Freshwater Reefs!

[Gmandese]

Ok, I've started my 46 bowfront planted.
I used "Eco-Complete" as the main substrate. It's like the equivalent to live sand for the freshwater planted tank. It includes live cycling bacteria, as well as a balanced mineral content and varied particle size. Then is some parts, I used a fine gravel for topcoat.

Below are some pics of my initial setup. There are a few important things to consider:
1. This is the initial setup. Things will change, the plants willl grow up, and out.
2. I have not yet installed a background, I'm planning on black, it will really offset the colors nicely.
3. I'm planning on stocking with Austrailian/ Indonesian Rainbows, as they like to school, I have room for plenty. There will be other fish as well to introduce variety.
4. Did I say things will be changed as the tank matures, and I see how the plants fit in?

 

[nanoreefer22]

Noiiiiiceeee, got a FTS from a little way back ?
-Kris

 

[Gmandese]

Here are some more. today I bought a pair of Bosemani Rainbows, and a pair of Red rainbows. Beautiful fish I got from H2O Aquarium. I will get more eventually, to make a school of 6 for each type. I also have 4 Congo Tetras, a pearl gouramie, and an Austrailian Rainbow. I'll add some bottom-dwellers later, because so far, there's nothing on the bottom for them to eat, and they'll uproot newly planted plants, with weak roots.

 

[Gmandese]

Fts ???

 

[nanoreefer22]

LOL Full Tank Shot, never mind you put one in the second post . I'm looking at that tank and I'm just dumbfounded by it....really really nice.

 

[Gmandese]

Just set up yesterday and today. It has a lot of growing to do. I don't want to start with big plants, that's not a hobby. A hobby is watching it grow, and mature, and being able to baby it. I don't do ready-made. I think my fish will be really happy!

 

[Gmandese]

Funny, Saturday this tank still had corals in it!

 

[nanoreefer22]

This is a very different look!!! A nice one at that, I'm gonna get a move on my nano starting tmrw .

 

[Nsr250NYC]

nice Gerry, the eco-complete is the black stuff? i heard alot about it for FW. how about a far FTS?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Gerry,

I like the left corner with the rocks!

I can see that you can't wait and dump all the water in at once. There seems to have a dust storm in the water.

I suggest to get some neon blue rainbow when they have. They look very cool. Also to make the school fish back to school, get the Giant Danios again. They are like shepherds. However, I still think that they are the ones that eat your water sprites.:eat: .This time you don't have water sprites in this tank!

I am getting my camera this week and I can start to show you some of my tanks.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

nice Gerry, the eco-complete is the black stuff? i heard alot about it for FW. how about a far FTS?

Yes


Also, if anyone wants to talk about more advance technique in FW planting, join tankscape.com. I will show you some of my experience.

 

[Gmandese]

I'm getting those rainbows next week. Another LFS i've been dealing with for 25 years (Cameo, in Richmond Hill, on Jamaica Ave, freshwater only), just ran out, he's getting more on monday, he's holding 4 for me.

Yes, the eco-complete is the black stuff. $25 for 20lbs just about anywhere. It takes a while to clear up the water, about 12- 24 hrs. I did more planting and arranging today, so the water is still a bit cloudy. The pics don't really show it, but looking at it here, it's not as crystal clear as my 29 yet.

 

[Gmandese]

To add the water to the tank, I set up a bucket with a Rio 600 PH, and connected a hose to SLOWLY add water to the tank, running it down the glass, re-filling the sump bucket as needed. It took about 90 minutes. The cloudiness is from the water (live stuff) in the Eco-Complete. There is nothing that can be done, in fact the directions on the package say it will take a long time to clear. I didn't add the fish until 24hrs after I filled it.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

It takes a while to clear up the water, about 12- 24 hrs.

If there's hole easily accessible in your canoply, you could also use the siphon technique with an air tude and zip the water into the tank bucket by bucket. A 3 hour job would let you get a very clear tank right the way. At least that works in a corner tank I set up for a friend.

Oh forgot to mention, you have to zip out the first batch of water from the bottom. Hard to explain without pictures of the procedure.

So far, how deep is your sandbed here?

 

[Gmandese]

Not to worry, it doesn't have to be perfect the first day. It'll be fine soon enough.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Of course.

When are you making your CO2 factory and reactor? Do you have an extra powerhead to make it or just use an air stone or difuser? I am making a reactor for the tank at the club. HGpe ot works out fine.

 

[Gmandese]

I think what I'm going to try is let it enter the intake of my filter for now, it'll hit the impeller and mix with the water. I was thinking of a PH, but I don't want too much circulation. I might end up with an airstone, though. I have everything here to make it, but it's late and I'm tired. probably tomorrow.

 

[Gmandese]

I made the C02 reactor today with a juice bottle (1/2 gal). So easy. I got a pack of plastic airline connectors from Petland for $1.79, and drilled a 3/16" hole in the lid, and epoxied it in.

Also picked up a school of 6 albino giant danios, juvenile size. they look like ghosts! Moved my green severum over, too. Got 3 more Australian rainbows, to go with the one I have to make 4.

Before anyone says "Too many fish!", the freshwater setup is different than saltwater, especially planted. The more fish, the more Co2 and nitrates and other wastes produced, which the plants need to thrive. And, the more plants grow, the more oxygen for the fish. Really a self contained eco-system.
Add a good filter, and regular water changes, the tank can be well stocked.

Plant update: My pennyworts are really oriented toward the light, and are layering nicely. the Java moss is puffing up, and the rest look like they are filling in the empty space directly around them, reaching for the light.

New pics this weekend, you should see the difference!

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Before anyone says "Too many fish..."

Wait til you see my 52 cichlids in a 55G tank!:bagfish:

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Should be 2 bottles not "a juice bottle"

I made the C02 reactor today with a juice bottle (1/2 gal). So easy. I got a pack of plastic airline connectors from Petland for $1.79, and drilled a 3/16" hole in the lid, and epoxied it in.

Notice that you said "a juice bottle", so I assume the commercial yeast factory you have in the other tank which has flooded your tank did not design with overflow in mind. It should be "2 juice bottles." You know where to find answers for this one, right. I draw you the diagram over there.