My Main Display Tank

Discussion in 'Members Systems' started by Laure, Aug 18, 2009.

  1. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    Hi

    I recently rescaped my main display tank. Some tank information:

    Specifications:
    300L AquaH2O
    External AquaH2O cannister filter @ 1200l/h
    2 x 300W heaters set at 28 degrees C.
    Silica sand substrate with nails under heavy root feeding plants
    3 large mopani root wood pieces

    Light configuration:
    From back to front
    T8 36W Osram Fluora
    T5 54W Sylvania 865
    T5 54W Philips 840
    T5 54W Sylvania 865
    T5 54W Philips 840

    I am thinking of changing one of the Philips 840 bulbs for a T5 Philips Aquarelle or Sylvania Grolux, if I can find it.

    Total of 20000 lumens over 1080 square inches of surface. This gives about 19lumens/sq. inch. Looking at WPG, it is running at 3.3WPG

    Flora:
    Ammannia gracilis
    Anubias barteri v nana
    Aponogeton crispus
    Cabomba caroliniana
    Ceratopteris cornuta
    Cryptocoryne wendtii "tropika"
    Cryptocoryne petchii
    Echinodorus martii hybrid
    Echinodorus barthii
    Echinodorus osiris rubra
    Eliocharis acicularis
    Hygrophila longifolia
    Limnophila sessiliflora
    Limnophila aromatica
    Microsorum pteropus (narrow leaf)
    Nymphaea lotus red
    Riccia fluitans
    Taxiphyllum alternans
    Taxiphyllum barbieri

    Fauna:
    6 x Chromobotia macracanthus
    6 x Brachydanio rerio
    12 x Paracheirodon axelrodi
    2 x Crossocheilus siamensis
    3 x otocinclus

    Hopefully getting some 8 x P. Scalare from Prof Dirk soon. :bigsmile:

    Maintenance:
    Weekly 40% water changes
    Dirk's fertilizer after water changes
    Occasional KNO3 to keep the nitrates at 15-20ppm. I have a low fish load...maybe that will change with the angelfish. I am also looking at adding some more cardinals.
    Happy Life Happy Carbo liquid CO2

    Tank water parameters:
    ph = 6.6
    kh = 1.7
    gh = 4.0
    temp = 28 degrees C

    Here are some pictures. I haven't really taken any pics of fish. I need a new camera! I am battling with exposure, colour balance, etc. I must admit, I am not much of a photographer! These shots were taken about 3 weeks after the rescape.

    Full tank shot
    [​IMG]

    Experimental Riccia carpet
    [​IMG]

    Nymphaea lotus red and pearling taiwan moss
    [​IMG]

    New Ammania gracilis settling in nicely
    [​IMG]

    Regards
    Lauré
     
    Zoom likes this.
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  3. Slojo

    Slojo

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    What a beaut!
     
  4. Ruan

    Ruan Wooden Spoon

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    :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
    Goeie Donner!


    Looking great Laure!
    If I could dream up a tank, thats what i would look like!

    [​IMG]


    PS, let me in on the secret, where did you find all those plants, not in PE!
     
  5. Kribs

    Kribs The betta connection

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    very very nice...
     
  6. High-wash

    High-wash Pleco

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    Agreed :) nice indeed
     
  7. Donny

    Donny

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    that is very very nice like the look of the plant in the front left corner
     
  8. Kribs

    Kribs The betta connection

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    I love those Aqua H20 tanks.....
    Had a look at Tropical Amazon on Saturday...expensive but veeeery preeeety...
    He seems to be importing them as well as the aluminium lighting ballasts...
     
  9. Dieter

    Dieter

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    Very nice, a good selection of plants makes a big difference..
    Well done
     
  10. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    Tank looks great
     
  11. OP
    Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    Hi

    Thanks for the kind comments. I am expecting the Ammania to grow in nicely at the back. The new shoots are already a nice pinkish colour. The Sessiliflora is going wild, as you can see. I trim about 20cm weekly! If you are in PE and want some, PM or email me on a Friday. I normally do tank maintenance on weekends, so I will keep some for you.

    The Riccia carpet is, as noted, experimental. But it is providing a few headaches. It is high maintenance. Besides growing so fast, you have to constantly remove the plastic grids, untie the netting that keeps it in place, and patch up a few spots. Remember, Riccia does not root.

    Nope, only the Java moss and the swords. The rest are courtesy of Prof Dirk and the stems are sourced from a nice plant thread on this forum :bigsmile:

    Regards
    L
     
  12. theosmit

    theosmit

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    I really like a good planted setup - and you have the reason right there! VWD! That tank strikes the balance just right!
     
  13. Zafgak

    Zafgak Old fart

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    Very Nice !!!!!!!!!!
     
  14. f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Good job .. must have been a lot of fun setting that thank up.
     
  15. Rudi

    Rudi

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    :bigsmile: Looks very good.Some good 'scaping' skills there,everything aranged and planted to create a beautiful display.Welln done.
    Post updates please.:rolleyes:
     
  16. veegal

    veegal

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    Beautifully set up!
     
  17. OP
    Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    Hi

    Once again, thanks for the positive feedback. I will post some updates next week. I am hoping to get my P. Scalares from Prof Dirk over the weekend. They are still juvies, but when grown will give a nice balance to the tank. I think what is lacking right now is definetely some nice fish!

    My clown loaches are actually not that shy; they just don't like the paparazzi. I am also planning to increase my school of cardinals to about 40. That should provide a nice effect. In addition to the 10 that currently live in this tank, I have another 12 in quarantine at the moment. When they are ready they will move over. I am hoping they don't eventually become angel food...

    Regards
    L
     
  18. A Bauer

    A Bauer Guest

    Beautiful.
     
  19. Donny

    Donny

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    Your tank realy looks awesome.. :)
     
  20. Rudi

    Rudi

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    What's your carbon and fert dosing regime,how much how often?
     
  21. Zafgak

    Zafgak Old fart

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    The Prof's Scalares are gonna love your cardinals :) Naaah they should be safe, as they will be nicely grown when the Scalare get big enough to eat them..

    Tank looks good Laure
     

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