First post - new custom build

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

Well it is now almost at the 4 week mark (tomorrow) of the tank setup. I feel that the tank
has turned the corner so to speak and things are progressing well I think :)

I hope/expect to post pics and video next week if all continues to go well..Some updates:

1. The light fixture was replaced and is working fine. Need to send back the old one.
2. The replacement Eheim head is working fine with no issues at all.
3. I purchased some mature downoi on Tuesday to replace that which melted. It is doing well so far.
4. I purchased some stauro and planted Wed. So far so good.
5. The plants are regenerating and new growth looks healthy and solid. Algae free as well, except for some diatoms.
6. I expect to purchase new coffeefolia early next week which is what the pics are waiting on.
7. I added 5 otocinclus last week. I died with 5 mins but the others seem fine...
8. Water is a bit colored by either the manzy or the ADA or both but is getting less all the time. I know manzy takes awhile...

I have selected the following main fish species.

50-100 nannostomus eques (diptail pencilfish)
100-200 Hemmigrammus bleheri (rummy nose tetra)

I hope to get some fish in the next couple weeks...I didn't want to post as I was simply trying to relax and be patient. I do 3x80% water changes weekly and that helps a lot I think.

The scape and tank seems healthier and more attractive daily. I can't wait to get some fish in there already other than the ottos.

Later.
 
Hey all,
Tank has been up and running for 5 weeks today....
Here are some photobuckets links to pics and video:
Using my buddy's camera using 8x39. 7 midday and 1 aquaflora
http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg182/gerrydirish/Bobs Camera/
Using my buddy's camera using the the 4x39 aquaflora:
http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg182/gerrydirish/Bob Camera II/
Using my camera and 8x39
http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg182/gerrydirish/Gerry Camera/
Video from my camera showing 4 different POV:
http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg182/gerrydirish/Gerry Video/
I suggest using the slideshow view for the still shots....
I apologize for the quality as I am no photographer.....
Enjoy.

​
 
That looks great! Good job on the scaping!!!!!!
 
Wow, finally seen this thread...took me about an 30-40 minutes to look through it all and I'm impressed; looks really good! I thought you were going to have 4-6 mid-sized cichlids? Did you decide against that for fear of them jumping out of the open top or?
 
Egon said:
That looks great! Good job on the scaping!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks but I can't take the credit for the scape. That was all Tom Barr's work...
 
C L O W N K N I F E said:
Wow, finally seen this thread...took me about an 30-40 minutes to look through it all and I'm impressed; looks really good! I thought you were going to have 4-6 mid-sized cichlids? Did you decide against that for fear of them jumping out of the open top or?
Click to expand...

Hi and thanks. The scape almost requires smaller fish due to the trees esp....

I will have some dwarf cichlids but MAY use the 4 festivums I have no in my 180. They are nice, don't get too big, and will fit fine I think.
 
Hello again,

I put together a little slideshow of full tank shots (FTS) from day 1 up until today. Not everyday but every 2-5 or so.

You can see the ups and downs of the plant growth, but it is now all UPHILL and I think things are going to really take off in the next 2-3 weeks as the tank matures and I dial in the c02....

I have 100+ rummy nose, 20+ ottocinclus, 6 cory aruatus, 2 cory sterbai, some amano shrimp, and some fire shrimp...

Lots of ramshorn and malaysian trumpet snails as well :)

Fish and critters are all doing well.

Some of the plant growth is undersized and that is why I feel c02 is not quite there yet. Plus, the rate of growth could be better.

I will always say it looks better in person and it does...

No algae on any plants whatsoever. Just a bit on the wood...

Getting better daily....

Enjoy!

http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg182/gerrydirish/FTS%20Progression/?albumview=slideshow
 
Awesome setup! I've never been a planted tank kinda guy, but the sheer scope of your setup is amazing. For some reason I always associate planted tanks with smaller setups, it's nice to see such a monster planted tank. I'm curious as to your experience with your vortech. I use them in my tanks for tanganyikan cichlids on reef crest at near 100% for heavy flow....what mode do you use and at what power for your planted setup? Do you find it more advantageous than other powerheads even in a non reef or rift lake tank, such as yours?
 
swk said:
Awesome setup! I've never been a planted tank kinda guy, but the sheer scope of your setup is amazing. For some reason I always associate planted tanks with smaller setups, it's nice to see such a monster planted tank.
Click to expand...

Hi and thanks! You need to get out on the web more as there are MANY 'monster' or large planted tanks..:)

Search keywords:

Takashi Amano and/or ADG

http://www.adana.co.jp/en/gallery/

Oliver Knott - check out this thread for many of his tanks of different sizes

http://www.pbase.com/plantella

Tom Barr and the Barr Report - Tom has many large tanks and clients with larger ones! Many forum members also have some really nice large tanks....

http://www.barrreport.com/index.php

Many others around, just Google!

swk said:
I'm curious as to your experience with your vortech. I use them in my tanks for tanganyikan cichlids on reef crest at near 100% for heavy flow....what mode do you use and at what power for your planted setup? Do you find it more advantageous than other powerheads even in a non reef or rift lake tank, such as yours?
Click to expand...

I have the mp40w model and I like it a lot. For the most part it is about 50-75% power and I like the different modes. I usually use lagoon mode as the back and forth sway is both pretty and effective for my needs.

A planted tank must have sufficient flow to make EACH leaf move a bit if possible. This delivers c02 and ferts to the plants, and removes waste products...

I like the lower profile design as it takes less in tank real estate, the many settings, and the ability to regulate the output to be far superior to others that I know of....it is nice not to have the power cord in the water as well :)
 
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