My first build (Picture Heavy)

Very nice looking

 

Very nice looking

Thanks!

 

Right after a water change. Looking a bit more clear and phosphates dropped but are still around 1ppm. Need to get another slight drop. I also cracked one of the lids that I had cut. I accidentally stood on it so now the tank has no canopy. Water level will stay a bit low and I wasted money on glass and a cut. Yay.

 

Right after a water change. Looking a bit more clear and phosphates dropped but are still around 1ppm. Need to get another slight drop. I also cracked one of the lids that I had cut. I accidentally stood on it so now the tank has no canopy. Water level will stay a bit low and I wasted money on glass and a cut. Yay.

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I love the aquascape you’ve put together. Looks beautiful!

 

I love the aquascape you’ve put together. Looks beautiful!

Thank you!

 

Feel like an update is in order since the pearlweed came in. I received a ton of pearlweed, spike moss, and water wisteria. The pearlweed will not stay that tall. I did not trim the pearlweed because I want the plants to adjust and properly root in the tank. Once established, I'll trim them down for the carpet look. I had so much that I added some to the Bettas tank. It will remain tall in there.

Unfortunately the S.repens on the right side completely melted which was unexpected. I put the water wisteria in its place but it probably won't stay. I like the plant, but I don't think it fits in with the other species. I also think that it's too bulky for that area. Dwarf sag is growing behind it and more scarlet temple to the left so maybe when those grow in it will look better but I'm thinking that I'll repurpose it.

I've been battling staghorn algae and green spot. To combat this, I added a power head, used the Fluval 3.0 light that was for my plant only build, spot treated the wood, and cut back on the liquid fertz. I think the green spot is gone, and the staghorn is slowly dying off.

I also inherited a lot of snails when I added plants from the hobbyist that was well, leaving the hobby. They don't really bother me but I'm not sure if they are eating leaves or not.

Neo eggs are finally hatching with this new setup. I'm sure all the extra plants and hiding space helped with that. I have some funky colored babies and some wild coloring. I rehomed all fish except the Ember Tetras. I'm going to bring the number up to 20 and add a small school of top dwellers eventually. Most of the rehomed fish moved to my nieces tank.

The spike moss. I added that to the Bettas tank as well. This tank looks kind of chaotic at the moment but the next update should see the pearlweed trimmed, wisteria moved, large dwarf sag and hopefully larger scarlet stems.

Oh...I also couldn't resist moving the smaller piece of wood to the back. I needed the real estate for plants.....

 

Feel like an update is in order since the pearlweed came in. I received a ton of pearlweed, spike moss, and water wisteria. The pearlweed will not stay that tall. I did not trim the pearlweed because I want the plants to adjust and properly root in the tank. Once established, I'll trim them down for the carpet look. I had so much that I added some to the Bettas tank. It will remain tall in there.

Unfortunately the S.repens on the right side completely melted which was unexpected. I put the water wisteria in its place but it probably won't stay. I like the plant, but I don't think it fits in with the other species. I also think that it's too bulky for that area. Dwarf sag is growing behind it and more scarlet temple to the left so maybe when those grow in it will look better but I'm thinking that I'll repurpose it.

I've been battling staghorn algae and green spot. To combat this, I added a power head, used the Fluval 3.0 light that was for my plant only build, spot treated the wood, and cut back on the liquid fertz. I think the green spot is gone, and the staghorn is slowly dying off.

I also inherited a lot of snails when I added plants from the hobbyist that was well, leaving the hobby. They don't really bother me but I'm not sure if they are eating leaves or not.

Neo eggs are finally hatching with this new setup. I'm sure all the extra plants and hiding space helped with that. I have some funky colored babies and some wild coloring. I rehomed all fish except the Ember Tetras. I'm going to bring the number up to 20 and add a small school of top dwellers eventually. Most of the rehomed fish moved to my nieces tank.

The spike moss. I added that to the Bettas tank as well. This tank looks kind of chaotic at the moment but the next update should see the pearlweed trimmed, wisteria moved, large dwarf sag and hopefully larger scarlet stems.

Oh...I also couldn't resist moving the smaller piece of wood to the back. I needed the real estate for plants.....

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The tank looks amazing! I wish I had your aquascaping skills.

 

Very nice job. I really like your aquarium.

The tank looks amazing! I wish I had your aquascaping skills.

So do I, I just throw it all in putting stuff and plants where there is space.

 

The tank looks amazing! I wish I had your aquascaping skills.

Thank you! It feels sort of messy to me right now but I know that it all a part of the process.

Very nice job. I really like your aquarium.


So do I, I just throw it all in putting stuff and plants where there is space.

Thank you! lol..thats what I feel like it looks like right now. That I haven't done plant maintenance in weeks and just tossed stuff in. I think I have a problem with instant satisfaction.

 

Well done It looks really good.

 

Well done It looks really good.

Thank you!

 

I decided that the terrible silicone job on this tank needs to go and that "crack" area has been nipping at my brain, so I purchased a 20 gallon UNS. I'm also thinking that a lighter color sand might look better. I know I'll see more debris and such but I guess that's ok.

Downside is that I'll have to uproot all the plants, put new red clay down, and get the scape to look decent again.

Any thoughts? Will a carpeting plant look terrible against light sand? Should I just move everything over as is?

 

Not sure if anyone is interested, but due to my recent personal issues I had to break down my tanks and move them to the new place. I could have set this one up the same, but a fresh start for me meant another fresh start for this tank. I also replaced the tank with a UNS 20 gallon. The clarity is unbelievable.

All the driftwood is the same, I replaced the rocks, and I purchased new black sand. Unfortunately I forgot the black background material at the old place so this will have to do for now.

I also lost one Ember Tetra during the move. I had to put my heater in a bucket for transport. Haha, today was crazy but I just finished up.

Why are the uploads blurry? Did I miss something?