Million
Member
- Joined
- 8 Mar 2012
- Messages
- 95
Hi ukapsers,
I used to keep tropical planted tanks while at uni, but gave up when work meant I had to move house every year. It's been about four years since the last one was taken down now, in which time I've got married, bought my first home, and had two kids - busy busy! I always promised myself that when I finished my postgraduate training and had my own house, I would get a tank again. My parents very kindly helped me to make this a reality by buying me a beautiful AquaOne Optiwhite 110 for Christmas, sort of forcing me to get on with it.
So far, I've customised a cabinet to match home decor, assembled and tested most of the setup.
I guess this would qualify as a medium-high tech setup? But ideally I don't want it to be too high maintenance as there are plenty of other things I should be doing!
Hardware setup comprises:
80*40*40cm 110L braceless rimless Optiwhite tank
JBL CristalProfi e901 Greenline external canister filter
Chihiros A Series 60cm LED luminaire
Hydor 300w inline heater
Hydor Koralia circulation pump
JBL ProFlora CO2 system with 2L cylinder
The hardscape:
TMC Nutrasoil substrate
Redmoor root
Dragon stone
Assorted grades gravel and sand
Plants:
A low carpet between the front of the rocks and the sand - after advice on this, perhaps Eleocharis parvula
Staurogyne repens between the rocks
Riccardia chamedryfolia on the rocks
Cryptocoryne wendtii between the roots
A background curtain of Vallisneria spiralis
Microsorum pteropus on the wood
Vesicularia dubyana on the branches
Livestock:
Mainly otos, shrimp, and I'm thinking a shoal of black neon tetra. Possibly a small group or pair of Apostogramma
QUESTIONS!
I've never used an inline CO2 reactor/diffuser before, but am interested in replacing my glass/ceramic in tank diffusers. Would appreciate opinions
Ideally I don't want to be spending hours each week maintaining this tank, but would love some degree of carpeting plant. I've never grown any but hairgrass before. I'm put off HC because of the thought of having to trim it regularly and even replant it periodically.
Dry start method is something I'm contemplating, to get the carpet started, and possibly doing the yogurt/moss/blender treatment on the wood. Is it worth it?
Thanks for reading
I used to keep tropical planted tanks while at uni, but gave up when work meant I had to move house every year. It's been about four years since the last one was taken down now, in which time I've got married, bought my first home, and had two kids - busy busy! I always promised myself that when I finished my postgraduate training and had my own house, I would get a tank again. My parents very kindly helped me to make this a reality by buying me a beautiful AquaOne Optiwhite 110 for Christmas, sort of forcing me to get on with it.
So far, I've customised a cabinet to match home decor, assembled and tested most of the setup.
I guess this would qualify as a medium-high tech setup? But ideally I don't want it to be too high maintenance as there are plenty of other things I should be doing!
Hardware setup comprises:
80*40*40cm 110L braceless rimless Optiwhite tank
JBL CristalProfi e901 Greenline external canister filter
Chihiros A Series 60cm LED luminaire
Hydor 300w inline heater
Hydor Koralia circulation pump
JBL ProFlora CO2 system with 2L cylinder
The hardscape:
TMC Nutrasoil substrate
Redmoor root
Dragon stone
Assorted grades gravel and sand
Plants:
A low carpet between the front of the rocks and the sand - after advice on this, perhaps Eleocharis parvula
Staurogyne repens between the rocks
Riccardia chamedryfolia on the rocks
Cryptocoryne wendtii between the roots
A background curtain of Vallisneria spiralis
Microsorum pteropus on the wood
Vesicularia dubyana on the branches
Livestock:
Mainly otos, shrimp, and I'm thinking a shoal of black neon tetra. Possibly a small group or pair of Apostogramma
QUESTIONS!
I've never used an inline CO2 reactor/diffuser before, but am interested in replacing my glass/ceramic in tank diffusers. Would appreciate opinions
Ideally I don't want to be spending hours each week maintaining this tank, but would love some degree of carpeting plant. I've never grown any but hairgrass before. I'm put off HC because of the thought of having to trim it regularly and even replant it periodically.
Dry start method is something I'm contemplating, to get the carpet started, and possibly doing the yogurt/moss/blender treatment on the wood. Is it worth it?
Thanks for reading