Tranquil Valley // 12g Long Iwagumi

Here we go with a new project, a Mr. Aqua 12g Long. I picked this tank up from fellow SCAPE member theplantedhero and have been dying to get started on this since the day I brought it home. Over the last week and a half I've been lusting over many 12g's over on TPT and finally began to build mine up this evening. Huge thanks to the two SCAPE members (i'll keep them anonymous) whom I met up with last night for my AquaSoil and my stones!!!

My goal was to use the entire length of the tank, with the left side being the more dramatic of the two, while having a valley in the middle area. I will be doing a Dry Start, and plan to update this thread weekly. I plan on keeping my light on for 12 hours during the dry start.

Specs:
Tank: Mr. Aqua 12g Long
Substrate: ADA "New" Amazonia
Hardscape: Seiryu Stone (11)
Flora: Hemianthus Callitrichoides ‘Cuba’(HC), Eleocharis Parvula (DHG) and Hydrocotyle sp."Japan"
Fauna: Thinking of 15 Boraras Brigittae or 15 Ember Tetras (something to contrast the green plants)
CO2: Pressurized, Paintball
Ferts: Liquid NPK, M + Excel
Filtration: Eheim 2213 or Fluval 206
Lighting: AquaticLife 36" T5HO 6500k & Roseate (planning on suspending light, and using layer of window screen to tame the light)

On to the pix (iPhone with fingerprints galore):


As always, feedback is welcome and encouraged, thanks for looking!!!

Here we go, Day 1 of the dry start. I decided not to use hydro japan, and used 4 pots of HC and 4 pots of DHG. Once it floods and cycles, I'll trim the DHG accordingly.



Day 8 update
As expected, not too much to report, i can see the roots of the HC starting to dig into the substrate as well as fresh tiny leaflets. There is a tiny bit of yellowing of some of the HC. The DHG has few random new blades popping up, and a few blades are yellowing. So far, things are moving along as expected. Hoping to see some better HC crawling this week!


Day 15 update
I trimmed down the DHG big time to further help encourage it to spread. It is doing a great job with new blades popping up randomly throughout the tank. The HC is also doing well, crawling like a baby, and it continues to root itself deeper and deeper.


Looking from the right side down to the left


Looking from the left side down to the right

 

Thanks Tom, that means alot to me coming from you! I really appreciate the feedback and thank you for the heads up on the water changes.

I'm looking to do the DSM for about 2 months(depending on the growth) or so to ensure the plants are well rooted. Once the DHG grows in, my plan is to keep it trimmed nice and low to keep the perspective of the rock work in order.

 

thanks guys. i do agree that pressurized is the way to go, i will step up to that when it comes time to flood.
does my 12 hour photo period for a dry start seem ok to you guys?

 

Added a Day 8 picture and update to the first post.

 

^ thanks man!

Quick question, I noticed some of my DHG is browning, I have one bunch that has nearly browned itself completely out (top back right corner). I do notice some fresh sprouts in the very center of it though, should I trim down the brown pieces in the hopes of it encouraging new runners? Btw, I notice that there are fresh new blades popping up randomly every morning!

The soil is plenty moist, and the humidity is consistent, I am thinking that because that area is basically the deepest/highest point of substrate, maybe it kind of dried out midway through? I am trying to be careful not to over do the misting, and have switched it up to every other day this week. Also, I do let it breathe by peeling the plastic wrap back and leave it that way for about 15 minutes each day.

 

Thanks ForumSnow.

I updated the first post with new pictures as well as a written update.

 

Day 21 update...
More HC crawling, more DHG sprouting.

 

Thanks Tom, I was thinking of some Mini Pelia or FF on the large rock on the left side. On the lower front, there is a ledge that would be perfect for a little patch of it. It is hard to see that ledge that I'm referring to in my pictures.

I'm looking for fauna suggestions from you guys.

I'm thinking of 25 Rasbora Maculata, they appear a little more vibrant than the Chili Rasboras. I'm definitely wanting something in the orange/red color spectrum. I thought Ember Tetra's would be cool, but may be a tad on the larger side of things.

Thoughts?

Here is a pic of the Rasbora Maculata.

 

Anyone have thoughts on the fauna I listed above?

Anyhow, here is an update.

Day 25ish?

Still seeing nice crawling by the HC and the DHG is responding well to the recent trimming. I'm thinking of flooding the tank next week. Today I picked up an eheim 2213 and plumbed it all, (can see the stock pipes on left side). I am using one of those SS Mesh Pre-Filters on the intake instead of the standard green one. I don't have any plans at the moment to do glass lily's, I might take a stab at som DIY acrylic ones though. I also added 3 layers of window screen between my bulbs and splash-guard in my light to tame it, it really did make a difference! Last night I picked up a 20oz paintball tank and am waiting for my ASA Valve/NeedleValve/O-Ring/Diffuser kit to arrive...holiday messed that up, should be back in my office on Monday, and it should be there. Once I get that all set up I'll fill the tank, I was going to try to do a two month dry start, but I'm too impatient, and a well respected fellow TPT'er encouraged me to fill it sooner than later. Forgot to mention I also rotated the rock on the back right, I feel like this flows better with the rest of the scape.

iPhone 4 pic...