20G Planted Log - The Come Back!

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Hey AA members, long time no see!

Well after stepping away from the hobby for awhile do to being extremely busy, I found myself now with a good amount of time on my hands.

I picked and plucked things from still surviving, don't know how, aquariums I have. It's going to be a slow start because of financial issues, but it will come around. Well here is what I'm sitting on as of right now.

Equipment:

• 20 Gallon Aquarium
• Coral Life Freshwater Aquatic Light 24in T-5 Series Dual 14w One 6700k One Full Spectrum
• Coral Life Freshwater Aquatic Light 30in T-5 Series Dual 14w One 6700k One Full Spectrum
• Whisper Power Filter 30
• Old 100w heater (don't know exact brand)

Substarte:

• Clean and cured sand from local river

Plants:

• Chainsword
• Hygro 'Sunset'
• Red Foxtail

Fertilizer:

• Liquid K
• Liquid P
• Liquid N
• Liquid Trace Elements

Well here are the pictures of the build up to this point. The last picture was taken today.


Ew, look at this blue gravel my uncles kid was using when it was his aquarium. Ha ha.

Now it has beautiful natural sand

Here are my two light fixtures

This is what it is now. I love first steps

Well that's it for now. Hopefully getting some roommates soon for it. I'll most likely be adding some moss to the drift wood, and some rocks for the hardscape.

Hope you enjoy to watch my journey as much as I do.

Peace out
Ben

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

July 26th 2011 - First Hardscape Layout

Hello again,

I was bored so I decided to do some hardscaping, its my first layout. I don't know if i'll leave it or not, just depends what plants I get in the future.

Well here it is as of right now

 

[Zagz]

So far so good, I must say the sand is a huge improvement. Any idea what plants you are going to be getting?

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

So far so good, I must say the sand is a huge improvement. Any idea what plants you are going to be getting?

Yeah, I when people use that colored stuff, it makes it look bad personally ha ha. I have that sand in almost all of my tanks besides two.

For plants, I'm not quite sure yet, at this point I'm waiting to see how these plants even grow, then I'll get into the scaping for colors and sizes.

This will also be my breeder tank for my Sakura Shrimp I'll be getting at the end of the week.

 

[Coleallensmom]

Looks like a great start!

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Looks like a great start!

Thanks, slowly but surely ha ha.

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Update: July 27th, 2011

Update time.

Well today I added more Red Foxtail behind that piece of driftwood. My plan is to have it grow to the top and have it grow kind of over it, and the rest kind of exploding out of it, but not covering it up.

I also added some C. Wendtii Bronze beside the Sunset Hygro, behind the rock pile on the far left. It is kind of blocking the Hygro at this point but once the Sunset takes off it will look better.

I also planted some Water Sprite between the Hygro and C. Wendtii, just in case the Hygro doesn't grow how I like the Water Sprite will replace it.

I found a very, very little bit of that Naja grass, I am hoping it will latch on to something and grow before it gets sucked up in the filter ha ha.

I also found a few tiny green plant, can't ID it yet, but I threw it in the middle just to see what it grows into, it will only be their temp.



Sorry camera died while I was taking pictures so as soon as I get some batteries the pictures will be posted.

Peace out,
Ben

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Another quick update:

Also I added a DIY Co2 System, with the step-ladder diffuser.

It's big and bulky and will only be there until I can buy a new nano diffuser, my last one got algae in it and now it don't work.

Peace,
Ben

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

July 29th, 2011 - Update + pics (FINALLY!)

Whats up followers, UPDATE TIME.


Well to sum up what has happened since the last pictures. I've added more Red foxtail to the right, added some C. Wendtii on the left, added some Water Sprite to the left (just in-case the Sunset Hygro fails.)

I added a DIY Co2 System with the step-ladder diffuser, and added some nylon to the filter so my new inhabitants don't get sucked up.

The new inhabitants are Taiwan Fire Red Shrimp. I have 15+ on them. They are very active in the bag, and will be releasing them soon.

The water has clear up nicely as well.

I also found out that the 30in light has 2x 18w so I actually have 2x 18w and 2x 14w = 64watts over the 20G.

Since the plants have been planted, besides the chainsword and C. wendtii, i've seen around an inch in growth so far. I'm happy with the results as of right now. The new growth on the sunset is a nice pinkish purple.

PICTURE TIME!!

Full Shot

Full Shot (with flash)

Right Side

Left Side

New Members

Follow the journey of my come back. All comments and suggestions are accepted

Peace out,
Ben

 

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Well this tank was doing freaking awesome, getting over 4in in growth in the first week. Sadly I was sitting in my bed and it randomly sprung a leak.

WHAT A FREAKIN' MESS!!

It's happened to me before so I wasn't way bummed about it, but i'm still pretty bummed.

Well I guess this thread is over, i'll be starting my new one once I have my next tank setup. Hopefully I can get another 20G setup but if not it might have to be a ten, which im not happy about.