Hi kimcadmus,

Very nice job, especially the moss! I look forward to seeing it after it fills in! BTW, some of us might take offense to the term "antique" for the tank because it might be something many of us grew up with! LOL!

 

Thanks Seattle. No offense intended. In fact my first aquariums in the 70's were 2 stainless framed 20longs on a simple cast iron stand. So they hold fond memories for me and this new tank is a trip down memory lane. I'm older than the tank so I should watch what I say!

 

Nice work, Kim. Can't wait to see them as it starts to fill in.

 

What a great twist on a vintage tank.

 

Thanks Ravi and Wetpet! I suppose this vintage tank style is the antithesis of the rimless but I do really like them.

 

Kim, I love it. It's gonna be so neat. Can't believe how fast your moss is growing. Have you thought of some longer stems or crypts to hide the equipment on either side? I'm subscribed!

 

This is going to look wonderful with some time? Curious, did you consider putting the moss walls on the sides of the tank and leaving the back open? That would have looked really cool in comparison to the picture that inspired the setup.

 

Thanks Texgal. I have thought about stems...so many textures and varieties but I want this to be a low maintenance tank. I also plan to take out the heater and thermometer eventually. Always a work in progress. I'll just have to see what happens as the moss fills out. I did try some needle leaf java fern but it just didn't look right. Do you need any needle leaf?

Thanks DJ - really good idea for the moss on the sidewalls. My thought was the stainless tank created the framed look and similar depth of field.

 

I had some needle leaf but passed it on.

 

I'm looking to pass my needle leaf on too. If you know of anyone local who would use it let me know. I also have a big gorgeous super healthy NYMPHAEA LOTUS 'RED' which I don't have room for.

 

Boy I bet you hate to give that one up! I love those things. I only keep 2 lotus in my tank. Even though they'd like to take over I cut them back. ...but I couldn't give them up!

 

sweet tank I love it! have you seen what the origanal light fixtures look like? I would love to see a good pic of one, I have not yet decided what light i will run on mine.

 

Thanks King oz! I posted some photos of original light fixtures I have in you resto journal.
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...ral.com/forumapc/journals/60930-retro-metal-frame-cube-re-build.html#post461367

 

Moss and shrimp are doing great in this tank. The yellow shrimp have fantastic color (thanks to Wilma of The Cause). They eat like crazy.
I added 12 micro rasboras from Niko at invertzfactory.com I am working on getting better pics of these as they have incredible color. Can't wait for you to see Niko!

This one is named big mamma.

Micro Rasboras - better pics in future

 

Kim nice meeting you and Lili last night great time.

YOU are toying with me ... that shrimp tank. I love Big Mama now I understand.
Great looking tank.
Karen

 

Good meeting you as well and jerod (sp). That was fun.

I love big mamma!

Do you have a picture of your green shrimp here or elsewhere?

 

kim, sorry if i missed it somewhere in these post but what kind of moss was used on the back wall?

 

It is supposed to be Xmas moss vesicularia montagnei. I say supposed to be because that is what I was told and I am not an expert. I have four types of moss in that tank and definately are all different.

 

What did you use to create the wall for the moss? If you don't mind me asking .

 

Nice setup!

Kamon it looks like a light diffuser panel except its not white or a gutter guard screen.

 

Kamon the next poster is right. It is essentially black plastic hardware cloth from a local hardware store. Holes are about 3/8 to 1/2 inch turned on an angle. Its not my idea many have done it. I used suction cups to attach it to the glass.

 

Thanks Pinto. I am really enjoying the ease and simplicity of this tank. The shrimp love to hang out on the moss wall and the mountains which was the whole idea, to get them higher in the tank.

 

How did you put the moss in the mesh initially? Did you pick it apart and put in a few pieces at a time? I've tried both sandwiching the moss between pieces as well as poking bunches into the mesh. But neither seem to look like they should... yours does though, what's the secret?

Michael

 

are you using x-mas moss i think that may be the trick im not sure common java would branch as nicley, but I dont know just a thought?

 

I was assured that it is... it's a slow grower and it is growing, but I think because I put it in as little bunches, it doesn't look like that yet. Maybe when it gets denser it'll look right.

 

give it time I guess, by the way your about as tank crazy as me, nice 240 with discus!

 

I dissected the strands and placed them in a thin layer covering the piece of mesh with the tip of the frond pointing south. I sandwiched the moss between two pieces of mesh which were zip tied together. They were not poking out until they began growing outward through the mesh. It has taken a couple of months for it to look like it does now.