2.5 gallon planted build

[gman42]

I typed this up once, and there was an error, so this is going to be a bit shorter.
Please point out anything that is questionable, and may not work.
Tank
2.5 gallon standard
Lowes organic potting soil
Sand on top of soil
Assorted rocks for decor
Plants: amazon sword, xmas moss, crypts, dhg, java fern, and bocopa australis( miss spelled).
Lighting will be sun light, possible desk top lamp.
Would distilled water be alright. The water were i am setting this up is questionable, and my gma wants distilled water.
Stock: mystery snail, possible rcs/ghost shrimp
No heater as of right now
I want this to be heavily planted, and be like the walsted method.
Wc's will prob be monthly due to my gma not wanting to do them, and i will do one when i visit.
This means little maitenence. Mostly topping off. Will the distilled water work?

 

[aqua_chem]

The DHG is going to want good light and CO2, and an amazon is going to get comically big for a 2.5g tank.

 

[gman42]

Alright, will the distilled water be okay?

 

[aqua_chem]

Only if you are reconstituting it.

 

[gman42]

That seems a bit complicated. I think i will just use tap water and treat it with prime.
I guess i can store some treated water for top off's for her.
Pics will be uploaded tonight if i get the soil, and the hardscape will begin.

 

[gman42]

Heres a pic of the tank so far.

 

[gman42]

Thtats the hard scape, still no water in it. Im goig to makw the slopes more dramatic tommarrow when i clean more sand.

 

[Rivercats]

A nice little piece of DW would really look nice with those rocks.

 

[gman42]

Im looking for some, its hard to find a piece that small.
Do you think the rock scape looks decent?
Im new to aquascaping, and i looked at some iwogami, or how ever u spell it, and i am working on some slipes like his, and the rock work.

 

[gman42]

*slopes/hills*

 

[Rivercats]

I'm not into that style but I think the rocks look fine. One thing to consider tho is it looks like they are against the back of the glass so if you want to put any taller plant in the back you won't be able to do it.

For DW I had several unused pieces in a box and I took one out that looked right and broke an end off. It worked really good. You can also go to the reptile section of a pet shop as they often times have some nice small pieces you could use.

 

[gman42]

Sounds good. I really like the right side, and i will prob plant around it. The lage rock on the left will have some talk plants behind it.

 

[gman42]

I moved the rocks forword, i like your idea. Now there is a couple inches behind the rocks to plant some stuff.

 

[Rivercats]

I think you'll be happy you left room for planting behind them.

 

[gman42]

I got some plants for the tank.

A moss ball
And some crypts
Will buy more later
Also a blue, and a yellow myatery snail.
The last pic is my 20 gallon, all lf the plants r in there until christmas.

 

[Rivercats]

Just adding those plants makes the tank look so different. I like it with more plants!

 

[gman42]

Thank you rivercats.

The 2.5 gal will be planted to tonight, an my gma seems pretty excited. Which is good bcuz she usualy dislikes the idea of having an aquarium.
Looks like shes going to be an aquarium addict lol.
Merry christmas everyone!

 

[Rivercats]

Hope she likes it alot and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

 

[gman42]

I just filled it up, and it has a light from my old 10 gal, so it looks funny.
Im planning on adding more plants soon.
Im stuck on were to put the moss ball, any ideas?

 

[gman42]

Heres an update

How is this design