David's snowy tank..... still in progress.

**fotoudavid** · 3rd Jun 2011, 12:42

Hi guys,

Just did a snowy tank, well the mosses not that green, will change is 1 week never improve.

Tank size 20 inches, only uses gex hof, a normal light, will upgrade later to a 2 feet PL light, still in cycle.

Please help me improve, as my intention is to keep amber tetra and CPO.

As can see, i am using this substrate, as CPO like to borrow, so will throw in sea shell as well. This substrate i never use before.....

SORRY lousy picture as will take better pictures after water is much clearer.

**magicbegins** · 3rd Jun 2011, 14:03

Looks beautiful! Can't wait to see life in there

**felix_fx2** · 4th Jun 2011, 01:37

david got try to add ceramic caves (S) ?
can hide behind driftwood you know?

P>S: i think the GH Kh factor IMO. my CPO all died due right after moult.

**mayton** · 6th Jun 2011, 14:06

the substrate color is very striking! it made of wat, any ideas?

**fotoudavid** · 7th Jun 2011, 08:16

Originally Posted by magicbegins

Looks beautiful! Can't wait to see life in there

Thanks, actually changed to 2 feet PL lights, what a different in looking at it, thrown in 2 x goldfish....

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

david got try to add ceramic caves (S) ?
can hide behind driftwood you know?

P>S: i think the GH Kh factor IMO. my CPO all died due right after moult.

Never though of using ceramic caves...... yeah i am also worry about GH..... as i normally just ad tap water, never age it.

Originally Posted by mayton

the substrate color is very striking! it made of wat, any ideas?

No ideal, but it is fine sand type, just to try out. Yesterday my friends who visited me like this tank.

**felix_fx2** · 7th Jun 2011, 12:22

Better age it. I lost my 1st 3 cpo within a week. I also direct topup most of the time as the tetras & cherries can take it

**fotoudavid** · 7th Jun 2011, 16:39

Yes, am practicing to age it one day.

Tomorrow buying one piece CPO to try!!!!!! Saw a cute fellow in C328....

**felix_fx2** · 7th Jun 2011, 16:41

Best of luck David

**mayton** · 10th Jun 2011, 11:35

on close look at yr picture, yr substrate look like in crystallized form or salt granules. i thought that calcium is usually white or plain in colour, so yr substrate could have hi calcium content.
i wonder if it will make yr water hard as tetras/many plants require acidic water to live well.

**p.albert** · 16th Jun 2011, 04:22

wow thats a really beautiful substrate.
mind sharing where u got that from?

may i suggest the use of some rocks, properly siliconed to make mini caves for ur CPO?
that would look more natural.
alternatively, u can head down to artfriend at takashimaya level 4, or bras basah.
sell hollow acrylic tubes up to 4cm diameter. u could insert these tubes under the wood, under the sand.
and use some rocks to disguise the entrance to these "caves"

**Shaihulud** · 16th Jun 2011, 09:34

Looks like quartz sand, should be safe. White sand do tends to become very noticeable with abit of dirt though.

**Apistoinka** · 18th Jun 2011, 16:49

What will be living inside the tank... Looking forward to see what's the outcome... Nice one there bro... Well done...

**stormhawk** · 28th Jun 2011, 01:59

That sand is basically silica or quartz sand. I personally do not like this, but if you like it by all means keep it. However, I feel the sand layer is too thick, which can start to compact and form pockets of anaerobic bacteria. This can be detrimental to the health of your CPOs. Even though the CPO are tunneling creatures, eventually all their digging may cause the driftwood to sink. Plus, the choice of white sand will make dirt and CPO poop more noticeable. The use of this sand means you have to rake it every now and then to release trapped gases. I would reduce the sand layer, just in case.

Don't bother to make your own caves. Buy ready-made items like those Crusta Tubes from Dennerle or similar stuff from other manufacturers. I use UP brand stuff and they don't really differ much from Dennerle anyway.