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Cam's 6 X 2.5 X 2 Planted Tank Journal.


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#1 cameroncuz

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Posted 10 January 2016 - 12:48 PM

My goal is to create an awesome planted tank in my living room. 
 
Current equipment: 
6 X 2.5 X 2 cabinet and tank built by Aquotix. 
Complete Co2 kit with ISTA ph controller, a regulator and a inline Co2 diffuser. 
2x Astro 2212 
2x 200W heaters 
3x 150w Metal Halide lights with 8000k globes
3x 5.5w Osram Led down lights


Substrate is a DIY "2Toned" recepie 
Currently has Brunnings propagating sand (washed and unwashed) 
Small amount of Blood and bone 
Sprinkling of marble chips
Planning to add clay later in the form of air dried balls. 



Lights Installed

Attached File  Lights installed.JPG   54.88KB   28 downloads

Substrate going in 

Attached File  Bottom layer of sand.JPG   74.07KB   29 downloads

Additives to substrate 

Attached File  Substrate additives.JPG   72.28KB   29 downloads

 


#2 cameroncuz

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Posted 10 January 2016 - 12:59 PM

-Update- 
Filled the tank today, no leaks!

Attached File  Filling the tank!.JPG   78.58KB   30 downloads
Planted some stem plants to get the ball rolling while I decide on what to plant and where. 
Attached File  Stem plants.JPG   80.95KB   30 downloads



#3 Maaxim

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Posted 10 January 2016 - 08:32 PM

That's a great start!!! Please keep us updated on future development. :goodjob:



#4 Buccal

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Posted 10 January 2016 - 10:13 PM

Lots of area to work with.....
First time planted tank, or you've done them before ??

#5 cameroncuz

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Posted 11 January 2016 - 04:59 PM

Lots of area to work with.....
First time planted tank, or you've done them before ??

 

I had a 6x2x2 low tech planted which I got second hand and it leaked after 2 years :)

Going to try and do it properly this time! 



#6 Buccal

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Posted 11 January 2016 - 08:25 PM

Nice,,, nice to see pics as it all fills in,,, :)

#7 Westie

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Posted 15 January 2016 - 11:20 PM

Fill the front with some crypts. Tank looks good. I agree with the above, when it's filled it will look even better. Also put some Amazon sword plants in front of the stems, and that will give them room to grow.

#8 cameroncuz

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Posted 16 January 2016 - 10:01 AM

Update: 

In the process of shutting down my old 4ft tank. 

Added the last of the plants out of my 4ft. 

I have added dwarf chain swords on the left and a plant which I think is dwarf saj on the right. 

Attached File  Update.JPG   107.82KB   23 downloads



#9 Buccal

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Posted 16 January 2016 - 05:38 PM

I like tanks with dark spots,, it gives dimension and a natural look.

#10 malawiman85

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Posted 16 January 2016 - 07:07 PM

Agree and fish like being able to get out of the bright light.

#11 cameroncuz

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Posted 22 January 2016 - 06:05 PM

-Update-  

Tank is now cycling. 


Attached File  Tank cycling.JPG   270.91KB   20 downloads
 

Not long now till I can start buying some fish! 
Thinking of a heap of Cory's at the moment but I'm really not sure. 
Feel free to share some ideas :)



#12 Westie

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Posted 22 January 2016 - 07:19 PM

Albino sterbai Corys would look cool

#13 cameroncuz

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Posted 13 February 2016 - 10:00 AM

-Update-   

I was having issues with low KH and PH levels and I am currently raising it with AquaREALm KH-Genk. 
I plan to get the plants pearling before I start buying new plants and fish. 

Pics below :)


Attached File  Tank 13.2.16.JPG   112.09KB   15 downloads

Attached File  LHS 13.2.16.JPG   153.83KB   15 downloads

Attached File  RHS 13.2.16.JPG   145.54KB   15 downloads
 



#14 cameroncuz

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Posted 12 March 2017 - 06:06 PM

-Update- 
One year later! 
Currently stocking 10x Dwarf Neon Rainbows (planning to buy some more once they are settled) 
3x flying fox fish and a handful of common bristle nose. 

Attached Files



#15 cameroncuz

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Posted 14 June 2017 - 08:59 PM

Time for an update!! 
Re-scaped the tank after the May Auctions and selling some plants to make room. 
Also purchased some new plants including a crinum calamistratum and aponogeton madagascariensis (which has melted but has some tiny new leaves at the moment) 
Attached File  IMG_0209.JPG   80.23KB   8 downloads

Apologies for the floating plants and lack of hood. I have a few more hours of poking in lilliopsis before its complete.
Attached File  IMG_0208.JPG   131.89KB   8 downloads
Attached File  IMG_0207.JPG   140.19KB   8 downloads
Attached File  IMG_0206.JPG   135.31KB   8 downloads



#16 Delapool

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Posted 15 June 2017 - 07:52 AM

Oh wow - looking forward to seeing pics of this growing in. That looks back-breaking! And was wondering what lights and substrate were (apologies if higher up)?


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#17 cameroncuz

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Posted 15 June 2017 - 04:23 PM

Oh wow - looking forward to seeing pics of this growing in. That looks back-breaking! And was wondering what lights and substrate were (apologies if higher up)?


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3x 150w Metal Halide lights (shop lighters) with 8000k globes
3x 5.5w Osram Led down lights in 4000K to simulate dawn/dusk. They are also used for energy efficient viewing.
 
Substrate is a DIY sand based "CO2 generating" sub.  

Credit goes to Grubs from the Aquariumlife forum for both the lights and substrate design/method. 
( I am happy to PM links if anyone is interested) 
 
 
It took ages to plant and I can't wait to see it all fill into a nice green carpet at the front! I have just started dosing ferts again to get the ball rolling! 

Edited by cameroncuz, 15 June 2017 - 04:24 PM.


#18 Delapool

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Posted 16 June 2017 - 07:09 AM

They look pretty intense lights! Would love to see PAR readings.


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#19 cameroncuz

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Posted 16 June 2017 - 02:41 PM

They look pretty intense lights! Would love to see PAR readings.


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I would be interested to know too, but I don't have anything to measure it with :) 



#20 Delapool

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Posted 20 June 2017 - 09:40 PM

I forgot to ask - is the CO2 generating substrate of carbonates or something?


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