Thinking of decomp tank again...

**raytan12** · 11th Jun 2009, 23:16

I'm thinking of decomp my 3ft tank. Infested with green brush algae. Tired of it already and seem not able to get rid of it. Don wish to leave it as an empty. Not sure what to do with it. Have a 2ft paludarium. Run out of ideas what to do... Any suggestions?

**raytan12** · 11th Jun 2009, 23:29

Originally Posted by raytan12

I'm thinking of decomp my 3ft tank. Infested with green brush algae. Tired of it already and seem not able to get rid of it. Don wish to leave it as an empty. Not sure what to do with it. Have a 2ft paludarium. Run out of ideas what to do... Any suggestions?

Don wish to do planted again. Too much work. Tank contain ADA power sand and minerals and ADA amazonia 2

**Fingerling** · 13th Jun 2009, 05:33

With ADA soil and sand, ever thought of venturing into SA dwarf cichlids/ cories.

**lorba** · 13th Jun 2009, 07:49

Why dont you consider changing it to a vivarium with some fishes, no plants in the water?

Link

**raytan12** · 13th Jun 2009, 12:02

Originally Posted by lorba

Why dont you consider changing it to a vivarium with some fishes, no plants in the water?

Link

but it's rather difficult to get the moss and plants to grow well with room temp of 30degrees.

**lorba** · 14th Jun 2009, 08:44

Just leave it open top to trap minimum heat.
With water running and distributed to various branches (via Octopus), there shoud not be much heat.

Just make sure no stagnant pool of water "inland" and fishes around.

**raytan12** · 15th Jun 2009, 11:51

Originally Posted by lorba

Just leave it open top to trap minimum heat.
With water running and distributed to various branches (via Octopus), there shoud not be much heat.

Just make sure no stagnant pool of water "inland" and fishes around.

what's the temp? and what plants u have there (for the last tank pic)?

**Verminator** · 15th Jun 2009, 19:42

Not trying to hijack the thread. But anyone know what sort of tank sizes are used in those 4 scapes? I'm interested in trying a small-scale 2ft tank as one, but fear it might be just a tad too small to attempt anything decent.

**lorba** · 16th Jun 2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by raytan12

what's the temp? and what plants u have there (for the last tank pic)?

The tank is covered at the top to keep moisture (but have problem of fogging). Temperature is probably around 30C when air con is off and maybe 28C when is on.

There are moss, birdnest ferns, orchids, cryptocoryne, bromeliad and some other wild plants. There were also some frogs, which is why it is covered.
There is just 1 small pump working, hidden in the corner.

Basically, if you do not go for high tech vivarium equipment, it is a very cheap set up. Even the soil is very old soil used for long period.

**Verminator** · 16th Jun 2009, 18:01

I understand the theory of keeping it ewnclosed to trap in moisture for the plants to thrive, but to stop it fogging over is it possible to have a small opening to prevent this. Or would this counter the entire concept of covering it and allow to much (if not all) the moisture to escape.

If someone could clarify that for me it would be greatly appreciated. Or is there a far easier alternate step to prevent the tank misting up.

**lorba** · 16th Jun 2009, 18:04

If you have the budget, you can install something like mistking. Then the cover can be mesh type and not fully concealed.

Even with small holes on glass covers, you will still get fogging. When there is no fogging, there is probably not enough moisture anyway.

The above tank was covered as no mistking was used and there are many patches of moss without water dripping through.

**Verminator** · 16th Jun 2009, 19:35

So ultimately its a fine line between enough moisture being trapped for the plants and too much causing it to fog up. Trial and error is probably going to be the easiest way of distinguishing this factor for myself - as is the case with most things

As a general starting point would a fine mesh do ok to start with would you think? Obviously my climate is different to yours (i understand this) and that will affect your judgement on any "recomendation" but any thoughts are appreciated

**raytan12** · 17th Jun 2009, 18:32

Originally Posted by lorba

The tank is covered at the top to keep moisture (but have problem of fogging). Temperature is probably around 30C when air con is off and maybe 28C when is on.

There are moss, birdnest ferns, orchids, cryptocoryne, bromeliad and some other wild plants. There were also some frogs, which is why it is covered.
There is just 1 small pump working, hidden in the corner.

Basically, if you do not go for high tech vivarium equipment, it is a very cheap set up. Even the soil is very old soil used for long period.

what types of moss? cos i tried spiky, java but don't do well at all