My TASA inspired tank

Good day everyone.

I have to admit the forum has been really quiet lately, hoping to add some activity with this tank and inspire others on here to post updates on their progression over the last few months

So let's get into the tank I'm about to post. As the title of this thread says, this tank was inspired by the knowledge I've attained from fellow members on here. When I started to become an active member on here I knew nothing about plants or a planted tank and in not even understating that fact. Over the months I was converted from a full on hardscape and Cichlids tank to now my third (2 current) planted tanks.

When I shut down the 60cm cube I teased the new tank that has taken its place, today this is that post, although long overdue, I'm glad I took this much time because with the way this tank has matured over the last few months (7 to be exact), it has changed beyond that which I had envisioned and in turn became something I can proudly say I succeeded in doing.

Tank size: 80x40x40 Low iron
Hardscape: seiryu stone and spiderwood
Substrate: Ada Amazonia V2 with seachem flourite
Light: chihiros wrgb pro
CO2: yes about 3bps

Livestock:

• Ember tetrass
• Chilli Rasboras
• Kuhli loaches
• Celestial Pearl Danios
• Rummy nose tetras

Several other were in here which were moved to other tanks or lost

Now the amazing part the plants. Know that several were experimented with over time the list that remains is the ones that I kept with ease of maintenance in mind together with it's aesthetic matching that which I find attractive. The list is:

1. Samolus Parviflorus sp. Red
2. S. Repens ( not very lucky with this plant)
3. Various Buce species
4. Needle leaf java fern
5. Normal java fern
6. Ludwigia Senegalensis
7. Bacopa Salaminzi
8. Macaranda SP mini
9. Lobelia Cardinalis
10. Monte Carlo
11. Anubia Nana petite
12. Anubias Chilli

And I'm sure I missed a few @Lord Vader can remind me about hahaha. As you can see I went for rarer plants and I'm so happy I did.

I'm going to add to this post with pictures as the tank has developed. So watch this space

 

Thanks Shabir!

I agree, it's been quiet.

Thanks for breaking the silence

 

Looking forward to seeing the tank!

 

Thanks guys.


Now the pictures together with the process. I will tell this story in stages so I apologize in advance if I peak someone's impatience, it's really not my intention, just going as I can.


So after a long journey leaving at 7am to only get back after lunch, a great roadtrip with a friend and after literally buying way over my budget I arrive home with this beautiful little tank.

Sorry for the sketchy pic on this one. It's literally the only pic I have of the tank before set up haha. Anyway moving on, I decided I wanted to incorporate a 3D background, so to the stores I went, built a mould with a box and foam board and some old styrofoam I had lying around and began with the background until it looked something like this:

Left it outside to cure for a whole 24 hours or so. And then I brought it back into see how it looked in the tank and if it required any adjustments. And this is what it looked like




At this point I was so excited that it fit like a glove that I began playing with different layouts to try and see what it would look like, found something I liked, and decided it was time to get the background ready for the tank. Headed out into my balcony with the board and some blades and a bucket of ice with several drinks just chilling out with me and here is where I spent atleast 2 hours contemplating and another 4 working until it looked like this


I admit doesn't look the part just yet, but at this point it really couldn't yet as it needed it's most important part, the paint. Went with black and white to make grey (looks black in pictures) as you can see here



And here


At this point I needed to make it really come together and I added some blacks to the inner parts and whites to highlight some areas as you can see here



At this point I was happy with the results but needed to let it dry so I can see exactly what it looks like. And this was the result


The above picture was after a whole 24hrs of drying, and I used acrylic paint to ensure its safe. I then sprayed it with a clear protective coat to ensure it was watertight and waited another 24hrs. Once the dreaded wait was over I stuck it to the back panel using silicone and began to scape the tank. I fiddled with at least 20 scapes before I found the one that made me say yes! And I stuck with that. As you see in the pictures below.


And that was at least 5 days to a week in already and I began to grow impatient to see the end results, it was exciting yet scary as I've never had to do something like this before. The selection of plants I had ordered was already thought about in terms of placement but the issue was if I would just be making a mistake.

Below is a picture with some of the plants in


Since the forum only allows 15 pics at a time I will end this story right here and pick up where I left off again. Just remember at this point there were plants that were still on the way to me and some that were not even thought about yet.

If you've read this far, I promise you the next bit is going to be even more fun to see. Thank you and watch this space!!!

 

Looks great. Very impressed with the background. Following along

 

This tank is such a stunner!