TarantulaGuy

So, I'm starting work at my LFS here in a couple days, and there is a 150 gallon planted tank, well, soon to be planted tank that will be my baby. I have never tried to keep a planted tank this large, and while I've kept fish in tanks bigger than this, I've never tried to scape out something like this...and my skills are definitely not up to it. As far as resources go, I get mostly free reign, but it needs to be reasonably $$, nothing outrageous. It will definitely be high tech, good lighting, co2, ferts, etc. The main purpose of the tank will be to not only look good, but to be able to do weekly trims or so on it to propagate plants in all the small tanks in the rest of the store. I'm thinking lots of stem plants and fast growing things, but I'm looking to you all to try and point in some general directions as far as scaping ideas go, I'm not good at this artsy-fartsy stuff. Probably no hard scape, so something more in the dutch style, there may be a couple rocks tossed in, not really sure yet. Help!! If you have 150 gallon, I'd be more than happy to copy your setup, Yes, I have no shame.

geeks_15

Check out this article. It is a good place to start your plan.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/libra.../aa122203a.htm

BTW, very cool idea for a LFS. My local fish stores dedicate very little money, time, effort towards plants.

Karebear

Hi Trantula Guy,

It sounds like you will have lots of fun with this tank I do have a couple of suggestions that may help, for me it was a huge help. Write on the tank in huge letters "DO NOT SELL FROM THIS TANK, PLEASE SELL OUT OF SALES TANKS". I would come to work after being off for the weekend and my tanks would have been raped of every decent plant in the tank. I could not get anything to mature in the tank because it was gone, I also wrote the plant names in front of the tank in paint pen (this is for glass tanks only) so customers can ask for the plant they want. Another good idea is to have the fert regime and anything else you are doing to the tank for customers to see, this helps immensly in educating people (and employees) how to take care of thier tank and that is one of the main jobs of a good lfs.

Good luck

Keep us updated on the tank, pictures would be great

TarantulaGuy

I'd read through that article b4, but thanks for linking me to it again, I bookmarked it this time so I don't lose it How's the fish trade in cincy?? I grew up there, but hadn't gotten into fish by the time I moved. And thanks Karebare, definitely a good idea to write on the tank not for sale, and all the plant names, that will definitely be happening. Thanks for the advice, I'm soooo excited to get to play with this It'll probably be a while still before it gets fully up and running, but I'll definitely take some pics as we go. I'll also try and throw some pics up of the 500 gallon reef tank there, which is quite amazing as well.