6Ft Tank Build

[NickAu]

Nice bit of wood, I would love something like that in my 2 foot betta tank. But knowing my betta he would try to crawl into all the little nooks and crannys and get stuck lol. I went to my LFS today to look for some but can't find anything that passes the Betta thumb test, If my thumb fits thru then the fish will.

 

[Alasse]

I have a collection of wood lol Always on the lookout!
 
DIY substrate is in, capped and tank is full......finally
 
Now it is fairly clear, but it wont be once i start planting, 'cause i was lazy and didnt wash the sand lol. Gonna chuck the canister on it tomorrow, that should be interesting lol I'll either end up with a cloudy tank, or it will play nice and just filter as normal .
Will also start playing with the sump, it wont be up and running though until i decide what media to put in it. Thinking lava rock, but we will see.

 

[Alasse]

*a big thanks to my hubby who hung a 3ft light up from the roof just so i could take a pic lol He loves me..................sometimes lol

 

[LyraGuppi]

Gah...It's so pretty...

 

[Alasse]

Canister went on the tank today......some planting started.
 
I also added all the natives.........yeah i know i was going to hold them in QT for another 3 weeks, but i am confident there is no more anchor worm than the ones i removed. They are loving the extra room. Their appetite has gone through the roof, and they are beautiful and lively.....love them. Just need some more now

 

[Alasse]

 

[Malex530]

It looks incredible! Is this a true biotope or arena the plants not native?

 

[Alasse]

Not true biotope.....the current plants may get replaced with native types over time, depends what i find

 

[LyraGuppi]

Looks amazing as always Alasse.

 

[gmc1]

That's excellent.Good work

 

[NickAu]

Hi Alasse
 
I am following this thread to learn a few things. As most of you know I am setting up a tank for a local Charity. My New Project For A Local Charity.
 
I notice you did not cycle your tank, Is that because you will have a sump? Are you going to do a fish in cycle? I have been reading lots about setting up cycling and all that and from what I understand its better to cycle a tank without fish in it.
 
I look forward to your reply as it will help me with my project.
Nick

 

[Alasse]

Thanks guys.
 
I added a heap of Val to the tank today, and i got my cloudy mess lol so no new pic yet lol
 
NickAu - I have no need to cycle the tank as the new canister is full of mature media taken from other canisters/filters here, this gives me a fairly instant cycle

 

[NickAu]

Ahh got it, Thanks.

 

[Alasse]

Update: So i went to pick up the light today, bit of a problem, only one side is working, the other side looks to have blown the ballast. Sooooooo, i am now getting a quote to retrofit the light with LEDs, and an extra strip made to go in behind the sump....I\m gonna have to switch some lights around in the meantime to get a light onto the 6ft or the current plants will not be happy....hmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Alasse]

Ok, scrounged some lights lol. Now they have different bulbs so scuse the varying ends of the tank
 

 
Still nowhere near finished planting, but i'll have to slow down until i get a proper light over the tank