Jump to content

Jayc's New 3ft tank


jayc

Recommended Posts

For most that know me on this forum, this new tank is a pretty big deal.

For the longest time, my lovely wife has put a ban on any new tanks in the house.  :ban:

However, this last birthday was different, I managed to convince her to let me have another tank, as long as it was not too big.

 

My plans were to turn this tank into a formal area decorative tank.

 

I chose the Mr Aqua 3ft bookshelf.

She's a beauty. Perfect proportions.

 

IMG_7393_zpsa7a2babb.jpg

 

IMG_7397_zps99c33f5e.jpg

 

IMG_7395_zps2d18afbe.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Stocked up on some supplies...

 

IMG_7399_zpsbc8952ed.jpg

 

 

And visited Canley Vale Nursery for some bonsai rocks.

After a quick washdown...

 

IMG_7401_zps4ec8fb06.jpg

 

 

 

The rest of the setup will come from existing gear. I'll reuse filter, media, heater, chiller, and plants.

 

 

Plans are to use Mini Pellia to fill out the "hills" and "mountain valleys". Not sure yet, but maybe Staurogyne clusters as denser "forest" areas.

 

Next will be putting the hardscape together.

Edited by jayc
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well done jayc, you know you'r in the good books when the one who must be obeyed gives the OK for a new tank and accessories.

I still cant get the OK to have a tank upstairs and i've been married almost fifty years.   Just make sure you give her hugzzzzzzzz and tell her yuo love her.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice tank JayC. It's always exciting setting up a new tank.

 

I'm looking forward to updates on this one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just make sure you give her hugzzzzzzzz and tell her yuo love her.

 

You betcha! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice tank JayC. It's always exciting setting up a new tank.

 

I'm looking forward to updates on this one.

 

Thanks D.

 

I'm dancing :jig:  and grinning like Daniel Ricciardo  :D

 

Regular updates will be posted as I work on the tank.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, it's already oozing with creativity.... Awesome, exciting time....the setup and gathering is one of the best.....looking fwd to the updates......

Oh and JayC, check out the FS section... :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm dancing :jig:  and grinning like Daniel Ricciardo  :D

That's a pretty big grin dude. :D

Can't wait to see this progress, will be following this thread with great interest! :thumbsu:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

already looking great :) looking foward to see the setup done. keep us update jayc!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bummer. Two rows of LEDs are not working on the new up aqua lights.

Back to the shop it goes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More Updates.

LED lights replaced, and new tank preparations could begin.

 

First step, as always, is to sprinkle Benibachi Mineral Powder and Super Bee Max on the bottom of the tank prior to adding substrate. A liberal application to cover the entire surface is used. Nothing too scientific.

You can just see the Mineral Powder (grey colour) and the Super Bee Max (brownish colour) in the tank bottom.

 

IMG_7403_zpse1afe0c5.jpg

 

Prior to adding substrate, plan how you'd like your hardscape to look.

My plans are to have hills and a rocky mountains look. 

 

In goes the substrate. But you don't just pour it in willy nilly.

I'm creating my "hills" as I'm pouring the Benibachi powder substrate out of the bag.

In this next shot, I paused after one 5kg bag to show how I'm creating stability with the hills formed out of substrate.

 

IMG_7404_zps2236c908.jpg

 

The plastic take away containers will give some support and resist the substrate sliding back down to the front.

The rocks and plants that will eventually be added will also assist in preventing the substrate sliding back down the front as well.

 

Another view.

IMG_7405_zpsd40c943e.jpg

 

 

All the bags of substrate added.

IMG_7409_zpsc2e3fc70.jpg

 

 

Side profile to show in incline.

IMG_7408_zps3c09c1f9.jpg

 

And then there was light !

IMG_7411_zps80024d53.jpg

 

IMG_7410_zps63dfb0a6.jpg

 

The branch is in there temporarily only and is used to give the photo something more interesting than just plain substrate. I'm not sure if it will be used in my final scape.

 

Normally, I'd add Fulvic Grain over the substrate now, or even one layer down before the final layer of substrate is added. However, I will be using existing filter media, and some existing media from my well established tank. So this step of adding Fulvic Grain is being skipped ... for now. I'll re-assess the water parameters later down the track after cycling to see if Fulvic Grains are needed.

 

Next is the rock scape. This is where it can take weeks.

You can't rush creativity.

Edited by jayc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rock scape added.

 

This is a 5 minute job mind you. Rocks are only placed on top of the substrate for now. They need to be buried a little to give a more natural look.

I think I know what I don't like about it. But ...

Please give me your opinions. And constructive/creative opinions.

 

Also note, the hard edges will eventually be softened by plants in between the rocks.

 

IMG_7413_zps4a5dab34.jpg

 

 

IMG_7415_zps343e36b8.jpg

Yes I know that middle rock colour stands out abit. I was reusing an old piece that I liked the shape of. Just imagine it the same colour

 

A bit like this...

IMG_7414a_zps9102fbad.jpg

Edited by jayc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome, it's coming together nicely!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

you didnt happen to know the names of the "bonsai rocks" by any chance? sweet tank btw, loving the potential

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The pale rock is Yingshi, which I had in my collection previously but never used in my shrimp tanks as it raises KH very slightly. It's the only one in the bunch that I'm not happy with because of the mismatched colour. I'm looking for another to replace it as the central focal piece.

However the darker rocks I'm not sure. I asked the nursery, but their answer was "lava rock", which I doubt is correct.

It's some sort of granite, very hard, and non reactive to vinegar. Almost slate like with it's straight lines, but much harder. I knocked it on a brick accidentally and it gave off an almost metal sound. I paid $6/kg for them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quick Update.

 

Tank is now flooded, and cycling.

I've spaced out the rocks on the left a bit and smoothed out the slope of the substrate.

 

Cycling shouldn't take too long, using old filter.

While it's cycling I'm working on the background.

 

IMG_7419_zps4a5d5cf4.jpg

 

IMG_7420_zps70314e08.jpg

 

All lights off, only lighting effects from the tank.

IMG_7421_zpsfa75af27.jpg

 

With a single background light on.

IMG_7423_zps32986063.jpg

 

IMG_7429_zps2b928777.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sweet looking tank mate! The 'mountains' will look sweet filled in with mini pellia :thumbsu:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thats background looks amazing. How did you make it?

 

What? and let all the secrets out?  :zoro:

 

I'll show you with pics later.

It's so simple, anyone can do it.

 

 

My kids have dubbed the mountain "Mt Fuji".

 

I've run into a minor issue I'd like to resolve.

New Benibachi substrate in the tank, and it's suffering from horrendous surface scum.

Has anyone made their own DIY surface skimmer?

Edited by jayc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, my Bachi soil is doing the same. Although my film scum came from the Super Bacteria Bee Max powder.

I plan to net it and toss it out. I have seen a great surface skimmer in the Exotic Aquatiic Display tank. Give them a call for details :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Join Our Community!

    Register today, ask questions and share your shrimp and fish tank experiences with us!

  • Must Read SKF Articles

  • Posts

    • sdlTBfanUK
      I would hazard a guess that perhaps those eggs were unfertilized and thereby unviable? Did the eggs change colour, usually yellow to grey as the yolks used up, or any eyes in the eggs. Is your water ok, using RO remineralised and the parameters in range, as I have heard others say that if the water isn't good it can 'force' a molt? How is it going overall, do you have a good size colony in the tank, you may have reached 'maximum occupancy' as a tank can only support so many occupants.
    • beanbag
      Hello folks,  The current problem I am having is that my Taiwan bee shrimp are molting before all their eggs have hatched.  Often the shrimp keep the eggs for 40+ days.  During that time, they lose about half or so, either due to dropping or duds or whatever.  Shortly before molting they look to have about a dozen left, and then they molt with about half a dozen eggs still on the shell.  Then the other shirmp will come and eat the shell.  These last few times, I have been getting around 0-3 surviving babies per batch.  I figure I can make the eggs hatch faster by raising the water temperature more (currently around 68F, which is already a few degrees higher than I used to keep it) or make the shrimp grow slower by feeding them less (protein).  Currently I feed Shrimp King complete every other day, and also a small dab of Shrimp Fit alternating days.  Maybe I can start alternating with more vegetable food like mulberry?  or just decrease the amount of food?
    • ngoomie
      Yeah, cancer risk was a thing I'd seen mentioned a lot when looking into gentian violet briefly. I kinda just figured it might only be as bad as the cancer risk of malachite green as well, but maybe I should look into it more. I've been doing a pretty good job of not getting it on my skin and also avoiding dunking my unprotected hands into the tank water while treating my fish at least, though. Maybe I'll just not use it once I'm done this course of medication anyways, because I know a store I can sometimes get to that's pretty distant carries both malachite green and methylene blue, and in pretty large quantities.
    • jayc
      Can't help you with Gentian Violet, sorry. It is banned in Australia violet for potential toxicity, and even possible cancer risks. I thought it was banned in Canada as well. At least, you now know why there isn't much info on gentian violet medication and it's use. But keep an eye on the snails after a week. If it affects the snails, it might not kill them immediately. So keep checking for up to a week. Much safer options out there. No point risking your own life over unsafe products.
    • ngoomie
      Hello! I have a tank that currently does not contain shrimp, but does contain neon tetras which I am currently treating for Ich, as well as some bladder snails. Shrimp will be a later addition, likely cherry shrimp but I'm still doing research just to be sure. Initially I'd intended to buy some sort of Ich-fighting product that contains malachite green after doing a decent bit of research on it, most of which indicated that it should be shrimp-safe so I'd be good if I ever needed to use it again once shrimp were actually introduced (though I should note I'm aware shrimp can't get Ich, I'm more wondering in case the tetras could get Ich again, or something else that responds to similar medication). I ended up not being able to find any MG-containing products without either having to travel quite far or wait multiple days for delivery (which I was worried could lead the Ich to be fatal), and ended up picking up 'Top Fin Ick Remedy', a product that contains gentian violet which is a triarylmethane dye like malachite green. The bottle has two slightly differently worded warnings about its use with invertebrates ("not recommended for" and "not safe for" respectively), but when I'd been researching malachite green, I'd also heard of products that contain MG but not any other ingredients that would be harmful to inverts still being branded with warnings that they could be harmful, just as a "just-in-case" since the manufacturer didn't test it on any inverts, and I'm wondering if maybe it could be a similar situation here. I'm having a very very hard time finding information about gentian violet's use in fishkeeping at all though, it seems currently extremely uncommon. What I will say though is that I'm on day 2 of treating my tetras with it, and the bladder snails seem just fine -- in fact today I noticed what looked to be a bladder snail that appeared to be newly hatched (because of its size) that I hadn't seen before that was zipping around the tank without issue. But obviously, shrimp are not snails, and bladder snails are also notoriously hardy little guys, so what I'm seeing right now could easily be totally inapplicable to cherry shrimp. It might even be inapplicable to other species of snails, for all I know. Has anyone else here ever used anything that contains gentian violet in a tank that actually does contain shrimp? Were they okay, or should I make sure to not use it once shrimp are added?
×
×
  • Create New...