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HarryL
Last reply · posted in Journals

Journal  Harry's 18" Cube

Hi all, I joined the forum not too long ago and recently happens to start another tank, so I think it is good timing to start its journal now and follow along its journey.

Tank: Aquatop ultra clear 18" cube that I got at a clearance sale from LFS(They've discontinued this product at the end of 2023)

Light: Netlea AT545s, I measured 200+ PAR at substrate level with photone app, using 20lbs paper as diffuser.

Substrate: I plan on using small lava rock as the first layer to add height, then cover with Fluval Stratum

Filter: Sunsun HW302 with K1 filter media
Glass lily pipe in and outflow from Temu

CO2: 15lbs cylinder
Fzone Mini Series V3.0
Aquario Neo diffuser

Heater: Eheim jager 125w

Water: Tap water, our tap water is moderately hard, dKH 8, dGH 12, pH 7.8

This weekend, a friend offered to help make a stand since I don't have the tools and space to do it myself.
We used fir 2x4 and pine plywood to make a tabletop and and bottom shelf. Then spray painted the stand with satin black paint.
I intentionally made the tabletop longer (18"x24"), so I have space to work with when I'm maintaining the tank.
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This is what it looks like sitting at where I want it, with the tank and light on temporarily. Still need to wait another day for the paint to cure.
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I will update next week after I filled in water with hardscapes in. I plan to do a dark start for ~2 weeks before introducing plants. Want to see how that affect the amount of algae I get vs my first tank where I planted on the first day.
61 Replies · 6479 views
R
Last reply · posted in Freshwater Fish Discussions
Hello,

I have a journal for my new 235g build, but I thought I would create a seperate thread for help gain some alternate perspectives and ideas for a stock list for this tank. Generally speaking, this will be a high-tech, medium-to-heavily planted nature-style aquarium. Substrate is UNS Controsoil.

'Centerpiece' fish -Ivanacara bimaculata (x4) - and yes, I know they dig. Sort of a non-negotiable fish for me that I am definitely going to at least try. Given the size of the aquarium, I am hoping this will be limited to 'controllable' areas.

Top/Midwater - Pencilfish (Beckford's, Dip Tail, etc) x 20-30
- Tetras (Cardinal and Rummynose) x 20-30 ea

Bottom - Peacock Gudgeon x 10
- Corydoras x 10-15

Does anyone see any issues? Any creative alternate suggestions?
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Art
Art
Staff member I Donated 2026 Founding Member
Last reply · posted in Forum News/Feedback
This is the future home for the announcements when someone obtains an achievement badge. Let the games begin!
2038 Replies · 56804 views
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Yugang
Supporting Expert in Residence Rockstar Article Contributor
Last reply · posted in Planted Aquarium Discussion
This thread is for the general discussion of the Article Yugang CO2 Reactor - A Guide. Please add to the discussion here.
19 Replies · 1063 views
BenB
Rockstar
Last reply · posted in Lounge
I don't know where I saw it, but I read somewhere that the US imports its CO2. So people were reporting not being able to get it because it is stuck in the Straight of Hormuz. Who knew? Seems weird to me. Anyway, yeah, it's open now, but it might take awhile to get back to normal supply levels. You might want to check with your vendor if you're getting low.
32 Replies · 1392 views
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Burr740
Sponsor Expert in Residence Rockstar
Last reply · posted in Journals
Well... thats it! Im tired of watching you guys have all the fun so figured it was time to start my own journal to document this new scape Im working on, and also to talk about other plant happenings. So here goes

For this year's AGA Id been planning on using the 75P again. Love the dimensions, 30"x18"18" about 37 gal. Its in the living room along with the 75 gal ex-Dutch.

I try to keep these two a little more display-worthy than the back room back tanks but it doesnt always happen. Here's the 75p currently. Plants closed up its the middle of the night, I just flipped two bulbs on to take a quick pic

Ive been tossing some ideas around but it nothing has really inspired me lately

20240316_205633.jpg

So I decided to try a couple things in the 75 gal and see if the almighty elusive muse will show up

I rarely have a plan going in, usually just an idea or two like maybe a street or focal points, and from there I just start sticking things around and see how it looks. Usually with just whatever plants I have enough of, even stuff that I know I wont end up using just to plot out general areas and color

So here we go starting about two months ago, with basically two streets and a focal point. Pics are 3-4 weeks apart. I'll spare you the details of every little plant move, basically just adding/moving stuff around between then and now

*ignore the weird color filter on these first few pics

sc.22.jpg


Couple weeks later

sc.25.jpg

Trying to find a place to use this dynamite Blyxa sp Red. Not to be confused with the "sp Red" currently being offered by a couple larger retailers. Those are likely to be other aubertii variants that may or may not actually turn red. A good rule of thumb for blyxa (since most cant grow emersed) is if it aint red when you buy it, dont count on it turning red. This one is like a tall Novoguineensis, tops out around 12"-14" with good vertical leaf formation, and stays red under most light

20240103_150938.jpg

Added Ludwigia white to the front right corner

sc.21.jpg

Dont like the Blyxa in the focal spot either. It'd need a bright green behind it, which would make all the other background groups need repositioning based on color. Plus the Blyxa is too tall for what Im trying to do here, I want this focal spot low in the tank, not high


**Continued next post, image limit reached
226 Replies · 23918 views
Art
Art
Staff member I Donated 2026 Founding Member
· posted in Meet & Greet Forum
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @PovedaSharman!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
0 Replies · 10 views
P
Rockstar
Last reply · posted in Journals
Well, hopefully it works out that way.. I am not convinced there wont be some “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat” along the way. A common saying during WW2 in Europe was that the road home went through Berlin…

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The stand is built and moved in to the bedroom. I have completed Spring cleaning the bedroom and rearranging furniture in the room.

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I moved my 2 tier fish tank stand across the room. This frees up space by my recliner. Puts the CO2 tank between them so I dont need to route the hose in front of the door, and gives me much nicer access to my closet.IMG_3197.webp
I like the extra room by the recliner. I feel much less cramped and it gives me better viewing of the 29 gallon across the room rather than next to me.

Thats my Grandfathers Grandfather clock. He built it in 1976. He passed 12 years ago at 96. I remember him building it. My parents gifted it to me as the chiming kept my mother awake. To me the chiming is soothing and drifts me off to sleep at night..

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Power strips mounted on the cabinet side out of view. The strip closest to the front will power the Inkbird, canister filter and any other in tank electrical devices added. 1 switch to flip shuts off power to all in tank conductors before sticking my hands or tools in. And the lights will stay on…

All the wires will be coiled and have tie wraps to prevent wire spaghetti on the floor. And if I spill water on the floor I wont have to worry about it getting into the power strips..

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I mounted a magnet strip on both doors. Now I just need to find the rest of my Aquascaping tools and maybe I can avoid misplacing them again…


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Also nice storage for magnet scrapers too…

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I bought some storage bins…
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And filled them, organizing fish meds in one, equipment in another, testing supplies by themself, cleaning supplies in another. I just need to make some labels for the bins..

I have never been this organized in my life…

I am hoping Petco has a half off sale on tanks for March..

I plan to update this journal as I progress with the build…
126 Replies · 10187 views
Art
Art
Staff member I Donated 2026 Founding Member
· posted in Meet & Greet Forum

Hello  Welcome, Greent

Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Greent!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
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