Journal Gwad's 20 gal Dutch Tank

[Gwad]

Hi everyone,

I am really inspired by some of the incredible tanks posted here and your AGA entries. I've decided to start working on my own Dutch scapes as I've had CO2 for a couple years and am now looking to really dial in my horticulture skills.

Unfortunately I am currently in a situation where I really can't fit a large tank into my house/lifestyle (3 little boys who put their hands on everything), so my largest tank is a 20g long that's safe in my office. It used to hold a nice low tech nature scape but I was ready for a change.

I decided to make this journal for me to log my progress and hopefully get some advice and recommendations.

First to get some attention, here is the tank as of today. I am excited as it's going quite well so far.


Photo of tank on Oct 22nd (prior to some new tissue cultures and a few plant transfers from my other tank)


Now my equipment list:

Tank: 20 gallon long rimmed tank from Petco

Filter: Fluval 207 canister filter (used on FB marketplace for 40 bucks)

Lighting: 2x GE Ultra Bright LED flood lights, 2700K warm white, 2200 lumen each ($16 total and then I made some seriously redneck pendant light fixtures to hang them from random old lamps I had)

CO2: Pressurized cylinder, Co2 Art dual stage regulator (used for $50), DIY Yugang horizontal reactor sized for ~1.2 point drop

In-tank heater set to about 75F

Substrate: Fluval Biostratum bought with 40% off sale at Petco. I know this stuff isn't great but it's ok so far. I may eventually add root tabs.

All in all, this tank is very thrifty.

Water: RO/DI remineralized to 6 dGH

Weekly Fertilization schedule:
NO3: 18ppm
PO4: 4.8 ppm
K: 24 ppm
Fe: 0.4 ppm with Miller Microplex for traces
50% water change

Dosed as 4 doses but double dosing on water change day for stability. I have also been doing an extra dry dosing of 9 ppm phosphate until the aquasoil stops eating that.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Looks great, Gwad!

 

[Gwad]

Now for plants. I am still working on the selections. Unfortunately I live in Washington far from Seattle and have very few choices locally for aquarium plants that aren't just Petco and Petsmart. We do have a new shop that just opened that will have some CO2 injected tanks so that's exciting.

Current list left to right in the tank:
-Mayaca Fluviatilis curtain
-Mexican oak leaf
-Limnophila Hippuridoides
-Lobelia Cardinalis
-Ludwigia Palustris
-Eriocaulon Vietnam
-Bacopa monnieri
-Rotala Blood Red
-Staurogyne Repens
-Cryptocoryne wendtii
-Water sprite
-"Dwarf" Sagittaria curtain

Right now I feel pretty good about everything except for the water sprite and Mexican oak leaf plants at both back corners. They have been great for keeping algae away in the early tank days but I will likely swap them for something a little easier to keep tidy.

Any suggestions on smaller sized stem plants that always stay green would be appreciated. I have been considering something with a feathery texture like a myriophyllum.

 

[Kwyet]

Penthorum sediodes stays green and tolerates trimming very well. It’s a great plant for streets. Limnophila wilsonii is also light green and feathery like myrio, but also grows very fast.

 

[Gwad]

Penthorum sediodes stays green and tolerates trimming very well. It’s a great plant for streets. Limnophila wilsonii is also light green and feathery like myrio, but also grows very fast.

Thanks! I've been eyeing the limnophila wilsonii from Burr. My only concern is that it might be a little too large scale for this tank because it's only ~11" tall or so. I was also looking at myriophyllum guyana.

 

[Kwyet]

Thanks! I've been eyeing the limnophila wilsonii from Burr. My only concern is that it might be a little too large scale for this tank because it's only ~11" tall or so. I was also looking at myriophyllum guyana.

Oh, I forgot about that one. It would be more manageable for sure. It’s kind of similar to the Mayaca fluviatilis though. You wouldn’t want them near each other.

Here’s a great guide: Some Rules for Dutch Style Aquascaping - A Quick Guide for Beginners

 

[Koan]

Unfortunately I live in Washington far from Seattle

Hey Tri-cities, just recently moved away from a number of years down in Colfax here

Looks like Portland has a new aquascaping-friendly store Always a good excuse to take the kids to go see OMSI and The Wet Spot!

And of course the new Portland Cartoon Aquarium

 

[Gwad]

Hey Tri-cities, just recently moved away from a number of years down in Colfax here

Looks like Portland has a new aquascaping-friendly store Always a good excuse to take the kids to go see OMSI and The Wet Spot!

And of course the new Portland Cartoon Aquarium

Small world! I haven't been out to Colfax in probably 10 years, but my grandparents were WSU football season ticket holders so I have been that way many times before.

Good find! We have family near Vancouver WA so we are in Portland fairly often. We really like the zoo there but haven't been to OMSI yet.

 

[Koan]

haven't been out to Colfax in probably 10 years

Haha, why would you, hard to believe it's the county seat

Was living right on the river there, gorgeous I miss it