George's Nano Journal

[Gnatfish]

Thanks.

Here's a quick cost break down -

Tank - £10 (Clearseal 12x8x8")
Filter - £8 (Aqua Vital 160)
Lighting - approx £35 total (Interpet PC T5 tube and controller, DIY T8 reflector)
CO2 - approx £100 (pressurized system)
Substrate - £10 (5Kg 1-2mm inert gravel with compost base)
Ferts - approx £15 (Tropica AquaCare Nutrition, potassium nitrate)
Decor - £1.50 (rocks), £8 (riccia stones)
Plants - approx £30 (Tropica Eleocharis acicularis, Riccia sp. "Dwarf")
Fish - approx £20 (10 x Microrasbora nana)

Total - approx £230

Thats loads!!

 

[RadaR]

Poof, seems alot for such a small tank, mind you mine cost well over that for an even smaller tank. Some times its not worth doing the math, to scary if you ask me.

It's just best not to think about it lol.
That's what im trying to do at the moment but hey, theres no point in buying low quality stuff
Moody, doesnt the tropica cube alone cost £149? (theyre in stock at aquaessentials if anyone is interested)


George, whats the weekly maintenance for the hair grass? Planting, thinning and trimming etc.
Just bought 2 tropica pots of it for my nano and i want to get it right first time.
Thanks.

 

[@ombomb]

Thats loads!!

It's pretty good IMO especially as the majority of the spend (the CO2 / tank / filter / lighting) will no doubt be used again in future set ups.

 

[George Farmer]

It does sound a lot, but I didn't pay for a lot of it. The cost was based on RRP.

(I'm not a thief BTW).

FYI my next set up, likely to be a 120cm, has a budget of around £2000 (RRP).

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

NIce one George,
I was about to post and say when were you going to do a larger setup.
1.2m long will be the same as my tank...looking forward to massive doses of inspiration from your new setup.

 

[George Farmer]

Poof, seems alot for such a small tank, mind you mine cost well over that for an even smaller tank. Some times its not worth doing the math, to scary if you ask me.

Ha, ha. I note the RRP for a Tropica AquaCube is around £150 alone. We discussing these in the PFK office, and how superior the glass is in clarity to other nanos. You want the quality, you pay the price (or someone else does).

 

[excaliborg]

FYI my next set up, likely to be a 120cm, has a budget of around £2000 (RRP).

Looking forward to that one

 

[OohFeeshy]

Ha, ha. I note the RRP for a Tropica AquaCube is around £150 alone. We discussing these in the PFK office, and how superior the glass is in clarity to other nanos. You want the quality, you pay the price (or someone else does).

Eek It's quite shiny, and I must admit the light setup is far superior (looks-wise) to anything that could be achieved via DIY, but again, I admit it reminds me of a glass biscuit jar or similar that someone's stoon on it's lid. It doesn't come with a filter, does it? Personally, I'm impressed with the Aquaone range of nanos- mine's holding up a treat, even with the contsant moving of gravel by the occupant. The prices are much more human too

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh its not worth adding it all up, I dont want to give my misses more ammo for making me loss a tank! but most stuff can be reused, if you think the CO2 was nearly half the cost, that can be used indefinitely, so an investment that pays off in the long run, mostly due to less stress from not having to change yeast CO2!

A 120cm tank hey? That'll be cool and a nice decent budget to boot, looking forward to seeing it.

You gonna try a ADA type, path/sand river one? Guess its early days! Wish I had that much to spend on a tank!

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

The photo shoot with PFK went well today.



Neil Hepworth (photographer) and Jeremy Gay (PFK editorial) turned up and stayed for about two hours.

I was keen to meet Neil as I'm becoming a lot more interested in photography. He is a great guy and I learnt a lot. I am lucky to live locally too so he had longer to shoot than normal, allowing for a variety of shots with different backgrounds, ripple techniques (new to Neil), close-ups, full working shots etc.

FYI Neil uses a Canon 5D - a nice camera! I forget the lenses (except one being a 100mm macro), flashes etc. as we were all too busy chatting.

You can see some of Neil's non-aquarium work here - http/www.alamy.com/stock-photography/F08...L+HEPWORTH.html

Jeremy also had a HDD camcorder so there's also some video footage, for the PFK site in the future.

Assuming I get permission from PFK, I can also use Neil photo's in contests/personal use and he has offered to send me a CD with all the shots. I am certainly looking forward to seeing them. I will ask PFK if I can upload some low-res shots to the forum to share with you all.

So, all in all a nice end to this aquascape. I hope to start the new layout this weekend so look out for a new journal.

A final shot with all the hardware on display (except CO2 solenoid)


I hope you've enjoyed this journal. I certainly have.

 

[Underwurlde]

Hell yes!

Thanks for sharing (as usual)...

Andy

 

[Sibelius]

I have indeed George, and I'm sure I stand for everyone when I say that. Just out of interest, do you keep all your tanks, for yourself personally, or will the rescources now be re-used for another project. It's just, I couldn't ever throw away something of such beauty, I'm not normally into changes. I wondered if you were going to look after it as one of your own aquariums now. I can't wait until your next topic starts!

 

[George Farmer]

I have indeed George, and I'm sure I stand for everyone when I say that. Just out of interest, do you keep all your tanks, for yourself personally, or will the rescources now be re-used for another project. It's just, I couldn't ever throw away something of such beauty, I'm not normally into changes. I wondered if you were going to look after it as one of your own aquariums now. I can't wait until your next topic starts!

Thanks.

My little tank and hardware will be re-used, for my next aquascape. The plants will be given away. The fish re-homed in my daughter's tank temporarily.

I generally like change, without it one tends not to progress as far.

This aquascape is nice, but I find it boring and tedious to maintain now. I look forward to a new layout, where no doubt I will learn some more about the wonderful world of planted tanks and aquascaping - there is so much to learn.

 

[Dave Spencer]

How is your daughter`s tank, George. Wouldn`t she like a recent picture of it posted on here?

 

[Themuleous]

An excellent way to end a superb scape I have learnt a lot from you doing this, its greatly appreciated! Nice to have some 'quality' shots to use for competitions as you say. Looking forward to the PFK article now! When do you think it'll be out?

Sam