First post - new custom build

[gerryd]

Hi all,

Well, the tank has been filled with water now for a year...I have learned a lot over that time and gained a lot of valuable experience. I did some trimming and cleaning of manzy branches use to seperate the plant sections, and this has improved the look.

Fish are healthy and plants are doing really well, except for my one problem species...sigh.

Anyhoo, here are a couple pics from tonight and then a small slideshow...

Tank looks really nice at lower light time. Water and glass are totally crystal clear and the cardinals simply shine/glow among the green of the plants and the browns of the wood.

I may enter the AGA contest this year and the due date is 9/8 for pics. We will see.

Take care.



Slideshow

http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg182/gerrydirish/One Year/?albumview=slideshow

 

[swk]

Stunning work Gerry.

Someday, when I have LOTS of time I want to go through this thread from the beginning and watch this tank take shape again. It's been a fun year watching this tank develop. This is one of the few threads that I check every time there is a new post.

 

[Atfownz]

Guys, that is not a fish tank... That is fish heaven! If a fishes dies/gets eaten, THAT'S where it/they go! OMG I literally viewed this entire thread in awe! My jaw just could not close and drooled here and there! It is basically porn for us fish keepers.... AMAZING and I have no doubt that you will win TOTM! you must definitely turn in your pics. BTW, I am no expert therefore do not know but is your flooring hard to maintain? The first set, I could barely see the gravel/sand. But in the recent pics, it is more visible. Sorry for my ignorance, but definitely a MAGNIFICENT fish heaven! WE ARE ALL INCREDIBLY J E A L O U S!

 

[gerryd]

Stunning work Gerry.

Thanks very much for the kind words. I know you were one of the first folks to respond to this thread with interest....Appreciate you following along.

Someday, when I have LOTS of time I want to go through this thread from the beginning and watch this tank take shape again. It's been a fun year watching this tank develop. This is one of the few threads that I check every time there is a new post.

LOL, yes I do go on, I know...You should see the size of Barr report thread

I didn't take regular weekly pictures as I am not that disciplined, but I have a lot taken over the year. I will create a slideshow that shows the progress/regression over the year...from day 1 to current...

Sorry for all the triggers you get by me replying to each and every poster...

 

[gerryd]

Guys, that is not a fish tank... That is fish heaven! If a fishes dies/gets eaten, THAT'S where it/they go!

Well thanks, but I can disprove this by my own fish mortalities...I have lost quite a few as jumpers, so it can't be that great in there lol

OMG I literally viewed this entire thread in awe! My jaw just could not close and drooled here and there! It is basically porn for us fish keepers.... AMAZING

Glad you like it...

I have no doubt that you will win TOTM! you must definitely turn in your pics.

Thanks for that. I will enter for the September contest. The AGA contest is something different and I don't expect to place very highly there. Too many fish for them

Honestly, since I did not scape the tank myself, I feel it is not right to enter contests. I just like to share...While the work of maintaining it is important, the design is not mine.

BTW, I am no expert therefore do not know but is your flooring hard to maintain? The first set, I could barely see the gravel/sand. But in the recent pics, it is more visible. Sorry for my ignorance,

No reason to apologize for not knowing something...I would spend all day apologizing if this were me, as I don't know a LOT!

I assume by 'flooring' you mean the carpet plants? I originally had clover all around the border of the tank. I replaced it with the hairgrass on the right and the elatine on the left and around to the other side. It is still not fully grown in, so is why you see some substrate. 2-3 weeks will be gone, except for the little bit out front.

Carpets need to be edged/trimmed/mowed regularly and care must be taken to remove detritus, algae, leaves, etc from it. Just like taking care of the yard/lawn

That said, some carpets are easier than others based on growth rates/patterns and the amount of lights and nutrients available. The clover grew slowly so did not need much, BUT I used LESS LIGHT as well at the time. The hairgrass needs to be mowed and the ET will pile on itself quickly so I trim as needed several times a week. Mostly a snip here or there is all but now I am using much higher light than before, so maintenance is increased and frequency. By nature these species do not get tall. But you have to trim runners and such as they will spread to other areas if they are allowed.

This substrate is all ADA amazonia new type, btw. Nothing else.

but definitely a MAGNIFICENT fish heaven! WE ARE ALL INCREDIBLY J E A L O U S!

Thanks so much for the kind words...My intent is not to make anyone jealous...

 

[Atfownz]

Wow, I didnt know it takes that much work just to maintain the flooring.... Just doing my water change is dreadful but just imagining a person having to take care of the flooring as detailed as yours probably can create headaches for all I know.. Wow, anyways keep us posted as the floor out augments and also I wish the best as you enter the TOTM this september. No doubt, I will vote for yours! Imo you can give credit AFTER you win TOTM hahaha... Cant wait for the updates! i will be and sitting back enjoying the update.

 

[Dan F]

Incredible!

 

[gerryd]

Incredible!

Thanks.. Do you really have a snapping turtle? I ask as when I was a kid we kept turtles that we collected in the local swamp. Eastern painted and common snappers mostly, plus the occasional box turtle..This was in NJ..

The last time I was in NJ visiting, a local pond/zoo had a huge alligator snapper that was simply ginormous

 

[gerryd]

Wow, I didnt know it takes that much work just to maintain the flooring.... Just doing my water change is dreadful but just imagining a person having to take care of the flooring as detailed as yours probably can create headaches for all I know.. Wow, anyways keep us posted as the floor out augments and also I wish the best as you enter the TOTM this september. No doubt, I will vote for yours! Imo you can give credit AFTER you win TOTM hahaha... Cant wait for the updates! i will be and sitting back enjoying the update.

Hi,

Any tank with live plants needs some work to trim and prune. Unless you have a single plant species you want to take over

Plus, I like doing it so is not a chore..

Here is how I do a water change of 80% weekly if not bi-weekly.

1. Attach 3/4 flex hose to a magnum 500 pump. Place the pump in the tank to the desired water change leve, place the flex hose output in the drain or out the window/door, and turn the pump on

2. Use more flex hose that I can connect to my kitchen tap. I need to swap the strainer out to a connection for a barb fitting, but takes 2 seconds. I then clamp/attach the flex hose from the tap to the tank and simply fill it up.

3. I add prime and have a chance to clean the glass and trim while all this is going on.

I haven't used a bucket in many years for this..

Hope this helps.

 

[gerryd]

Hi all,

Well I have a photoshoot scheduled for this Sunday, so hopefully will have some really nice pics for you all soon...

I may enter my tank in the annual AGA contest but we will see.

I am doing daily large water changes, little trimming/pruning as needed to keep things neat...

All looks pretty good right now and is doing well...

Take care...