Edge of Oblivion **** Disaster Has Struck*****

[Gill]

So this afternoon I just happened to beat the traffic and made it almost home in under 10mins. So took advantage of this and popped into Rockpool Aquatics.
As wanted a new tub of snowflake shrimp food.
There was a customer talking with Malc about a tank.
after I had a browse around the tanks and shrimp
Got to the counter and Malcolm straight out asked If I wanted this tank, that was a custom build for a marine tank. It was supposed to house a skimmer. but customer changed his mind.
Suffice it to say my mind started racing with the possibilities of a drop off tank and my eye lit up.
I snapped it up. And got home, And the wife was not even bothered about it. just said ok. As Long as it replaces the current pico.

It Measures:
Tall - 45cm
Wide - 28cm
Depth - 15cm

The Idea for the scape is to have wood draping down into the drop zone and planted with vallis in the base. A few stems. And then Have all the sides covered in XmasMoss from above the Drop off and down into the drop zone.

 

[Gill]

Set this u this afternoon. And I am so Happy with it. Never had a tank this shape and it is so interesting.
And since i now get 50% of Hardscape and 10% of plants, was rude not to take advantage of this. So got a few more pieces of wood and some dwarf vallis and a plant similar to wisteria.
Also found the most stunning piece of wood ever, But no tank to do it justice. (Pix of that another Day) plus it was half price. And the Peice has been cut to perfection allowing so many possibilities

 

[Tim Harrison]

The suspense is killing me...can we have some pics?

 

[Gill]

The suspense is killing me...can we have some pics?

in a bit just setting up new laptop, so will get uploading in a mo

 

[Gill]

Lets try again

So started off by Adding the moss (Christmas, willow and fontanis)

Added the Filtration Side - Which will be covered to hide it.

Then got scaping and Planting
Transferred the plants from Indo
And added: Ceratoperis thalictroides, Vallis nana, Vallis tiger

Will Get better pix over the next few days. Going to increase the lighting as not reaching the bottom. Have plenty of Light units to choose from in the garage.

A Few Oix of the Shrimp just after I caught them from Indo

Shrimp are busy clambering thru all the moss etc.

I love how different this looks to anything I have done before

 

[Nelson]

Love it .

 

[Gill]

So a little update.
Have added some more vallis and tall hairgrass from the spare plant tub in the garden.
Added another air stone to the deepest part. as was finding not alot of flow in that part.
Stocking wise have added.
x2 rosy loaches, which are lovely and small
a few micro crabs

The superglue did not last long and most of the moss has fallen off and settled where it wants. not too bothered as looks nice.
looking to add more lighting, but not sure what best to use. was thinking of using a small LED light fitting inside the tank to giv more light in certain areas. although at the same time like how dark some parts are.

It is nice to sit in front of this and watch the indostomus hover around in amongst the vallis and wood.

 

[Gill]

one of the best things i like, is the JBD led lighting unit. Dont even have to touch it to turn it on. just hover your finger over the button and it switches between modes. so cool.

 

[Gill]

Paradoxus made a quick appearance

 

[Gill]

Stocking is now Complete:
Shrimp:
Mixed Taibee,Crystal Red, PRL, White orchid, Sulawesi Cardinals.

Snails:
Pink Pearl Rams, Brown Rams.

Fish:
Rosy Loach, Pygmy Cory, Indostomus Paradoxus, Royal Banded Coral Pipefish. Pair of Sunset Honey Gourami

 

[Gill]

oh yeah and some micro crabs

 

[Elliot Downs]

Such an interesting tank! Love it.

 

[Gill]

Was watching the shrimp last night before bed. And there are so many little shrimplets in the tank. Watched them zoom about.
is Strange though that all the shrimp in the tank, only venture out from underneath the marimo moss after 6pm everyday.

 

[Gill]

Lights on this morning, And a White orchid was out and about. So a Rare Sighting, Has doubled in size since I got them from Kesgrave. AS I watched it started to clean the other shrimp by it, think that it was one of the PRL.
These are so hard to photograph due to the coloration, these pix are from 90 taken

 

[Gill]

Disaster occured yesterday PM.
Came downstairs from a shower and discovered the stand had collapsed.
Fish shrimp water glass plants everywhere in the Living room.
Tried to save what I could see. And Managed to save 3 pipe fish 2 Indostomus Paradoxus and some shrimp and crabs.
Could not find any of the Rosy Loaches, Cardinal Shrimp, and White orchids.
Dumped what I could salvage into the main Tank.
And spent the afternoon tidying up the mess.
Thankfully I have invested in a Powerful Carpet Cleaner, so getting the water out of the carpet was easy and did not take long.

Sad to see this tank go as it was really good and unusual But it does give me the chance to try the insularium idea. as found an LFS on the outskirts of Coventy that sells the shallow open top tanks. And All the plants from this dont look right in the main tnak.

 

[Greenfinger2]

Hi Gill, So sorry to hear that.My heart go out to you for the loss of the fish and shrimp

Looking forward to seeing the insularium

 

[Gill]

I really Like the Idea

And Have one in my Mums house that has been going for about a Year now. Just Filtered with a Sponge filter and gets ambient lighting on the kitchen dine table. Totally covered in duckweed but plants are doing well and moss has taken over. All I do on that one is top up when i remember. I a Large Floristry Shallow Vase.

 

[Tim Harrison]

That is disastrous - sorry to hear that Gill...but like Roy said looking forward to the insularium.