Simon's newly revamped 4 ft planted setup

**Simon** · 30th Dec 2007, 21:56

As many or some of you who know me, I have been out of the scene for more than 2 years, recently got edge by Benny and company to restore my interest in planted tanks. Initial idea was just a 4ft apistogramma tank but one thing lead to the next and it eventually became a fully planted tank

and since CNY was around the corner I was motivated to get the tank done up for the new year. You guys should see the state of my 4ft, no plants would want to grow in it and everything started to grow above water

those who have seen the amazon abyss, the substrate was that murky.

anyhow, torn down the tank got new equipments ( filter, lights )

Tank size: 4x1.5x1.5ft.
Lights : 4x54watts T5
Co2 : ADA 40 dia @ 3 to 5 bubbles per second
Temp: hoovering around 28 to 29 C
Substrate : ADA Amazonia II laid to gradient 4 infront and 5 inches behind
Flora: C. becketii, C. griffthii, C. wendtii, C. willisi, C. balansae 'narrow' and a new Crypto from China, Echinodorous rubin 'narrow leaf', E. ozelot 'green' and for foreground E. tenellus and alittle HC

(ps. ignore the piping behind, the tubing was too short and I got lazy to fix up the new tubes I got today)

**wynx** · 30th Dec 2007, 23:15

It's looking good. Where did you get all your crypts from? And did you do the full ADA Substrate? And whatever happens to your chiller?

**Simon** · 30th Dec 2007, 23:18

It got cranky, time to call in the repairman. The crypts are from none other than Mr Teo. For the substrate, it is without powersand

**benny** · 31st Dec 2007, 00:39

Hmm... That's more like it. Very much more respectable than the previous excuse of an aquarium we saw.

Let's sort out the background soon.

Cheers,

**juggler** · 31st Dec 2007, 01:31

Simon: Finally!

Where did you get such nice driftwood? From Teo as well?
Let us know how the C.griffithii grows.

**Simon** · 31st Dec 2007, 06:46

Originally Posted by benny

Hmm... That's more like it. Very much more respectable than the previous excuse of an aquarium we saw.

Let's sort out the background soon.

Cheers,

background? think it is too difficult to apply them on now

Originally Posted by juggler

Simon: Finally!

Where did you get such nice driftwood? From Teo as well?
Let us know how the C.griffithii grows.

got them from midori, for the griffithii I doubt they will survive

**Goondoo** · 31st Dec 2007, 09:30

"wah..... swee lah!!"

I like the layering effect of the drift wood!

Somehow the left looks a bit perceptive though.

It is possible that crypts will melt initially, give them a few months even if they melted completely. My experience is once they come back, they are unstoppable.

PS: Did you dry and grind the previous BBA in your tank for the experiment?

**Simon** · 31st Dec 2007, 10:01

keke, I threw away the gravel from my previous setup. The left side is supposed to be a open patch, right now there is hornwort on the left :P looks out of place also hope the crypts don't melt all at once

**Fei Miao** · 31st Dec 2007, 10:02

Decent scape....time to get start in rescaping my neglected tank as well...

What about the fauna?

**wynx** · 31st Dec 2007, 10:03

What's that bushy stem plant you have near the ADA-40??

**dwgi32** · 31st Dec 2007, 10:26

bro, planning to tied any moss on your DW?

**Simon** · 31st Dec 2007, 11:40

Originally Posted by Fei Miao

Decent scape....time to get start in rescaping my neglected tank as well...

What about the fauna?

future resident includes T. espei, 2 pairs of apisto and cleaning crew

Originally Posted by wynx

What's that bushy stem plant you have near the ADA-40??

that will be the hornwort I using to absorb the nutrients during cycling

Originally Posted by dwgi32

bro, planning to tied any moss on your DW?

no intention as of yet, but will consider that only if the tank picks up

**wynx** · 31st Dec 2007, 11:43

Expected..as the hornwort look rather off in line with the rest of the scape. I also want to get a driftwood like yours.

**Simon** · 31st Dec 2007, 11:45

it isn't planted, apparently it wasn't floating like I wanted it to and sank to the bottom and chose that position. haha

Will neatly up the tubes tonight and try to float the hornwort again

**Quixotic** · 31st Dec 2007, 12:00

Simon, good work on the tank.

Originally Posted by Simon

... a new Crypto from China ...

Curious on this, any close up picture or information?

**wynx** · 31st Dec 2007, 12:09

Originally Posted by Simon

it isn't planted, apparently it wasn't floating like I wanted it to and sank to the bottom and chose that position. haha

Will neatly up the tubes tonight and try to float the hornwort again

Haha...the attraction of CO2 and ADA!

**Simon** · 31st Dec 2007, 12:26

Originally Posted by Quixotic

Simon, good work on the tank.

Curious on this, any close up picture or information?

will try to take a shot of that crypt tonight.

wynx, you should know what ADA does to sane people, let alone plants

**FishFan** · 1st Jan 2008, 05:47

Hey Simon,

The set-up has a lot of potential! I'm sure that it'll look great by CNY.

Btw, what is the brand of the 4ft 4x54watts T5 light set you have? Doesn't seem to be those with parabolic reflectors and waterproof endcaps. Thanks for indulging me. I'm doing some homework before I invest in my own.