Deansie's Ada 45-P Iwagumi

[Deansie]

So back again for my 3rd journal,
hopefully learned a bit from my previous two.

My first go
https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/deansies-55l-cube.35800/

Second (still running)
https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/trigon-190.38832/

 

[Deansie]

Things on order are
* 9 litres of Ada Amazonia powder
* Eden External Aquarium Filter + Heater 511-100W (100L +100w)
* Ada 45-P with lid
* Chihiros a-series plus

Still to get Rocks then plants etc.

Would love to keep some red plants, as of yet I've been unable to.

 

[Deansie]

Not seen this filter used on here before, it's a 3 chamber, 600lpr external with a built in heater. On first impressions I'm really pleased. Can see the first sponge being used for filter floss only but the quality is great. £60 posted, I'd pay not far of that for a hydor external heater so I thought it was worth a punt.

 

[Deansie]

Light and tank arrived, very pleased with both. Think they are going on too of where the old immerser was housed.

Should have this planted next week, soil comes on Monday and will try collect rocks at the weekend.

 

[RickB]

Looks very sharp

 

[Deansie]

Looks very sharp

Probably the best it will look, all down hill once it's planted lol.

 

[doylecolmdoyle]

Dont forget to put some kind of foam under the tank!

 

[Deansie]

Dont forget to put some kind of foam under the tank!

I was thinking the silver insulation roll that you put behind radiators, think that will be sufficient?

 

[doylecolmdoyle]

I was thinking the silver insulation roll that you put behind radiators, think that will be sufficient?

Not to sure, I think you will need something thicker with some give, ADA sell a matt or you can buy stuff per metre from hardware stores / rubber suppliers

 

[Deansie]

Ok thanks for that, appreciated.

 

[Nigel95]

Do you have any plans for the hardscape already? If not I would not rush it. Once the tank is planted it is very hard to change things. I always buy a cardboard box with the same dimensions of my tank and make the hardscape in there. Once I am satisfied I will make it in the glass tank. This reduces the risk of scratching the glass when trying out scapes and it doesn't expose the aqua soil for to long to air.

 

[Deansie]

Do you have any plans for the hardscape already? If not I would not rush it. Once the tank is planted it is very hard to change things. I always buy a cardboard box with the same dimensions of my tank and make the hardscape in there. Once I am satisfied I will make it in the glass tank. This reduces the risk of scratching the glass when trying out scapes and it doesn't expose the aqua soil for to long to air.

Thanks for the advice, It will definitely be a rock scape only. I've had wood in all my previous tank. I imagine it will be quite minimalistic but we'll need to wait and see what the rocks are like. I wouldn't mind moving a few plants but I don't want to be moving rocks

 

[Deansie]

My first ever Lily pipe set arrived from China today which looks great and also the seiryu rock so can get this scaped awaitingbthe plants which should come in the next few days. Can't wait to see the Lily pipe in lol.

 

[alto]

What did you get for under the tank?
ADA mat is (quality) closed cell anti-vibration foam, you should be able to track down similar - open cell foams don't perform the same, though if your surface is very even & flat & you don't have any traffic etc vibrations, under tank mat material is less important

Add some Rotala 'Vietnam H'ra' as this plant will tell you how much ambient light the tank is getting - leaves open & then close (when it's had enough "day" light) - the small leaf suits nano tanks, nice "pink" color (rather than red)

I have it in a window tank, started with CO2 but none for weeks now due to supply issues, plant growth has slowed & no visible pearling but otherwise plant seems healthy

 

[Deansie]

I ended up using this as I had it on my garage floor, it worked s treat and cost nothing http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...9&pm=1&ds=0&t=1503479872000&ver=0&cspheader=1
I'll research that plant, thank you. I plan to keep that window blind closed and it is north facing so doesn't get much intense light.

 

[Deansie]

Just remembering how hard it is to scape lol, anyway, here's my best so far. Let me know what you think, should Lily pipes be at back?
Thanks

 

[Deansie]

Thanks Nigel for suggesting that I practice with a soil first, was a great tip.

 

[Nigel95]

Hey good to see you started With the scape.

I think you need a much bigger main stone (2/3 of the height of your aquarium). It Would make the scape much better.

Put the main stone on a focal point according golden ratio.

Keep us updated with pics

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[Cor]

If you going for a Iwagumi please do some proper research.
Like the Oyaishi must be your focal point and should be around 2/3 the height of the aquarium, as this ratio appeals to the human eye.

 

[Deansie]

To be honest my idea of Iwagumi is to have great plants and no wood lol. But I'll have a look thank!