Decided it was about time to do something different with the tank and after growing a jungle style scape, I decided it would be an interesting change to do something slightly more aqua-scape like, than just a lot of plants growing.
Specs for the tank:
Size = 120x45x45cm - 240l
Lighting = 4x54w (2 x Grolux + 2 x 10,000k) these bulbs will be soon replaced.
C02 = 6kg bottle with JBL reg and Aquamedic Reactor 1000
Filter = Rena XP3
Substrate = Flourite topped with silver sand - TNC tabs in sand
Ferts = EI Dosing
Fish = 3 Flying Foxes + 3 Otto's + 3 Rummy Nose Tetra (intending to add more tetra shortly)
This is a picture of the old tank just so you can get to grips with what it was like before.
Added this one as it shows the carpet fully grown in and the plants shaped abit
After spending some time trying to gain some inspiration for what the tank was going to look like, I decided that I would like the main aspect of the tank to be a large piece of wood (preferably red moor) to be reaching from one side of the tank, to the other, hence the name "Reach". Eventually I found two pieces, which could be combined, that I liked on ebay and bought them. It was also decided that there should be a sand topping as in the previous tank the substrates became mixed and looked very messy.
Here is a picture of the wood in the tank with Peacock moss attached to it. The White things are polystyrene which I used to build up the substrate on the left hand side. (Sorry about the picture quality, this photo and the next one were taken on my phone, all the rest of them are taken with a good camera)
And this is after the sand was laid down and everything was in its finished place.
Decided to plant Eleocharis Parvula as the carpeting plant as it is fairly low maintenance in comparison to HC and Glosso, and I have also never grown it before so it should be an interesting experience.
Just before planting the hair grass, I added 25 new Rummy Nose tetra, and from the instant they were added to the water, they all went into severe shock. This is because my heater and thermometer had packed up, and the CO2 levels must have been a shock for them. So after about 20 minutes of frantically heating up the water and aerating the water, they all turned over from their backs and began to look less lethargic.
Now they are all very happy and are swimming about in a big shoal!
Back to the plants, so all of the hairgrass is planted now! It took absolutely ages but hopefully it will all pay off when it carpets! Does anybody have any tips/tricks with hairgrass in terms of carpeting and how long before runners start to appear?
Heres a picture of the tank today :
Will be adding Hydrocotyle sp. Japan around the wood to help it merge some of the harder shapes.
Will keep you updated with pictures and news shortly!
Any thoughts at all would be welcome!
Specs for the tank:
Size = 120x45x45cm - 240l
Lighting = 4x54w (2 x Grolux + 2 x 10,000k) these bulbs will be soon replaced.
C02 = 6kg bottle with JBL reg and Aquamedic Reactor 1000
Filter = Rena XP3
Substrate = Flourite topped with silver sand - TNC tabs in sand
Ferts = EI Dosing
Fish = 3 Flying Foxes + 3 Otto's + 3 Rummy Nose Tetra (intending to add more tetra shortly)
This is a picture of the old tank just so you can get to grips with what it was like before.
Added this one as it shows the carpet fully grown in and the plants shaped abit
After spending some time trying to gain some inspiration for what the tank was going to look like, I decided that I would like the main aspect of the tank to be a large piece of wood (preferably red moor) to be reaching from one side of the tank, to the other, hence the name "Reach". Eventually I found two pieces, which could be combined, that I liked on ebay and bought them. It was also decided that there should be a sand topping as in the previous tank the substrates became mixed and looked very messy.
Here is a picture of the wood in the tank with Peacock moss attached to it. The White things are polystyrene which I used to build up the substrate on the left hand side. (Sorry about the picture quality, this photo and the next one were taken on my phone, all the rest of them are taken with a good camera)
And this is after the sand was laid down and everything was in its finished place.
Decided to plant Eleocharis Parvula as the carpeting plant as it is fairly low maintenance in comparison to HC and Glosso, and I have also never grown it before so it should be an interesting experience.
Just before planting the hair grass, I added 25 new Rummy Nose tetra, and from the instant they were added to the water, they all went into severe shock. This is because my heater and thermometer had packed up, and the CO2 levels must have been a shock for them. So after about 20 minutes of frantically heating up the water and aerating the water, they all turned over from their backs and began to look less lethargic.
Now they are all very happy and are swimming about in a big shoal!
Back to the plants, so all of the hairgrass is planted now! It took absolutely ages but hopefully it will all pay off when it carpets! Does anybody have any tips/tricks with hairgrass in terms of carpeting and how long before runners start to appear?
Heres a picture of the tank today :
Will be adding Hydrocotyle sp. Japan around the wood to help it merge some of the harder shapes.
Will keep you updated with pictures and news shortly!
Any thoughts at all would be welcome!
If anyone knows any good methods to getting rid of the algae that would be a lot of help! 
