[wiona]

Another growth update.. Stopped dosing ferts because I could not get it figured out. Too much algae. Now I just inject Co2 and things are going a little better. Growth is slow but steady. RCS are thriving which makes me happy. I know they are the easiest shrimp to keep but still satisfying when they breed and thrive. I need a little more growth from plants in back left corner and front left. I wish I could spread the fixture front to back a little more for better coverage. That may be an option in the near future. Hopefully I can ROAK something to pay back the community once I get some more growth. Thanks for looking.

Equipment:
Tank: 20 Long
Lighting: Odyssea T5 Dual 30" 6500K
Substrate: 40lbs Eco Complete
Filtration: Sunsun HW-302
Heater: Aquatop 150 Watt Submersible
Base: Aluminum box tubing
Pressurized Co2
Max Mix Co2 Reactor

Flora:
blyxa japonica
rotala macandra
Hemianthus Callitrichoides
Eleocharis acicularis
Pogostemon Helferi

Fauna:
Many - RCS
3 - Amano Shrimp
1 - Flying Fox (Siamese Algae Eater)

Hardscape:
Petrified Wood

HC is in.

*UPDATE*
Things filling in

RCS

**UPDATE**

 

[c_gwinner]

Love the petrified wood pieces you have. A lot of red in them, so that HC carpet will look awesome. Nice hardscape layout too, not quite sure on the lighter/white piece in the right front but with some more plants filling it in will look awesome.

What kinda fuana you got planned for this yet?

 

[ForensicFish]

Petrified wood does look very good. Like C_Gwinner said, I would remove the white stone on the right side and replace it with another small piece of petrified wood. Just our opinions. Happy planting.

 

[wiona]

Thank you.. The white stone is actually petrified wood that came with the rest. I was not sure where to or not to place it but wanted to keep an odd number for an Iwagumi style layout. I pushed it down and angled it a bit more. Looks a little better and as c_gwinner said, think it will look fine once things mature.

As for Fuana.. Not quite sure. I would like a large school of micro fish (species only tank) that would be able to prosper in this layout. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

[ForensicFish]

Any micro fish species would be fine depending on your water parameters. I would recommend figuring out what your normal pH, kh and gh readings are, and then once you have your CO2 dialed in you can figure out your pH swings from when the CO2 is on then off.

If you choose not to take the above approach, any hardy microfish such as Celestial pearl danios, harlequin rasboras and ember tetras will probably do fine.

 

[wiona]

I am planning to establish the carpet and finalize the layout before introducing fuana. Hopefully by the time I'm ready I will have it dialed in.

Ember tetras look interesting. How do they school? I have harlequin's in the 33L and I plan on Celestial pearl danios for my heavily planted Edge. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[green18]

Love the scape! I just set up my 27 with similar pieces/arrangement. I am excited to use one or two satellite + with a custom spectrum to highlight the pieces. Well done!

 

[wiona]

Thank you. Would like to see your set up and good luck.

 

[wiona]

Updated OP.. Added the HC.

 

[lksdrinker]

Looking good so far! Cant wait to see it progress. Where on Long Island are you? Any suggestions for good shops nearby?

 

[wiona]

Thanks.. I'm near Manorville (out east for most). I usually visit Aqua Hut in Coram and Magic Isle in Centereach when I can't find something here.

 

[lksdrinker]

Im in Nassau myself; but was out in Selden last week and stopped by Aquahut. Seemed like a pretty nice store with some decent livestock. How is Magic Isle?

 

[wiona]

Not as much Livestock as Aqua Hut and a little pricier but decent quality. They are the top two around me. I wish there were more. I need to head towards the Big City and check out some of the places others have mentioned. Anything around you worth the drive?

 

[lksdrinker]

I have nothing but good things to say about the Pets Warehouse locations in Carle Place and Copiague. I hear the Selden location used to be pretty good too; but they apparently stopped selling fish! Aquarium Village in Carle Place isn't bad either; but Pets Warehouse is much better. Fishtown USA in Flushing is also pretty nice but I've honestly only been there once.

 

[wiona]

Added updated pic to OP.

 

[wiona]

Updated OP.

 

[tharsis]

Wow, I love the red petrified wood. Provides a great contrast with the plants. I like the flat angular nature of them as well, it blends well with the blyxa IMO. I also like the downoi stems, it took me awhile to id the plants because I am so used to them being just the crowns. I may let some of mine grow out like that, they look really cool.

Very well done.

 

[AquaAurora]

Very cool scape, the hardscape, substrate, blyxa, and pogostemon remind me of the western desert region but the hc makes it nice and lush

 

[wiona]

Thank you... Original plan was to make a Utah desert theme with Flourite gravel but I wanted to attempt an HC carpet. I may transform my 33 long in to a Utah desert and add seiryu stone to this tank.

Some of the downoi stems need trimming but I'm happy I was able to get them to grow out to help cover some rocks.