19 replies to this topic

[Hypanheaven]

Hi All,

Im setting up my 5x2x2 (found on gum tree for $200 with overkill wood stand) on wednesday as a planted aussie native tank.

I am going to have a go at doing a DIY substrate which generates its own CO2, and also near heavy root plants will be dino dung.
FYI the substrate - http://www.aquariuml...-Generating-Sub

I have some large red crypts to go in straight away (big thanks to Craig) but am looking for some Rotala rotundifolia and spiral vallis (cheers Brett) to soak up early nutrient spikes. I have a quad T5 x35w light set up and can throw an extra 1 or 2 T8's ontop aswell. I have a 1800lph canister filter, an ehiem 2215 and a 1500lph internal power head (was going to use this with CO2 but might not use it yet). No CO2 as yet, will try going with out it, i already have a 3kg bottle from home brewing so will be easy to start up later.
Drift wood with some java fern attatched already and rocks will be scaped into it. Stocking list will be the following:

Purple Spotted Gudgeon x 6
Western RF Drysdale River x6
George Creek Black-Banded Rainbowfish x8 (sadly these are of low stock at the moment so they will be coming in a few months)
Chequered Rainbowfish Mary River x8
Bedjal (bandad rainbowfish) x6
Peacock Gudgeon x8
peppermint bristles
albino longfins
royal whiptails

So far the cost is:

Tank & stand : $200 (cheap as for a 5x2x2)
Substrate: <$50
Filters: Aqua Pro 1800 $149, Power head filter $20 (both from Age of Aquariums)
Heater: Spare 300w jager i had
Lights: A mate got them for me, hes a shop fitter and the shop he re-fitted threw them out and they like new! just need globes
Fish: will be $220 delivered from dave at aquagreen
Plants: So far all the above has cost me 2 royal whip tail juvies, and i have crypts, Rotala rotundifolia and spiral vallis, few java fern varietys

Total: ~$600 not bad for a full set up planted tank!

Any suggestions so i dont run into problems etc?

Edited by swimfishswim, 25 October 2011 - 07:38 AM.

[akamin]

that's awesome, looks like you have done your research, also have a look at this guys channel for some ideas.

http://www.youtube.c...ustinsfishtanks

also check out this link for DIY ferts

http://www.perthcich...showtopic=42557

if dino dung gets too expensive, make a mixture of laterite, osmocote and blood and bone.

put some pics up of your tank when you get a chance. also interested in how your substrate goes as I need to change mine!

[Hypanheaven]

anyone know how long the dino dung lasts? i thought it was a put in the substrate near your plant and leave it for a years!
i think i could be wrong!

the fish are being ordered this friday so should arrive from dave @ aquagreen tuesday, the dino dung will get here wednesday. The rest is in the process, ill post a pic up on thursday once i have scapped and filled the tank.

[akamin]

I think dino dung needs to be replaced every 3 to 6 months as the nutrients will be depleted by the nutrient root hungry plants.

[Hypanheaven]

oh 3-6 isnt bad, the tank wont be heavily planted and i have a pack of 50 so i should be ok for a year!

Edited by swimfishswim, 24 October 2011 - 10:29 AM.

[Juls]

I've used that DIY co2 generating sub, be very careful with the blood and bone, too much and it turns the substrate toxic and puts of toxic bubbles constantly. It's ok however as long as the fish never swim into or get hit by the generated gas.

Seems silly to do it with Eco complete as eco already generates co2 anyway in the same manner, which is partly why Eco complete causes the water to go quite hard (7.5-8ph).

Either way be very careful with the blood and bone. Don't overdo it.

Juls

[Hypanheaven]

im not using the blood and bone mate, just dino dung

[Hypanheaven]

im only using the eco for the black look and i already bought it but i didnt buy enough for my whole tank ALSO
i plan to try and make a pool in the middle, white sand pool with rocks aorund it and then black eco around that and then try growing a grass in there

Edited by swimfishswim, 24 October 2011 - 06:32 PM.

[Juls]

Fair enough, I would just use the Eco straight personally plants go bonkers in it.

I would not add any marble chips or arogonite to generate co2 as the Eco is already high in Ca.

You may struggle to keep the ph down.

I really like Eco complete, probably my favorite of the commercial brands.

I suggest making a separator for the other sand, unless you want it all to intermix, on a tank so big, such a temporary design maybe isn't the best idea. Just a suggestion.

Juls

[Hypanheaven]

what would you suggest? with out forking out for more eco?

[Hypanheaven]

i dont think 20kgs will cover a 5x2 haha

[Juls]

Your right it won't, you have 2x9kg bags I assume?

Sorry I should have been paying more attention lol.

If the bags are sealed consider not using them and going full DIY.
I reckon you would need about 6/7 bags to cover a 5x2x2, without any built up areas.

You can get inert black substrates, although most are glass, natural black gravels are not quite as nice, but will will work well I'm DIY,

If u use a inert gravel/sand you will need to add laterite, Vebas sell it fairly cheaply, but you have to ask for it as it's often not on the shelves, I think they buy it by the ton and make up 500g/1kg lots.

Dino dung is pretty much just clay (laterite) and blood and bone. A small amount of blood and bone under the substrate is all that's needed, i can't keep up with the growth of stem plants in my tank with the DIY substrate. But I did have trouble for a few months of it gassing off.

Juls

Edited by Juls, 25 October 2011 - 07:08 AM.

[Hypanheaven]

I have my Eco complete for sale, going full DIY, and will probably just keep it white sand, might add a fine colored gravel over the top, will see what buntings offers
Cbeers

[Graeme]

Hi mate

I think your Mgurndas will eat the peacock gudgeons
Ask Dave nicely for the Kimberley Mgurnda, they are a little smaller.............

What is your frieght from Aquagreen worth for that load of fish?

Graeme

[Hypanheaven]

2x5kg eskyx all the fish+ freight is 220 (minus the George creek)
I'll ask him about them

[Juls]

Bloody cheap really, it's certainly a very cheap way to go getting fish from dave, even if the freight is $80+

Can't wait till i've moved and can sort out a new display.. then dave will be getting a really big order...... :-)

[Hypanheaven]

Picked up a 2x150w metal halide, 4xT5HO and 2xmoon light setup today for 200 bucks.
Don't know his name on here but he's a legend thanks mate

No I mean the whole order cost 220, friends was less than $50 for all of it!!
So cheap

[Hypanheaven]

Ok, so got the tank, needed a massive clean, alot of scrapping with a blade and alot of scrubbing. the stand was in bad shape so i sanded it back and re stained it and its come up a million bucks.
the substrate is in, this is as follows. 1-2cm layer of unwashed straight from the bag river sand, then i sprinkled laterite over to cover, then i placed dino dung around the tank, then i sprinkled over coral grit to cover then i added around 2 inches of fully washed river sand. add the plastic and filled and it virtually filled up and was crystal clear from the get go. i just had a power head in there with some purigen at the moment and the heater has it at 27 degrees.

[Peckoltia]

Tank and stand have come a long way since we picked them up. Nice one man.

Should make a new thread in the tank journal thread for this tank.

Looks like the foreman is happy with your work too in the second pic.

Alex

[Anka]

nice work - I'm also looking at doing a 100% aussie native tank. Was thinking of rainbow fish though. I'm also looking at adding a land area and putting some native tree frogs in the tank :3