120G High Tech Planted Upgrade

[ChilliPepper]

New tank is arriving today - 4x2x2 They got it built and delivered in amazing time as I'm such a good customer But I most probably won't be able to use it right away as the silicone needs to cure.

Stocking will be

Plants

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green
Cryptocoryne Wendtii Brown
Cryptocoryne Nevellii
Echinodorus Parviflorus
Anubias Nana on wood
Nymphaea Tiger Lotus Red
Vallis
Java Fern
Red Cabomba
Green Cambomba
Hygrophila Rosae Australis
Aponogeton Ulvaceus
Moss balls

Fish

M. praecox
M. lacustris
M. bosemani
M. trifasciata
G. insicus,
Geo of some description
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Cleithracara maronii
Apistogramma agassizi
Pangio kuhlii
Corydoras panda
Corydoras pygmy
Caridina multidentata

And looking out for an Angelfish that catches my eye

Lighting

2 x 39w T5's

Filtration

Eheim 2217+ with extra spray bar
Koralia Nano powerhead

Substrate

Not decided yet whether to use existing sand or buy a special planted substrate

Ferts

EasyCarbo
Profito
Either AE Nourish range or TPN+. Probably the latter.

Photos later

(edited title as had got the gallonage wrong, duh. Its 100 UKg, 120 USg)

 

[ChilliPepper]

Photos

Got 10 (maybe 11 as don't think the bloke counted properly, more khulis (8/9 stripey, 2 black) so that brings me up to 17 khulis altogether, 3 Corydoras julli (they didn't have any pandas) and 3 Ottos. I'm putting them in a spare hex tank temporarily, as no point stressing them out too much. They're easier to catch in the hex.

I'm not paying extortionate prices for substrate either, as it'd cost a fortune in a tank this size. So I will use sand.

Oh and here's my 2ft cube that will soon be a little reef

 

[Haveagojoe]

Lovely looking tank you've got there its going to look fab when its up and running.

 

[ian]

nice tank, nice kitchen also!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Cool, looking forward to some pics of it getting planted, you know it would only cost about 40quid to throw a layer of JBL under your sand in there and would benefit a fair few of the plants on your list there.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Cool, looking forward to some pics of it getting planted, you know it would only cost about 40quid to throw a layer of JBL under your sand in there and would benefit a fair few of the plants on your list there.

£40? How much would I need? Didn't realise I could use it as well as sand.

Probably spending the same on my marine substrate, so need to keep costs down where I can. If it's really, really worth it then I'll do it as it's now or never.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

You only need a thin layer under the sand in the most heavily planted areas, when planting the roots will root down to it and some nutrients will leak into the 1st cm of sand anyway, sand being so tightly compact with the tiny granules means it is difficult to get any nutrients through roots anyway. Where as gravel allows some flow through it, up to you but I would use it.

 

[lljdma06]

Those are two really nice looking systems there!

Will be following this with interest.

 

[ChilliPepper]

OK, I went for the JBL aqua basis under the sand. Hopefully it will pay off

Got some piccies for you. Please excuse the 'bows, they are a bit jumpy at the moment, as to be expected.

Had to do some heavy pruning of my anubias to get rid of the BBA

My plan is to add some more Cabomba at the back left hand side, and some more Crypts near the front.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Rainbows are happier now. They've worked out that we come into the kitchen from the right, so either wait there or swim down to meet us when we come in the room. The boys are being p£ervs, so must be feeling OK now

 

[festo]

Thats looking fantastic,
if you dont mind me asking what wood is it and where did you buy it?

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks, it's redmoor from aqua essentials.

 

[Carlovel1]

 

[lljdma06]

I love the bare patches of substrate. My only concern is the possible lack of plantmass for the lighting in the system. Otherwise, what a tank for rainbows!

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks I'm going to order some more plants and tpn+ today, so should be a bit fuller then and the fish happier. My moody keyhole is peeved not enough not to eat last night though

The lighting is very high, but got to work with what I already have. My marine adventure is costing a small fortune