I'm moving into a new house in the next 2 weeks, and I have planned a high-tech planted nature tank- 40g breeder. This will be my third experience with planted aquariums. The first time, in the mid-2000's, was a relatively successful low-tech beginner's foray into the hobby. Cut my teeth on java fern, anubias, and a few sword plants. CO2 was too scary to even think about trying, lighting was watt/gal, and ferts were haphazard. My second planted tank was a couple years ago in my work office, and was admittedly half-assed. I decided within a few months of that pathetic tank that if I'm going do this hobby, then I need to do it correctly. As my dad always said, "Herb, if you're gonna do a job, do it right the first time!" Good advice Dad.
So third time's the charm, right?
That's the tank in my shed ready to roll. I've spent the last two years saving and studying. Doing it right this time! Would have started a year ago, but we decided to build a house, and the day is arriving soon! I've done most of my shopping, except for soil and plants and fish. Here's the plan:
Tank: Marineland 40 gallon breeder- I wish I could do a rimless, but I needed the money elsewhere as I'm pretty much starting from scratch.
Filter: Eheim 2217
Circulation: Hydor Koralia Nano 240gph
Lighting: Ecotech Radion 4gen xr15FW- just doing one for now as the new model boasts 36" spread. We'll see.
CO2: pressurized with GLA Pro regulator, GLA atomic inline diffuser, 5 gallon tank
Soil: ADA Amazonia
Ferts: dry from GLA- gonna do EI
Might do RO water- our well water looks like it has good hardness (4+) and PH (7.0), but that's based on preliminary township test. I'll test it myself and see. Nitrates and phosphates may be bad due to our yard being a cornfield 12 months ago. If so, will buy a BRS RO/DI system.
Hardscape: Nice big piece of Malaysian driftwood with some manzanita branches.
Plants!
Going on the easy side to start off. I don't want my Third Time to be a failure.
Foreground
Eleocharis parvula mini
Staurogyne repens
Midground
Blyxa japonica
Background
Bacopa monnieri
Ludwigia repens "red"
Attached to wood
Java fern
Anubias nana
Maybe some moss. We'll see.
Stock
20-30 neons
Pair of cockatoo apistos
10+ Amano shrimp
Assassin snails as needed
I'll update as things progress! Should be up and planted within 2 weeks.
Herb
So third time's the charm, right?
That's the tank in my shed ready to roll. I've spent the last two years saving and studying. Doing it right this time! Would have started a year ago, but we decided to build a house, and the day is arriving soon! I've done most of my shopping, except for soil and plants and fish. Here's the plan:
Tank: Marineland 40 gallon breeder- I wish I could do a rimless, but I needed the money elsewhere as I'm pretty much starting from scratch.
Filter: Eheim 2217
Circulation: Hydor Koralia Nano 240gph
Lighting: Ecotech Radion 4gen xr15FW- just doing one for now as the new model boasts 36" spread. We'll see.
CO2: pressurized with GLA Pro regulator, GLA atomic inline diffuser, 5 gallon tank
Soil: ADA Amazonia
Ferts: dry from GLA- gonna do EI
Might do RO water- our well water looks like it has good hardness (4+) and PH (7.0), but that's based on preliminary township test. I'll test it myself and see. Nitrates and phosphates may be bad due to our yard being a cornfield 12 months ago. If so, will buy a BRS RO/DI system.
Hardscape: Nice big piece of Malaysian driftwood with some manzanita branches.
Plants!
Going on the easy side to start off. I don't want my Third Time to be a failure.
Foreground
Eleocharis parvula mini
Staurogyne repens
Midground
Blyxa japonica
Background
Bacopa monnieri
Ludwigia repens "red"
Attached to wood
Java fern
Anubias nana
Maybe some moss. We'll see.
Stock
20-30 neons
Pair of cockatoo apistos
10+ Amano shrimp
Assassin snails as needed
I'll update as things progress! Should be up and planted within 2 weeks.
Herb