First REAL Try - Aquascaping

cintamas · 05-04-2008, 01:08 AM

Well, after months of wandering around the forum and admiring some truly beautiful tanks, I've decided to invest the time and *cough* CASH *cough* into a real aquascape. I've always loved fish and admired aquatic plants, but have never been successful at combining the two. So here I am today, with this. Here are some specs, and forgive me in advance for lacking some scientific names.

Aquarium:

17G

Lighting:

2 X 55W CF on from 11am-11pm

Substrate:

ADA Power Sand
ADA Aquasoil Amazonia Powder Type
Bright Deco Sand

C02 Injection:

Pressurized

Flora:

Vesicularia dubyana
Riccia fluitans
Microsorum pteropus v. 'narrow leaf'
TONINA sp. 'Belem'
Cyperus helferi
Eleocharis acicularis
Eichhornia diversifolia
Anubias barteri v. 'nana'
Glossostigma elatinoides

Fauna:
(4) C Grade Crystal Red Shrimp
(10) Misc. Shrimp
(22) Paracheirodon axelrodi
(2) Otocinclus affinis
(1) Ancistrus sp. v. longfin albino

So far, I'm happy with this setup. I'm contemplating removing the floating riccia, but it provides a nice haven for my shrimp population. I'm open to suggestions/comments as I'm hoping to better my skill and knowledge. Thanks guys!

bratyboy2 · 05-04-2008, 01:50 AM

the layout is very nice and a damn good start.

your lighting is about what over 4 watts right?
do you think you can take that down to maybe 3?
im just worried you are going to get an explosion of algae...take your time the lights are on from 11-11 to about 6 hours for a bit just to minimize the algae and to allow your plants some time to establish and not get burnt in the process.

everything looks good though good job and welcome to your first planted tank!!

this wont be your only one lol there will be another in just a short time!!

good luck

cassiusclay · 05-05-2008, 12:44 AM

yeah that is alot of light. you could put a reef under thaT!!!!! a single 55 PC over that should be more than enough.if you want to leave that much light on there your gonna need to cut the photo-period to about 5-6 hours a day or less.what about ferts any plans there yet?because w/o those your going to have algae and a lot of it even with only 1 55 watter.the layout looks real good though really calming gl with it.

oh and welcome!!!!

butacska · 05-05-2008, 06:13 AM

Your tank looks awesome. Keep us posted.

orion2001 · 05-05-2008, 02:34 PM

Wow, that is 6.5 WPG!! I'd take the other folks advice and drop the lights down some. You're risking an algae explosion at any given time. Also 12 hour photoperiod is probably too long especially with that much lighting. Nice work on the tank though, it's a great first attempt!

seattle_530 · 05-05-2008, 03:50 PM

i would cut the photo period down to about 8 hours, also i would just stick with one 55watt for the entire 8 hours and have the other light come on for like 3 hours in the afternoon. Will give you a good noon burst.

cintamas · 05-06-2008, 01:38 AM

Thankyou all for the advice. I've since cut back on wattage by 55W for 8 hours a day. Haven't hooked up a second timer for the "noon burst" of light yet, but it's coming. I guess it's easy to get over zealous with all that wattage when you've just graduated from Eclipse 12W bulbs and "stock" lighting!

Any thoughts on additional plants? I was expecting someone to comment on the lack of color/contrast with plant selection. All thoughts are welcome!

bratyboy2 · 05-06-2008, 02:11 AM

cintamas~not all aquascapes have to be exploding with colors! some great ones can be done with intrest in shapes of leaves and how you trim. to even the hardscapes. its up to you whether you want the color. if so you could try some ammania in there.my only thing i would say is to get some groundcover in there it looks like it needs it. maybe some hc? with the lighting now that stuff should take off. glad to hear you got the lighting figured out though. good luck!

cassiusclay · 05-06-2008, 01:11 PM

i have to agree with bratyboy there HC would make that tank look amazing.and as he said color isnt a MUST. some of the better aquascapes ive seen have been just varying greens and unique trimming. if you want some reds and such youll be able to keep just about anything under that light especially if you go noon burst.Oh and have you figured out a fert regime yet?if not you may want to jump all over that id say its WAY more important than lights.

EDIT:id leave the floating riccia in there to soak up some excess nutrients until the tank gets stabilized
it will cut back on algae and if your shrimp like it well what ever keeps em happy right !!!!