First post - new custom build

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Hi all,

While Tom was here he asked if I wanted him to address my 180 gal scape. I said yes and he made some changes that I requested and wanted like plant species removal and swaps, and then he worked his own magic.

Here is a slideshow link....The first 21 pics are of the 180 just a week ago. The last 18 iirc are of the scape after Tom worked his magic. That is windelov used with the new wood on the right. Trident was again used with the new upper left wood.

I really like the anubias nana (a personal fave) and the trident on the left wood is doing very well indeed.

Enjoy:

http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/g...view=slideshow
​
 
That just looks amazing! That tank will feel very natural once it's done. It was nice of Tom to offer some help on your 180, I'm guessing he liked your set up already since he didn't change much, or did you just restrict him from changing a lot. :)

On the 4th picture, is that you with a banana and coke?
IMG_3614.jpg


I think you're showing the ladies too much leg. :grinno:
 
ihaveRedHotChunkyPoopers! said:
That just looks amazing! That tank will feel very natural once it's done. It was nice of Tom to offer some help on your 180, I'm guessing he liked your set up already since he didn't change much, or did you just restrict him from changing a lot. :)

On the 4th picture, is that you with a banana and coke?

I think you're showing the ladies too much leg. :grinno:
Click to expand...

Hi,

That is Tom and his leg... I am much more modest.....He was pondering the placement and needed something to keep him going....

On the 180 I told him that I was pretty happy overall with the look and did not want to change the two main branches already there. I did want to remove the c.lutea on the left as it was too tall. We had all the a. nana that we didn't use on the 220 and he knew I liked it, so he used it well. Basically I wanted some improvement but not anthing major.

The rest was simple replanting but I was doing other things while he did this so I didn't really watch. He had a few other plant species suggestions that I will most likely apply.

He already knew that anything he said about it wouldn't bother me and since he didn't, I assume he didn't have any huge issues with it....I mean I did ask for his opinion on it first.....

I didn't ask him to come out to say simply what I may want to hear :)

Thanks!
 
I'm just wondering, is this tank meant to have a view from all directions or focused mainly on viewing from where Tom is sitting?
 
ihaveRedHotChunkyPoopers! said:
I'm just wondering, is this tank meant to have a view from all directions or focused mainly on viewing from where Tom is sitting?
Click to expand...

The 'main' view points are the couch where Tom is and the end pane to his left. So, the scape was 'designed' for those main points of view..

There is more couch that swings in an L shape. The rest is a walkaround view so folks or myself can see the ends, back, all over. There are no seats back there of course but plenty of room to move around.

I really wanted to open this up as much as possible.

Some day I may have a house and larger room where I can do a true 'seataround' :)
 
Inglorious said:
Very nice, looking forward to the planted pics.
Click to expand...

Thanks much. Not too much longer I hope. Water is still cloudy so I hope a few days more at most...
 
Hey all,

A few updates:

1. I should receive a new replacement light fixture soon. I will return the old one in the same box.

2. I added 250 ml of Purigen and approx 1 liter of Matrix Carbon to EACH canister. This will help with water clarity issues going forward. Both the manzy and the ADA will discolor/stain the water for awhile..

3. The water has cleared a lot even prior to #2. I can finally see end to end now :)

4. The problem eheim needed another prime but seems to go 3-5 days with no issues. That should be replaced soon with a new one.

5. I realized my c02 atomizer was not working correctly and had to increase the working PSI on the regulator to 20 instead of 10. A nice mist was produced immediately. The ph now drops from 6.05 to 5.23 in < 20 minutes. That is pretty darn good for the tank size.

6. I placed the c02 solenoid AND the vortech mp40 on the SAME timer. So, when c02 comes on ,so does the extra flow to push it around and distribute it. This will come on 30 minutes prior to lights ON and turn off about 30 minutes prior to lights OFF.

7. I have started dosing the water column lightly with both macro and micro ferts.

8. I am now doing water changes every other day of at least 75%. This is to reduce the nh4 issues from the ADA substrate and provide better conditions for the plants. Plants like water changes just like fish do :)

Overall, things are running really smoothly. I can see some new growth and am encouraged by it. I really like the light fixture and the eheims, despite the issues I have had. I think these things will be fine with the replacement units.

Tom has arranged for some fine RCS (red cherry shrimp) to be shipped to me. I will keep these in my 180 and bagged to keep them from disappearing into the tank :) Not sure what I will use as RCS can be small.

After 2-3 weeks I can transfer them to the 220 safely.

Basically now in 'observe mode' to ensure all the setup/hardware is working and I start seeing steady plant growth. This could take 2-3 weeks to guage and adjust. At that time I should be able to introduce the RCS and readjust the c02 at that time. I am cranking c02 now as with no fish or critters, no worries. But is most likely too high for other inhabitants.

C02 is a real danger to fish and critters regardless of experience. It is very easy to gas them and I will start from 0 again and work my way up. Is the only safe way.

Later.
 
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