September 2007 Tank of the Month
Through the Clearing
by Jeff U.
Introduction and Background
My name is Jeff aka Bigstick120 on the forum. I am 26 years old and live in the Baltimore Maryland area. I have been keeping fish most of my life. I got interested in planted tanks after I setup up a 55 gallon African cichlid tank a few years ago. I was looking for a way to reduce nitrates in the cichlid tank. I started adding anubias, java fern and a few other hardy, fast growing plants. The tank eventually exploded into a planted jungle! I eventually sold off the cichlids, and restocked with more plant friendly fish. This began my addiction, and I have now added a few other tanks to my aquarium collection.
About the Tank
When I started this tank I really had no direction. I basically was just growing any plants that looked good and were available at the local plant club meetings (GWAPA). I am fortunate to know a few collectors in the club which has given me access to some rare and beautiful plants. As the tank began to develop, I would remove plants I didn’t like and replace them with something else. Eventually I end up with a selection that I liked and left it at that. As the tank matured I realize that being a smaller tank, small leaved plants looked much better in the tank. It added a lot more depth to the tank and really enhanced the scape. I don’t really stick to a nature scape or Dutch, I just design based on what I think looks good; no set rules just have at it!
Tank Specifications
Size: 29 gallon
Light: 65 watt PC and Dual 18 watt T-5 normal output Total 101 watts 9 hrs
Substrate: Eco-complete
CO2: Pressurized, ceramic glass diffuser under spray bar
Filtration: Rena XP1
Hardscape: Driftwood under the anubias
Fauna: 18 rasbora axelrodi, 4 Cardinals, 2 harlequin rasbora, 1 white cloud minnow, 2 otos, 6 amano shrimp, Cherry shrimp
Plant Selection:
Background - Rotala macrandra 'Green', Ludwigia arcuata, Pogostemon yatabeanus, Limnophila aromatic, Ludwigia senegalensis
Mid-ground - Anubias barteri var.nana, Pogrostemon helferi, Eriocaulon cinereum, Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form', Rotala sp. Mini,
Foreground - Hemianthus callitrichoides
Tank maintenance and fertilizer schedule
I do 50% water changes weekly or bi-weekly. I dose dry ferts daily via DUY auto-doser. The auto-doser is consists of a container with a powerhead connected to airline tubing that goes into the tank. It pumps about 2 ml of Flourish per day..
Challenges with the tank
When I started the tank I had only 65 watts of light. While it grew plants well, some plants would lean into the center of the tank. I also had a little trouble growing some rare high light plants. Adding the extra 36 watts solved that problem, but I really have to stay on top of dosing or I get some algae, this is why I added the auto doser.
September 2007 Tank of the Month - 'Through the Clearing'Final Thoughts
I’m amazed that my tank was selected as a TOTM, I am truly honored to have the opportunity to share my tank with all of you. Enjoy your tank, and don’t be afraid to try different things. Don’t always do what is the norm or stick to a set of rules. Every tank is different and something that worked for you might not work for someone else and vice versa.
September 2007 Tank of the Month: Jeff U.
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