"new" Tank

[smiles669]

Hi everyone. I just spent the last few days totally redoing my 110 gallon tank and thought i would share the results. It has a new painted background, sand substrate instead of the awful large stones i had, and some new lighting. My little friends inside will be changed as well! I would like to work the tank around a few species of Corys, some Barbs, and would love to pick up a Featherfin catfish. Thanks all!
 

 

 

 

[DrRob]

Not my taste, but what you have done is certainly eye catching and I can see the artistry in it's layout. Well done.
 
Background looks nice and smooth.

 

[Shelster]

It's certainly colourful, although I'm not a fan of plastic plants, you have plenty of colour there.

Have you ever tried real plants? I just thought the colours of the plastic ones may distract from the beauty of the fish?
Plus fish love real plants and they help keep nitrates down

 

[smiles669]

I would love to do real plants, and i have thought about it, my only issue is lighting with the 2 foot depth ( there are 2 t8 lights), and the fact that i want to get some barbs, and i have read they are a problem with live plants. Is this true? I also have never had any experience with live plants before. I was considering heading down to my creek to try out a few from there, there are some really nice looking ones, but im also unsure of how to make sure they are safe for the fish.

 

[daizeUK]

Maybe you could start with some low light plants like crypts, anubias, java fern and moss.
 
For that size tank, I would get a really big piece of bogwood and cover it with moss, tie a couple of anubias or java fern to it.  It would help to fill in the gaps in the background and give you a centrepiece ornament to focus on.
 
As for barbs eating them, not sure about crypts but I think anubias, java fern and moss are fairly safe from most fish, they won't get eaten easily!
 
I like the way you've used different height plants in your tank but I agree with Shelster, all those colours are screaming for attention!  I would consider maybe sticking to one or two colours and have a planned colour scheme.  I like the way the pink and red plants work together on the left of the tank.  Although those cheeky little blue plants are cute, they look like little mushrooms haha!

 

[smiles669]

Thanks a lot for the advice! I will definitely be thinking about that now! And i really love the little blue and purple plants, I wanted something for the corys to be able to play and swim through when i get them  

 

[TallTree01]

The tank looks a little too fake for me I'm afraid. Green is always best when it comes to plants.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I've always been bowled over by lush, green, plant-filled tanks. But that's just me. It seems you could do so much with such a large tank!
 
A warning about picking up plants from nearby streams or rivers ... those plants are used to much colder temperatures than a tropical tank provides, and probably won't do very well. I'd hate to see you disappointed by thinking that live plants are difficult, when it's simply a matter of the wrong plant for your tank.
 
I agree that the lower light plants do well and would be very pretty in your tank. And I have a tank full of tiger barbs and red eye tetras ... my plants are untouched by them.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I personally don't like all the fake colours of plastic plants but I will admit you have made it work!
One good thing about all the different live plants that are available is that you could almost make your tank look exactly how it is, just a green version. 
A little bit of research is all thats needed and soon you could have a tank full of live green plants that look exactly like the plastic ones (minus the different colouring).

 

[smiles669]

Thanks a lot guys! I don't think I'll be collecting any wild plants from around here, but I will definitely be looking around for a nice piece of driftwood or some roots that I could use for the centre piece in the tank, and try some moss with it and go from there. I know that i would need to use a bleach solution on it, and boil it quite a few times and let it sit for a long time as well, but does any one have any other tricks they like to do for making their own driftwood safe? I really do love the look of planted tanks and I would like to start on that right away  

 

[This Old Spouse]

It's best not to boil wood as it breaks down the fibers. Just scrub it well with a brush and hot water then pour boiling water over it. Then soak it for a week or two.

 

[smiles669]

Thanks a lot! how often should i change the water its soaking in?

 

[TheStretchedElf]

I might go for black background with black or grey sand in a future tank. Not sure I'd go for such colourful plants though.

 

[Shelster]

Thanks a lot! how often should i change the water its soaking in?

I changed the water in my soaking bogwood every couple of days, but tannins leaching out into your tank after this aren't the end of the world - some fish like it.
If you aren't keen on the tannins look, water changes should get rid of them in time, I think however that they add a nice effect to the tank, looking forward to seeing pics with plants in

 

[smiles669]

Thanks I think I'm going to start looking for some driftwood or roots this week!