My First High-tech Planted Tank

[invader]

I have finally started my first high-tech planted tank! I am really proud of what I have done, even though it looks a little barren. I got all my equipment together, and here is the tank... from before the initial purchase of the plant equipment to the present!

A little about the tank first... It's my first tank (that I've ever owned... I now own 8!) It's a 30gl long, a little worn and scratched (from the previous owner), but awesome anyway.

Before buying of equipment:

I took all the fish out, put them in my 55gl, and empied the tank completely. I then bought: Nutrifin CO2 diffuser, Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights (I replaced 2 of the 4 lightbulbs with Planta lightbulbs), EcoComplete Substrate, 2 large driftwood pieces, and lots of sand!

Here is the tank empty:

And here is the first driftwood I bought for the tank, which is really cool, because it comes out of the water like a mountian.

I then took a day trip to Big Al's, which is about 3 hours from where I live, and bought Rotala Indica and some Riccia (which I've never seen in person before) and another piece of driftwood. I then set up the tank when I got back home that day, washing the sand and driftwood and planting the plants into the substrate.

I have everything all setup, with a few minor mishaps with the CO2 leaking into the tank and right now I'm having some crazy algae issues, but I really like the way it looks, so far. I was so proud when my little plants pearled for the first time... another first!

Here is the tank today:

Tell me what you think! I am really proud of it, scratches, algae and all...

The fish that are in there now are:
5 Corydoras sodalis
6 Neons
1 Cherry Shrimp (I am going to bring more from my other tank to put in here)

I am planning on getting more tetras and definitely more cherry and some amano shrimp. I haven't decided on what my "focal point" fish is going to be... Probably a dwarf cichlid pair or scarlet badis (if I can find them).


EDIT: Sorry for the sad Riccia situation... I had to tie it all down, because it was covering the light for the rotala, I'll make it look nicer when I have the chance.

 

[atmmachine816]

That looks really good, yes a little empty but it'l grown in though it should look fuller when you get some more fish too, reaallly like the driftwood, wish I had it.

Austin

 

[Liam]

Looking good, really great wood pieces you got there, I would put the larger wood in front of your Co2 ladder to cover it.
Great job so far

 

[invader]

Looking good, really great wood pieces you got there, I would put the larger wood in front of your Co2 ladder to cover it.
Great job so far

I figured that the plants would eventually cover the ladder, so I didn't bother.

 

[wei0204]

It hass lots of potential. Hope to see more update coming up soon.

I am wondering can the scratches be covered by some plastic layers something like the tint for car.

 

[George Farmer]

Good start.

I'd recommend some more stem planting to help prevent future potential algae issues.

My constructive critisism if I may?

I like your wood. Consider moving it about to create a nicer balance. With two focal points at each end of the tank the eye is drawn constantly left and right and never settles. This is a good opportunity to use the golden ratio i.e. place the biggest wood roughly two thirds along the length of the tank. I'd actually be tempted to merge the two pieces into one bigger piece, or lose the smaller piece.

 

[Dubby]

Its looking great !! I like the mangrove look

Have you thought about changing the height of the sand to give it a more 3D look?

 

[lljdma06]

I like your wood. Consider moving it about to create a nicer balance. With two focal points at each end of the tank the eye is drawn constantly left and right and never settles. This is a good opportunity to use the golden ratio i.e. place the biggest wood roughly two thirds along the length of the tank. I'd actually be tempted to merge the two pieces into one bigger piece, or lose the smaller piece.

I concur with George, it would look better with both pieces of wood together, especially since this is a longer tank and you do want you eye to eventually settle at a point. Big Al's huh, where abouts are you? I have a Big Al's in Tamarac, FL, are there others in the US?

The tank does look very nice, however, pretty big actually considering it's only a 30g.

Keep us updated on you progress.

llj

 

[invader]

That looks really good, yes a little empty but it'l grown in though it should look fuller when you get some more fish too, reaallly like the driftwood, wish I had it.

Thanks, it was tough finding wood that added hieght to the tank... and the larger one definitely does that!

It hass lots of potential. Hope to see more update coming up soon.
I am wondering can the scratches be covered by some plastic layers something like the tint for car.

I'm not really sure what to do with the scratches... Doesn't the tint for the car have a layer of sticky stuff? If so, I don't think it would be good in the tank.

I like your wood. Consider moving it about to create a nicer balance. With two focal points at each end of the tank the eye is drawn constantly left and right and never settles. This is a good opportunity to use the golden ratio i.e. place the biggest wood roughly two thirds along the length of the tank. I'd actually be tempted to merge the two pieces into one bigger piece, or lose the smaller piece.

First of all, it is awesome to have you actually respond to this thread. Your tanks are amazing.

I'll try moving things around. I haven't had the chance to go and get more plants, because I have been so busy. It's not easy for a senior in highschool to buy stuff and mess with tanks everyday. I'll merge the two pieces together. I've really been thinking about it and I think there is a way to really make it look nice. Thank you for all your help!

I concur with George, it would look better with both pieces of wood together, especially since this is a longer tank and you do want you eye to eventually settle at a point. Big Al's huh, where abouts are you? I have a Big Al's in Tamarac, FL, are there others in the US?

I live in Orlando, actually. Big Al's was definitely worth the trip!

 

[George Farmer]

I haven't had the chance to go and get more plants, because I have been so busy.

IME and many other experienced planted tank owners will back me up here, it is best to get a load of plants all at once at the start.

One of the biggest mistakes made in this hobby is underplanting at the start. Buy loads of cheap weeds if you have to i.e. Hygrophila polysperma, Egeria densa etc. There's a list in the pinned algae thread.

Preventing algae is better than treating it.

 

[RESGuy]

Cool to see so many people from Florida Im from Miami aswell. The Big Al's in Tamarac is amazing! It is the largest of them all and the only one in the U.S (Lucky for us that they chose Florida!) That is where I bought all of my equipment including the 55 gallon tank.

Anyways, I love your planted tank it is really bright. Planted tanks always catch my attention but I don't think Im the type for those tanks ... Anyways keep us updated with pictures as the tank develops and the plants grow

 

[lljdma06]

One of the biggest mistakes made in this hobby is underplanting at the start. Buy loads of cheap weeds if you have to i.e. Hygrophila polysperma, Egeria densa etc. There's a list in the pinned algae thread.

Preventing algae is better than treating it.

George is right on though I suggest replacing the hygro polysperma with another stemplant because it is illegal in Florida. An official noxious weed. Pity too, gorgeous plant, I miss having it. There are many online vendors that will sell plants, and you can utilize the plant swap in the pinned section to get the weeds you want.

llj

 

[invader]

One of the biggest mistakes made in this hobby is underplanting at the start. Buy loads of cheap weeds if you have to i.e. Hygrophila polysperma, Egeria densa etc. There's a list in the pinned algae thread.

Preventing algae is better than treating it.

George is right on though I suggest replacing the hygro polysperma with another stemplant because it is illegal in Florida. An official noxious weed. Pity too, gorgeous plant, I miss having it. There are many online vendors that will sell plants, and you can utilize the plant swap in the pinned section to get the weeds you want.

llj

It's actually Rotala.

 

[olly24]

very nice shame about scratches