Changed Over To Real Plants

[poconoboss]

I originally set up my tank (about a year and a half ago) with artificial driftwood (resin) and artificial plants (silk) because of problems when I was younger having real plants. They seemed to die, turn brown, develop algae etc.

Well, I decided I really didn't like the artificial look even though I did my best to get the most realistic pieces I could find. So after educating myself on proper plant care and the types of plants that would do well in my water chemistry and are easy to care for etc. I changed over my tank to all real plants and mosses and real driftwood.

I had a few failures and plants that didn't work, but after a few months of tweaking, I have the tank looking pretty good now and I am very happy with it. It is a constant work in progress as I am always adding to it and making small changes. I have some major changes I would like to make but that will have to wait until I get my next tank to house the fish while making those changes.

Here is the BEFORE:

Full tank shot:

Left side (before water):

Middle (before water):

Right side (before water):

AFTER:

Full tank shot:

Left side:

Right side:

 

[aaronnorth]

The tank looks alive and much better than before

 

[lljdma06]

I agree, this is much better than before. What lighting do you have?

 

[Ficious]

very nice...the water looks incredibly clean...beautiful fish!

 

[poconoboss]

I agree, this is much better than before. What lighting do you have?

I have 2- 48" 18k T5 bulbs.

very nice...the water looks incredibly clean...beautiful fish!

Thank you.

I do 75% water changes 3 times a week and I vacuum the gravel and wipe down the glass on each change.

I am lucky in the sense that my tap water (which is from a well and has a very good filtration system) is the perfect ph and hardness for my tank. So I don't need to adjust the water chemistry which makes large volume water changes a snap and no stress to the fish, since the new water is identical to the old.

 

[snowflake311]

I like it. You have a nice mix of plants. I'm starting to redo my fake tank. I have a plastic log and plastic plants but real wood and java moss. I want to switch out the gravle to sand gravel mix and use new real decoration.

 

[8inary]

lovely tank - i love how you hid the pipe work for the filter...nice job