Journal Waterbox 20g AIO Planted Tank

[NC AL]

Nice! I don't expect long life span out of these Landens good to have a new go-to when they fail!

Why not go to their smaller pump, already 30% cheaper?

Axis 20 Centrifugal Pump (185 GPH)

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www.bulkreefsupply.com

2 reasons: 1) If I go to a larger systems I have a pump that can still work without having to buy another. 2) A larger pump at a reduce setting runs more silently and I feel creates less wear and tear on the motors and components for a longer life. The extra $30 is worth that for me.

I actually have this same AI Axis 40 on my 8 gallon Salt water. It fluctuates between 20 and 45% at various times throughout the day to get different currents in the tank. It sits on my desk at work and even during the highest flow times I cant hear it. When I set up the dame tank but for freshwater, I bought the smaller. I regret not getting another 40 then. If I had I would need to get one now....

 

[NC AL]

This is a great feature did you design this bracket? and/or is it on Thingiverse or somewhere?

I want one two

This is of my design. Egg crate and zip ties. I have learned over the last few years with different tanks. It really makes things easy and worry free. If you are interesed I can take some better pics of the bracket. I clean my saltwater desk tank on mondays.

 

[Koan]

This is of my design. Egg crate and zip ties. I have learned over the last few years with different tanks.

No-tech. Genius.

It really makes things easy and worry free. If you are interesed I can take some better pics of the bracket.

Great! Yes please

 

[NC AL]

Great! Yes please

Like I said, nothing g real special. It’s just easy and works. I added a few obligatory tank pics as well.

 

[NC AL]

I finished the lid. I put a rubber foam strip in the under side notch to be the contact on the glass top. A “jump guard” to keep the fish out of the back chamber. A top to keep stuff out of the tank. Lights are installed. I plan to aquascape tomorrow and order plants Tuesday.

 

[NC AL]

CO2 is up and running. Everything is working smoothly. My 2 stage mechanical filtration is doing great. We will see more once it has a bioload. It is collecting bacteria and scum.

View attachment IMG_2092.mov

 

[NC AL]

PLANTING DAY!

Hygrophila Compact from my old tank

New stuff:
Bacopa Carolina
Rotala Wallichii
Ludwigia Natans SR
Rotala macrandra mini pink
Alternanthera reineckii mini
Lagenandra meeboldii red
Anubias barteri broad white
Dwarf hair grass
Tiger lotus bulb

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I think a better spot for the lotus is in the middle of the hydrophila IMO, it’s gonna get big in that corner.

 

[NC AL]

I think a better spot for the lotus is in the middle of the hydrophila IMO, it’s gonna get big in that corner.

The thought is I will keep it pruned smaller and it will give the fish a place to go. It was an impulse buy. I was going to put it in my small tank, but have since decided that will be broken down or sold. I didn’t want it too deep into the other plants in case I need to remove it.

That corner, although in the front, is a back point from main viewing.

 

[MrJG]

Yay plant day! I too grabbed a little red Tiger lotus on a whim a while back. Never been much for bulb plants but chucked it in my low light cube. I’m quite happy with the colors and the slow growth rate now and glad I gave it a shot. It’s mainly lime green with speckles for me.

 

[NC AL]

2 WEEKS
(since planting)​

Dual stage mechanical filtration is doing great! Yesterday I finally turned on the UV light. Between the two the water is crystal clear.

I have added my emerald dwarf rasboras. They seem to like the upgrade and are swimming much more out in the open than before. I am trying to decide between a few more of these or CPDs. I also plan to add a few platys or male guppies for some extra interest. I am going with fish that prefer harder water as this tank will utilize tap water for water changes. I have relatively decent well water.

A few days ago I added some neocaridina and 3 armano shrimp along with my 2 nerite snails.

Most plants are showing new growth. Any suggestions are always welcomed.

Bacopa Carolina has new growth, I had to cut and replant it to the new growth. Lower stems were too long and only had melted leaves.

Rotala wallichii is doing well. It should look great once I can replant and increase the plant density.

Ludwigia Natans is doing well. Also will look better when I can increase the plant density.

Rotala macrandra mini pink has new growth but took a beating early on. I guess time will tell.

AR mini never really looked good and still doesn’t….

Lagenandra meeboldii red seems to be doling well. It’s producing new leaves and when more grow out, I plan to trim the old ones.

Anubias white is doing well. However I finally had to glue them to small rocks. I couldn’t get wedged in enough and every other day one was floating at the top.

Dwarf hair grass is doing well.

Tiger lotus is doing well. It is producing new leaves so I trimmed off the biggest leaves.

I also have some red root floaters. My plan is to remove them once the other plants get more substantial. Perhaps might keep them confined over the Bacopa once I get my weir guard.

 

[AquaLady153]

this is coming out awesome.

 

[NC AL]

ONE MONTH
(since planting)​

I started having some algae issue. I knew I did not have much of a clean up crew and then I noticed some shrimp got into my filtration chambers. Unfortunately most of them did not make it. The algae was getting out of control. I took a three prong approach to correcting it. I adjusted the lights down a little, ordered a much stronger clean up crew, and began dosing a minor amount of Seachem excell. Whether it was one thing or all three, the tank looks amazing now! As a bonus, either the amano shrimp or the platys are pruning the Hygrophila. All the older leaves are being removed and floating to the top. Where I pick them out. Only the older leaves. It’s really awesome and the Hygrophila looks lush and outstanding because of it.

I added 8 celestial pearl danios, 8 amano shrimp, 6 ottos, 3 platys.

SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED!

HOW THE PLANTS ARE DOING:

• What’s done great!: Hygrophila compacta, Ludwigia Natans, Tiger Lotus, Anubis petite white
• What’s doing OK: dwarf hair grass, Lagenandra meeboldii, wallichii ( I planted some from a separate vendor)
• What has done horribly: Bacopa Carolina, Rotala macrandra, AR mini. There is a little bit of each left but they aren’t growing well.
• Since the Bacopa did so poorly I added water wisteria in its place.

NEXT STEPS:

• This week I am going to trim the wallichii and Ludwigia the. Plant the cutting to make the are fuller.
• My original plan was to keep the Tiger lotus trimmed small, but I absolutely love this plant. I am contemplating removing the wallichii and replanting the lotus in the back corner and let it grow a little higher. It has such a deep red color.
• All of the anubias white will be attached to a small piece of wood and displayed towards the front. Right now they are lost in the larger plants.

PICTURES:


View attachment IMG_2142.mov

 

[Mr. Silly Goose]

Did you plant the tiger lotus in a pot/container?

 

[NC AL]

Did you plant the tiger lotus in a pot/container?

No, the bulb was placed about halfway down into the substrate.

 

[JayP]

Is the substrate only gravel or is there something underneath? I ask because the issues you're haveing with Bacopa and AR Mini. They shouldn't be too difficult but I don't know if the substrate might have something to do with that.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

So your lotus appears to be Nymphae Stellata, not Zenkiri (Tiger Lotus). Yours will actually stay small like it’s growing, and continue with those more spade like leaves. It’s why I initially recommended putting it in the middle but it clearly worked out

 

[NC AL]

Is the substrate only gravel or is there something underneath? I ask because the issues you're haveing with Bacopa and AR Mini. They shouldn't be too difficult but I don't know if the substrate might have something to do with that.

1-2” of aqua soil. The front inch and about a 0.5” cap of gravel. I hate the color of the gravel….eventually it shouldn’t be very visible.

The Bacopa just never really rooted and I kept finding pieces at the top of the tank. The ones that stayed put never really grew. I bought it because it was suppose to be easy.

The AR mini was tissue culture. I think one of the five is left.

 

[Mr. Silly Goose]

No, the bulb was placed about halfway down into the substrate.

I don't have any experience with Tiger lotus yet, but have some on the way. I read that the roots can get pretty unruly. I imagine someone with more experience might be able to speak on that.

Here's a link for reference: Red Tiger Lotus Care Guide – Planting, Growing, and Propagation - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

 

[NC AL]

So your lotus appears to be Nymphae Stellata, not Zenkiri (Tiger Lotus). Yours will actually stay small like it’s growing, and continue with those more spade like leaves. It’s why I initially recommended putting it in the middle but it clearly worked out

Possibly, I have no clue. This is what I ordered.