Newbie Planted tank journey..

[sapherion]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Brandon from Australia. In the past I have kept goldfish and gave up on fishkeeping shortly after. After recently visiting aquariums and reading Mr Amano's work. I decided to take a stab at planted tanks. This is my first planted tank and I want to make sure everything is done right the first time. I have spent the last month reading many many forums and guides on everything from substrate/co2/fertilization etc etc.

I have no aquascaping experience so any suggestions or improvements would be greatly appreciated.

My equipment I have purchased so far includes:

- 20g Aqua One curved glass tank.
- Modified AR-620 Lights to add additional lighting (68 watts total..hopefully this is enough)
- Eheim 2213 Canister Filter
- Eheim Jager 100W Heater
- 14kg Onyx Moon Sand
- Automatic Digital Timer to set lighting hours
- Dupla Co2 regulator, magnetic valve, 200l bubble diffuser, bubble counter

AR620 Tank. If will be located in my bedroom, next to computer study. (Havnt checked Feng Shui.. hopefully this wont be me any bad luck >_<)

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0009.jpg

Modified AR-620 lights. The two compact fluorescents in the middle are the standard fittings (14k, 18w).Im not sure if the 14k lights are too much as these tanks can be used for marine too. I might have to replace them with something like 6.7k's.
I have since added 2 more triphospher slimline lights (6.5k, 16w). Got these from a local hardware store for $45 each.
Can anyone any tell me if these lights are suitable?

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0004.jpg

Early stages of tank. I decided to go with a valley theme with sand seperating the onyx sand on both sides. I used a thin plastic strip to seperate the substrate.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0022.jpg

Close up, you might see the plastic strips, but once the plant grows over, it will be hidden well :)

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0023.jpg

Added wood & rocks I bought from a local bonzai garden shop. Carefully soaked and washed for 3 days before putting in.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0030.jpg

Filled up slightly with water

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0033.jpg

Started planting glosso and hairgrass

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0041.jpg

Finished product so far

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/Sapherion/IMG_0045.jpg

Im still deciding on what other plants to choose for this scape. Could you please help me decide?

Im wanting to add java fern at the bottom area of the wood and under the java fern add some anubias nana. The foreground area where the black substrate is, pygmy chain swords will be added. Stargrass will occupy the midground section and im open to what kind of stem plants will be added for the back. I want to keep a greenish them, without and red coloured plants.

Please let me know your thoughts!

Cheers,

Brandon :rolleyes:

[Nathan]

looks good so far, cant wait for more pics. bt the way great idea with the valley look, ive never seen that before, its really effective. just watch out for an algea bloom in your sand, so you should consider buying a few bottom feeders.

looks great though

[KillieOrCory]

Wow! Looks great. I also like the valley concept, you've done it really effectively too. The rocks should keep most of your "hills" intact. But over time if you include bottom feeders or any fish that likes pushing substrate around, your hills might "erode" onto your "valley".

I would stay away from corys, loaches and plecs. Maybe couple of ottos would suit better. If only we had amano shrimp here.

Looking forward to watching the development of your ideas and this tank.

[taksan]

Love the Lian Li 6070
8-)

[sapherion]

Hehe, thanks for the feedback guys.. I've done some thinking and im actually gonna remove the glosso in the sand. I've been told their roots wont grow properly so Im gonna move them to the foreground of the black substrate. The valley idea was something that I came accross while browsing pics online. I thought it would be different instead of the plain substrate/wood log in the middle approach.

Gonna get some java ferns, anubias tomorrow and will update with more pics of progress shortly.

Will be installing co2 kit shortly *fingers crossed I dont stuff it up!*
Cheers,

Brandon.

[bushie]

you been following scolleys tank haven`t ya? :lol:

[RichVic]

Looking good there ! In case you haven't noticed it, there's a site called Aquatic Gardens Australia which you can access by clicking on the link under the Discus Forums logo. I think it would be great if you posted this thread there also, a lot of tank journals there for you to look at if you haven't doen so already and a few amano fans there as well. Keep us posted as well - If this tanks ends up being as stunning as i think it will - it'll made a nice home for a few baby discus !! LOL Good luck

[rsoares]

I would try some Blyxa Japonica behind the wood, and attach some java moss to the wood itself. The only other thing, is the soil, as I think it would be better, if you had placed some fertile substracte underneath the onyx sand. Let's see it's evolution :) Looking good for now.

[fish_r]

looks really nice and looks like a lot of thought has gone in to it :)

[Womby]

that setup is going to look sweeeeeeet cant wait for more pics