New Look For Tank...

[justjon]

Hi All,

I'm wanting a few tips for a new style on my tank, about 6 months ago I changed to Sand, at first I thought it looked great but honestly, it's just been a nightmare, although Snoopy (my assassin snail) seems to love burrowing into it!

So now i'm looking at a new look, something a bit more professional looking, and I was wondering on going to a Grey-gravel (slate colored) and slate-caved look... does anyone have this kind of a setup? I'd also like to go for an air-flow curtain, but am aware this can cause issues with plants? I have Java and some other sort of plant which I don't mind removing, but i'd like to keep the Java as I think it could look nice with the look I want (a few bright colored leaves).

I'd also like to get some rocks in with the style, and perhaps cover a few with moss as I have shrimps.

Whilst i'm at it, does anyone have any idea of a way to clean the inside of glass when it's against a wall, as the cleaning magnet can't get to it!

Once all this is done, i'm thinking of a few new additions also.. so I want a few ideas on this too! (I was thinking about a Golden Nugget Plec?)

Thanks in advance!

Oh.. pic of current setup:

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Your air curtain should be fine, what are the 'problems'?

I use one of them green sponges with a rougher surface one side, to clean the tank. Just make sure you buy a new pack and don't use the one sitting in the sink lol

I don;t know the size of your tank but GN plecs can get around 6 inches I believe, so may be a bit big

Just read it's 120 litres, its a bit small for that plec, probably 200litre tank would be best, someone else might be able to advise

 

[justjon]

Ah, I was told air-bubbles arent good for live plants, that's what I was referring to, re the GN plec - I have a 120L Juwel Lido. (all details in my sig)

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah, it can reduce the CO2 in the tank already but some plants will do better than others, i have personally never had any problems with plants and an air pump

 

[twodoctors]

I don't know where people get the idea from regarding air pump. The only purpose of air pump is to increase the surface area for O2 to dissolve into water. Now O2 is not very dissolvable, and compare to CO2, CO2 is 20x more soluble in water. Also bear in mind that there's not a lot of CO2 in the air, it all comes from the fishes. In my setup the plants are thriving without added CO2, so it really depends on the plant.

Compare to my tank yours is a bit bare. Personally I would add more plant. Get something very fast growing. In my bigger setup I can boast zero nitrate 2 weeks after water change, even though the tap nitrate is 20. Worth the hassle.

Adrian