A humble planted tank

[benedictsim]

I don't have any specific theme. I'd just call it a jungle.

It's an old planted tank which I kept back in 2003. My joy is from seeing the plants growing and bubbling out oxygen. I'd add on more pictures as I find them.

[benedictsim]

Another view of the full tank. While it may not be in the same period as the first photo in previous post. There's a little algae on the front of the tank, which I chose to retain for the photo. Perhaps to let me remember the exact condition of the tank.Overwhelming water wisteria on the left of the tank. The lily/lotus plants was huge! But somehow, the little arowana seems to enjoyed swimming in and out of the plants.

[benedictsim]

Close up of the left portion of the tank.

[blue33]

i like the wilderness of this scape, very natural. thanks for sharing.

[limz_777]

any tank spec info on the set-up ?

[benedictsim]

Hi Limz_777, these are rather old pictures dated back to 2003. So if my memory serves me on

Tank size is Resun CM-1260 model, 1260 x 500 x 590 mm.
It comes with a hood which I removed and dump it eventually as it is restricting air flow on a planted tank.
It was removed when I added in an arowana finally, as I did not want the fish to electrocute itself if it breaks the lights.

I know I had a
1. fertilizer base,
2. CO2
3. Lots of lights
4. Monster Roots lumps for experimental sake

[benedictsim]

Another of my favorite plant, due to it's reddish brown leaf. Only new lead offshoots are red. Thereafter, it becomes green.

[Shadow]

bro your tank is very wild, look like tropical jungle

[benedictsim]

Thanks Shadow! I realized I've been here for so long, but have not posted anything much. Thought I'd like to contribute too. :P
This was before the Arowana days. The tank was filled with smaller fishes.

[benedictsim]

This is a very beautiful plant. I felt my planted tank was more like plant collection. There wasn't much landscaping done, but rather, finding slots to plant any new lovely plant. Kind of like a plant shop where they just put the plants together.

According to "Aquarium Plants" by Peter Hiscock

Name: Eusteralis Stellata
Origin: Australia, Asia
Growth Rate: Depends on condition
Area: Background, Midground, Foreground
Light: Bright to very bright
Temperature: 22-28°C
Propagation: From Cuttings
Difficulty: More Challenging, Difficult to care for and propagate.

Seriously, sometime being not in the know is a good thing. The plant grew very well with me and it looked fantastic!

[benedictsim]

This photos shows a planted tank totally emptied of fishes. My guess was this period was after my CO2 dumped, and before the arowana arrived. I've changed to a quality solenoid since. The last CO2 dump killed all my fishes on 09 Aug 2003. I remembered as it happened on a National Day. Most likely since I've removed the centerpiece wood piece too. Don't want anything big or sharp in the tank for the arowana.

[limz_777]

hoodless when you introduce the arowana ?

[Alvin Koh]

Hi benedict,

This is one of the nicest planted tanks with Arowana I've come across and they are pretty rare. I've only seen 3 in person with such dense greenery.
I think your Arowana must be very happy, swimming amongst the plants - does it get bothered by the lights by any chance?

[benedictsim]

Hi Alvin,

Thanks! Actually, it wasn't the light that bothered. There were quite a lot of shade. The arowana was still young back then, it was like slightly less than 1ft long, and I've only got a 4ft tank. With plants, it effectively reduced a lot of movement space for the growing aro. In the end, during my house move, I decided to let go all the plants, and have a bare tank with aro only. So I had about 2 years of planting, and another 7 years with the aro.

[benedictsim]

hoodless when you introduce the arowana ?

Hi Limz_777, I had a netting covering the tank. The covering is a must have as these fishes can really jump. Even with the net, and 2 x 4ft lamp holders which probably weight about 3kg plus, it can lift up the load.

It has jumped several times before, for many reasons. Sometimes, could be because I'm wearing a white shirt, and walk out to the area at night with all the lights off, it'll get spooked and jump too. Quite easily frightened. :P

[griffinkid]

Your arowana is beautiful! But i would still think the planted tank looked better haha

[benedictsim]

Your arowana is beautiful! But i would still think the planted tank looked better haha

Haha! Yea.. And I'm being veered to restarting a planted tank by my family, especially my boy. lol

[Kenng]

Come on back and make a good one for all of us to see.
Can't wait to see another good planted tank.

[limz_777]

Haha! Yea.. And I'm being veered to restarting a planted tank by my family, especially my boy. lol

maybe restart one with a super red , seems like can tan it and grow plants at the same time

[rainboy]

Very nice densely planted tank.