Finally got round to recording this one (only been planted 40 days!) … so here goes (assuming I can remember how to post photos off flicr etc!)
This is my second attempt at an aquascape after a 30litre / 45cm tank started around this time last year (see planted tank gallery section for 'Aquascape Number 1 - retro journal'). Hopefully I have learned from a few mistakes along the way and picked up on some of the fantastic knowledge of those who post on this site.
After buying a 90cm optiwhite tank in September I set about slowly putting together all the bits and pieces for a root based scape….. working on the basis that that if I buy the bits one by one I won't realise just how much it has cost! Eventually came across a really great redmoor root piece at TGM that is the basis of the scape and after a month of soaking it I was ready to commence the build on the weekend before xmas.
Location for the tank is on top of wife's favourite bit of oak lounge furniture….. suitably modified with the addition of an internal sub-frame and extra legs to support the weight of the tank….. plus multiple holes in the back for wires and pipework. She was just about still speaking to me until I put a hole through the lounge wall to allow for easy water changes from the adjacent utility room!
Kit-list as follows:
Tank - 90 x 45 x 40 Optiwhite (160 litre approx)
Lighting : Arcadia OTL LED Classica Pendant (80cm long, 87w LEDs)
CO2 : 2kg FE with CO2Art 2 stage regulator & solenoid, 80mm bazooka type diffuser @ 2BPS
Filter : Tetratec EX1300 external filter with regular media
Ehiem mini surface oil filter
Substrate : ADA Amazonia (powder & regular)
Hardscape : Redmoor root + sandstone pebbles
Water parameters : very soft (KH/GH unknown) at ph7.0 to 6.8 from the tap …. <6.0 in the tank currently as my test kit does not go any lower! tank kept at 22C as currently mostly shrimp.
Day 1 to 40 to follow tomorrow when I remember how to access my flicr files!
This is my second attempt at an aquascape after a 30litre / 45cm tank started around this time last year (see planted tank gallery section for 'Aquascape Number 1 - retro journal'). Hopefully I have learned from a few mistakes along the way and picked up on some of the fantastic knowledge of those who post on this site.
After buying a 90cm optiwhite tank in September I set about slowly putting together all the bits and pieces for a root based scape….. working on the basis that that if I buy the bits one by one I won't realise just how much it has cost! Eventually came across a really great redmoor root piece at TGM that is the basis of the scape and after a month of soaking it I was ready to commence the build on the weekend before xmas.
Location for the tank is on top of wife's favourite bit of oak lounge furniture….. suitably modified with the addition of an internal sub-frame and extra legs to support the weight of the tank….. plus multiple holes in the back for wires and pipework. She was just about still speaking to me until I put a hole through the lounge wall to allow for easy water changes from the adjacent utility room!
Kit-list as follows:
Tank - 90 x 45 x 40 Optiwhite (160 litre approx)
Lighting : Arcadia OTL LED Classica Pendant (80cm long, 87w LEDs)
CO2 : 2kg FE with CO2Art 2 stage regulator & solenoid, 80mm bazooka type diffuser @ 2BPS
Filter : Tetratec EX1300 external filter with regular media
Ehiem mini surface oil filter
Substrate : ADA Amazonia (powder & regular)
Hardscape : Redmoor root + sandstone pebbles
Water parameters : very soft (KH/GH unknown) at ph7.0 to 6.8 from the tap …. <6.0 in the tank currently as my test kit does not go any lower! tank kept at 22C as currently mostly shrimp.
Day 1 to 40 to follow tomorrow when I remember how to access my flicr files!
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