imkevin20

Hello, first off im new here so I thought starting a journal over my progress would be a good way to acclimate (aquatic humor) myself to these forums.

I got into aquariums about 4 years ago when my friends mom gave me a 29 gal tank, my dads does carpentry work on the side so he built me a nice stand for it and I set it up as a saltwater tank.



Anywho, tore it down, my addiction grew, sold it and got a 45 gal tall tank.

I read and read and read over more saltwater stuff wanting this tank to be perfect and amazing. One day I came across the ADA Aquascaping Contest and instantly switched this idea to freshwater planted.

I built a stand for my new tank to set at the end of my bed as my headrest.



Built columns on the sides to hide any tubing or wiring for the setup, wanted this to be sleek.



My inspiration, in a way, im going for something close but with my own ideas on it.

At this point its cycled and everythings ready to go so I started with adding plants and fish. I added 6 neon tetras and some plants.



As you can see I've still got some remnants of saltwater (5 gal hex in background)

One question though, the plants I'm placing along the edge of the sand and substrate, they were called "Kyoto" plants at petco, after all my reading and researching I've never heard of seen any Kyoto plants?



Can anyone point out whats the true name of these plants and how they grow?

I've ordered some driftwood online and it should be here next week along with a 150 watt MH light fixture setup.

If anyone has any pointers and/or opinions please feel free. I've done tons of reading and research over freshwater plant setups so I dont consider myself a beginner at this, but helpful advice from people is always a bonus!

imkevin20

The wood came in today and I gathered up some good candidates for "branches"

boildem and cleaned them up nicely.



I drilled a hole slightly larger than the base of the twigs and used aquarium glue from my saltwater tank to hold the twigs into the thicker piece.

Ill be ordering my 150watt MH fixture friday along with java moss to go in place along the branches to form the "leaves" of the tree.

I'm wondering though if I should maybe lay down some sort of mesh along the branches to support a thicker java moss or would I be okay just tieing it down on the branches? I'm not sure how it grows, so I need your help!!

Zenzi

How neat that it is part of your headboard! I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

orlando

I think if you used some stainless steal mesh as frame work it would work very well.

Cheers, Orlando

Tex Gal

Those branches look pretty thin. Do you think it can support the mesh or the moss? The moss will continue to grow out from the branches with or without mess. I do think if you use mesh you might not have the draping look of the moss from the bottom, if that's what you are looking for. I know moss grows through mesh but it will take the path of least resistance and grow toward the light, which probably wont be through the mesh toward the substrate. Just a thought....

imkevin20

yeah they are thicker than the camera leads them to be. I think it should be okay

I'll put down some mesh as a structure for the moss to grow on. Everything should be coming in next week, including PC 2-96 watt 6700k light retrofit. Some chinese zebra rock, the finishing touches on the stand. my co2 regulator and everything for that from ADA. I'm thinking about ordering the moss and some dwarf hairgrass friday or monday and getting that started on.

I just noticed your from joshua tx, I live in Corsicana if you know about where thats at

foofooree

That "kryto" plant might be monda grass, which is non aquatic and will die

imkevin20

I did some research on these boards and found that petco is known for that.

Its okay though I dont plan on keeping the plants in there now, they just wouldnt go along with my theme in the long run anyways.

Tex Gal

I found Corsicana. Looks like your about 1.5 -2 hrs from me. Not too bad by the TX measure. People from small states think that's an over night trip! HA!

cturner

I'm very interested to see how this turns out. Good luck to ya!