Je®vis 4FT PLANTED TANK

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 15:53

Hi guys

Finally... it's time to reveal my new tank that has kept me occupied for the past 2 weeks. This is by far my most ambitious planted tank project (in terms of size). Will share more along the way... right now, let me present you a pix of my tank on Day 2.

A step-by-step posting coming up shortly

Feel free to post your comments.

**TTS** · 27th Jul 2008, 16:00

Will follow this closely... always admired your tank design and had learned alot from it

Is that green box at the right side an internal filter?

**pleco4me** · 27th Jul 2008, 17:49

Very nice Jervis

Look forward to more pics

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 19:06

Let's start with the glass tank shall we?

It's a 4' x 2' x 2' standard glass tank using 12mm Grade 1 float glass with black silicone (for marine). White laminate cabinet with hood... the tank is 2 years old, used to be a full fledge marine reef tank primarily keeping SPS.

As for the substrate, decided to go with Dennerle for this project. LINK HERE

The site shows new packaging... so don't get confused

Oh yeah... wanna take this opportunity to thank Aquamarin (J. Katong) for delivering the heavy items to my office

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 19:11

As usual... step-by-step pix of the laying of substrate system.

After laying the Duponit-Mix, I sprinkle a thin layer of Substrate Starter Bacteria over to quickly turn the substrate into a biological powerhouse

You can have fun with this calculator. LINK HERE

I didn't really follow Dennerle's recommended formula... did some modifications

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 19:17

Once the foundation is laid, I dump in 40kg Dennerle Crystal Quartz Gravel as the main substrate. Underneath the black gravel, I laid a thin layer (9L) of ADA Malayan Aquasoil to help lower pH in the long term.

The hardscape is rather simple. 2 pieces of Old Black Wood - L and 1 piece of Old Black Wood - M

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 19:21

For this tank, I am using 100% DI water. The only disadvantage of using DI water is the <1 dkH... which I need to buffer to around 2dkH using kH powder to stabilize pH.

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 19:26

Let's take a look at the lighting. Decided to go with an ATI Sunpower T5 fixture. LINK HERE

Manage to buy the fixture without the marine-bluish light tubes. And fitted it with 4 Osram tubes.

Really like the feature of having a speed-adjustable cooling fan. The design is compact with silver-coated individual reflectors... finishing is superb as expected from a German-made product.

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 20:48

Originally Posted by TTS

Will follow this closely... always admired your tank design and had learned alot from it

Is that green box at the right side an internal filter?

Yes, it's a very classic piece of equipment... will feature it later

Originally Posted by pleco4me

Very nice Jervis

Look forward to more pics

Thanks! More to come...

**EvolutionZ** · 27th Jul 2008, 20:59

WOW... the plant mess really wow me man.. another great work jervis.

**joe faria** · 27th Jul 2008, 21:19

Another great tank

.

What fish are you thinking on this one?

Regards,

Joe Faria

**Jervis** · 27th Jul 2008, 21:39

Originally Posted by EvolutionZ

WOW... the plant mess really wow me man.. another great work jervis.

Yeah wanna try something different this time round... perhaps another jungle to help prevent algae

Originally Posted by joe faria

Another great tank

.

What fish are you thinking on this one?

Regards,

Joe Faria

I have not finalized yet... probably transfer some fauna from my other tanks. But I'd love to see a school of Bosemani rainbow

**Salphur** · 27th Jul 2008, 23:34

Great looking tank with superb photography skills to boot. Looking forward to your updates as always.

Cheers!

**emmanuelwoon** · 28th Jul 2008, 01:20

You are the reason why I am here in this forum, Jervis. =)

Great photography skills !!

keep updating and don't keep us waiting .

Cheers.

**fireblade** · 28th Jul 2008, 11:06

Finally the wait is over!!
no need to sleep liao... will follow this thread closely!! :>

**dagger13** · 28th Jul 2008, 13:23

i can't wait how this tank is going to evovle in time.

**blue33** · 28th Jul 2008, 14:03

Looks abit dark behind? Btw looking forward your setup.

**cheetf** · 28th Jul 2008, 21:22

Deponit is an excellent choice. Just a word of caution, if you finally intend to have yamatos inside the tank, be careful if you do any minor rescape. My shrimps used to curl up and some would die when the base ferts are stirred up.