New 180ltr 90x45x45 - first freshwater tank

[keone]

Hey, I might as well start a build log. To see the progression and since it's my first freshwater tank i will hopefully get guided in the right direction while building it. I do not wish to be fault free, I only learn from failing but avoiding newby mistakes is most welcome.

I bought this aquarium second hand - it came with lots of hardscape but since I have something visualised in my head I bought more. Damn that stuff ads up. Since I had 3 children I sold my youngest so I was able to pay for the extra hardscape i didnt take into account. When purchasing the aquarium I told swmbo (she who must be obeyed) I had all I needed. She could pick the fishies. I knew I still had lots of time to nudge her in the right direction so I'm sure all will turn out well in that regard. lol

Since then I have been playing with my new playground for about two weeks now. Preparing - reading and watch content to get myself a bit more eductated. It's life so I do not wish to rush into it and fail horribly and more important kill the habitants.

I was glad my other hobby is making diorama's and miniature painting so I have some basic skills in setting up a diorama but an aquascape is not as easy as it seems. Especially for someone like me - I have adhd. The whole living room changed to an aquascape bomb of materials. I'm happy I have a wife who has some hobbies as well and understands my "urges"

So here is what I have so far. The scape is far from finished - when I sneeze hard all little trees fall down like a domino stone project.

Right now I'm debating wether I should go higher in the background. I named the aquarium "Playground" - I imagine when I don't look all the little inhabitants go to the middle and play soccer or badminton. Although I also imagined a mini druid circle or imaguwi or however I spell that lol. So I do not want it too steep but I guess it only creates depth and I can still do what I have visoned in my mind.

What do you guys think? Tips - suggestions - gently advice about the horrible mistakes i'm already making - all is welcome

First pic is the log i bought extra - decided the other side was better -
Second pic is where I am at at the moment
Third is where I frankenstined some roots (the upload keeps rearanging the pics so - im sorry they are not in order)
Fourth is hpw the living room looks right now. I cleaned up a lot already since I started, but it's still a mess lol

 

[Connswater]

Your picture of where you are now is extraordinary. Looks fantastic to me. Plant choice will be interesting if you are not to lose the overall landscape.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

but since I have something visualised in my head I bought more. Damn that stuff ads up. Since I had 3 children I sold my youngest so I was able to pay for the extra hardscape i didnt take into account.

I really enjoyed that bit, I'll copy in @megwattscreative, she will know why.

Looks fantastic to me.

Certainly does, I don't usually comment on hard-scape threads, due to a <"total lack of aesthetic sensibilities">, but that looks fantastic,.

She could pick the fishies. I knew I still had lots of time to nudge her in the right direction so I'm sure all will turn out well in that regard. lol

......... <"Stocking guidelines">

cheers Darrel

 

[Wookii]

Since I had 3 children I sold my youngest so I was able to pay for the extra hardscape i didnt take into account.

I’ve tried selling all three of mine on eBay - they keep getting returned, it’s costing me a fortune in postage!

 

[Paul27]

The sense of depth you have achieved is awesome

 

[keone]

Thanks for the nice and funny comments! I love a bit of humor.
I guess - i'll leave it like it is for a day or two and start gluing the rocks and wood together before I'll move ahead to the next phase.

What do you think I should do since the soil - and filter media is new - Should i start with a dark start or a dry start and find another way to start up my filter. The soil is Ada amazonia 2 - I read it releases quiet alot of amonia which would help with a dark start i guess? Big and frequent water changes are planned anyway since I wasn't able to boil the big stump because of it's size. It will probably release alot of tanins the next few weeks.

I do have some idea's of types of plants/ mosses but still need to dig into that part more as i am not sure which will go well together yet- I'll be making a list in the next week.

Suggestions for plants and mosses are most welcome.

 

[megwattscreative]

I’ve tried selling all three of mine on eBay - they keep getting returned, it’s costing me a fortune in postage!

Thats where you need EBABY (copyright @dw1305 circa 2004ish). He tried to sell me fairly often, sometimes with a worrying amount of success. He can tell you about the very traumatic green grocer incident.

I'm not very knowledgeable on aqua soils but frequent water changes whilst there's lots of tannins and ammonia sounds like a good plan. Looks gorgeous so far!