1 week update on first planted tank

Discussion in 'Planted Tanks' started by Arnav, Jul 6, 2020.

  1. Arnav

    Arnav

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    This is a 1 week update of my first ever 15l planted tank.

    Plants do seem to be adapting.

    After receiving some advice from @A new day, I had decided to perform a 70% water change today.

    The water did get a bit milky during the past week, I thought that was a bacteria bloom but it must have just been dust from the substrate.
    I have included seachem root tabs in the substrate and a really cheap liquid fertiliser.

    I am using a Disposable CO2 kit which I will have temporarily until it finishes because I want as minimum maintenance as possible for the near future.

    For my lighting I have a simple diy fitting with 2 14w, 6000k led lights

    I don’t plan on adding any live stock.
    I do want to attach some Bucephalandra to the wood and a few on the rocks.

    I also want to try form a carpet in front of the two rocks because I think it will go really well with the wood once the buce grows, Almost like a bonsai tree in a grassy field.

    I don’t have a filter but I am considering purchasing a new HOB filter but I will have to see how everything plays out first.

    Any advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.


    upload_2020-7-6_18-31-11.jpeg

    upload_2020-7-6_18-32-8.jpeg
     
    Arnav, Jul 6, 2020
    #1
    TetraJacques, baileykiegan, Phoenix89 and 1 other person like this.

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  3. Jayswizzles

    Jayswizzles

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    How much did this entire setup cost you?
     
    Jayswizzles, Jul 6, 2020
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  4. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    Looking really good @Arnav and plants looking healthy :thumbup: beautiful piece of spiderwood! Well done! Hope you’re having fun with all of this.

    Since you actively asked for input, 3 minor suggestions that are simply around taking aesthetics to potentially the next level.
    - could you raise the water level to a cm or 2 from the top? Also it seems as if the tank is not 100% level, anything you could do to fix that?
    - the plant currently floating (possibly bacopa moneirri) to me it doesn’t really fit in with the nature style of your tank when it floats. It is a stem plant so I’d probably plant it in the substrate. Buces and / or anubias on the stunning piece of driftwood would fit great.
    - see if you could play around with the position of the wood, stone and plants to make it less symmetrical. Generally speaking it is easier on the eye (looks more natural). At the moment the trunk of the wood as well as the bright red sword are dead center, flanked with almost identical stones. In photography and art they often talk about the rule of thirds, and also the golden ratio when it comes to positioning of the focal point.
     
    A new day, Jul 6, 2020
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  5. OP
    Arnav

    Arnav

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    The total cost was around R710
     
    Arnav, Jul 6, 2020
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  6. OP
    Arnav

    Arnav

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    Thanks
    Yea I’m enjoying it.

    I have raised the water level and got the stand level as well so that’s sorted.

    I am actually considering removing that plant as you said it doesn’t really go with nature of the tank and its starting to become an eye sore.

    This is the result that I ended up with after moving the rocks around but I have to keep it like this because the spider wood continues to float even though I soaked and boiled it for a while. So the rocks are basically anchoring the wood down.
    However I will play around with t a bit more just to go the golden ratio you mentioned
    Thanks
     
    Arnav, Jul 6, 2020
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  7. Josh_talks_to_his_fish

    Josh_talks_to_his_fish

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    I love the way the roots look like a tree. Great job!
     
    Josh_talks_to_his_fish, Jul 6, 2020
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  8. baileykiegan

    baileykiegan

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    Looks awesome.

    Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
     
    baileykiegan, Jul 7, 2020
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  9. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    Cool! Can’t see the pic, might just be on my side?
     
    A new day, Jul 7, 2020
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  10. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    @Arnav
    Tank looks good. That is a fantastic piece of wood :thumbup:
     
    Reedfish, Jul 7, 2020
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  11. OP
    Arnav

    Arnav

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    Thanks
     
    Arnav, Jul 7, 2020
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  12. OP
    Arnav

    Arnav

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    Thank you
     
    Arnav, Jul 7, 2020
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  13. OP
    Arnav

    Arnav

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    I think it might be :(
     
    Arnav, Jul 7, 2020
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  14. OP
    Arnav

    Arnav

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    Thanks a lot, yes it does :)
     
    Arnav, Jul 7, 2020
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  15. Saturn

    Saturn

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    Looking nice
     
    Saturn, Jul 7, 2020
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  16. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    @Arnav your first planted tank looks a helluva lot better than mine did :lol: seriously a lot :thumbup:
     
    A new day, Jul 7, 2020
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