Ch4Rlies First High Tech Planted Tank Atttempt!

[Ch4rlie]

Following!

 

Looks good so far. 
 
Time for the plants

Oh yes! Plants coming soon, watch this space! 

 

I have a feeling this is going to be perfect!

Do you really think so, you may just be right 

 

They are looking great. Really bright....
 

Yes, these LED's lights are pretty bright aren't they, at first i thought they were too bright but realise they are pretty decent and is exactly is whats needed for high tech, especially for carpet plants.
 

blinkey blimey they're bright! or maybe because im sat here with the lights off lol.
looks great so far ch4rlie. cant wait to see what you do with it all.

 
No, these lights ARE blinking' bright! lol
 
Takes a little getting used to but honestly, I think they look great, the lights really shows off the substrate and light penetrates down about half or three quarter of an inch through the substrate!

 
Hopefully the colour of plants will really show with these LEDS.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Adding decor now, found some stones and wood i had spare in the garage, vinegar test on the stone and poured very hot water over them, all good.
 
Soaked the word and also poured hot water over this to ensure got rid of any nasties that may have made a home in the wood!
 

 
 
Also decided to add the bacopa and the vallis plant i had in that tank previously.
Water is a little cloudy due to planting into substrate .
 

 
Looks good and getting there! 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Decided I did not like the stones in the tank, so spent a little time in maidenhead Aquatics before finally deciding on different rocks that thought would work well in that little nano tank.
 
And with a little help from a few members on this forum about layout and rock orientation and how many, this the final result.
Very pleased with this and much happier.
 
Thanks for the help guys 

 

 
Also, ordered some plants 

Tropica 1- 2 Grow
 
1x Hemianthus 'Cuba'
1x Lobelia cardinelis dwarf
1x Ranuculus inundatus
 
Can't wait for next stage - planting 

 

[brittgs]

The new rocks look great, more texture.  I also like the way you've spread them out a bit.

 

[Ch4rlie]

The new rocks look great, more texture.  I also like the way you've spread them out a bit.

 
Yeah, much better than first attempt with the smooth stone. Glad you agree 

 
I did a water test on pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates
 
pH approx 6.4 , which is lower than the normal readings from tap and other tanks around 7.8
 
Ammonia 0.5 ppm, nitrite 0 and nitrates well, lets say its pretty high!
 
All resulting from the substrate I think, since there are no stocking in that tank and the filter does have media that was already cycled.
 

 
So, anyone wishing to change substrate to this would be well advised NOT to stock their tank for at least 2 weeks after adding this substrate. And do ensure you check parameters beforehand etc etc
 
 
PLANTS arrived! from left, hemianthus cuba, inundates, cardinalis dwarf
 

 
have to say am a little disappointed with the cardinals dwarf as i thought this would be a much shorter plant, but hey ho, will make it work somehow 

 
Took the cuba out of the pot, washed off the gel from roots and cut to size ready for planting into substrate 
 

 
Let the planting commence......

 

[Ch4rlie]

Lowered the tank water to make planting a title easier, think should have lowered a title more! Too late now! lol
 

 
Surface of water full of floating plant bits.

 
The completed planting.
 
Decided to take out the bacopa as did not really fit in with other plants.
 
The Hemianthus 'Cuba' planted to try and make a carpet over substrate,  Ranuculus inundatus on right hand side of tank, Lobelia cardinals dwarf at the back just to left of wood, and straight vallis at back in right corner behind the wood.
 

 
Side view

 
Co2 switched on, all the debris taken from surface, water settled and looking good if i may say so myself!

 

[sawickib]

Wow this all happened fast... Lol looking good

 

[Ch4rlie]

Wow this all happened fast... Lol looking good

 
To be honest, this was done over the last week or two, i took pictures along the way.
 
So was putting this together to make a sort of planted journal for those interested.
 
But will update more when have the carpet plant covering the substrate and also when I decide to add shrimps and snails as well in a few weeks time.

 

[Ch4rlie]

 
My favourite pic.
 
Plant pearling  

 

[LilyRose Tank]

Beautiful scape ch4rlie, looks lovely x

 

[Fishmanic]

what plant is that with the air bubble?   Looks great---love the wood for that tank--perfect

 

[Ch4rlie]

Beautiful scape ch4rlie, looks lovely x

 
Thanks Jayne 

 
 

what plant is that with the air bubble?   Looks great---love the wood for that tank--perfect

 
Plant with the air bubble is Ranuculus inundates, thank you and yes am pleased I had the wood going spare in the garage so it was pretty much perfect, i did debate whether to use a different wood i also had spare.
Which was actually a decent sized piece for that little tank, but did not quite have that factor as the other piece did. 
 

 

[daizeUK]

Looks beautiful! Good work!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Looks beautiful!

Good work!

 

Thanks daize

 

[TallTree01]

Beautiful planting Charlie!