18x18x18" Equipmentless Cube - Now Planted Tropical

[jemram]

Well following on from my tank crash about a month ago, I've converted the tank to tropical. I just didn't have the heart to set it up again as marine, and being some what of a perfectionist I knew as a marine tank it would have to have been even better than before. I'm not sure that's possible so I know I would have ended up frustrated

So the decision was finally made at the weekend to set the tank up as a tropical planted tank. It's still got no equipment in the tank at all with the filter and heater, fed via two bulkheads in the base of the tank, in the cabinet below and still in the middle of the room so you can see all the way round it.

Considering it was only setup yesterday with the help of some mature media from my inlaws tank, I'm pleased

The only fish so far

 

[Underwurlde]

Very nice 'scape.

Can I ask for some spec's please...
Substrate?
Size?
Plants?
Lighting? Period?
Filter? How is it set up?
Do you 'dose'? If so what?
Do you have CO2?

I think you may end up having to get more plants in there....

Andy

 

[jemram]

Very nice 'scape.

Can I ask for some spec's please...
Substrate?
Size?
Plants?
Lighting? Period?
Filter? How is it set up?
Do you 'dose'? If so what?
Do you have CO2?

I think you may end up having to get more plants in there....

Andy

Substrate?
Innert black sand (looks alot like black glass close up)

Size?
18x18x18 inches (45x45x45cm)

Plants?
No idea maybe someone could id them.

Lighting? Period?
Arcadia Luminaire 2x14w T8. I expect I will get a 70W Arcadia hetal halide in time though. Will be on for 5 hours, off for 2 and back on for 5 I expect.

Filter? How is it set up?
Two holes in the base of the tank with a bulkhead connected to a valve and then a hose tail in each.

This picture shows the tank in the room and how the bulkheads are (The strainer is much simpler now and is accessible for cleaning just!)

Do you 'dose'? If so what?
Nothing yet. I will do. I also have RO water avalible if someone could give me advice on how best to use it in a freshwater tank. Currently just tap water.

Do you have CO2?
Not yet, but plan to.

 

[Underwurlde]

Ooo! Guess the plant competion!

I'm usually utterly rubbish IDing plants as there are about 300 different species available and I'm far too thick to remember them all!
But - the spiky red one MAY not even be an aquatic plant.... (but like I said, i'm rubbish.... so sorry if it isn't).

So, what do you know of keeping plants?
For sure they're gunna need some ferts in there with an effectively 'dead' substrate such as that & if you combine that with the lighting you have, sorry dude, expect an algae farm!

Andy

 

[jemram]

Ooo! Guess the plant competion!

I'm usually utterly rubbish IDing plants as there are about 300 different species available and I'm far too thick to remember them all!
But - the spiky red one MAY not even be an aquatic plant.... (but like I said, i'm rubbish.... so sorry if it isn't).

So, what do you know of keeping plants?
For sure they're gunna need some ferts in there with an effectively 'dead' substrate such as that & if you combine that with the lighting you have, sorry dude, expect an algae farm!

Andy

As I say I am going to up the lighting, most likely to a 70W Metal Halide, I'm also going to add CO2 soon.

 

[lilfishie]

looks great are you planning on adding any other fish to it?

 

[stang1]

It did look beautiful as a marine set up but I must say it looks great as it is now!

 

[cheesy feet]

You have wisteria,hydrocotyle leucocephala and a non aquatic plant which i think might be a 'wheat plant' or 'spider plant'.The little red one reminds me of a.reineckii but i can't see properly.The last one looks like plastic

 

[jemram]

You have wisteria,hydrocotyle leucocephala and a non aquatic plant which i think might be a 'wheat plant' or 'spider plant'.The little red one reminds me of a.reineckii but i can't see properly.The last one looks like plastic

Thanks for that. There are no plastic plants. I think your right about the red and green leaved grass like plant being non aquatic. I'll see how it goes, but if it looks like it's not doing well I'll tank it out. The tank is going to mature and change over time though.

Fish wise it's going to remain pretty simple. I'm most likely going to add some cardinal tetras and a couple of corys.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

looks very nice

 

[JackoUK]

Looks like a great setup jemram. My only concern would be that is was in the middle of the room and from i've learnt fish don't like too many people passing by the tank startling them, hence the reason i've always tried to put my tanks in corners wherever possible or atleast along walls. But seeing as your not going to have too many fish this probably won't be a problem. Nice Betta by the way.

 

[jemram]

Looks like a great setup jemram. My only concern would be that is was in the middle of the room and from i've learnt fish don't like too many people passing by the tank startling them, hence the reason i've always tried to put my tanks in corners wherever possible or atleast along walls. But seeing as your not going to have too many fish this probably won't be a problem. Nice Betta by the way.

It didn't seem to bother the marine fish, and I cant say the Betta looks bothered at all. That said, I would not keep Discus in the tank for this reason (and that at 19 gallons it's too small for discus!)

 

[jemram]

Well today I added 10 Cardinal Tetras and a Queen Arabesque Pleco (L-260). All settled in fine.

 

[JackoUK]

Well today I added 10 Cardinal Tetras and a Queen Arabesque Pleco (L-260). All settled in fine.

Have you seen your Queen Arabesque yet. The only time I have a chance of seeing mine is when I come in from nights and the lights still off.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

i think you should get that betta a girlfriend