piece and some volcanic stone to fill the gaps and bank up substrate in back.

I'm already sure I won't be sticking with this one. I feel like I need the substrate for support to really get a feel. No matter what, though, I'm planning on a high substrate level behind the stones, and the front will be sand with pockets of carpet plants in soil. Example:

Please feel free to make suggestions or requests for adjustments/changes. I really want to nail it.

Bump: Prospective plant list will have:

- microsorum pteropus (trident or narrow)
- bolbitis heudelotii
- riccardia (REALLY want it, not sure if I can find any)
- helianthus callitrichoides
- hydrocotyle tripartita
- hygrophila pinnatifid

Still deciding what background stem plant to use, if any. Maybe something with hints of red? Also, if I can't find riccardia, I'll need a substitute moss. Should I stick with java, or try something else?

 

[Mitashade]

Already re-worked it. Got bored. I like this one more. The wood extends nicely out of the tank, although I think I'll get a slightly better angle with better some tweaking. The stones are EXTREMELY heavy and hard to maneuvre without substrate to hold them in place. Perhaps I will move the small stripped manten stone to the right side side to make another embankment. Same plant ideas as before.

KEEP IN MIND that the light in the shot is coming from behind me, not above. So the look is probably lacking a bit of drama in that way.

 

[jcmv4792]

For this one, I'm thinking maybe switching the two largest stones so that the tall one fits right under that arching limb

 

[Mitashade]

So here's an idea of the overhead view of the last layout, plus plant placement ideas.

Hydro as background, lots of java ferns and hydrocotyle.

 

[Mitashade]

For this one, I'm thinking maybe switching the two largest stones so that the tall one fits right under that arching limb

I'll try that in my next rework.

 

[Mitashade]

Aaaaaand getting warmer. I broke off the only piece I could, and it allowed me to place the main piece differently, and have the extra piece for an accent. I tried holding a light over the scape while taking the photo: not easy. Can't wait to have the tank set up. SO LONG FROM NOW. D:

 

[Black Hills Hillbilly]

I kinda liked the original "Alien face-hugger" driftwood positioning. It was easy for me to visualize how well it'd look with different buce & anubias on the upright bits, plus...I mean...come on, ALIEN FACE-HUGGER!

 

[skoram]

i really like your final hardscape. The alien-face-hugger (to quote Black Hills Hillbilly) looks a little odd to me but with plants grown in I bet it will be quite interesting.

 

[Dantrasy]

So far so good. Fantastic looking rock. Subscribed.

 

[Jeff5614]

I would go with as big a filter as you can afford. I would want larger than a 2071 if it was going to be my only filter and source of circulation and go with a 2075. Of course you can always go with the 2071 and add a Koralia or similar at some point later if it's needed after the tank grows in. Personally, I would prefer a larger filter with more flow than having to add another piece of equipment in the tank. Of course with all the ADA equipment a Superjet would certainly be nice .

 

[randym]

I like the second one.

 

[Mitashade]

I would go with as big a filter as you can afford. I would want larger than a 2071 if it was going to be my only filter and source of circulation and go with a 2075. Of course you can always go with the 2071 and add a Koralia or similar at some point later if it's needed after the tank grows in. Personally, I would prefer a larger filter with more flow than having to add another piece of equipment in the tank. Of course with all the ADA equipment a Superjet would certainly be nice .

Yeah, the superjet is not going to happen. I'm already over $3000 on this setup without plants, and I already had the CO2. :surprise:

Thanks for the input. I looked at the 2075, but I thought it might be too much flow. But it should be okay then?

Bump: Also, auto-correct hates the names of most plants. Re-reading posts, and they're misspelled everywhere. XD

 

[Powerclown]

It's pretty funny how much money People spend for a great looking tank.I stopped counting when I was over 2000$ and that was only for a 60p.anyway congrats to your new tank.

 

[Jeff5614]

Yeah, the superjet is not going to happen. I'm already over $3000 on this setup without plants, and I already had the CO2. :surprise:

Thanks for the input. I looked at the 2075, but I thought it might be too much flow. But it should be okay then?

Bump: Also, auto-correct hates the names of most plants. Re-reading posts, and they're misspelled everywhere. XD

I think it will be fine especially as you begin to lose flow when the pad starts to clog and the hoses get dirty. I have a 2076 and 2075 on my 120H and it's by no means close to having too much flow.

 

[Mitashade]

I think it will be fine especially as you begin to lose flow when the pad starts to clog and the hoses get dirty. I have a 2076 and 2075 on my 120H and it's by no means close to having too much flow.

Good to know, thanks!

Bump: Hey, does anyone have experience with the Solar 1 on a 90-P? I've found a few sources that say it's sufficient, but I really want to be sure.

 

[Mitashade]

Another question, would it be worth trying a Jecod Auto-Dosing pump like this? EBAY.com: /itm/JEBAO-JECOD-DP-2-AQUARIUM-AUTO-DOSING-PUMP-2-CHANNEL-DOSING-/131435708158

 

[Mitashade]

Newest rework. I think I'm going to take a saw to the 'face-hugger' end of the wood to separate some of the branches. Currently it's a bit difficult to place since I want that end facing down. This is the style I'm aiming for.

Note that the volcanic stone that isn't buried in substrate will probably be partially covered in moss. It doesn't quite match the manten, but I like the rubble feel it adds to the layout.

 

[Mitashade]

So I've ordered all the parts now. The light (Solar 1 NAG Green) will be arriving in a couple weeks, hopefully. The stand still has to be made, which means all my equipment is in the tank or on the floor of my living room.

I'm putting together a tentative plant list, but I'm looking for opinions to round it off and decide on quantities. I need to get the list sent off to ThePlantGuy so he can try to get in some of the rarer stuff before winter sets in.

I've never set up a tank this size, but I'd like to plant densely. Here's the beginnings of the list:

90-P Plant List

On the wood:
- 5x Microsorum pteropus ‘narrow’
- 3x Bolbitis heudelotii

Background:
- 2x Hygrophila pinnatifida
- 2x Hygrophila augustifolia
- 3x Echidnodorua tenellus ‘green’
- 3x Cyperus helferi

Moss for wood/rocks:
- 2x Fissidens fontanus
- 3x Riccarda chamedryfolia

Foreground:
- 2x Hemianthus callitrichoides
- 2x Hydrocotyle tripartita
- 2x Staurogyne repens

I think most of the stuff in there is low/medium maintenance. Let me know if I'm wrong.

 

[tomb1981]

Just some thoughts.... If you would put some stones that connect the rocks to the back wall, you could realise two height levels. The upper level left and right and a lower level in the front that reaches out to the back in the middle.

Personally, I also had some success to put HC and Ricia in a crack of a rock. In the end it became a kind of hanging plant (for example on the right). But that depends if you want to have a clean look on your stones ;-).