35 replies to this topic

[CraigH]

Last week I decided to pull down my old coldwater/native species tank and go ahead with setting up a new, heavily planted tropical aquarium.

Here is my hardscape so far:



After my cat broke her leg recently and the initial cost of the new setup, purchasing plants might be a few weeks away. Other thna that, it's ready to go.

Thoughts, suggestions and opinions more than welcome. I'll keep this thread updated with develoments.

Craig.

[CraigH]

Ill be happy to spare some glosso (if thats what you want?) and maybe some other's in a week or so once youre ready to plant

Hello again
I love glosso, but I'm not sure it will suit an amazon tank?

What co2 system do you plan on using?

I have a Dupla Delta CO2 kit sitting here. I'm picking up a 082D bottle from BOC tomorrow containing their food grade CO2. $115 per annum, leased and $41 per refill. They're 6kg bottles, so I dare say they'll last quite a while in my size aquarium.

Until I can afford a solenoid to automate my system, I will be running an airline at night.

[monobono]

G'day Craigs ..... nice tank there Craig

[Andrew]

what is that line is the bg?

[Noddy65]

Looks like a join between 2 pieces of the background?

Mike

[benckie]

nice set up !

[CraigH]

Looks like a join between 2 pieces of the background?
Mike

You would be correct. With a bit of luck it won't be seen due to plants. if stem plants don't cover it, a line of moss should

[CraigH]

Update:

Yesterday I purchased a Dupla 1.5kg CO2 bottle and Tunze regulator. Got home and decided to have a play around with making a DIY CO2 reactor. My Dupla diffuser was emitting rather large bubbles, so I decided to make a chamber in which it will (hopefully) mix well with water from the outlet.

I attached the Dupla diffuser to the bottom of a plastic tube (from a gravel cleaner) with a soft plastic joiner. Just heated it up and slipped it over. Made a plug at the top of the chamber so that the outlet hose fits snuggly into the top of the chamber.

I drilled half a dozen holes down the chamber for the water to pass out of. Given the vertical orientation of the outlet holes, I'm hoping it will make for a good tank flow. I'm crossing my fingers that the CO2 bubbles will diffuse OK and not just 'fall out' of the holes. All comes down to experimentation once I get some plants in and the tank cycling. That may be a while yet as I'm wayyyy over budget now with yesterday's purchase, lol.

[Warp]

Nice looking set up there Craig. Welcome to the forums by the way! Good to see another plant nut in the mix. If you need some plants to get started with in the coming weeks let me know I have a few stem plants that will need trimming by then. Just send a PM closer to the time your ready to rock.

By the way nice piece of wood there too would look great with some mosses or ferns growing along it.

Will be interesting to see how well your diffuser works.

Regards

Mike.

[CraigH]

If you need some plants to get started with in the coming weeks let me know I have a few stem plants that will need trimming by then.

Cheers Mike! pm sent

[CraigH]

Its good to see a tank with everything good quality, with no cheapo stuff!
What is your WPG (watts per gallon) for your lighting?

Cheers dude!

The lighting totals 76w over approximately 30 gallons, giving me 2.5w/g

[CraigH]

Just an update on my plant choices and rough layout...

[CraigH]

Phase III... planting some cuttings donated from friendly fellow aquarists

[CraigH]

Looks great!
Where did you get your anubias from?
Cheers

Graeme kindly gave me some

[CraigH]

I need to try and source a few more bits of Blyxa Japonica for the left hand side of the tank, but other than that it's all done *phew*





My DIY co2 disperser and spray bar in one:

[shaggy]

Looking awesome mate!