Pigeonblood's 40g Hightec Planted Build

[JasonG75]

JasonG75, have you had good experience with the sand on top of dirt long term? I tried that, and 3 months later the whole substrate was basically all anearobic and all the plant roots died. Switched the sand out for gravel and that solved it.

Sorry i know the question is not for me, but i think snails would easily solve this, trumpet snails to be specific. They're really cheap but once you have them it can be difficult to get rid of them, although they aren't bad.

Well what I use wasnt so called SAND per day. I used a fine black grit (SandBlasting Sand) but what you have to remember is a good 1 1/2 to 2in for the cap. Never had problems with anearobic, maybe yours was TOO packed. You see I used Miracle Grow Organic DIRT capped with fine sand.

And Yes I use Trumpet Snails, WHY would you want to get rid of them. If you start getting a large population setup a snail trap and sell them HERE or on Ebay. Many people love these and search for sellers.

 

[JasonG75]

TEK LIGHT T-5, 36" Light Fixture 4 x 39W lamps by Sunlight Supply (with hanging kit)..$274.90
Giesemann PowerChrome Midday T5 Lamps 36" (39W) x 2..$41.90
Giesemann PowerChrome Aqua Flora T5 Lamps 36" (39W) x 2..$51.90
__________________________________________________________
Total: $368.70

UGH seriously, man you don't need that much light. Get 2 T5 single strip, that alone will save you 200.00

From Bigalspets.com:
JBJ Nanozapp Inline Ultra Violet Sterilizer 3W..$37.99
Eheim 2217-Plus Kit..$149.99
Hydor ETH 200 In-Line Heater 200W..$49.99
____________________________________________________________
Total: $237.97

You DON'T need a Sterilizer Savings = 37.99
Perfect Sunsun 80$w Sterilzer (if you have to have it)
Pefect Sunsun 50 w/out
100.00 Savings

Order From Adana-usa.com
Aqua Soil-New Amazonia (9L)-Normal x 2..$56.00
Power Sand Special-M (6L)..$55.00
Aqua Soil-New Amazonia(9L)-Powder..$36.00
Tourmaline BC..$16.00[/URL]
Bacter 100..$16.00
Shipping:$26.07
___________________________________________________________
Total:$205.07

Dirt= Miracle Grow Organic + Black Sand = 25$ 150.00 Savings

Order From Pfertz.com
High-Tec+ Fertilizers...$63.99
Shipping...$13.59
___________________________________________________________
Total:$77.58

Order your ferts from Bobstropical http://www.bobstropicalplants.com/store/catalog/
He is a local vendor on this site and AC.

Grand Total For Hardware and Substrate(not counting CO2):
$889.32

I easily cut that in half for you, so WHAT you save just let me know and I will give you my address and
you can mail me the savings.

 

[Pigeonblood]

SO IM BACK!!!!!! I had a great trip and loved every second of it....but to the fish stuff! so i got some hardware in and i got a chance to take a look at it tonight. im not going to be able to post any pics tonight but i will tomorrow...i have some more stuff on the way but im going to build my stand tomorrow for sure!

UGH seriously, man you don't need that much light. Get 2 T5 single strip, that alone will save you 200.00


You DON'T need a Sterilizer Savings = 37.99
Perfect Sunsun 80$w Sterilzer (if you have to have it)
Pefect Sunsun 50 w/out
100.00 Savings



Dirt= Miracle Grow Organic + Black Sand = 25$ 150.00 Savings


Order your ferts from Bobstropical http://www.bobstropicalplants.com/store/catalog/
He is a local vendor on this site and AC.


I easily cut that in half for you, so WHAT you save just let me know and I will give you my address and
you can mail me the savings.

two single light strips would look horrible in my opinion, i want this to look clean.....
the filter is a good idea
the soil will be ADANA,not budging here. miracle grow and sand is not the same thing at all. you get what you pay for in my opinion
i got the pfertz for $55 with a labor day coupon...beats bobs and better reviews.

 

[Pigeonblood]

so here are some quick pics


HAHAAHA dont know why those other pics are in there but they are....ignore them!

 

[Pigeonblood]

Still not sure why those pics showed up, but I have some more updates! The light fixture will be coming in on Friday and my substrate should show up tomorrow!!!!!!! Im only going to run two bulbs in the beginning to see how the algae pans out.

Im also going to try and build the stand this weekend and hopefully it turns out how i want it to, I already have all the materials.

Here is what is coming with my substrate:
1 x Tourmaline BC (104-113) = $16.00
1 x Power Sand Special-M (6 liters) (104-012) = $55.00
2 x Aqua Soil - New Amazonia (9 liters) - Normal (104-021) = $56.00
1 x Aqua Soil - New Amazonia (9 liters) - Powder (104-041) = $36.00
1 x Archaea Super CO2 diffuser L size (for 40 gallons or larger) (AIC-013L)
= $19.99
------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total: $182.99
United Parcel Service (Ground): $25.95
CA Sales Tax 8.5%: $15.55
Total: $224.49

a little more than I wanted to spend, but o well its going to be so dope!


SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOO THE GOOD NEWS! I MOVE IN TOMORROW! Im going to have a party to celebrate but I will get the tank and what not set up the following day and will shoot some pics.
So here is what I still need to get done:

Purchases:
Hydor inline heater
co2 regulator, tank, ph monitor
bulbs
plants
fauna
timers and powerstrips

THAT IS IT! About $500 worth!!!


It's all going to be purchased by the end of the month and this thing should be going by the middle of next month. Im going to go rock hunting and manzanita hunting as soon as i get some free time and what not.

As always I'll continue to keep updating this thread.

 

[peacock madness]

looks like u went the same route I did and planned yours out in advance. it took me 6months to get mine pieced together, and I love it. I didnt go all out full planted crazyness, mines more a mix between a breader tank for my bristle nose and sunset swords then a fully aqua scaped planted tank.. but I love it non the less.. im runnin the aquasun t5 2x24 on my 36gal bowfront, with a fluval co2 kit using the 88g bottles.. its def my baby out my 3 tanks, bit I still love my baby monsters in my other tank haha, jus glad im not the only one imterested in both or.all sides of the hobby

 

[Pigeonblood]

UPDATE:

I have definitely been slacking on pics and all that, but I need to finish the stand before I start taking pictures. School has also been kickin' my butt. I have class five days a week and Im working between classes and also trying to still have a social life is quite the juggling act..........but here is some new fish news.

I have all my substrate and the stand is nearing completion. I am trying to decide what to do about lily pipes because I dont want to do a DIY and have it come out crappy....UGH the ADA lily pipes are so GD expensive. The light fixture did come in and I am also starting to sand and debark some manzanita that I got last weekend. I still need to find a good location for some rocks...I also ordered my regulator and ph monitor and it will arrive tomorrow!

But ya I am still fully working on this project guys but school is really bogging down the updating I can do on here. As soon as I finish this stand I will have to get some pictures up and what not.

Catch you all next week!

 

[JasonG75]

I am trying to decide what to do about lily pipes because I dont want to do a DIY and have it come out crappy....UGH the ADA lily pipes are so GD expensive.

Lilly Pipes can also be found on Ebay...they look identical.

 

[Pigeonblood]

Lilly Pipes can also be found on Ebay...they look identical.

Im more or less worried about the quality of the pipes, dont want one to break and cause a leak considering im living on the top floor

 

[Pigeonblood]

School wen crazy this week, still no pics. Finishing that stand tomorrow......anyway. another update. I bought the timers, some filter media....what i need still...and this is more or less me just making a list of what i need....


Clear 5/8"tubing for filter.
bioballs/ceramic tubes
lilly pipe
driftwood
rock?
plants & fish.......................


post some pics tomorrow night hopefully