Cheddar254's 2ft planted aquarium ( picture intensive )

**Cheddar254** · 9th Jul 2010, 22:02

Hi everyone,
this is my first official journal and my first proper planted aquarium. The tank is currently in for repairs as a accidently bumped the computer, which in turn fell on it

clever me. Will start posting pictures of set up in about 1 - 2 weeks. The tank is going to be Sanzon Iwagumi, which I have been reading up on, seems simple enough

Tank dimensions - 610 x 325 x 325 (mm)
Co2 - Sera Co2 start kit
Substrate - Mineralized soil, with added potassium, dolomite and clay ( high iron content )
Lighting - 4 * 24w T5, It comes with 2 6500k bulbs and 2 10000k bulbs, should i go for that or buy another 2 6500k bulbs?
Filtration - Cascade 200 HOB
Possible Flora - Hc ( hemianthus callitrichoides ), blyxa japonica, dwarf hairgrass for the back ground ( eleocharis parvula or acicularis, cant tell )
Fauna - Was thinking of a female betta sorority, I know it'll kinda clash with the whole iwagumi theme, 4 otos, more than a few cherry shrimp

**Cheddar254** · 12th Jul 2010, 22:25

Hi guys,

A quick update
Ive found some rocks !

theres a computer mouse next to them for size comparison, tell me what you think of them.Also a picture of the tank before it went in for repairs

tank

possible rocks

other side

**ranmasatome** · 13th Jul 2010, 01:03

One of the most basic points of iwagumi is rock size. You only seem to have one size of rocks, that isn't very iwagumi-like.

**Cheddar254** · 17th Jul 2010, 00:09

Hi guys

Tank just came back from repairs and have been playing around with a few rock scapes but heres one. Going to set up tomorrow, but first have to find potassium chloride and dolomite, found a chemical company in my area. Going to be using a desk lamp for a week, getting lights next week.Stay tuned for setting up pics

please comment and advise. thanks

A try

**Cheddar254** · 21st Jul 2010, 01:08

Hi everyone,

update time

sorry about the delay, the place where i wanted to get the chemicals didnt have

mostly only pool chemicals, but i eventually ordered from a pharmacy. ok so lets get cracking with the pic's

and sorry for the bad quality pictures, i cant find my memory card reader for my camera so had to settle for my n95

Empty tank

Dolomite and potassium chloride before adding

Sprinkling the dolomite and potassium as a first layer, sorry you cant see the potassium, the dolomite had dust particles so i rinsed it first, and the potassium was powder.

mineralized soil in tank over potassium and dolomite

close up of black gravel over soil ( 1-2 mm )

side view

my attempt at a rock scape ( advise please

)

after planting ( upper view, and i added way more hairgrass )

Minutes after filling

about an hour and a half after, plus filter and heater etc. added

Thats all folks, updates will come over the weeks, and my 4*24w t5s should arrive within the next 2 weeks, lets hope the plants live with the 60w desk lamp

please advise and comment

**benjaminong88** · 22nd Jul 2010, 15:00

wow you added fish so fast during your cycling process. I hope they don't die, sorry but no offence.

**Cheddar254** · 23rd Jul 2010, 22:04

haha no, all this was in a small 45cm tank before, the filter, danios etc.

**benjaminong88** · 26th Jul 2010, 10:02

haha ok sorry =) anyway if can try to plant more on your foreground and slope your substrate to create a more 3 dimensional view and sense of gradience!

**Cheddar254** · 27th Jul 2010, 22:05

Originally Posted by benjaminong88

haha ok sorry =) anyway if can try to plant more on your foreground and slope your substrate to create a more 3 dimensional view and sense of gradience!

thanks i will slope it more soon, and as for the foreground, im still waiting for my supplier to get in glosso