Richards Nature Aquarium Attempt - The PlantedTank Comp

Richard’s (SHIHR) NATURE AQUARIUM
Specs:Tank Size: 40Lx25Bx26H
Tank Volume: 26l
Lighting:3x10w t8’s
Substrate: inert jasper with an under layer of volcanic rock dust and earthworm castings
Dosing: APSA’s fertilizer calculator using EI with Excel
Plants: Ludwigia Brevieps, Rotala Nanjeshan, Rotala Colorata, Java Moss, Glossostigma Elantinoides and Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Brown'
Fish: 10 Neons

Start 22-10-2011:Heres a picture with the empty tank:


Next the volcanic rock dust and earthworm cast


23-10-2011: day after setup water is still a little murky. No filtration, just a pump to move water around.


Shot of the Lights


31-10-2011: 8 days later, plants are starting to grow and water is clearing up. Moss is doing well as well. I’m not so sure about the plant locations though


Glossostigma carpeting well.


07-11-2011: another 7 days and the plants have grown in very well. I rescaped a little aswell. I moved the brevieps closer in by the wood


08-12-2011: a few weeks later I added fish. But I neglected the tank a little. This is a shot one month after the previous shot. Plants were still growing strong so the algae didn’t bother me one bit. I added some rocks to the scape to give it more of a natural feel. Also I moved the crypt to the left so the scape would be more balanced.


After a water change and glass clean:


09-12-2011: a day after the clean up. Water has cleared up


Some pics of the plants:
Glosso:


Rotala Colorata


Java Moss


Rotala Nanjeshan and Ludwigia Arcuata


Fishies!


15-12-2011:
Top view


Final Shot


Plants could be more grown in but I’m happy with it so far!

 

Wow! Awesome setup man you really got the nack for creating worthy aquascapes !

 

Now thats a nifty little tank Richard!

 

Nice tank Richard. Glosso do seem to like you and I always struggle with it.

 

wow Richard! thats a nice looking tank! as Vis said, glosso is your friend!

 

WOW ...... Love it love it love it ... You get that BIG tank feeling.

 

Good Job dude!

 

all i can say is that dosing everyday with excel was a PITA! haha..i think this tank would have done even better if i was more consistent.. dosing, water changes, photoperiod and trims was when i remembered..this is evident in the stem plant growth

didnt have a timer so lights were on for minimum 11 hrs a day.. sometimes even 15-16 hrs.. but i guess it turned out ok..

anyways, enough blabbering on..thanks for the comments guys..

 

Shihr that is looking stunning. Now i want a glosso carpet!

 

awsome tank, well done.

 

Wicked tank, seriously gives me some inspiration for my tanks and to work hard at learning to grow plants.

 

this is a low tech tank so anyone can do the same! excel is essential though.. besides that, normal comprehensive ferts would be fine as well..

 

When you say excel do you mean Seachem flourish excel?

 

yep..liquid cabon

 

cant get a good pic with my phone and the low lighting but plants have filled in much more

 

The scape is maturing well.The java moss gives it a "aged feel".I always liked java moss,if you handle it correctly it will always look good.
I assume you trim the moss regularly?....and the glosso as well?

 

havnt even trimmed it yet i actually hate java fern esp in a big tank.. maintenance is a biach.. small trimmings that are not taken up sprout everywhere small tanks are ok i guess..

 

Isn't that the way with all the moss sp.?Anyway,I like it.The scape would look incomplete without it.

 

it would defn be incomplete.. thats why i added it too but thanks for liking my scape! like i said, really means alot to me

 

really is looking awsum! Coming along very well! Ordered my excel and tabs through a sponsor here but my order still hasnt been processed but it is the holiday season i guess! just cant wait to get it though. please keep the updates coming. If its not to much of a pain would you mind making a very brief list of what your weekly maintenance schedule is just so I can have an idea what I should be doing with my tank, if its a long list then not to worry