My new planted tank project

@wsteene , done.

 

Please post pics of your hood when it has been built.

 

...and please don't make the same mistake as me! Make sure that canopy is not going to warp!

 

@MarcHawke. I am using three coats of varnish on the wood so hopefully that will be enough. I made that mistake with my 15 gallon. One piece of wood to stop the fishies jumping and within a week it had started rotting and warped and looked awful. Now I use perspex.
Will post pics of the hood soon, Its almost done.
I have decided, after much googling, I will use mineralised top soil capped with gravel as my substrate. I have used it once before and it was the only time my plants ever grew. I will start the process today. Thanks for the comments.

 

Mine has warped because of the heat from my lights and not moisture. If you are running T5's be careful.

Regarding your mineralised soil do you mean PFP or the like? I have heard that there are issues when rescaping or when planting that this stuff lands up floating all over your tank?

 

(Sorry, thought you meant moisture, how do you stop heat warping?) No, not PFP. I am using topsoil . It will be mineralised (rinsed, oxygenated, cleaned etc so it wont cause anaerobic pockets) so that its safe, this stuff works wonders with aquatic plants. There will also be a little clay in there. Will dose wit ferts and root tabs. Maybe DIY C02.
Question: I went to Mauritus recently and found some LOVELY pieces of coral. I heard that this will raise the PH and I was wondering If I can use it after some treatment. It is dead by the way.

 

You stop the heat warping by making sure you have reinforcing running in both directions (with lots of screws) on the canopy lid or at least this is how I intend to fix mine. :amuse:

 

Thanks @MarcHawke will look into that.

 

Hood is done! Pics will be posted tonight.

 

sorry for not posting pics of the hood last night! Here it is:

 

Wow very neat, any pic's of the underside, light fitting and outlets?
Still have to figure out a canopy for my 3ft.

 

@Good_Times :Have not fitted lights yet but I put a strip of wood in for the light tube so that the wood doesnt warp. Will post pics tomorrow.
P.S. I just cut holes in the bck with a jigsaw for the filter inlet and outlet and lighting cords etc.

 

Sorry @Good_Times for not posting pics I have been busy and have not had time.

Update:
WooooHoooooo!!! I am gonna get a C02 system for this tank and I am so excited!!! This means I can get myself any plants I want!!!
Its gonna be awesome! Thanks to all the pics of beautiful C02 tanks to inspire me!

 

Thread Revival: Update

Ok the guys. Here is a big update for you, pics to follow.
I got the plants today and they are all in. Woohoo!! Thanks to Wade ( @sweetnsour ) for the awesome plants!!! He sent me a whole packet full of goodies and I was very pleased!! Must say in particular the watersprite and willow leaf hygro were beautiful!! So far only one 30 watt bulb in will add more lights in a day or two. Temporary DIY C02 will start tomorrow and ferts in a week or two. There are two pieces of wood in the tank and a few rocks. Pics will be posted tomorrow. Pressurised C02 should arrive in under two weeks. Comments welcome.

 

Awesome dude. Good luck with the DIY CO2. Pics? :evil:

 

Ok then, pics will be posted in a few minutes.

 

#Fishlover what CO2 system have you opted for?

 

@Jaybirdlark , I opted for a pressurized C02 system with solenoid. The DIY C02 is only temporary as the pressurized C02 has not arrived and should be due by early next week so its only temporary. Dont know the exact specs of the C02. Here are the pics, by the way I havent got a nice camera so the pics are bad quality. I always want to buy a better camera but there can always be another fish tank:

 

Some more pics:

 

Currently only one 30 watt T2 ligh but a planning on adding maybe another 2.