150g Riparium - SE Asian Biotope

[craigthor]

Hardware:

150g Aqueon Reef Ready 72x18x30 with overflows removed
Stock Stand
2- Eheim 2217's
2- Hydor 200 watt Inline Heater
2- DIY CO2 Reactors
Coralife TurboTwist 3x 9 watt UV
3- JBJ Viper K-2 70 watt MH running Phillips Mastercolour 4200K 92 CRI bulbs
GLA Custom Smith Regulator with 2 custom Fabco Needle valves, dual bubble coutners and single solenoid
Mist King custom misting system with 10 nozzles
Riparium Supply Planters and goods 26 small and 1 large planter along with several Epi trellis rafts and nano rafts. www.ripariumsupply.com

Fauna:

31- Betta Albimarginata

Flora:

Cryptocoryne sp. Emmersed form other than submerged C. Parva for carpet
Java Fern sp. Ememrsed Needle Leaf, Trident, Phillippine; submerged Needle Leaf
Java Moss Emmersed and Submerged
Poacea 'Purple Bamboo' Emmersed
Pogostemon Erectum Emmersed
Polygonum Kawagenon Ememersed
Lagenandra Thwatesii and Meeboldii 'Pink' Emmersed

Hardscape:

Driftwood

Substrate:

Turface Pro League Natural

The filters are plumbed through the bottom of the tank via the bulkheads from the overlfows. This allows for a super clean install with no equipment visible in the tank or over the rim.

 

[sAroock]

wow plenty of gadgets and plants there

 

[craigthor]

Got some more wood in the mail today from Rod (D.S. Drifter) here on the boards. Ended up using one 35" piece in my tank. After the tall stump on the left side got layed down the tank had a small balance issue in my mind. I was always drawn to the right side with the 2 exposed pieces of wood. I knew I didn't want a huge piece but something that looked like a young tree that got flooded and died off. Rod had just the piece for me! With a small cut to make it fit properly and a couple of zip ties to hold it to the fallen log I got my balance back. It does look a bit out of place right now but I think once the Cryptocoryne and Lagenandra species behind it fill it what will smooth the transition. Also once the Java Fern Trident and Java Moss fill around where the 2 pieces meet will help as well. Looks like the big stump toppled in and the small tree got pulled over partially because of it. Here are a few almost decent pictures of the new piece of wood:

How does it look to you guys? I think I will really need to let it grow in behind it for everyone to get the feel of what I picture in my head.

Craig

 

[LBathory]

looks awesome so far. very good planning.

 

[bigblue22]

wow. amazing work