75 gallon planted aquarium log
- Thread starter crockwood
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Aquarium1
Aquarium Advice Addict
Congrats! Following 
FishCrazyBenBOMB
Aquarium Advice Addict
Love your rockshelf.
The light arrived today. The difference between light intensity is astounding.
I've also made a couple of really big orders this past week. I have 100lbs of eco-complete, 2 200w Hydor ETH heaters, a coralife turbotwist 3x 9w UV sterilizer, some eheim parts, and a full CO2 system from greenleafaquariums.com on the way.
Craig has me talked into building the Cerge's reactor he's now using due to the increased flow he's seeing when compared to the Rex Grigg setup. I still need to get the stuff to build that. Other than the small things like a couple timers and a big power strip everything is ordered.
Now I just need plants!
Here are updated pictures with a much better camera.
I've also made a couple of really big orders this past week. I have 100lbs of eco-complete, 2 200w Hydor ETH heaters, a coralife turbotwist 3x 9w UV sterilizer, some eheim parts, and a full CO2 system from greenleafaquariums.com on the way.
Craig has me talked into building the Cerge's reactor he's now using due to the increased flow he's seeing when compared to the Rex Grigg setup. I still need to get the stuff to build that. Other than the small things like a couple timers and a big power strip everything is ordered.
Now I just need plants!
Here are updated pictures with a much better camera.
Aquarium1
Aquarium Advice Addict
Wow it looks amazing. Can't wait to see it with some plants 
Well, I'm not full force into finishing this up yet, until after I move (ETA 2 weeks). I'm planning a major shift in the hardscape when I do it, which I think will make this look 1000x better.
I want to go ahead and use black latex paint to do the background, verses using the taped on backing. I'm going to change that rock wall to run laterally across the tank, and be much more dug into the substrate. I'll back fill it all to give the slope that I like also. The whole goal will be to make it much more natural. Also, I'll be finally sinking that other big piece of driftwood you see floating with weights of some kind.
It's making me anxious. I have a lot of work to do to the tank and I'm going to need to keep the fish alive and healthy during this trip. They are going to spend a good bit of time out of the tank while I rescape everything as planned. My normal method of transporting them is in a 5 gal bucket filled about 75% with tank water. How long do you think they would be ok in there? I could add a heater and airstone if needed while I do the rest of the work. How do you guys do it?
I want to go ahead and use black latex paint to do the background, verses using the taped on backing. I'm going to change that rock wall to run laterally across the tank, and be much more dug into the substrate. I'll back fill it all to give the slope that I like also. The whole goal will be to make it much more natural. Also, I'll be finally sinking that other big piece of driftwood you see floating with weights of some kind.
It's making me anxious. I have a lot of work to do to the tank and I'm going to need to keep the fish alive and healthy during this trip. They are going to spend a good bit of time out of the tank while I rescape everything as planned. My normal method of transporting them is in a 5 gal bucket filled about 75% with tank water. How long do you think they would be ok in there? I could add a heater and airstone if needed while I do the rest of the work. How do you guys do it?
Another pleco. Again, I would love to know what kind it is.
not positive, but i think this is a pitbull pleco. just skimmed the thread, so i don't know if you figured that out. but the eyes make me think it's a pitbull pleco (or goby pleco, Parotocinclus jumbo) i think they're so cute. we're actually getting one tomorrow
Awesome! I'll investigate into those to see if I can determine for sure if that's what he is. I love him, and he's the only one I couldn't part with. Plus I like that he seems to be staying to a smallish size so he won't bulldoze the eventual plants I put in.
if it is indeed a pitbull pleco, it won't exceed a max. size of 3 inches. i've read that they like to be in groups, like the otocinclus, but i'm not positive if that's true. we wanted to get 2 or 3 but the LFS only has 1 right now, so we'll get him a buddy a little down the road.
the_fish_man
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I love your aquarium and i am following
DragonFish71
Great white snark
Easy way to weigh down your DW, just set some of your larger rocks on it. Since you're planning to re-scape it shouldn't bug you too much to see rocks on DW.
Way big update time.
So I finally got moved, and completed the long process of re-setting everything up. The first day of breaking everything down I didn't keep track of the time but the second day I put in about 14 hours putting everything together.
The first step was painting the back of the tank. I went to Lowes and grabbed some of their Valspar Satin Black laytex paint. I used a foam roller and put on two coats. I'm exceptionally happy with the outcome. Yesterday I couldn't really see how well it came out because micro bubbles were all over the back glass. However today when I got home, the background was absolutely flawless.
The next step was getting the stand prepped. First was getting the power strips and timer installed. The first strip on the left has the two filters, two heaters and the timer installed. It's the constant power. The second strip on the right is my timed sockets. Its going to have the light fixture, CO2 solenoid, and UV plugged in. The photo period is going to determine how long the UV runs.
The next task was to test fit everything out, think through the hose layout to try and avoid kinks and keep everything in some type of order so I don't have wires and hoses all over the **** place in that cabinet.
Then I fit everything together, cut a couple pieces of new hose and was ready for the tank. As you'll see the loop with the 2215 on it, has that open space in the corner. That will eventually be where my CO2 reactor resides. However I screwed up and forgot to pull the air hose through before I sealed it all up, so I'll have to bore it out bigger and seal it with silicone.
Doing a little cable management
So I finally got moved, and completed the long process of re-setting everything up. The first day of breaking everything down I didn't keep track of the time but the second day I put in about 14 hours putting everything together.
The first step was painting the back of the tank. I went to Lowes and grabbed some of their Valspar Satin Black laytex paint. I used a foam roller and put on two coats. I'm exceptionally happy with the outcome. Yesterday I couldn't really see how well it came out because micro bubbles were all over the back glass. However today when I got home, the background was absolutely flawless.
The next step was getting the stand prepped. First was getting the power strips and timer installed. The first strip on the left has the two filters, two heaters and the timer installed. It's the constant power. The second strip on the right is my timed sockets. Its going to have the light fixture, CO2 solenoid, and UV plugged in. The photo period is going to determine how long the UV runs.
The next task was to test fit everything out, think through the hose layout to try and avoid kinks and keep everything in some type of order so I don't have wires and hoses all over the **** place in that cabinet.
Then I fit everything together, cut a couple pieces of new hose and was ready for the tank. As you'll see the loop with the 2215 on it, has that open space in the corner. That will eventually be where my CO2 reactor resides. However I screwed up and forgot to pull the air hose through before I sealed it all up, so I'll have to bore it out bigger and seal it with silicone.
Doing a little cable management
Then it was time for the tank to go on the stand. I tried to level the stand and tank as well as I could but since its on carpet, that's kind of difficult.
I started the substrate by putting in some of the older eco-complete/gravel mixture I was previously using. It's got some of the old bacteria in it and I thought the gravel would help it keep from getting too compacted at the deeper depths and having oxygen issues.
Once I got the base layer in, I wanted to build the wall but alter how it was executed. I basically want it look like an old decrepit wall slowly being reclaimed by nature that has started to fail in the center, with substrate spilling out. I also placed the driftwood and some bigger accent rock to help fill in the back right corner.
And here's the final FTS at the end of the day yesterday. I haven't taken a shot today after the micro bubbles cleared up because I've been out all day long.
Now I'm playing the waiting game again. I need to place a plant and fertilizer order somewhere and start filling this thing out. At the same time I need to get the CO2 reactor fixed up and then get it installed too. This GLA rig is gnawing at me to get it going. I've got fish to add too. I think I'm going to add 4 or so more rainbows, replace the 3 tigers I've lost (they were all runts), and about 12 cories (I like juliis). Depending on the bio load I might add some rummynoses too.
I'm curious to see how you all think the hardscape turned out. Its far from being perfect, but I'm happy with the first shot. Eventually I'd like to see some leafy crypts or anubias planted right behind the wall so when grown out the foliage will drape over it slightly. I also think getting a foreground going will help it look more "reclaimed". The rocks in the back right will most likely be pulled out as they are taking a lot of plant real estate. I think a nice large sword or some rotala will look good back there.
Oh, and I realize the filter inputs are pretty ugly and in your face but once the tank is grown in you'll never see them.
I started the substrate by putting in some of the older eco-complete/gravel mixture I was previously using. It's got some of the old bacteria in it and I thought the gravel would help it keep from getting too compacted at the deeper depths and having oxygen issues.
Once I got the base layer in, I wanted to build the wall but alter how it was executed. I basically want it look like an old decrepit wall slowly being reclaimed by nature that has started to fail in the center, with substrate spilling out. I also placed the driftwood and some bigger accent rock to help fill in the back right corner.
And here's the final FTS at the end of the day yesterday. I haven't taken a shot today after the micro bubbles cleared up because I've been out all day long.
Now I'm playing the waiting game again. I need to place a plant and fertilizer order somewhere and start filling this thing out. At the same time I need to get the CO2 reactor fixed up and then get it installed too. This GLA rig is gnawing at me to get it going. I've got fish to add too. I think I'm going to add 4 or so more rainbows, replace the 3 tigers I've lost (they were all runts), and about 12 cories (I like juliis). Depending on the bio load I might add some rummynoses too.
I'm curious to see how you all think the hardscape turned out. Its far from being perfect, but I'm happy with the first shot. Eventually I'd like to see some leafy crypts or anubias planted right behind the wall so when grown out the foliage will drape over it slightly. I also think getting a foreground going will help it look more "reclaimed". The rocks in the back right will most likely be pulled out as they are taking a lot of plant real estate. I think a nice large sword or some rotala will look good back there.
Oh, and I realize the filter inputs are pretty ugly and in your face but once the tank is grown in you'll never see them.
Aquarium1
Aquarium Advice Addict
Looks awesome! Just wondering, did the filter media and substrate stay wet during transport and preparation?
Just wondering, did the filter media and substrate stay wet during transport and preparation?Yeah, I have the Eheim shut-off connectors inline on my hoses. I basically just closed the ball valves before draining the tank so the filters were full the entire time. Granted it wasn't a constant cycle of fresh water so some of it might have died off but I think enough survived to keep any major problems.
As for the substrate, I went to wal-mart and bought a big tub to put it in. I drained the tank as much as I could with a python, then used a cup to scoop it out and throw it in the tub. It had enough water in it to keep 2-3 inches or so flooded in the tub.
The bacteria and all will definitely need time to re-establish to get back to max capacity, but I think I can avoid a mini cycle. I'll cut feeding to once a day and go easy on the amount for a little while. Now that I don't have the runt barbs in the tank I don't have to slightly overfeed to give them a better chance at getting a bite anyways.
As for the substrate, I went to wal-mart and bought a big tub to put it in. I drained the tank as much as I could with a python, then used a cup to scoop it out and throw it in the tub. It had enough water in it to keep 2-3 inches or so flooded in the tub.
The bacteria and all will definitely need time to re-establish to get back to max capacity, but I think I can avoid a mini cycle. I'll cut feeding to once a day and go easy on the amount for a little while. Now that I don't have the runt barbs in the tank I don't have to slightly overfeed to give them a better chance at getting a bite anyways.
Aquarium1
Aquarium Advice Addict
Ok that's good. IMO you might have a mini cycle at the most, if that, although I doubt it.
Everything is going awesome it seems. I think I avoided a cycle of any kind. The UV is helping keep the water super clear.
The big issue is I have a friend of my moms offering to give me a whole troupe of cichlids for free. FREE. So I'm really really tempted to take him up on his offer, however I know the rainbows, barbs, and well most likely plants will have to go out the window.
The big issue is I have a friend of my moms offering to give me a whole troupe of cichlids for free. FREE. So I'm really really tempted to take him up on his offer, however I know the rainbows, barbs, and well most likely plants will have to go out the window.
JustOneMore20
Algae Fighter
Another pleco. Again, I would love to know what kind it is.
That is a Rubberlip Pleco...stays smallish, 4-5inches. Cute little guys.
I can't believe I have missed this journal! The new substrate looks good! Can't wait to see what you do with the tank.
Yeah, I absolutely love the new substrate. Just straight eco looks a lot cleaner than having the gravel mixed into it. I'm really aching to get more plants in there. Painting the back with the Valspar satin black latex made a HUGE difference too. The whole tank just looks cleaner and put together.
I was in the area of my LFS today and was super tempted to go pick some pots of swords but I managed to resist.
I know one thing, once I land a job I'm buying a freaking jungle to put in this thing.
I was in the area of my LFS today and was super tempted to go pick some pots of swords but I managed to resist.
I know one thing, once I land a job I'm buying a freaking jungle to put in this thing.
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