[t2ak]

Hello all!

This is my first planted tank. I didn't take photos of the initial setup. To be honest, it changed so many times you wouldn't believe. This learning process has been at trip. I hope it shows..

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Tank Specs:
29G (30x12x18)
Marineland C-220 filter
Cheap-o 100w heater (soon to be replaced)
Three 23w CLF daylight bulbs
5lb pressurized CO2 system with milwalkee reg. (using a wood diffuser until I get a better one)

Seachem Florite red substrate about 2-3" deep.
Dosing API Leafzone and Florish until I run out. I will be moving to dry ferts.

Flora:
amazon swords
cryptocoryne
ludwigia repens
java fern
Micro sword

Fauna:
10 - Harlequin Rasboras
1 - Dalmation Molly (and a few fry)
1 - Dwarf Gourami
5 - Amano shrimp
5 - Nerites

To do List:
Upgrade heater
Proper [email protected] diffuser
Drop checker
Dry Ferts (waiting to run out of old stuff)

Wishlist:
30G or larger Rimless
Glass or SS Intake and Lily pipe
Apex controller
New stand with room (Hate the current one)



All comments and suggestion are welcome! thanks for viewing!

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Original setup (*shudder*) 12/26/13

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1/27/14

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Rescape 1/29/14

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Rescape. Really like this layout. I know I will have to move the repens around eventually but for now it will stay this way while it grows out. 3/3/14

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3/08/2014

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3/15/2014

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3/31/14

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4/5/14

 

[t2ak]

Micro sword planted.

Our dwarf gouramis "tiger"

Our dalmatian molly "spottie" doing those molly things.. Such a pig lol.

Random top view.

 

[t2ak]

Bump for rescape.

 

[BeastMaster]

Like your plant layout, should look really nice when the plants fill out. Enjoyed the hardscape from your 1st set up, especially that central rock formation. Might steal it for my next project. Good luck and keep updating w/ pics. :bounce:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zoragen]

Very nice!

It's fun to see the different iterations.

I like the big rock on the right but I also really like the latest layout.

 

[t2ak]

Like your plant layout, should look really nice when the plants fill out. Enjoyed the hardscape from your 1st set up, especially that central rock formation. Might steal it for my next project. Good luck and keep updating w/ pics. :bounce:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you

I will be adding more plants but for now I will be letting this settle and stabilize as I get better with my maintenance schedule. Cant wait to see this grow in. I will probably end up having to sell or give away some of the repens in the future to make room for more additions. This tanks footprint is kinda difficult to work with.

I really liked the cave as well. I was having some serious Diatom issues and found my rock was the culprit. I pulled it out and it has now started to disappear.

Very nice!

It's fun to see the different iterations.

I like the big rock on the right but I also really like the latest layout.

Thanks, I really liked it too. As mentioned above it was a diatom breeding ground sadly. In the end, I now have more area to work with so it works out.

 

[t2ak]

Bumb for weekly update.

 

[t2ak]

Weekly update.
Had a brown diatom outbreak. Not entirely sure why.

 

[t2ak]

Bump for update.

Growing in nicely.

 

[t2ak]

Update.

Changed over to 3 23w clfs instead of the sat +. (The satellite + is for sale pm if interested.) I've had the new setup for a week. Ive been seeing a constant steam of o2 out of the plants which is pretty neat.

Got some nerites to help with the brown diatoms I've had. They have done an unbelievable job so far. Also the molly had some fry. I only have seen four at a time but all look good and happy.

Picture time!

Tiger

Group shot

Earning their keep.

 

[t2ak]

Trim and a little bit of a rescape.

 

[t2ak]

Added 5 amano shrimp today

 

[nycsicktank]

love you tank, keep it up mate!

what are those red plant?

 

[t2ak]

love you tank, keep it up mate!

what are those red plant?

They are ludwigia repens (red)

I've had to pull two out already. They are growing quick.

 

[t2ak]

4-20-14

Also got my dry ferts. I will be doing the E.I method.

Stainless co2 diffuser came in. Its pretty decent quality for the price. Much better diffusion over the wood airstone I was using.

Been battling algae. I lowered my lights to 7h a day instead of 10. I have been much better at my ferts schedule so hopefully that will take care of it. Only time will tell.

Getting a new camera tuesday. Hopefully I will be able to take better pictures.

Thanks for looking.

 

[t2ak]

New camera! Still playing with manual mode.

 

[Duck5003]

This is really coming together now that everything is filling in. The plants look very healthy and happy.

Apologies if i missed this, but what kind of camera did you go with??

 

[t2ak]

This is really coming together now that everything is filling in. The plants look very healthy and happy.

Apologies if i missed this, but what kind of camera did you go with??

Thanks. Ever since I've started the ei fertilizing the plants have been much better. Also the change in lighting helps a lot.

As for the camera, I picked up a Sony nex-3n for a really good price. I'm still learning how to use it. I've been attempting to stay in manual mode as much as possible to learn. Its a pretty decent camera for what I paid. Iso above 1600 leaves a lot to be desired though but that's kinda what you pay for I guess.

 

[t2ak]

Update 5/3/14

Here's a new Update. I am really happy with how the plants are responding. One of the Rasboras got some fungus. I am trading with Pimafix and he seems to be responding well. Algae issues seem to home come down to a manageable level.


I hope to be borrowing a macro lens for my camera soon. Maybe I will be able to finally take a picture of the molly babies and my shrimps.

Played with long exposure on this one. I think it turned out kinda cool.

 

[t2ak]

Quick update. I have been battling all types of algae. I'm kinda winning. I did a 3 day blackout and lowered the light cycle to 6 hours from 8. I may end up going back to the satellite +. I think these cfl may be too much. Great growth and have been seeing hatchling cherry shrimp here and there.

There has been some losses.
Current fauna:
1 adult damnation molly
4 juvenile Molly's (keeping one)
8 harlies
20+ cherry shrimp
3 amano shrimp

Here's a tank pic.