Nano Morph

[Steve H.]

Stepping up to the big leagues.

I was lucky enough to come across a free Marineland Eclipse 12 that came with a load of plants, fish, and equipment.

Lighting:
The lighting was upgraded to a Sunpaq 32w. It is a double t5 tube with one at 10,000K and the other at 6500K.
So, this will be my first attempt with proper lighting, and start as a High tech set-up.

Flow:
Besides the trickle filter that came with the tank it also has came with a Cascade 500 canister filter which I hope will help with the flow.

CO2/ferts:
I have already started EI dosing and Excel dosing on the same scedule as the 5.5 gallon. And I will be setting up DIY co2 as this was also in the box of goodies that this tank came with.
I just have to figure out how to clean the ladder diffuser...pretty gross with algae right now.

The Scape:
I really don't have any idea as to what kind of scape I would like for this tank. I only have a basic idea of what I would like...
I want to attempt a scape that will "morph" the 5.5 and the 12 together as one scape if the tanks are sitting side by side, but also be interesting individual scapes if I ever separate the tank locations.

The plants are what I could save from its original set up, and positions are temporary at the moment.

 

[Steve H.]

Ok....so I already bagged the 2 tank morph idea.

I finally picked up some plants, and the scape changed

While I was fiddling around with the bog wood I came up with the best view of the wood, and plantings from the original tank.

I thought it kind of looked like the Kebbler Elf tree...

The idea now is to have it look like a tree on the hillside of a meadow. I will relocate the Helferi, and surround the base of the wood with moss. I will see how and if the micro sword develops then decide if I need any thing in the open space.

 

[minnnt]

Looking good mate, really like the new scape!

 

[Steve H.]

Looking good mate, really like the new scape!

Thanks minnnt! I think I'm going to enjoy working on this one.

Any suggestions on how I can maybe give it a little more depth?

 

[minnnt]

Erm... Is it hair grass to the right? Some Blxya Japonica would work well sat behind it at the very back and around the main part of the scape imo.

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks Minnt.
Actually it is micro sword on the right.

I did some more tinkering around. I had an abundance of star grass. I think I sort of have the effect I was after. For now....

I will post a new pick when I get home tonight.

 

[Staxx]

whats the plant far left at the front?

 

[Steve H.]

whats the plant far left at the front?

Cyperus Helferi

 

[Steve H.]

I did a little more fiddling around with the positioning. I'm getting a better grasp as to a vision for this scape.
I wasn't planning on this tank, so I didn't have a scape thought out prior. I am going at this "on the fly" so to speak with materials I have available.

Re-positioned the java fern, and moved the Cyperus to the back until I figure out how it fits into the picture. I bought it just because I really liked it, and the look I'm after now does not really have a fit for it.
I also re-positioned the star grass. I hope to create a little more depth with the new placement. I wasn't sure about star grass at first, but I find it pretty nice now.

 

[Steve H.]

It's been awhile since I did an update on this tank. Probably because I haven't done much to it.
I have been ei dosing and have a 2 bottle DIY co2, but haven't been grooming or positioning much.
I left for a 3 week trip, came back to this:

The Star Grass over-ran everything! Time to trim...a skill I have not yet developed.

 

[slimeneo]

Oh wow, it sure grows fast!

 

[Steve H.]

told ya....

Didn't have to touch the Wisteria, or the Anubus. But, I hacked up the Star Grass like an axe murderer...
My hope is that side shoots develop, and will hold this shape. I added some flame moss to the base of the wood. And I finally gave up and pulled all the micro sword... Maybe if I had a sand substrate I would have had better luck.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

That's good growth man.

 

[Steve H.]

This tank is starting to grow on me. It is doing very well with very little effort.