Zabu

As the topic says, this is my first try at a planted tank. It's nothing like most of the ones posted on here, but eh, it is a start. Hopefully this will become a great learning experience, which it has, and will allow me to expand my skills to become even better in this hobby.


Before right at start up:


After 2 weeks:



I have realized, after the set up, that border stones are a must when trying to separate hc/substrate from the sand. It is such a pain to take the soil out of the sand all the time.. hence the reason why you still see soil mixed with the sand.

I'm wondering as to how hc will look if it did grow in the sand?? Might seem more natural or just take away from everything. Im not too sure what to do here.

And as for my out of place rock.. I understand that it is a 'no-no' in aquascaping, but meh... what can you do. I have thought of growing something on there to hide its colors, but haven't found anything as of yet.

All suggestions/comments are always appreciated!

almostaskater62

i really really like that. i've tried to have sand (admittedly in smaller tanks) but poop and algae make it ugly. but i really like how it comes out and gets really wide at the front, kudos

Kelley

What a great tank! Can you tell us a little more about your setup?

Yes, your rock looks out of place. I think that over time, it will develop a nice patina and blend in a bit better.

trenac

I think your first scape looks really nice The only thing that stands out to me is the difference in the stone colors. I think if you had went with the darker stones on the right side also, that both sides would have blended better together.

HoustonFishFanatic

The hardscape looks nice.

black_lung

you have some really nice growth there and i think it'll look great once it matures. the sandstone piece on the right side seems a bit stark and out of place. i imagine that once the stem plants grow in more and it develops a touch of algea, it'll blend in a lot better. you did a great job at laying the sand where it gives the effect of depth.

ed seeley

Great job. Lovely and clean looking. You could maybe put some moss or Pelia on the rocks to 'age' them, but personally I'd leave them as in a month or two with all the extra plant growth I don't think you'd notice the differences - I didn't at first!

Well done and I wish my tanks looked half as good.

Zabu

Thank you all for your comments/opinions.

I know that rock is out of place, but I was sick and tired searching for rocks at a local river and decided to use whatever I had .....(lack of patience).

What do you members think if I were to put some sort of moss or riccia on that rock? I've been contemplating that since I started.

tank - 55g
lights - 4x65w 6700k bulbs (2x65w for 8hrs and the other 2x65w on for 3hrs)
filtration - rena xp3
substrate - aquasoil
pressurized co2
ferts - using the pps-pro method

plants - rotala sp.green, rotala rotundifolia, ludwigia (sold as general ludwigia.. anyone know the exact name?), blyxa japonica, hc, and a crypt (again, I don't know the exact name and would appreciate it if anyone could help me out)

fish - 9 neon tetras, 10 glowlight, and 9 red cherry shrimp.

Zabu

Well, here goes an update picture.



I think it has been nearly 2 months since I set up the tank and things have progressed decently. The hc hasn't grown like I thought, but it could be the way that I planted it. I never took the time to individually plant each hc root, so that could be the problem.

Other than that, the only real issue I have with this tank is the GSA. I have contemplated to do a blackout, but not too sure if I want to as of yet. I don't have a phosphate tester, so I don't know if im over/under.

And here goes a pic of a pregnant rcs. First time having a pregnant shrimp, so i'm quite excited to see the outcome!

mellowvision

looks great