My 1St Planted Tank In A Rio 180 ... Going Low-Tech

[thefubar]

I have a nice few pics to share with you all soon, but you're going to have to be patient...all will be revealed

 

[thefubar]

I have built my first ever Moss Wall. I used Xmas Moss, a 10mm hole Plastic sink mat, 5mm netting, a load of short cable ties, some suction cups and strong sewing thread which is like thin fishing line.

I put the netting over the top of the plastic base.
I cable tied the netting with some overlap
I spread the moss out over the 5mm black netting.
i then criss-crossed the thread back and forth at about 10-15mm at a time over the width of the wall, then did the same over the length of the wall. It creates an invisible barrier for the moss to grow through.
Then i placed it in the aquarium to settle in!

I tried to get the suction cups but i've had to go to ebay and i'm waiting for those to be delivered. When they are i will use them to hold it against the wall more firmly.

The plan is to add a 2nd above the first when this current wall thickens out a bit and gives me some cuttings.

2nd piece of work if the java moss which is covering the bogwood i have to the right side of the tank...

I have used a shower scrunchie (just cut out the string and there is loads of it. It comes out like a net pipe. So i just pulled it tight and cable tied underneath. I am hoping to remove this before it grows out too much. But i am told to cut back the first growth is good as it promotes further growth.


You can also use the netting pipe to store moss in your tank without it going everywhere. I keep meaning to pick up a small cork ball to put inside to see whether it is enough to make it float at the surface.


Sorry there aren't any "build stage" pictures but i totally forgot, when i was doing it a 2am the other day. Next one i'll defo do a video or something!

 

[hensonc4098]

Looking really good

 

[thefubar]

Thanks very much.

I took the netting off the bogwood moss today and it has all stayed attached really well. My newly aquired 60+ cherry shrimp have been tidying it right up and it looks really clean and i am a happy boy for the weekend.

I have some slate outside so i am going to make some caves to fit in with the decor, trying to keep the ground dwellers happy! I've got some extra java moss growing in a netting bag in the tank and hopefully that'll be good enough to cover the cave roofs

I'll try and remember to take some construction pictures this time round.

 

[mixmaster jay]

its all looking awesome mate

 

[mancin]

Any new pics?

 

[thefubar]

Thanks for the nudge. I will try and remember to snap a couple of photos to update tonight. I have just started a Kleeneze Catalogue business on top of my full-time job (extra fund required ) and i only ever see the fish with the lights off now.

Needs must when the ...

 

[lljdma06]

Thanks for the nudge. I will try and remember to snap a couple of photos to update tonight. I have just started a Kleeneze Catalogue business on top of my full-time job (extra fund required ) and i only ever see the fish with the lights off now.

Needs must when the ...

Oh, I know how your feel. The way my photo periods are timed in my tanks, they are off by the time I come home too.

Do you want me to move this to journals? It seems like a journal to me.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Wow, That Pool Filter Sand looks awesome man. How much did it cost, also I love the arrangement of the plants at the moment, nice work!

 

[hensonc4098]

Hows the moss wall filling out?

 

[thefubar]

Oh, I know how your feel. The way my photo periods are timed in my tanks, they are off by the time I come home too.

Do you want me to move this to journals? It seems like a journal to me.

If it makes the forums tidier i am happy for you to move this to whereveer you feels its best.

I was aiming for it to be 60% planted 40% fish focused but without pro CO2 for the time being. Still no chance to photo yet, but i should be able to get it done tonight

Wow, That Pool Filter Sand looks awesome man. How much did it cost, also I love the arrangement of the plants at the moment, nice work!

I am so unbelievably happy with the sand i bought. £15 from my local pool place (attached to our garden centre) and i think there was 25kgs. I have a bit left over too. It doesn't compact at all, it looks natural and i am a massive fan

Hows the moss wall filling out?

Not great tbh, i thought the method i used it would be difficult to see any plastic by now but its surprisingly sparse. The netting on the bogwood has been removed for the java moss and that is growing like a mushroom in muck. I have been erratic in my dosing over the last couple of weeks, which is possibly to blame. WC and dosing tonight before i slip another week.

 

[lljdma06]

Oh, I know how your feel. The way my photo periods are timed in my tanks, they are off by the time I come home too.

Do you want me to move this to journals? It seems like a journal to me.

If it makes the forums tidier i am happy for you to move this to whereveer you feels its best.

I was aiming for it to be 60% planted 40% fish focused but without pro CO2 for the time being. Still no chance to photo yet, but i should be able to get it done tonight

A journal it is then.

llj

 

[thefubar]

 

[lljdma06]

Hey! That moss wall is coming along! Great work.

 

[hensonc4098]

Wow! What a difference in your tank! The plants are filling out really well

The moss wall's looking pretty good too