Hi-tech 2-foot acrylic cube tank journal

[Splendid Warrior]

Hi folks,
even though I have kept a 6 footer sps reef tank in my studio for close to 4 years now, this is my first foray into the beautiful world of the planted tank.

I was deeply inspired by Takashi Amano's work when I picked up The Nature Aquarium Book 2 a few years back and had always wanted to set up a planted tank but just couldn't find the time nor the space (at home) to do it. Through the passage of time and other dsitraction, my interest in the hobby was fast fading until it was triggered by my 6-year-old daughter a few months ago.

She came home from kindergarten one day with a plastic lunch box half filled with water and some crude paper fish cut-outs which she had stuck with tape to the side of the box and said to me: "Daddy look, this is my new aquarium."

Seeing that she was actually pretending to feed her fake fishes in her fake aquarium, I told her I will get her a real aquarium with real fish. My intention then was to set up something simple but one thing led to another and like what people say: The rest is history.

Welcome to my tank journal.

Specifications

Tank
24" x 24" x 24" cell cast acrylic (15mm thick)

Cabinet
24" x 24" x 28" laminated solid plywood

Lighting
Giesemann Nova II pendant with ADA 150w MH bulb

Filtration
Eheim 2026 Pro II
ADA Lily Pipes (in and out flow)

CO2 Fertilization
Dennerle 2-litre CO2 canister, regulator and solenoid switch.
ADA Pollen Glass Beetle 30
ADA CO2 Beetle Counter
ADA Cabochon Ruby

Substrate
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia
ADA Power Sand Special

Chiller
Hailea HC-300A 1/4hp chiller

Aquarium Controller
IKS Aquastar Midi

Flora
Cyperus helferi
Micranthemum micranthemoides (still insufficient)
Eustralis stellata
Rotala Indica
Ludwigia Arcuata
Crytocoryne wendtii var. 'Green Gecko'
Cryptocoryne walkeri
Crytocoryne parva
Pogostemon helferi
Echinodorus aquartica
Echinodorus tenellus
Echinodorus 'Oriental'
Echinodorus 'Red Diamond'
Eleocharis acicularis
Anubias barteri var. 'Nana' petite
Anubias barteri 'coffeefolia'
Hemianthus callitrichoides

Tank Parameters & Maintenance Regimen

Photo period
6 hours per day (2 segments of 3 hours each at 1100hrs and 2100hrs)

Temperature
25 degree C

pH
Lights on: 6.4 - 6.5
Lights off: 6.3

Water Hardness
3 dkH

NO2
3 - 5 ppm

NO3
30+ ppm

CO2 Fertizalition
In sync with photo period at 1 bubble per second

Liquid Fertilization
ADA Brighty K daily at 1ml per 20 litre.
ADA Green Bacter at 1 drop per 10 litre.

Water Change
40% every 3 days

Below are some pics of my planted aquarium after 1 week. There is a slight greenish colour cast from the water due to algae bloom (thankfully only on driftwood) and the driftwood leaching tanic acid. All plants, particularly the HCs and the other tall stem plants are growing well. I had to trim away most of the leaves of the E. aquartica as they were turning brown but the new submerse leaves are now thriving. I've ordered some MMs from Far East and they will occupy the space behind the driftwoods and the rotalas but in front of the C. helferi.


3/4 view from front


3/4 view from back


View from front


Front view angled down


Inside the cabinet



That's all for today. I will update again soon.

[lEddyl]

looks neat!

no fish? or paper fish? haha

[lEddyl]

btw can pm me where u got the tank and lighting?

[richietay]

Arrangement of plants and woods looks very nice, would prefer to see it's matured stage. Not to forget to mention the equipments used, cool!

[kemp]

i like the shape and design of the tank alot! guess without say, the equipment easily costs you a bomb, but hey! it's worth it. Really looking good~

[celticfish]

did you do a step-up/down for the pipe from the Pro 2026 II/chiller to the lily pipes?

[juggler]

Wow - you surely must have put in a lot of thought and investment in this project.
Can't wait to see the tank mature.
BTW - why didn't you tie the Anubias on the nice driftwood?

[Fei Miao]

The Anubias does look odd on the substrate... the indica will look good with time, however, I find the wood might be bit small. IMO, not enough plants in the mid and foreground, perhaps you should plant more thickly.

Is there any reasons you chose acrylic instead of glass for a tank of this size?

The rest of hardware and ADA stuff do look impressive though , do update us on the progress.

[Splendid Warrior]

Thanks for the compliments people

|Eddy|,
I've pmed you about the tank and light.

celticfish,
yes, I used a step-down connector from the filter to the Lily Pipe outflow. I reckoned using a smaller diameter out-flow Lily Pipe would be just right for the 2026 when the water is routed through a chiller and I think I got it right.

juggler,
tying the Anubias petite on any of the driftwood wouldn't look right in my opinion cos the Anubias will look out of place due to its small size. They are tied to small granite pebbles by the way.

[Splendid Warrior]

The Anubias does look odd on the substrate... and I find the wood, maybe a bit small, which will be lost when the indica grows in. IMO, not enough plants in the mid and foreground, perhaps you should plant more thickly.

I tried putting the Anubias somewhere else but I couldn't find anywhere better. I'll have them tied to the driftwood if the wood were of the branchy kind; but they look really out of place tied on those I have. Besides, I think they will create a nice contrast of colours in amongst the the HC when the foreground is covered.

My intention is for the plants to cover most of the wood. They are the central focal point now and that's not what I envision my aquascape to be. I have ordered 5 pots of Micranthemum micranthemoides and they should add to the plant density. I might reduce the size of the foreground by adding more mid-ground plants though.

Is there any reasons you chose acrylic instead of glass for a tank of this size?

I've always like the look of acrylic tanks because they are optically clear and I won't get to see any silicon. Besides, I got it at a good price from my friend I might add.

The rest of ADA stuff do look impressive though , do update us on the progress.

Thanks for the comments and compliments dude.

[user]

I like your setup very much. It is very neat!!
As i am new to planted tank, can you please give me some info on the following:
-Where can i customise this kind of acrylic tank and approx. cost?
-Where to buy those clear water hoses and U shape pipes for cannister?

thank you.

[Splendid Warrior]

I like your setup very much. It is very neat!!
As i am new to planted tank, can you please give me some info on the following:
-Where can i customise this kind of acrylic tank and approx. cost?
-Where to buy those clear water hoses and U shape pipes for cannister?

thank you.

Hi user,
welcome to AQ and thanks for the compliment. As a matter of fact, I'm new to the planted aquaria as well.

I will PM you the cost of my tank and cabinet. You can buy these clear hoses from most hardware shops around the country or you can go to Kelantan Lane near Jalan Besar. You will find a load of shops which sells clear hoses there. Do buy those that are soft cos the hard ones will not last.

The 'U' shape pipes you see in my aquarium are ADA Lily Pipes and you can buy them from Keong Seong at Havelock Road. They don't come cheap though.

[user]

Hi user,
welcome to AQ and thanks for the compliment. As a matter of fact, I'm new to the planted aquaria as well.

I will PM you the cost of my tank and cabinet. You can buy these clear hoses from most hardware shops around the country or you can go to Kelantan Lane near Jalan Besar. You will find a load of shops which sells clear hoses there. Do buy those that are soft cos the hard ones will not last.

The 'U' shape pipes you see in my aquarium are ADA Lily Pipes and you can buy them from Keong Seong at Havelock Road. They don't come cheap though.

Please do PM me some details on pricing and also the contractor who is building the acrylic tanks.
May i know are those ADA lily pipes made of glass? and price too.
thanks.

[Splendid Warrior]

Got some new plants over the weekend to fill up more space in the foreground and mid-ground. Also placed the nana petite on driftwood and I think the scape look better now. Plants I added are:

1. Echinodorus 'Oriental' (salvaged from LFS)
2. Cryptocoryne parva
3. Cryptocoryne walkeri
4. Anubias barteri "coffeefolia"

Other plants I'm getting this weekend are:

1. Echinodorus aquartica x 1 pot
2. Micranthemum micrathemoides x 5 pots

This should conclude the planting of new plants for my tank. Perform water change today but NO2 and NO3 is still high. Here are some more pics to share.


This is the modified scape from front/above.


Front


Crytpcoryne parva


Aquarium and chiller (MH ballast on top of chiller)


My aquarium at the corner of my living room


Will post update again after this weekend.

[richietay]

What a cozy living room, woo....!

look forward for your upcoming updates!

[Splendid Warrior]

Thanks Richie!

[eddyq]

Quite splendid set up scape and very detailed planings of hardwares layout.

[hirowen]

I will be very touched when i grow up if i'm your daughter! Please keep us updated!

[StanChung]

Wow, very stylish setup, I really like the tools! Envy envy! Can't wait by for it to grow out.

[When I take pictures I have to crop out my 71yr old mom's curtain's!]

[Cacatuoides]

Wow!! Nice setup...looking forward to the matured stage!!! Swee (beautiful)!!!
Must have burnt a big hole in your pocket..!!