Je®vis Red Planet Tank

[Jervis]

Hi guys

Started a tank yesterday as a prototype for my upcoming 4ft tank.

Besides as a testing ground for the substrate, hardscape & etc. this tank is also a place to continuously grow my lovely M. hirsuta Tropica (from my soon to decom 2ft tank).

I have been starting up new tanks at a rate of 2 per month... now what's so special about this one?

The funny thing is... after so many tank setups... I am reusing my first ever glass tank as featured here Remember that 'fake' Kotobuki tank?

Dimensions :610W (2ft) x 200D x 230H
The tank will hold approximately 24L / 6 US Gal.



I will elaborate more on this setup in a Jervis-style step-by-step picto journal (as expected)

[Jervis]

Testing my woodscape inside an empty tank... the easiest way in my opinion



These are the old black wood branches acquired from "WaterWorld" and "GreenPlanet". I want this tank to be wood dominant... something I have yet to attempt seriously.

[Jervis]

Decided to give Dennerle a try this time round. Full substrate system by the Germans



Just want to discover new things to keep the hobby fresh and fun

[EvolutionZ]

wow. beautiful wood..
looking forward to another beautiful tank!

[Jervis]

wow. beautiful wood..
looking forward to another beautiful tank!

Thanks bro! Now let's look at the substrate system shall we?

Let's start with the Deponit-Mix. If what they claim is 100% accurate, this substrate base consists of:
1) Selected natural peats – for breaking up nutrients
2) Mineral clay – as nutrient depot, rich in trace elements
3) Natural clays – ideal nutrient carriers
4) Iron – for healthy, lush-green leaves
5) Special granular material (highly porous) – increase bio-filtering function
6) Multi-Vital-Komplex 3 – enhances safe root taking and provides for the best possible supply of nutrients.

The above copied from the instruction booklet. Quite a lot of product promises I find

[Jervis]

Because this is a small tank... I only applied a very thin layer of Duponit-Mix... avoid having too "rich" a substrate especially if IRON is found in it.

The next step is to give LIFE to the substrate. I added 1/2 pack of FB1 Substrate Starter Bacteria on top of the Duponit-Mix. The gold foil looks premium



The starter bacteria come in the form of small white granules (not powdery)



Then a layer of Crystal Quartz (Brown) on top

[Jervis]

I used one of the main wood to divide the mid/background from the foreground... I will fill more gravel into the partitioned area



I put in more starter bacteria in this area as the gravel will be much thicker.

[pleco4me]

Nice wood layout

[Jervis]

Thanks! Partly inspired by your new tank... now where's your tank journal by the way?

[Jervis]

I notice one of the small branching wood is lighter in density (can feel it somehow)... to keep it in place I tied it to an adjacent branch using fishing line. I can easily cut and remove the line later.

[Jervis]

Here's my finished woodscape with the "Red Earth" granite... looks like Mars actually



Planning to add some stones to soften the hardscape.

Will leave the backdrop white for the time being. I purposely mount the white backdrop about 6" away from the back of tank to add depth I hope it works

[Jervis]

Scattered some small lava rocks around the woodscape... matches the gravel perfectly but the having the rocks in uniform size looks a bit unreal Will look for some medium size rocks tomorrow



Filled the tank with DI water.

I continuously sprayed the gravel to help them sink fully... a trick learned from Master Amano

[Jervis]

Stopped the water at this level to facilitate easier foreground planting... the best time to add Biogrun water conditioner and liquid starter bacteria

[iwishweallcouldwin]

i always enjoy reading all your tank journals. have fun setting up yet another inspirational tank dude

[EvolutionZ]

jervis, i must say you are very lucky.. always find super nice wood.. but im sure its very expensive for that big piece of wood..
i have been searching for wood for almost 2 weeks and finally found a pretty nice looking normal drift wood..
anyway, very nice looking hardscape!

[Samuel2618]

Jervis,

Awaiting for more updates for your new tanks.. Keep the pictures going..

Cheers..

[Verminator]

Once again, an inspiration to us all in the art of aquascaping.

[Fuzz]

nice startup.. keep the pix coming

[joe faria]

Hi,
You can't go wrong with the germans.

Thinking in another dwarf cichlid tank?

Regards,

Joe Faria

[Jervis]

i always enjoy reading all your tank journals. have fun setting up yet another inspirational tank dude

Thanks! Have fun reading

jervis, i must say you are very lucky.. always find super nice wood.. but im sure its very expensive for that big piece of wood.. i have been searching for wood for almost 2 weeks and finally found a pretty nice looking normal drift wood.. anyway, very nice looking hardscape!

Thanks EvolutionZ! I just have enough branches in my stockpile to mix and match

Jervis,

Awaiting for more updates for your new tanks.. Keep the pictures going..

Yes... more pix to come

Once again, an inspiration to us all in the art of aquascaping.

Emm... just the beginning of a long journey... I hope it's still considered an 'art' once I introduce the plants

nice startup.. keep the pix coming

Yes sir!

You can't go wrong with the germans. Thinking in another dwarf cichlid tank?

I know Will decide on the fauna once the flora is more-or-less 'there'... most probably not going to be another Apistogramma tank