My 20 Long

[WheelmanCA19]

While there might be some things than I can change, I think this tank is close to getting a "done" stamp. Finished? Well, there are lots of things I could do, but, I'm probally going to pursue other interests (ie, other tanks) Anyway, let me know what you think if you want. I'm happy with it, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[yhbae]

Just out of curiosity, how do you guys clean a tank like this? My 25g is already a pain in the <you know what> as there are many objects in the tank as well as the plants....

 

[clutterydrawer]

I like that, it looks naturally untidy. That is meant to be a compliment! i.e. it looks natural not artificial.

you see the big white rock on the middle-left? I think it need a plant or somehting on its left edge, its outline against the rock behind it looks....too clear. if you know what i mean. might be just me.

 

[WheelmanCA19]

How do I clean it? Not as good as I probally should. 20% water change with slight gravel vac once a week. 40% change with major gravel vac every 5-6 weeks.

I see what you mean about that rock, you're right. When I get my puffer tank set up in the next week or two, I'll see what I can do about that. Thanks. Its things like that you can't see untill someone else points it out for you

 

[Aquascaper]

Looks good. I'm with clutterydrawer on the rock outline, a plant would sort that out Apart from that it looks A1

 

[clutterydrawer]

I was under the impression that planted tank needed less maintenance cos

- the plants make use of some of the debris in the gravel
- plants reduce nitrates.

What substrate is that?

 

[yhbae]

Plants definitely uses up nitrates and uses up debree from the gravel but it is still hard to stick a syphon tube near them. I only have java ferns which are attached to stones hence it is easy for me to move them around. When I move them, I see tonnes of trapped mess that I can syphon up. With plants rooted into the substrates, I guess this is not an option, hence wondered how one does the maintenance...

 

[clutterydrawer]

My tank is planted...I vac around the base of the plants, but only stick the syphon maybe 1cm into the gravel, so not to disturb them.

I dont seem to have any problems doing this. But then I had my tank several years before I even knew about gravel cleaning, and I didnt seem to have problems then either