GregM
Hey guys,
this is my first attempt at making any sort of thread of this nature, I'm not sure if anyone will be interested but nonetheless I can keep track of the progress. If anyone is interested then thanks for your time and I look forward to your comments.
I had been tankless for several years now despite having had some decent setups in the past. Recently I came into possession of a seriously run down 6ft tank and decided to start a new setup myself.
The steel stand has been discarded, there were 3 layers of thick enamel paint to remove (see insane artwork below), this was done with a blade style scraper as I was hesitant to use chemicals - I won't lie, it took forever. Simply used water with a huge amount of dishwashing liquid (Sunlight) as blade lube. The pine canopy needs sanding, reinforcing and re-sealing (will add once complete)
The plan is to create a riverine biotope, with loads of wood and plants. I will try to stay away from using pressurised CO2 and stick to a low tech installation which I have had success with in the past.
The process has just begun so there isn't much to look at as yet, hardware as follows: (this will change with the process)
Tank - 1800mm x 560mm x 46 mm - 10mm glass, there is a solid pine canopy which still needs some work.
Filter - Tetratec ex700, 2x internal powerhead filters (will take the powerheads out once water is clear and add another canister)
Lighting - Currently 2 x 4ft LED tube lights, these are only rated at 4500k so they won't do when I get the plants in.
Cabinet - Solid wood, will hold canisters and all other bits and pieces, the cabinet stands almost 3ft tall so the tank is quite high.
Substrate - Base is cleaned garden soil covered with cleaned river sand, covered with a mixture of Silica and Seachem Flourite.
I am thinking mainly dwarf cichlid varieties, several corys, a single breed of schooling fish (undecided) and maybe a few little odds..
In my sons 2ft tank I have temporarily put all the plants I'm beginning with, his guppies must feel like the have been dropped into a jungle.. there are several varieties of sword plants anubias, java moss and java fern as well as some sword grass and couple of other bits and pieces.
The wood has been picked up on my travels out and about. Fortunately we have a lot of indigenous trees which make for great, decorative wood (including MopanI ) these were found lying about in the local nature reserve which is about 1 mile from my place. despite being nicely weathered there is still a fair bit of tannins seeping out.
below are some shots and I will keep them coming as I go, planting begins tonight !
this is my first attempt at making any sort of thread of this nature, I'm not sure if anyone will be interested but nonetheless I can keep track of the progress. If anyone is interested then thanks for your time and I look forward to your comments.
I had been tankless for several years now despite having had some decent setups in the past. Recently I came into possession of a seriously run down 6ft tank and decided to start a new setup myself.
The steel stand has been discarded, there were 3 layers of thick enamel paint to remove (see insane artwork below), this was done with a blade style scraper as I was hesitant to use chemicals - I won't lie, it took forever. Simply used water with a huge amount of dishwashing liquid (Sunlight) as blade lube. The pine canopy needs sanding, reinforcing and re-sealing (will add once complete)
The plan is to create a riverine biotope, with loads of wood and plants. I will try to stay away from using pressurised CO2 and stick to a low tech installation which I have had success with in the past.
The process has just begun so there isn't much to look at as yet, hardware as follows: (this will change with the process)
Tank - 1800mm x 560mm x 46 mm - 10mm glass, there is a solid pine canopy which still needs some work.
Filter - Tetratec ex700, 2x internal powerhead filters (will take the powerheads out once water is clear and add another canister)
Lighting - Currently 2 x 4ft LED tube lights, these are only rated at 4500k so they won't do when I get the plants in.
Cabinet - Solid wood, will hold canisters and all other bits and pieces, the cabinet stands almost 3ft tall so the tank is quite high.
Substrate - Base is cleaned garden soil covered with cleaned river sand, covered with a mixture of Silica and Seachem Flourite.
I am thinking mainly dwarf cichlid varieties, several corys, a single breed of schooling fish (undecided) and maybe a few little odds..
In my sons 2ft tank I have temporarily put all the plants I'm beginning with, his guppies must feel like the have been dropped into a jungle.. there are several varieties of sword plants anubias, java moss and java fern as well as some sword grass and couple of other bits and pieces.
The wood has been picked up on my travels out and about. Fortunately we have a lot of indigenous trees which make for great, decorative wood (including MopanI ) these were found lying about in the local nature reserve which is about 1 mile from my place. despite being nicely weathered there is still a fair bit of tannins seeping out.
below are some shots and I will keep them coming as I go, planting begins tonight !
