New Tank

[nazeem]

Hi everyone,

This is only my 2nd post here, so please be gentle!

I've experimented with a couple of nano tanks, and I've got the "itch" to go all in with a centrepiece tank for my living room.

Here's what i'm planning:

Dimensions: 3ft x 1.5ft x 2ft (height) + cabinet (Custom made)
Lighting: Maxspect Razor 160w 8000k
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Powder + Substrate additives
Filter(s): Eheim 2073 + 2213 - Purchased 2nd hand
CO2: 3L tank + Up aqua inline atomizer + Solenoid Regulator
Cooling: Teco TR10 (will be targeting 25-26 Celcius, from a 28-29 ambient)
Plants: Crypts, hairgrass, Anubias, Glosso, HC, Rotola, various Moss, Fissidens, Amazon sword, and a few more i'm still researching on
Fauna: Boraras Brigitte, Cherry shrimp, Otos

Here's what's i'm thinking about for the hardscape, after going to GC and trying out a few different combinations:
WP_20131030_001_zps1fe2882f.jpg
T
he blue towel is the same size footprint as the tank.

Any feedback/suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!
-nazeem

[thebaldingaquarist]

It's looks very very nice!

Impressive!

I feel the scape can do with some more smaller rocks piled near the core of the wood.

Very nice!

[David]

Nice layout. Just that you must be careful of water circulation and plan out your choice of plants and their position carefully as you have chosen the Razor and will cast shadow.

As for your chiller, I would think it's better at 1/15 or it's equal and not a 1/10.

[nazeem]

@Erctheanda Thanks for the suggestion. I'll get a few more smaller rock and add it as you suggested.

@David I've been thinking about the circulation too, especially since I'm going to be running 2 filter. I am considering putting both inlets on one side, and both outlets on the other end, so that there's a 1 directional current right across the length of the tank. For the areas under the DW, its mainly going to be Anubias nana petit, some java fern and moss, and other low light plants. Could you explain why you recommend a 1/15 chiller instead? Most of the threads here recommend a step up, and hence, I opted for a 1/8 since the Teco calculator recommended the 1/15.

[limz_777]

nice wood there, is it one piece ?

[David]

Are you going to use those glass lilies?

My mistake you should be using a one up sizing for chiller.

I always mix up the Hp against their model number ...TR10, TR15 and TR20.

I am also using the Teco chiller. Get the model that has the option to install the UV. I cannot remember I think that would be the 1/10 or 1/8.

[ConcaveLiNkiN]

Nice scape! Really great planning ahead. But like what Senior David once told me, planning is just planning but expect the unexpected. When everything goes wet, you might encounter some interesting issues. And solving them is a great challenge and fun! As your solution might lead to another problem.

Anyway, like what Eric mentioned more rocks breaking the end of the driftwood that will be sitting on the substrate away will be a great improvement of the scape. How much more rocks? You will only know when the scape goes into the tank and onto the substrate. Just go with your feelings.

You are also right, having the the current flow one direction will reduce dead spots in your tank. But there is no way we could avoid completely. Once you set everything up, you will bound to move things around till close perfection.

The process is so going to be fun. Enjoy it. Do remember on the plants preparation, read up a little on tropica's website (http://www.tropica.com/en/tropica-ab.../planting.aspx). There is quite a fair bit of information on plants preparation and methods of planting. With that knowledge, it will minimise your mistakes on the planting portion. Your plants might kick start itself to better growth.


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[milk_vanilla]

Good start, camping here..

[nazeem]

nice wood there, is it one piece ?

Most of it is one piece, except for the branch that's furthest forward, which I had to purchase separately.

[AQMS]

camping here for more pics...
good start..

[David]

Zero...don't camp...talk!!! where you disappear to?

[blue33]

all the Pro's already camp here i'm sure they will give you good advice.

[CPONovice]

Looking forward to this too!

[nazeem]

Wow, so much enthusiasm! I'm anxious as well, and this is what I've gone out and bought this week.


My wallet feels so empty now!

The tank should arrive next Friday, or early the following week, so until then, I'm researching plants.

There are a few issues are occupying my thoughts right now:
1.) There's a beam right above the place where I intend to put the tank (in the balcony, as I was overruled by the wife), so I can't hang the lights from the ceiling. I wish the width of the hanging cables on the Razor were adjustable, but i'll have to make do with the included brackets and mount it on the tank instead.
2.) Placement of the chiller. Its much bigger than anticipated, and after factoring in clearance (6 inches behind), it may have to place it sideways besides the cabinet itself. My concern is that it will be an eyesore.
3.) Envisioning the slopes of the substrate. Here's what I'm thinking:

4.) Plant layout:


I want to add in a few crypts (centre) and amazon swords (left corner) as well.
5.) DSM - should I or shouldn't I?

[CPONovice]

Nice Wood! Thinking about doing something similar as i have 1-2 tub of mini fissiden haha! Just need to scout for the wood.

[AQMS]

Zero...don't camp...talk!!! where you disappear to?

Hi David,did you get my PM?
something not right with my profile.
I've been busy with work.Now trying to catch up with what i missed...

[limz_777]

better to avoid amazon swords , grows too big , by the way is it a partition tank ?

[nazeem]

better to avoid amazon swords , grows too big , by the way is it a partition tank ?

Thanks, I'll take Amazon Swords off my list. Think it won't fit with the rest of the stem plants anyway. Nope, no partition in the tank. No braces even.

[AQMS]

Nazeem you should soaked the DW first while waiting for the tank to be deliver on friday.
Soaking the DW will release tannins and sink your DW a lot faster.

[nazeem]

Nazeem you should soaked the DW first while waiting for the tank to be deliver on friday.
Soaking the DW will release tannins and sink your DW a lot faster.

I wish I could, by the DW is too big to fit into any of my buckets, and I don't have a tub. I could probably fit in one branch at a time, but I'm concerned about uneven drying out for the exposed parts.