Journal Art's tank(s)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Art
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None
Well, I'm tankless at the moment due to circumstances so will post a few of my last ones. Nothing near the masterpieces of others but I try.

Had a Dutch-inspired a few years ago when I was trying different techniques. This one had a sump and I ran carbon to minimize water changes.
IMG_2590.jpeg

Then I moved to an apartment so I changed it up with a more fitting UNS 90 with more traditional equipment. I first wanted to go traditional aquascape with stone.
IMG_0066.jpeg

Then I said, forget it. I like the stems too much! Ended up with a Dutch-inspired, wabi sabi combination.
IMG_1278.jpeg

Thinking about what's next for me.
 
Oh My George Takai GIF
 

But short the annotated plants list / fert plans / Co2 regime / NetLea PAR and schedule / RoboTank integration / updated pics of the best organized cabinet East of the Mississippi.. 😁

Is that purple beach glass?

Bring the geek!
 
Finished? What scape is ever finished??? They are all a work in progress until they are torn down…..

And I don’t see any fish in there.
Fish are in now. I've decided to keep it top open so let's see how many actually stay "in".

My current intention is to do this one for the longer term. Used Power Sand under the Aqua Soil that, for me, means I'm planning on a long-term layout.

Of course, as you all know, when the bug bites, you are powerless to resist.
 
But short the annotated plants list / fert plans / Co2 regime / NetLea PAR and schedule / RoboTank integration / updated pics of the best organized cabinet East of the Mississippi.. 😁

Is that purple beach glass?

Bring the geek!
OK Here's the geekiness.

My inspiration tank is On the Breezy Side by Daichi Araki of Aqua Design Amano. Of course, because I don't have unlimited budget nor access to high quality plants, I plan on a phased approach to reach something close to his finished result.

Plants
Hygrophila pinnatifida sp.’Uttarakannada’ - the TC cups I purchased arrived in HORRIBLE condition so may need to re-purchase
Eleocharis vivipara
Vesicularia montagnei
Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petite’
Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Tiger'
Microsorum sp. ’Trident’


Equipment
Aquarium: Waterbox AIO 35.2 W60×D50×H45 (cm)
Lighting: Netlea AT6 Pro, turned on for 8 hours per day; currently using Bucephalandra setting
Filter: AIO - filter wool for mechanical and plastic spheres for biological
Material: Manten Stone, Seiryu Stone, Spider Wood
Substrate: Aqua Soil Amazonia II, Power Sand Advance S, Aqua Natural Sugar White Sand
CO2: Atomic CO2 inline diffuser on return pump; Neptune Apex pH controlled 1.3 pH drop
Aeration: none atm; will be 15 hours dark period
Additives: in process of working out - Neptune Apex DOS doser for macro and micro dosing daily
Water change: 1/2 once a week
Water quality: Temperature: 77ºF; pH: 6.23

* the cabinet is an absolute mess of wires. I will work on scaping that next.
** the pebbles are actually grey. The iPhone captures them as purple under the light settings.
 
Last edited:
What fish are in this tank? 77F is so warm.

Other than using slower growing plants, are you doing anything else specifically to lower the energy in the tank?
 
My tank usually runs 73F - 77F without any problems. What do you have yours at?
Other than using slower growing plants, are you doing anything else specifically to lower the energy in the tank?
No, except lowering light levels and fertilizer.

My aim is to lower the amount of maintenance and how close to the edge I'm driving the aquarium.
 
My tank usually runs 73F - 77F without any problems. What do you have yours at?
So, I just plugged in a heater (with a temperature controller) for the first time ever for my new fish. At room temp, I was running between 70-72, maybe a little warmer in the summer, and now the thermostat is on a whopping 74F.

I have heard about how lower temps can hold more DO and tend to have less tenacious algae, (though that wasn't something I was aware of when I started out). I have no experience with warmer tanks, so I have to learn about them from other people, which is why I asked.

No, except lowering light levels and fertilizer.
Those count! I wasn't sure if the Buce setting on the light was more about color rendition or light intensity.
 
@ElleDee In my experience, less is more when it comes to aquariums. Less to go wrong. Why did you decide to add a heater if it was working at the lower temps?

On the Buce setting, I’ve changed it now. Speaking with Tommy at Aqua Rocks Colorado, that setting is more about color rendition rather than decrease of power. I’ve changed it to a custom green setting at 10% power.

Query whether I needed such a powerful light like the Netlea AT6 Pro for a lower light tank but that’s life. It’s nice to be able to crank it up when needed.

I will be taking some PAR readings during the next water change. I forgot to do it when I set it up.
 
@ElleDee In my experience, less is more when it comes to aquariums. Less to go wrong. Why did you decide to add a heater if it was working at the lower temps?
Yeah, I agree with you, and that's why I haven't run heaters until now. But I restricted myself in the species that I kept as well, and now I want to keep some livestock that appreciate a little more warmth in the winter. I'm not the most experienced person with fish, so this is all just based on what I've read. I also want to move the thermostat in my house down a couple of degrees in the winter, back to where it was before I had fish. I have an undersized heater for my large tank and I'm hoping that it will just stay on all the time instead of flipping on and off constantly, as it's my understanding that is what wears heaters out. And I plan to take it out in the summers. Really, I'm just doing the bare minimum to keep the livestock happy and if I find I can get away without a heater I will.

On the Buce setting, I’ve changed it now. Speaking with Tommy at Aqua Rocks Colorado, that setting is more about color rendition rather than decrease of power. I’ve changed it to a custom green setting at 10% power.

Query whether I needed such a powerful light like the Netlea AT6 Pro for a lower light tank but that’s life. It’s nice to be able to crank it up when needed.

I will be taking some PAR readings during the next water change. I forgot to do it when I set it up.
Gotcha, sounds like a good plan. I have never used a Netlea specifically, but a lot of the nicer lights are not just powerful, but have much better colors and are worth it for that reason alone. I ran my Chihiros and >50% on a shallow non-CO2 tank, so yes, the light was overkill, but it looked *great*.

Looking forward to hearing on where you settle with the PAR meter.
 
Back
Top